Progressives protest, House approves death penalty bill
THE government must focus on ending poverty and its roots instead of killing the poor, progressive groups said at a rally at the House of Representatives yesterday said. The protesters, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, marched to last March 7 in protest of House Bill 4727 that seeks to re-impose death as punishment for drug-related crimes. […]
Activists oppose death penalty
On the day the House of Representatives voted on third and final reading the death penalty re-institution bill, activist groups held a protest rally in front of Congress’ lower house. Activists say the Rodrigo Duterte government must be held accountable for the deaths of about eight thousand victims of fascist attacks, mostly poor citizens.
Manobos receive threat after peace talks termination
MALAYBALAY CITY, Bukidnon—Instead of being given rice, hungry Tigwahanon Manobos have been threatened with massacre should they push through with their planned camp out in front of San Fernando, Bukidnon’s town hall. “Huwag mong gawin sa akin iyan. Alam mo namang wala nang peace talks. Baka ma-massacre pa kayo,” San Fernando Mayor Levi Edma Sr. reportedly […]
Progressives say fight continues 31 years after EDSA
Progressive organizations marched to EDSA to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the first EDSA People Power uprising that deposed the dictator Ferdinand Marcos. While they recalled the horrors that many suffered under Marcos’ Martial Law, they said genuine change has yet to happen. The group did not join the pro-Aquino or the pro-Duterte activities which […]
UP CSWCD names Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay 2017 Gawad Tandang Sora honoree
The College of Social Work and Community Development of UP Diliman named Manobo leader Bai Bibyaon Ligkayan Bigkay as its third Gawad Tandang Sora recipient as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations this year. Bigkay was cited for her leadership in the Indigenous People’s struggles for human rights and dignity.
Woman warrior of Talaingod is 2017 Gawad Tandang Sora awardee
BAI BIBYAON LIGKAYAN BIGKAY was early for the nine o’clock ceremony at the University of the Philippines-Diliman College of Social Work and Community Development (CSWCD) today. She sat at the front row of the hall, flanked by her two companions and interpreters, a Manobo Datu and a Catholic nun, patiently waiting for the people who […]
GRP and NDFP assure each other of wanting peace
THE National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) assured each other today of their mutual desire for peace in the country, even as scheduled formal negotiations have been cancelled.
Peace advocates hound AFP chief of staff Eduardo Año
Peace advocates and human rights defenders hounded Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Eduardo Año at the Ateneo de Manila University this morning, recalling his record of human rights violations. Año delivered a lecture at the Jesuit university on protecting the people and the State, which the rally participants said is ironic as […]
HTI fire: Where are the 1,328 workers?
A FACT-FINDING mission has accused House Technology Industries (HTI), the Cavite provincial government and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) of covering up the real number of casualties at the massive February 1 Cavite factory fire. In a press conference with the Makabayan bloc at the House of Representatives, the mission said 1,328 workers have yet […]
Ka Paris and son Carlos meet after 16 years in Rome
National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Alfredo Mapano was visited by his son Carlos in Rome, Italy during their third round of formal talks with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines last January. Father and son last saw each other 16 years ago in an NPA camp in Northern Mindanao. Carlos […]