BY BULATLAT The Batangas City Provincial Prosecutor junked the charges of arson and destruction of property filed against labor lawyer Remigio Saladero Jr. and 26 other activists from Southern Tagalog for lack of probable cause, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) said. The charges are in connection with the burning down of…
Category: Breaking News
Filipino-Americans Reiterate Call to Cut US Military Aid to the Philippines
BY BULATLAT In the light of the recent report of Prof. Philip Alston, United Nations special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Filipino-Americans in the United States reiterated their call to cut all U.S. military aid and training to the Philippines. In his report to the United Nations Human Rights Council dated April 29,…
Group Decries Police’s Handling of Rebelyn Case
BY BULATLAT An alliance of individuals from the church, academe and human rights groups expressed dismay over how the Philippine National Police (PNP) handles the case of Rebelyn Pitao. Rebelyn, 20, was abducted by four armed men at 6:30 p.m. last March 4, 2009 at the crossing of Bago Gallera de Oro Subdivision, Bago Gallera,…
Health Workers Brave Storm to Mark National Health Workers’ Day with Protest
Health Workers March for Better Benefits
Environment Group Urges Gov’t to Take Firmer Stand Against Nuclear Energy
BY JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat Greenpeace Southeast Asia Climate Campaigner Amalie Obusan has urged Energy Secretary Angelo Reyes to take a clear stand on the proposed revival of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant. In a recent media briefing, Reyes said that the Philippines is not equipped with the infrastructure needed to run a nuclear…
Video: Move to Revive Anti-Subversion Law Part of Militarist Policy of Arroyo Regime — Satur
Satur Slams Move to Revive Subversion Law
Arroyo’s Reward Fund vs Political Killings a ‘Mere Gimmick’
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat MANILA – “A mere gimmick.” That’s what two progressive lawmakers think of the announcement by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo that she would put up a 25-million-peso reward fund to solve the political killings in the Philippines. On Tuesday, Arroyo urged lawmakers to contribute 250,000 pesos each from their Countrywide Development Fund…
Because of VFA, Philippines Cannot Check Visiting US Troops for Swine Flu
Bayan said that under the VFA, US commanders are not required to have their visiting troops subjected to thermal scans, health surveillance and other standard operating procedures that are usually undertaken by host governments in civilian ports of entry. “All the US forces need to present is a declaration of health,” it said.“Even in matters of public health, Philippine sovereignty is undermined by the VFA.”
Solon Holds State Accountable for Recent Killings in Davao
BY BULATLAT A progressive lawmaker branded the recent extrajudicial killings in Davao as ‘state-sponsored.’ In a statement, Rep. Luz Ilagan of Gabriela Women’s Party condemned the killings of indigenous peoples Kapis Butod and Ludenio Monzon. Butod was killed by suspected military elements on April 14 in Sitio Milansad, Brgy. Palma Gil,Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The…
Death Sentence of OFW in Taiwan Commuted
BY ANNA KRISTINA P. VIRTUSIO Bulatlat An overseas Filipino worker escaped death by firing squad after the Appellate Court in Taiwan reduced her sentence to life imprisonment on Monday. The decision came after Cecilia Alcaraz, an English teacher convicted by the Lower Court in Taiwan for the robbery and murder of Chou Mei-Yun, a Taiwanese…
Group Launches Petition, Vigil for Jun Lozada
BY BULATLAT As Engineer Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada Jr. spent his fifth day in detention today, his friends, colleagues and supporters organized a petition drive and prayer vigil in front of the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters where the star witness in the $329-million NBN-ZTE scandal is being held. Dubbed “Panalanging Bayan Para Sa Katotohanan at…