Gloria Tomalon, in her capacity as chair of KATRIBO MO, was instrumental in opposing attempts by five mining companies to operate in the Andap Valley complex. The five companies were the Romualdez-owned Benguet Corp., Abacus Coal Exploration and Development Corp., the Chinese-owned Great Wall Mining and Power Corp., ASK Mining and Exploration Corp., and Coal Black Mining Corp.
“Don’t we have the right to seek protection for ourselves? And perjury? We are God-fearing. We are not liars. They are the ones who lie.”
Yanat Baguio-Benguet condemned the threats, saying that “the state is hell-bent on suppressing those who are critical of its administration.”
Paghimutad was formed after the Sagay 9 massacre in response to the growing human rights violations in the island. Despite the culture of fear in Negros, Paghimutad and its volunteer community journalists courageously filled the void of information, publishing audio-visual reports through social media.
The law is flagrantly used by judges, police and military to violate human rights. Organizations previously red tagged have endured painful outcomes such a the imprisonment, murder and massacre of their members. This is none other than full spectrum dominance.
“The use of search warrants have become a trend increasingly used in Negros, which makes offices and individuals vulnerable to the planting of evidence.”
Corazon said she was subjected to almost 24 hours of interrogation and illegal detention before being transferred to the Santa Cruz Municipal Police Station.
Angie Ipong devoted her energy and time in promoting agro-ecology and genuine agrarian reform including inside and outside the country.
“Progressive culture and artistic expression are the only weapons we wield against fascism and repression.”
“How many more lawyers and human rights defenders need to be killed, vilified, harassed, threatened and labelled before the dots are connected?”
It should be pointed out that these organizations are being targeted for the invaluable work they do – the defense of human rights of the poor and marginalized.