By ALMA B. SINUMLAG NORDIS (Northern Dispatch) WEEKLY Diaryo ti umili ti amianan PARACELIS, Mt. Province – Women of Banga-banga, Aguinaldo, Ifugao trooped to witness a hearing at the village of Botigue’s Lupon Tagapamayapa on a case they filed against an AFP second lieutenant here. They had hoped to tell the public about the military…
Category: Human Rights
Civil war caused by inequality, injustices
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The government says without the NPA, there would be peace. That is not true. It is the situation that gives life to the NPA.” – Coni Ledesma-Jalandoni
Refusing to live in fear: Portrait of a human rights defender
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“It’s never right to live in fear. Those who attack the civil, political and human rights of the Filipino people thrive on fear and persist in their attacks because of a culture of impunity. To remain silent is to play along with your own victimization.” -human rights advocate Ma. Isabel Aquino
Anti-imperialist league renews commitment to defend Gay Rights as Human Rights
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com During its 4th International Assembly from July 7-9, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) renewed its commitment to defend Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights as human rights. In the gathering attended by over 300 representatives of people’s organizations from 40 countries from Asia, the Middle East,…
DOJ starts probe of criminal complaints filed against soldiers linked to abduction of UP students
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Tension filled the room as the Department of Justice (DOJ) started its preliminary investigation on the complaints filed in by the relatives of two missing University of the Philippines (UP) students and a farmer against officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Col. Jovito Palparan Jr. faces…
Rights groups criticize Aquino gov’t for continuing violations, failure to act on calls for justice
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The Aquino administration has been contented in being a passive spectator, leaving the victims, relatives, human rights defenders and their lawyers on their own.” – National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
By failing to act promptly, CHR deprived torture victims of remedy — critics
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“To our knowledge we are not aware of whether the CHR had indeed commenced an investigation; and if there had been, it fell short of what may be considered a ‘prompt investigation.'” – Asian Human Rights Commission.
Youth groups launch campaign for release of political prisoners
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
“My daughter is only one among hundreds victimized by state repression. They are languishing in jail without fair trial, and are charged with common and sometimes petty crimes.” – Concepcion Montajes
Women, child rights groups condemn rape of 15-year-old girl in PSG barracks
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Progressive women’s group Gabriela expressed outrage over the news that a 15-year-old girl was raped by three members of the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) inside the Malacañang Palace. Gabriela secretary-general Lana Linaban urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to call for an investigation. “No less than the…
Fact-Finding Mission to expose impact of Aurora Pacific Economic Zone begins June 23
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
June 23 marks the start of a national fact-finding and solidarity mission in Aurora as peasant advocacy groups seek to expose the impact of the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Act (APECO) project in the region.
Seven activists jailed for 58 hours for doing a Rizal on Rizal’s commemoration
By CHRISTIAN RAY BUENDIA
“The fight for our right to free speech does not end with the release of the Calamba 7. These brave and selfless activists should never have been arrested and detained in the first place if the Aquino administration truly values the freedom of expression fought and died for by Filipino martyrs four decades ago.” – Kabataan Party-list