By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“There is no truth to the claims of mining companies that they bring development and progress to the lives of the residents or to the local economy. They call a poisoned sea ‘progress’? They call beaches drying up and mountains levelled ‘progress’? And how could they say that they are helping residents when so many of us are jobless or underemployed? “
By MARYA SALAMAT
Information being provided by Philex mines and the government on why the mine tailings pond spill happened and the devastation resulting from it are understated, nay sanitized, an independent mission discovered. It is “the worst mining disaster in the past two decades.”
Read also: Massive mine spill foreseen yet ignored by Philex, DENR?
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
At about 6 p.m. on October 5, Jimmylisa Badayos and Calixto Vistal had just finished their shift at the factory and were at the gate of the company when armed men in civilian clothes seized them.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Earlier, Gilbert Paborada was warned by a representative of a palm oil plantation “to stop opposing or he would regret what might happen to his life.”
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“It’s not simply red tagging; the important aspect of it is it violates the freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and right to self determination among others. Such violation of these rights gives an impression that to resist or to dissent against tyranny, fight for genuine reform and to clamor for justice are wrong,” – Beverly Longid, Katribu Party-list.
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By MARYA SALAMAT
While both panels are moving toward signing a framework agreement, the MILF said, there are still a lot of contentious issues, after which, there are still the compact and exit agreements to discuss.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Urban poor groups from various communities that have been demolished or under threat of demolition gathered near the Supreme Court to protest the way they are being treated by the government and the violations of their rights.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Protests are mounting against the cybercrime law because of its provisions including libel in its list of crimes, giving undue authority to the government to exercise censorship, close down websites, and collect data through the internet without passing through due process in court, and increasing the penalties for cybercrime one degree higher than what is provided for in the Revised Penal Code for crimes of similar nature.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“What use do I have for school if we lose our home? My parents work as vendors in Makati, I attend school in the nearby high school. If we lose our house, we will be forced to live on the streets. I’m here because I want to help defend our community. We’re poor, but we have dignity. They can’t just drive us out like we’re wild animals,” said Jeffrey, 17.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Despite evidences and eyewitnesses, the accused killers of Olalia and Alay-ay, thirteen known members of RAM, have so far evaded arrest by invoking the amnesty granted them after their failed coups.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Press freedom advocates said the new law could also be used to justify the shutdown of websites that are critical to the government without the necessity of a court warrant and in keeping with the Marcosian tradition of curtailing the freedoms of expression and opinion.