LUKSANG PARANGAL: Huling Sulyap kay Kumander Parago

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Libo-libong mamamayan ng Davao City ang nagtipon kagabi upang bigyan ng parangal si Leoncio Pitao sa huling gabi ng lamay para sa kanya sa Almendras Gym.

Isang natatanging kaganapan ang pagtitipon kagabi ng mga pesante at Lumad dahil sa lalim ng pagdakila sa isang rebeldeng kumander na matagal na tinugis ng sandatahang elemento ng pambansang pamahalaan.

Walang takot na ipinagdiwang ng mamamayan ng Davao ang anila’y kabayanihan ni “Kumander Parago” na tinagurian ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas bilang “maningning na pulang tala ng rebolusyon.”

Ito ang paunang bidyo ng parangal kagabi sa Davao City.

Almendras Gym, Davao City
July 9, 2015

Balit Mission 2015: Mga Bakwit sa Lupang Ninuno

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Displacement, Human Rights Violations in Balit, San Luis,
Agusan del Sur

On January 23 of this year, 174 Banwaon families (composed of around 1,000 individuals, approximately 80% of whom are women and children) from the communities of Kimambukagyang, Tabon-tabon, Tabanganan, Nakadayas, Pig-ulingan, Mimpalaos, Maputi, Kandiisan, Tambo and KM 48 went on a massive exodus to the village center of Balit in the municipality of San Luis, Agusan del Sur. They were running from forced development.

The communities were at odds with Mario Napungahan, a former member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), who wanted to include their lands under his Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT). The communities had been resistant to a unified CADT given that Napungahan was encouraging the entry of mining companies into the ancestral lands of the Banwaons. Napungahan, who leads a private armed group himself, joins with the Philippine military in the pretext of counter-insurgency operations, threatening and killing the leaders of the communities resisting mining and other environmentally-detrimental ‘development’ projects.

In November 30 of 2014, members of the 26th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army camped at the barangay hall of Balit, conducting Community Organizing for Peace and Development (COPD). They were recruiting community members to join the CAFGU or the barangay-based Peace and Development Volunteers.

Learning from the experience of the neighboring CADT under Benhur Mansulonay where the chieftains who refused to sign the Free Prior and Informed Consent to allow a mining company were threatened with military force, the Balit community countered the military with streamers saying they wanted the military to leave. This aggravated the accusations against the community as supporters of the communist armed group, the New People’s Army (NPA).

On December 22, the village captain of Balit, Necasio Precioso Sr., was shot dead. Previously, he had argued with MSgt. Andres Villaganas, who accused Precioso’s family of being supporters of the NPA. The two clashed during a meeting where the military had demanded the appearance of two other community members whose sons they accused of being members of the NPA. Precioso, being the village leader, had accompanied them.

The start of 2015 witnessed an intensified COPD of the military. Fearing for their safety – from the direct harassment of the military and the possibility of getting caught in a cross-fire should there be an encounter between the military and the NPA – the communities demanded that the military pull out from their village centers. According to protocols, the military should be camping far from civilian houses and establishments. However, this was not followed.

The families decided to come together, believing they would be more secure if they would stay together. However, already one was reported missing and three children have died of sickness because of the drastic condition at their evacuation area. After leaving, some of the houses they left have been burned, their meager possessions divested by the private armies under Napungahan. At least 50 individuals have fallen sick because of their living conditions. But to them, it was still better than being out alone, scared that a bullet would strike them any time.

(More stories and images at www.rmp-nmr.org)

Justice Antonio Carpio on the South China Sea dispute

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Highlights of Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Antonio T. Carpio’s presentation “The South China Sea Dispute” at the forum “Asserting Philippine Sovereignty in the Wake of the China-US Powerplay” organized by P1NAS (Pilipinong Nagkakaisa para sa Soberanya) held at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila on July 25, 2015. Justice Carpio gives an update on China’s reclamation of seven reefs in the Spratlys and debunks China’s 9-dashed line and illegal claims including that over Scarborough Shoal and the high seas. He presents solid historical facts, including old maps and documents, and sets legal bases for our arbitration case under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the maritime dispute with China.

Health Groups: Justice for Calago Couple, Stop Attacks Against Health Workers

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On June 25, 2015, Health Action for Human Rights (HAHR) joins the Council for Health and Development (CHD) in a press conference at the Max Restaurant, Quezon Avenue, Quezon City to condemn the brutal murder, by suspected state elements, of Barangay Health Worker (BHW) Rosalie “Saling” Calago and her husband Barangay Kagawad and community leader Endric “Bayoto” Calago last May 24, 2015 at Sitio Bantayan, Barangay Tacpao, Guihulngan, Negros Oriental.

According to Dr. Magdalena Barcelon of CHD, “The couple was strafed by bullets, and their bodies scorched inside their home at around 10:00 PM by suspected elements of the 11th Infantry Battalion based in Brgy. Mckinley, Guihulngan City. This is the latest in a series of brazen attacks against health workers involving the AFP and a testament to its long history of human rights violations.”

Aside from being a BHW, Saling, 45 years old, is also a Barangay Nutrition Scholar, a barefoot reporter of local radio programs Kaling Kag Tugda and Pugasan in Negros and Cebu, and a supporter of Community Health Workers (CHWs) in their locality. Bayoto, 47, is a Barangay Kagawad (village official) and Vice-Chairperson of Kaugmaon-Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. The couple are also members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

Dr. Edelina dela Paz of HAHR explains that, “Health professionals, health workers, and health advocates such as the Calago couple dedicate their whole time and effort in order to serve the masses, especially in our country where adequate health services are inaccessible to the poor and the far-flung areas. This is why it is unacceptable that military elements continue to commit such heinous crimes against healthcare providers yet they remain unpunished. The government refuses to neither condemn nor investigate human rights abuses committed by the AFP.”

HAHR has tallied several cases of violations committed by the AFP and its paramilitary forces. In Manila, health advocates are accused of being armed, and portrayed by the police as ‘enemies of the state’. In Samar, a 70-personnel medical mission team for Typhoon Yolanda survivors was repeatedly shadowed by military forces which scared-away the civilians from availing the services. At least 50 community health professionals and workers were subjected to harassment, threats, illegal arrests, or filed trumped-up charges in Baguio, Cabanatuan, Cebu, Bukidnon, and Zamboanga. In Negros, Misamis Oriental, Davao, and CARAGA, frustrated murders and extrajudicial killings, at least 6 cases, were committed since 2006 against CHWs who simply stood-up for their rights, but neither suspect nor perpetrator has been prosecuted.

In the light of the incident on the Calago couple, HAHR and CHD challenge the Department of Health (DOH) and the Aquino administration to conduct an impartial, thorough, and speedy investigation so that justice may be served and the people behind the crime will be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

Likewise, HAHR and CHD challenge the DOH and the Aquino administration to protect the rights of its people including the health workers.

“Under fire, we, health workers pledge to strengthen our commitment to serving the masses, and fortify the struggle to achieve just and lasting peace in pursuit of the people’s health and human rights. Hopefully, all of these will redound to achieving justice and end the culture of impunity in the Philippines”, concluded Dr. Barcelon.###

BAYAN: Oppose the US-Japan-Philippine naval exercises

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“The Philippines must reject US intervention and rising Japan militarism. Neither are out to serve our national interest. The naval exercises themselves do very little to develop our own capability for external defence. We’ve had so many with the United States yet our armed forces remain undeveloped. The avowed goal of interoperability is a sham considering the backwardness of our own Navy when compared to the US and Japan. All things considered, we are merely being used by bigpowers for their own geopolitical interest.” – Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

more stories at www.bayan.ph

Listen to lola: No to US-Japan war games in PH

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Listen to lola (grandmother). Octogenarians of Lila-Pilipina join a protest picket at the Japanese embassy as the U.S. and Japan conduct military exercises in the Philippines. Japan has yet to own up to its war crimes and give restitution to comfort women. Protesters slammed the Aquino government’s subservience to rising Japanese militarism and US imperialism in the region. Speakers include Richie Extremadura of Lila-Pilipina and Teddy Casino of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN). With the protest action is Elmer Labog of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) and the Philippines Chapter of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS-Phils).

Labor Day in Manila with Mary Jane Veloso’s family

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International delegates attend Labor Day 2015 in Manila celebrating the campaign to save migrant worker Mary Jane Veloso as workers call for Pres. Aquino’s ouster in support of demands for higher wages, regular jobs and social justice. Mary Jane’s mother, Celia, and sister, Maritess, disputed Aquino’s claim in saving Veloso’s life. Workers led by the Kilusang Mayo Uno, an affiliate of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) Philippines Chapter, rallied and marched from Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola with songs of struggle, including that from local hip-hop group of Kulturang Kalye (Street Culture) with rapper BLKD, People’s Chorale and others.

Save Mary Jane Movement: Tagumpay ang sama-samang pagkilos ng mamamayan

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Panayam ng Kodao Productions kay Cristina Palabay pangkalahatang kalihim ng Karapatan hinggil sa pansamantalang pagtigil ng execution ng pamahalaang Indonesia kay Mary Jane Veloso.

Quezon City, Philippines
April 29, 2015

Kandila para kay Mary Jane

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Nagsindi at nagtirik ng kandila ang iba’t ibang grupo sa iba’t ibang lugar sa Kamaynilaan noong Lunes bilang simbolo ng protesta sa nakatakdang pagbitay kay Mary Jane Veloso, Overseas Filipino Worker na biktima ng illegal drug syndicate sa bansang Indonesia.

Nananawagan din ang iba’t ibang grupo sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na huwag palagpasin ang kapabayaan ng gubyerno sa kaso ng mga OFW.

Sa kanyang limang taon bilang Presidente halos ibugaw umano ni Noynoy Aquino ang mga Pilipino palabas ng bansa. Mula 4,500 na Pilipinong lumalabas ng bansa noong umupo si Aquino sa Palasyo, 6,092 na ang migranteng manggagawa ang lumilipad araw-araw. Umaabot na rin sa 12 hanggang13 milyong Pilipino ang nasa ibayong dagat upang makipagsapalaran. Katumbas ito ng 30 porsyento ng lakas-paggawa ng Pilipinas.

St. Peter Parish Church
Coomonwealth Avenue, Quezon City
April 27, 2015

Migrante Int’l explains why Mary Jane got last minute reprieve

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The organization that led the worldwide campaign to save the life of Mary Jane Veloso explains how the Filipina on death row got a last minute reprieve from the Indonesian government last night.

Veloso was the only one spared in Indonesia’s mass execution of one local and eight foreigners convicted of drug possession and trafficking. The executions happened at around midnight at a prison island in Indonesia.

In this video, Migrante International secretary general Sol Pillas gives credit to Veloso’s private Filipino lawyers, Indonesian attorneys, the international migrant community, the Filipino people and even boxing great Manny Pacquiao for the reprieve.

Manila, Philippines
April 29, 2015