They were called “vandals” and were snubbed by President Aquino, yet the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao are heading home with “victories” in their campaign against militarization and plunder of resources in their land.
“Today, we declare the verdict on the US-Aquino regime’s crimes against the Filipino people, its violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. For these crimes, we say, the US-Aquino regime is guilty.” — Cristina Palabay, secretary general of Karapatan
“Thousands were reported to have searched for alternative evacuation sites or forced to settle in unsafe sites, as designated evacuation centers were overflowing. Some declared evacuation centers were actually disaster-prone areas, and initial reports reveal how an evacuation center was even destroyed by Ruby’s violent winds in Eastern Samar province.”
Three indigenous women who joined the Manilakbayan ng Mindanao 2014 are among the many who demand peace in their ancestral lands beleaguered by militarization and development aggression.
Vilma Yecyec has been a health worker and organizer for the past 30 years. She has also been targeted by the military for that long.
We cannot settle for a law that will make truth telling even more difficult: a bad law is worse than no law at all.
“Not only have we been left for dead by the government’s criminal neglect after supertyphoons, we also suffer from the violence of the military – and for what? For practicing bayanihan (mutual aid) and demanding social justice for disaster survivors?” – People Surge
See also: A victim of rights violation, then of typhoon and gov’t neglect
“The right of Maria Miradel Torres as a mother and her newborn’s right are interrelated and cannot be considered separate issues.”
As of Nov. 30, there are 491 political prisoners in the country, based on Karapatan data. Of these, 220 were arrested under President Aquino’s term. There are 53 ailing prisoners, 43 female prisoners, 42 elderly, and six minors.
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“Let’s hope that there would at least be one good news this Christmas – that the SC decision (against DAP) will remain, that DAP would be junked once and for all.” – Renato Reyes, Bayan
The proponents of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (Edca) were hard put in defending that it is not a basing agreement, as some senators and opponents say that it is.