This year, as part of the UP Journalism Club’s (UPJC) 59th anniversary celebration, the organization is conducting a revolutionary campaign entitled: Rights All- You-Can, which aims to enable the youth to become aware of the need for the revival of human rights education in Philippine school curriculums.
Support “Rights All- You-Can” campaign. Join the information campaign online by liking and sharing information materials posted at https://www.facebook.com/upjournalismclub.
Offline, a human rights exhibit on September 16-19 at the University of the Philippines-Diliman and a forum will be held on September 20. These events will be UPJC’s concrete cumulative project, that both of which centers on human rights education awareness in the Philippines. The event is open to students inside and outside UP Diliman.
The UP Journalism Club (UPJC) is an academic organization based at the College of Mass Communication in the University of the Philippines – Diliman. For 58 years, UPJC has been continually striving to uphold the professional and the ethical standards in journalism through its tradition of critical thought and action, and has since then been in the service of the college, the university and the Philippine society.
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MILLION PEOPLE MARCH TO LUNETA AUGUST 26: SA ARAW NG MGA BAYANI. PROTESTA ng BAYAN!!!
By Power ng Pinoy
— LATEST ANNOUNCEMENT !!! —-
1. Tuloy ang Million People March
Sa Luneta Grandstand, 9am-2pm
2. We were heard but we want him to listen.
We have more to say.
– ABOLISH PORK BARREL
– WE DEMAND TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY
———————————————-
TARA LET’S DO THE MILLION PEOPLE MARCH TO LUNETA! AUGUST 26, ARAW NG MGA BAYANI
WE, THE TAXPAYERS, WANT:
1. THE PORK BARREL SCRAPPED.
2. THE SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN IN THE PORK BARREL FUND SCAM INVESTIGATED AND CHARGED ACCORDINGLY, WITH FULL MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THE PEOPLE TO SEE.
HOW: With a massive “pocket picnic” get together
WHEN: 26 August 2013, 9am
WHERE: In front of the LUNETA Grandstand
COLOR: ANY COLOR YOU CHOOSE, NOT DICTATED BY ANYONE OR ANY GROUP.
STATUS/MEME/TWEET: I am *NAME* PINOY ako. I pay my taxes, on-time & in-full. YOU, my government, owe me a full explanation. @ProtestaNgBayan
No group banners. No political colors. No Speeches.
Just ALL OF US ordinary, tax-paying people showing GOV’T THEY ANSWER TO US. TAYO ANG BOSS DITO.
We need this outrage, anger to reach critical mass. SPREAD THE WORD. REPOST.”
‘Yan ang Power ng Pinoy!
“PASINTABI na po , pasasalamat, at pahiram sa kung sinoman po ang nagdisenyo ng KAMAO na unang ginamit sa “Pass the RH Bill” Campaign. Angkop-angkop po lamang para sa protesta kaya naglakas-loob na po kaming gamitin. SALAMAT PO NG MARAMI.”
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Groups challenge electoral candidates to heed victims’ call to stop destructive mining in PH Demand human rights be top priority over environmental destruction
Photo by R. Yamzon
Quezon City – Today, 200-strong activists from church, human rights, and environment groups launched the campaign in celebration of Earth Day and in time for the May elections to remind the mid-term electoral candidates to take a firm stand on different mining issues that have plagued the country.
To dramatize their stance on these mining issues, the group locked down the head office of Mines and Geosciences Bureau in North Avenue and marched to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The group also demanded a moratorium on mining activities in the country and that the 10-Point Human Rights Agenda on Mining be prioritized.
“The Tao Muna-Hindi Mina campaign seeks to put at center stage large-scale destructive mining as a major electoral issue that candidates need to respond to,” said Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.
“But even before and beyond elections, candidates as well as government itself must be able to heed the peoples demand for an end to large-scale destructive mining.”
Meanwhile Fr. Marlon Lacal, Executive Secretary of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines AMRSP) challenged the electoral candidates to put people first before profit, people first before power, God and Creation first before Mammon and greed. “It demands no less than a shift from “soulless development” to a development paradigm that takes paramount the care of Creation wherein our generation and future generations’ survival depend on”, he added.
Noting the different agenda of electoral candidates specifically at the local level, anti-mining groups reminded the future leaders to prioritize the social issues of mining-affected communities and victims.
Judy A. Pasimio of LILAK – Purple Action for Indigenous Women’s Rights said: “We are at this point where mining is no longer just an issue among environmentalists. Mining is a human rights issue. The different forms of human rights violations being experienced by the women, men and children especially from the indigenous communities in mining areas, need to be recognized, and be addressed by the government and those who are wanting to join the government through this election.”
Specifically, the groups demand that justice be given to families and victims of human rights violations in mining affected areas as well as an end to large-scale destructive mining in the country. They added it is time to seriously consider the Alternative Minerals Management Bill as a just resolution to the conflict engendered by the current corporate-biased, exploitative, unjust mining policy.
No CAGE Campaign
Jaybee Garganera, national coordinator of Alyansa Tigil Mina, a coalition of communities and organizations that call for a new policy on mining said: “We challenge the candidates to take a stand on mining. At the national level, we are campaigning against senatoriables who have interests in mining and who we believe will push for their agenda to promote pro-mining policies.
They are Cynthia Villar (own Queensberry Mining—directly involved in the King-king copper-gold project in Compostella Valley), Aurora Rep. Sonny Angara (member of the board of directors of Aurora Pacific Ecozone and Freeport Authority (APECO)), Richard Gordon (independent director of Atlas Mining Corporation), and Rep. Jack Enrile from Cagayan where anti-mining advocates threatened and some killed.“
Mining-affected communities in different parts of the country also mobilized yesterday (April 22, Earth Day) and today to launch the campaign in support of anti-mining and human rights advocates running for leadership posts, and in opposition of pro-mining candidates. This includes Marbel in South Cotabato, Zambales, Nueva Vizcaya, Cagayan, Palawan, Romblon, Leyte, Agusan del Norte and Surigao.
—
For more information, please email taomunahindimina@gmail.com, or contact 0921-9645017 (Egay) or 0923-5122374 (Farah).
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Protest Continues: DIGITEL Employees put up a Protest Center in front of the DOLE Office
After shaving their heads, members of the Digitel Employees Union (DEU) set up a protest center in front of the DOLE Office. The protest of the Digitel Workers will continue until the DOLE Secretary releases a Motion for Execution for the Supreme Court Decision last January 21, 2013 stating that DIGITEL (now under the PLDT Group) is guilty of unfair labor practice and telling the Digitel Management to reinstate all dismissed workers.
Last March 19, 2013, they filed a letter of Appeal in Malacanang for PNoy to look into their plight.
For more info, contact:
Allan Licardo – DEU President (09225375689)
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Advocates take on the fight against human trafficking to another level as they hold the first ever Freedom Ride on March 9, 2013 at the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig. Cyclists wearing shirts printed with 1343 Anti-Trafficking hotline shall bike around the cities of Taguig, Manila, Pasay and Makati to spread awareness on human trafficking.
His Excellency Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssee and Mrs. Martine Boon von Ochssee of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands shall lead the Dutch contingent in the bike ride as combatting human trafficking is an important pillar of the Dutch foreign policy. Artists and celebrity advocates of the campaign will also join them in the ride.
According to musician and cycling enthusiast Nityalila Saulo, “The involvement of the cycling community in the fight against human trafficking is crucial to make people aware of the importance of knowing the red flags of human trafficking like how cyclists are aware of road signs so they can get to where they want to go safely.” She further added, “The participation of cyclists in this campaign will help deliver a strong message that there are always options available for people to avoid being trafficked and get to their destinations.”
The bike tour is organized by Dakila, a group of artists advocating social consciousness formation through creative platforms, in partnership with the Manila Fixed Gear, a group of urban cyclists who has incorporated cycling in their lifestyle, with the support of the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Department of Justice Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (DOJ-IACAT).
Ayeen Karunungan, spokesperson of the artist collective Dakila, said “Through this campaign, we want the public to always remember to Stop, Look, and Listen. In order to stop human trafficking, we must always look for the signs to avoid being trafficked and listen to the stories of those who were trafficked and most vulnerable to trafficking so that we may learn from it and contribute on ways to help combat trafficking. “
Every year around 300,000 to 400,000 Filipinos fall prey to human trafficking in their own country and abroad. The Freedom Ride is part of the Project Freedom Campaign of Dakila, which aims to raise public awareness on Human Trafficking and empower advocates and citizens to become watchdogs in their own communities by driving them into action through grassroots involvement and amplified action through mainstream and digital media.
The Freedom Ride is open to the public and will start at the Venice Piazza, McKinley Hill, Taguig. Assembly is at 7:00 am and ride out is at 7:30 am. For more information, visit http://dakila.org.ph/freedomproject/ .
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APPEAL for ACTION: Warrantless Arrest of Fourteen Farmers and Six other person in Mindanao
Dear Friends,
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) and Justice and Peace of the Social Action Center – Diocese of Marbel, writes to inform you about the warrantless arrest and detention of fourteen (14) tenants farmers and six (6) other persons that happened in Yabes Farm, Barangay Lebe, Kiamba and Purok Maligaya, Barangay Sison, Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mindanao on November 13 and 14, 2012. The alleged perpetrators are members of the Philippine National Police headed by Police Inspector Rexor Canoy of Kiamba, Sarangani Province, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) headed by Jose Tajonera and members of the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (PA) headed by Sgt. Magalad
Victims:
1. Norlie Agoot Basuel, 35 years old
2. Ferdinand Sanchez Basuel, 39 years old
3. Rodolfo Gonzales Agoot, 58 years old
4. Noemi Española Agoot, 58 years old
5. Cheryl Española Agoot, 31 years old
6. Ailene Española Agoot, 22 years old
7. Armando Untal Española, 60 years old
8. Leonida Jarabe Española, 58 years old
9. Kennep Toledo Española, 54 years old
10. French Mark Española Marquez, 31 years old
11. Aida Española Marquez, 70 years old
12. Nicholas Socorro Pardillo, 68 years old
13. Elna Aguelo Pardillo, 48 years old
14. Noel Española Pardillo, 44 years old
15. Emma Crisologo, 44 years
16. Edmar Crisologo, 20 years old
17. Edwin Crisologo, 9 years old
18. Shalane Crisologo, 2 years old
19. Marlon Agoot
20. A certain Jermin
(Victim No. 15. Emma was 8 months pregnant at the time of arrest, she was later brought to a hospital because of her bleeding, Victims 16 to 20, Edmar, Edwin, Shalane, Marlon, and Jermin were brought to the Kiamba Police Station but were later released)
______________________________________________________________________________________
FACT OF THE CASE:
Fourteen (14) tenant farmers and six (6) of their relatives were arrested without warrant on November 13, 2012 and November 14, 2012 allegedly by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) based in Kiamba headed by Police Inspector Rexor Canoy, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) based in General Santos City headed by Jose Tajonera and members of the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army headed by Sgt. Magalad in the Yabes Farm in Barangay Lebe, Kiamba and Purok Maligaya, Sison, Maitum, Sarangani Province,
According to Norlie Basuel, one of the victims, it was about 2:30 PM of November 13, 2012 when the alleged perpetrators arrived at the tenants’ compound along with Kiamba Mayor Raul Martinez and Maitum Mayor Lucille Perret. They cordoned the area by aiming firearms at the farmers and their families.
After, one of the security forces made a call using his hand held radio for Danilo Yabes to go to the tenants’ compound.
When Danilo arrived, he pointed to certain farmers and accused them of killing his brother, Victor Yabes who was killed in the morning of the same day. Those who were handpicked were Rodolfo Agoot, Armando Española, French Mark Marquez, Noel Pardillo, Nicholas Pardillo and Kennep Española. The six (6) men were arrested and brought to the Kiamba Police Station.
At around 10 PM, Leonila Española, Elna Pardillo, and Noemi Española went to the station to see their husbands who were arrested. At the station, they saw a member of the Yabes Family, a certain Vincent who commanded the police to arrest them. The three women were arrested and only Elna was released the next day.
Also on November 14, at about 7 AM, members of the PA headed by Sgt. Magalad, and members of the CIDG namely, Jose Tajonera, Ed Pineda, Ronald Macadagum, and Jose Don Lagdamen raided the house of Norlie and Ferdinand Basuel, who were also tenant farmers of the Yabes farm. CIDG Lagdamen threatened them to get out of their house or else they will be massacred. When Ferdinand came out of the house, he was pulled from the hair by CIDG Tajonera while CIDG Pineda aimed his gun at Norlie and confiscated her phone before they were brought to the police station.
Norlie’s sisters, Cheryl and Aileen, who were also inside the house, were also arrested. Cheryl demanded for arrest warrant and search warrant but was reprimanded by the government agents. They also confiscated her phone. A security guard of the Yabes family, Rolly Estrobillo was presented to them who identified them as alleged participants to the killing. They were led outside the house and brought to the Kiamba police station at 8:30 AM.
Other relatives were also arrested on the same day, Aida Marquez, an aunt of Armando was walking on the road when government agents arrested her and brought her to the Kiamba Police Station. The Crisologo’s house, also located inside the Yabes Farm was also raided. Emma, who was 8 months pregnant, her children Edmar, Edwin, and Shalane were also brought to the station. Edwin is only 8 years old and Shalane is only 2 years old. Emma was brought later to the hospital when she started to have a bleeding. No relative was allowed to accompany her.
The Agoot’s house, also within the Yabes Farm were also raided, Marlon Agoot and his neighbors, Jermin and Elna were also brought to the station. Later, the police freed Marlon and Jermin but Elna remained in custody.
After their arrests, the Yabes family immediately fenced the whole farm.
At 12:30 PM, the victims were transferred to the CIDG Station in General Santos City. Edmar, Edwin and Shalane were left and later freed.
On November 16, they were brought for inquest to Fiscal Paulo Aquino’s office but they refused the offer of facilitation from the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO)
According to the victims, they were hardly given food and water during their 21 day stay in the CIDG cell.
On December 3, they were remanded to the Sarangani Provincial Jail in Baluntay, Alabel, Sarangani Province.
BACKGROUND OF THE CASE
Spouses Melanio and Aurora Española, Armando’s parents have been tenants of Valentin and Marciana Yabes since 1956. In the death of the Yabes, George Yabes became the heir of the estate and continued having the Española’s as tenants.
On March 1988, Barangay Agrarian Reform Committee (BARC) Chairman, Norberto Corpuz issued certificates to the Espanola’s, Agoot, and the Marquez’s as shared tenants since 1958. in March 2010, BARC Chairman, Benito Ducusin, also issued a certificate of Tenancy to the Espanola’s as legal tenants of the Yabes’ Farm. It also acknowledged that Aida Marquez, William Española, Armando Española and Noemi Agoot are the beneficiaries.
On October 19, 2010, the Yabes Family filed a petition in the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB) to oust the Española family from the land. (Case Docket Number XII-416-SP-2010)
On February 28, 2012, the Españolas filed a petition for recognizing their occupation as legitimate tenants and Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) Beneficiaries (Case Number XII-418-SP-2010).
However, DAR Adjudicator Henry Galacio made the following judgement on the case: declaring Armando Española as not de jure tenant, ordered the eviction of the Españolas, ordering the Espanola Family to peacefully vacate and return the land to the Yabes Family, and that the Department of Agrarian reform will supervise in harvesting the crops.
On March 15, 2012, Armando Española filed a motion for reconsideration declaring further their legitimacy as tenants but was denied by Galacio on August 16, 2012.
On September 14, 2012, through the Española’s legal counsel Atty. Benjamin Cuanan presented their consolidated appeal memorandum for the reversal of the decision.
Prior to their arrests, the farmers were still occupying the areas of the Yabes farm. They were still waiting for the decision of their appeal.
UPDATES
1. Superintendent Colonel Austria of CIDG Manila visited the victims in Sarangani Provincial Jail on January 21, 2013 in response to complaint filed against CIDG General Santos personnel allegedly of maltreatment and grave misconduct during the arrest of the victims. Austria conducted an independent investigation to validate the complaint.
2. Commission on Human Rights (CHR) South Cotabato Provincial Office personnel visited the victims last January 30, 2013 and discussed with them the possibility of filing an administrative and criminal case against the PNP and the CIDG personnel. They were advised to refer their action to their legal counsel, Atty. Cuanan if they want the CHR or their legal counsel to file the case for them
3. Scheduled case hearing for motion for re-investigation under Branch 38 of the Justice on Wheels was postponed because of the unavailability of the Judge since the Justice on Wheels bus has no fuel.
REQUESTED ACTION:
PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO
– Ensure that the victims will be given impartial investigation
– Investigation of the PNP, CIDG and the 73rd Infantry Battalion of the PA in the conduct of their arrests, and if they are found to have committed grave abuse of authority for arresting the victims without warrant and for conducting the raid without a search warrant be held accountable for their actions.
– Guarantee the safety of the victims’ property left behind inside the Yabes’ Farm
THANK YOU.
From: Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
#45 St. Mary Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines
SAMPLE LETTER
Dear
RE: Fourteen farmers arrested without warrant and detained with pending appeal in the Department of Agrarian Reform Adjudication Board (DARAB)
Greetings!
This is to express my grave concern regarding the arrest and detention including harassment of tenant farmers of Yebes’ Farm in Barangay Lebe, Kiamba and Purok Maligaya, Sison, Maitum, Sarangani Province, Mindanao.
I have learned that the 14 farmers were arrested without warrant last November 13 and 14, 2012 by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) – Kiamba, members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) – General Santos City, and the 73rd Infantry battalion of the Philippine Army (PA). This group also conducted raids without search warrants in the farmers’ houses.
I have also learned that the victims and their families whose houses and properties are inside the Yabes’ farm no longer have access to their properties since the Yabes family had put up fences in the contested land.
I am asking the concerned government agencies to guarantee the moral integrity of the victims and since the Philippines is a state party to the International Covenant for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), it is legally bound to fulfil the provisions therein.
I am asking that immediate action will be taken in favor of the victims. Thanks you.
Respectfully yours,
________________________
PLEASE SEND LETTERS
1.His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street , San Miguel
Manila 1005
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph
2.Hon. Virgilio R. Delos Reyes
Secretary
Department of Agrarian Reform
4th Floor DAR Main Building
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Fax: +632 920-0380
Email: gildlr2010@gmail.com or info@dar.gov.ph
3.Police Director Alan LM. Purisima
Chief
Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 724 8763/ +63 2 723 0401
Tel: + 63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
4.Lt. General Jessie D. Dellosa
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
AFP-GHQ office, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +632 9116436
5.Police Director Samuel D. Pagdilao, Jr.
Director
Criminal Investigation and Detection Group
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: 632 705 152
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I’ve started the petition “Hon. Leila de LIma: Create a Policy: NO to cremation of remains of Medico-Legal Cases ” and need your help to get it off the ground.
(1) Bones Never Lie, but forensic experts/investigators do.
In a country like the Philippines where forensic findings and interpretations are negotiated, families of victims who do not have the power to negotiate, will be always in the losing end. Justice is an elusive dream to them. Preserving the skeletal remains and making it available for analysis by other experts will give them a better chance to achieve justice.
(2) Forensic Science evolves.
The findings today may not be the findings tomorrow, thus it is very important that forensic evidence, especially skeletal remains should be preserved.
Take note of the Ninoy Aquino Case. Our forensic review showed that the trajectory was rightward, upward and forward. The bullet is a hollow point that FRAGMENTED IN THREE MAJOR PARTS when it hit the left mastoid process (back of left ear) of Ninoy.
One of the major fragments hit the petrous bone, the hardest bone of the skull, deflected forward and downward and lodged in the chin. The forensic expert who testified MISREPRESENTED the petrous bone. He told the court that the petrous bone is akin to a cartilage, not hard enough to deflect a projectile. This suited the theory (with no forensic evidence to support it) that Ninoy was shot by one of the military escorts while descending the stairs.
Since Ninoy was NOT cremated, we could get back to his skull and settle the trajectory issue. Other cases with questionable findings whose remains were cremated, the forensic questions and TRUTH about the cause of their deaths, trajectory and other evidence were cremated with their remains.
Thus, the need for a law or a policy that will not allow cremation of forensic cases. I need your signature to realize this. Your signature will certainly help attain justice for victims human rights violations and victims of crimes, may help you to get justice for yourself and for your relatives.
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Panawagan para sa kalayaan ni RODELIO “DONDON” LANUZA, OFW on Deathrow, KSA -Barya Mo Buhay Ko
Pamilya ni Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, kasama ng kanyang mga tagasuporta, ay patuloy na nananawagan sa gobyernong Aquino at sa lahat ng mga Pilipino sa buong mundo na siya ay tulungan na mailigtas sa bingit ng kamatayan.
Magugunita na si Dondon Lanuza ay namasukan bilang Draftsman ng Aramco sa Saudi sa edead na 22 anyos. Noong Agosto 10, 2000, sa edad na 25, siya ay nakulong sa salang pagpatay sa isang arabong kasamahan sa trabaho na nagtangkang gawan siya ng masama. Siya ay nahatulan ng parusang kamatayan sa pamamagitan ng pagputgot sa kanyang ulo. Noong Febrero 11, 2011, sa tulong ng Saudi Reconciliation Committee, si Dondon Lanuza ay nagawaran ng kapatawaran ng pamilya ng kanyang napatay kapalit ang 3M saudi riyals o humigit kumulang 35M pesos na blood money.
Sa tulong ni Mrs. Loida Lewis, isang Fil-American Philantropist, ay nakalikom na ng halagang 10.4M pesos. Sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang apela ni Dondon Lanuza at nang kanyang ina na mapunuan ang kakulangan sa nasabing blood money. Narito ang liham apela ng kanyang ina:
Sa aking mga Kababayan,
Ako po si Mrs. Letty Celestino Lanuza, nanay ni Rodelio “Dondon” Lanuza, na ang kalayaan ay malapit nang makamtan matapos ang labing dalawang taon sa bilangguan sa Saudi. Subalit ang kanyang kalayaan ay nanganganib kapag hindi nabuo ang blood money.
Ako po ay labis na nangangamba na ang lahat ng suporta, tulong pinansyal at panalangin ng mga tao ay mabalewala lamang kung siya ay tuluyang masentensiyahan. Nanawagan po ako sa Pangulong Noynoy Aquino at Pangalawang Pangulo Jejomar Binay na kami po ay tulungang maisalba ang buhay ng anak ko. Nananawagan din po ako sa aking kapwa Pilipino sa buong mundo. Bawat segundo po ay mahalaga para buhay ng aking anak. Nakikiusap po ako sainyo na patuloy ninyo siyang tulungan.
Maraming salamat at nawa’y pagpalain kayo ng Poong Maykapal. Narito naman ang mensahe ni Dondon Lanuza:
Labing dalawang taon na ang nasayang sa aking buhay, labing dalawang taon na puno ng pagdurusa sa loob ng kulungan. Hindi ko inakalang ganito ang aking magiging kapalaran. Dinaranas ko ngayon ang bunga ng aking nagawa. Ipinagtanggol ko lamang ang aking sariling dignidad at buhay. Bawat segundo ng aking buhay ay taos puso akong nanalangin na ako ay mapatawad ng pamilya ng aking napatay. Labing dalawang taon na puno ng pag-asa na isang araw ako ay makakalaya at mapakapag simulang muli ng bagong buhay.
Dalawangpu’t limang taong gulang lamang ako nang makulong. Nasayang ang aking buhay, mga ambisyon at pangarap. Napunta ako sa maling lugar at pagkakataon. Kung alam ko lang na ganto ang aking sasapitin, sana hinayaan ko na lang na ako ay abusuhin. Pero kahit naman sinong taong nalagay sa alanganin ay talagang ipagtatanggol din ang kanyang sarili sa kapahamakan.
Dalangin ko sa Diyos na ako ay bigyan pa ng isang pagkakataon na mabuhay ng Malaya kapiling ang aking mga mahal sa buhay. Ako ay patuloy na nananalangin at kumakapit sa Diyos na isang araw makikita kong muli ang liwanag ng bagong pag-asa.
Muli po akong nagmamakaawa na ako ay tulungan mailigtas sa parusang kamatayan. Tulungan ninyo po akong mapunuan ang blood money. Maawa po kayo sa akin at sa aking pamilya. Sapat na ang labing dalawang taon para pagbayaran ko ang aking nagawang paglabag sa batas ng Saudi.
Ako at ang buong pamilya ko ay taos pusong nagpapasalat sa lahat ng sumuporta at patuloy na sumusuporta sa akin at sa lahat po na nagdadasal para sa aking kaligtasan. Nawa po ay huwag kayong magsasawa na ako ay tulungan. Diyos na po ang bahalang gumanti sa inyong kabutihang loob.
Maaari po lamang na ihulog ang inyong mga donasyon sa:
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[Urgent Appeal] About the killing of family members of a B’laan tribe leader opposed to the entry of SMI in their ancestral domain area -TFDP
Dear friends,
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about the killing of family members of a B’laan tribe leader opposed to the entry of Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI) in their ancestral domain area. This happened during a raid conducted by the military in their farm house in sitio Fayahlob, barangay Datal Aliong, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao.
Name of the victims:
1. Juvy Capion,27 years old (killed), mother of the children who was said to be three (3) months pregnant
2. Jordan Capion, 13 years old (killed)
3. John Capion, 8 years old (killed)
4. Vicky Capion, 4 years old (wounded) the youngest
5. Ressa Piang, 11 years old (relative of the victims) escaped unhurt but was traumatized
CASE DETAILS:
Family members of a B’laan tribe leader opposed to the entry of Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI) in their ancestral domain area were killed during a raid conducted by the military at their farm house. Three (3) members of Capion family died while the youngest daughter was wounded. The massacre happened on October 18, 2012 at about 6:30 in the morning in Sitio Fayahlob, Barangay Datal Aliong, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao. The perpetrators were members of 27th Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army led by 1Lt. Dante Jimenez the commanding officer of the Bravo Company and under the command of Lt. Colonel Noel Alexis Bravo, Battalion Commander.
The victims were identified as; Juvy Capion, 27 years old, mother of the children who is said to be three (3) months pregnant, Jordan Capion, 13 years old, John Capion, 8 years old and Vicky Capion, 4 years old the youngest. Vicky sustained a wound at her left ear while the three victims were killed. Another victim Ressa Piang, 11 years old (relative of the victims), escaped unhurt but was traumatized as she and Vicky experienced threat and intimidation by the military, as guns were poked at them and they were threatened to be killed.
During the interview with Aileen Capion (the one who responded to the incident), she revealed that the family was in their farm house two days before the incident. At about 6:30 in the morning of October 18 they heard a burst of gunfire (first spray of bullets) coming from the farm house of Daguil (about 30 minutes walk from their place). She hurriedly ran to the area together with Christina Diapal.
Aileen said, when they arrived in the area she saw the two (2) children, Vicky Capion and Ressa Piang, 11 years old (relative of the victims). The two children were able to run and take refuge at the adjacent house some 30 meters away from the crime scene. Aileen saw Ressa cover Vicky while the military poked their guns at them. There were four soldiers; two of them were at the front while another two soldiers were at the window.
Aileen said, she told the military “ayaw ninyo unsaa ang mga bata, akoa na ng mga bata” (don’t harm the children, I will take custody of the children) but the soldiers replied “mas maayo nga tiwason ang mga bata para wala’y witness” (better to finish off the children, so that there will be no witnesses). She heard the children shouting, and she told the soldiers “ayaw ninyo hulgaon ng mga bata, kay bata na sila ug dili na sila apil” (don’t threaten the children, they are only children and they are not involved). Aileen further said, “kong makita ninyo si Daguil mao gyod ang dapat ninyong gukdon, ug wala man pod ang wanted dira, mga inosente pod ng mga bata” (if you saw Daguil then he should be the one to be pursued, but the wanted person was not there, and the children are innocent).
Aileen revealed, she heard that Juvy (the mother) was shouting “tama na ayaw namo sige ug pabuto kay naigo nako” (please stop firing your guns because I’m already wounded). But the military strafed the house again where Juvy and John lay wounded. Aileen said that the distance of the military who strafed the house was about 20-25 meters away. Reportedly, Juvy and John were still at their bed sleeping when the military started firing their guns aiming at the house.
Thereafter, Aileen wanted to go inside the house where Juvy and John lay. But seven (7) military men blocked her way and even told her not to come closer to the slain victims. The military even took hold of her but she resisted and so she was able to go upstairs.
Aileen said, when she was upstairs, there were already soldiers taking steps to remove the slain bodies and put them on the ground. Aileen shouted to the military “ayaw lang ninyo ipababa, kay pamilya lang niya ang maghipos” (don’t put the bodies to the ground just let the families do it).
The dead body of Jordan was seen lying face down on the ground a few meters away from the house where his mother and younger brother were slain. He was already taking his coffee when he was shot.
Juvy sustained gunshot wound at her chest and her left leg was broken. Jordan had a gunshot wound at his back that also damaged the back of his head. John was reportedly sleeping at the right side of his mother and had a gunshot wound at the right side of his head which exploded towards his right ear.
Aileen together with Christina brought the two children to Datal Biao. Vicky was brought to the health center for treatment of her wound while Ressa was turned-over to her family. The two (2) children Vicky and Ressa were traumatized and could not be interviewed.
According to Aileen when they went back to the crime scene, together with the relatives of Daguil, they saw that the crime scene was already cleaned-up by the soldiers – they already washed the blood with water and the clothes of the victims were thrown outside the house. When the police investigators arrived, the crime scene was already in order. But the police investigators still saw the scattered brain remains and bloodstains on the wall.
Aileen further narrated, when they first responded she saw thirteen (13) soldiers near the house (excluding Lt. Jimenez). Lt. Jimenez was the team leader of the group and she saw his nameplate (she was also familiar with the soldier because he was always visible to the residents in the area). She counted about fifty (50) soldiers within the vicinity just standing.
The slain victims were finally brought down to their home in Datal Biao at about 2:00 PM, because the soldiers were trying to keep custody of the dead bodies. On October 19 in the afternoon the three (3) victims were laid to rest near their house.
Some witnesses said, the firearms used by the military are called “minimi” – a machinegun type of firearms. They were familiar with the said firearms because this is usually the firearms of the soldiers they have seen in the area.
Some residents in the area said that at dawn or even the night before the incident there were already military troops within the vicinity. They were pursuing Daguil Capion, as he was the suspect in a 2010 ambush of three (3) construction workers of Sagittarius Mines, Inc. (SMI) and reportedly, they were there to serve the warrant of arrest.
In the news report (ABS-CBNnews.com) dated October 20,2012, the headline states “8 soldiers sacked over ‘crossfire’ deaths
The Philippine Army has relieved 8 soldiers over the death of a woman and her two sons allegedly caught in a crossfire in Davao del Sur Thursday. Lieutenant Dante Jimenez, 27th Infantry Battalion’s Bravo Commander, and 7 of his men have been relieved while an investigation into the death of Juvy Capeon and her children, Pop and John is ongoing.
Meanwhile, 27th IB commander Lt. Col. Noel Alexis Bravo was also placed under investigation but was not relieved. It was Bravo who claimed that the three were caught in a crossfire between government soldiers and alleged NPA rebels, led by Daguil Capeon, the victims husband and father.
SOME ISSUES AND CONCERN REGARDING THIS CASE:
1. Daguil Capion is not an NPA rebel, he is the tribal leader of a B’laan tribe and the head of their organization called B’laan foundation which was formed since 1990s. He is opposed to the entry of a mining firm in their ancestral domain area called Sagittarius Mines Incorporated (SMI).
2. The residence in the area testified that they did not hear any exchanges of gunfire, they only hear two gunburst of fire, which would be validated according to the detailed account of the witness who was interviewed.
3. The witness claimed that the 2nd strafing of the military was done 20-25 meters away from the house were the mother and her child lay wounded, so the claim of the military that the victims were caught in a crossfire is false and cannot be substantiated.
4. The witness said that she saw the two children, Ressa and Vicky being poked with guns by the military as they want to finish off the children so that there were no witnesses should be investigated properly.
5. The excessive use of force by the military should be thoroughly investigated, because they have known already that the people there were civilians as the place and the farm house is visible (pls. refer to the photo).
6. The military should be charged with Obstruction of justice, as the witnesses said that they already clean the crime scene by washing the bloodstains when the Police arrived to conduct investigation. The crime scene was already contaminated.
7. There was a violation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL), particularly Protocol 2 of the Geneva Convention.
8. The military is task for counter-insurgency only, they are not allowed to serve warrant of arrest, so maybe that is the reason that they charged Daguil as NPA so that they can escape whatever sanctions for this violations.
REQUESTED ACTION:
1. Call upon competent authorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the killing of the victims and ensure that adequate, effective and prompt rehabilitation and assistance will be granted to the survivors.
2. To conduct thorough and impartial investigation and ensure that the perpetrators will be brought to justice. All the military involved in this operation will be investigation and command responsibility should be meted out against Battalion commander for his arbitrary statement even without conducting investigation on what really transpired during the incident.
3. To call for an immediate pull-out of the military detachment in the area, as the community feared more violations may happen after the killing of Daguil’s family.
Thank You,
Rita M. Melecio
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear___________:
Greetings of peace!
I am writing to express my grave concern regarding the killing of a B’laan family during a raid conducted by the military in sitio Fayahlob, barangay Datal Aliong, Kiblawan, Davao del Sur, Mindanao.
I have known that the victims were Juvy Capion, 27 years old, the mother is three months pregnant. She sustained gunshot wound at her chest and her left leg was broken. Jordan, 13 years old was seen lying face down on the ground a few meters away from the house where his mother and younger brother slain. He sustained a gunshot wound at his back that also damaged the back of his head. John, 8 years old was reportedly sleeping at the right side of his mother and had a gunshot wound at the right side of his head which exploded towards his right ear. The youngest child, Vicky 4 years old sustained a wound at her left ear.
I have also known that, the soldiers tried to finish off the two children (Ressa and Vicky), who were able to take refuge in an adjacent house. They were poked with guns and still traumatized because of the incident.
I was informed that Juvy, the mother was able to talk and asked the military to stop firing their guns because she is already wounded, but instead both of them (John and Juvy) were strafed.
Further, I was informed also that the military already clean the crime scene before the Police investigators arrived, so all the vital evidences were already contaminated.
Therefore, with this vital evidences and information, I am calling the military and the Police to conduct thorough and impartial investigation and sanctioned all the military involved in this operation. The Battalion commander should be meted out with command responsibility because of his arbitrary statement without even conducting investigation regarding the incident.
I am also urging the concern government agencies to give full protection to the witnesses and rehabilitation to the traumatized children.
I trust that you will act favorably. Thank you.
Sincerely,
PLEASE WRITE TO OUR RESPECTIVE AGENCIES OF THE GOVERNMENT:
Please send your letters to:
1.His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street , San Miguel
Manila 1005
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph /opnet@ops.gov.ph
2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street
Ermita, Manila, 1000
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 523 9548
Tel: + 63 2 521 1908
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com
3.Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com
4. Police Director Nicanor Bartolome
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 724 8763/ +63 2 723 0401
Tel: + 63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph
5.Hon. Emilio Gonzalez
Deputy Ombusdman
Office of the Deputy Ombudsman for the Military
And other Law Enforcement Offices
3rd Flr., Ombudsman Bldg.,
Agham Road, Diliman, 1004 Quezon City
Fax: +63 2 926 8747
Tel: +63 2 926 9032
6. Lt. General Ricardo A. David, Jr.
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
AFP-GHQ office, Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +632 9116436
7. Colonel Domingo J. Tutaan, Jr.
Head, Human Rights Affairs Office
Armed Forces of the Philippines
Tel: +632 9116001 to 50
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Coca-colaPhilippines is destroying regular jobs. So the next time you open a bottle of an ice cold Coke, just stop…. and think. Think about what’s behind this cold drink and “cool” image.
Description
The next time you pop a top or crack a cap on an ice cold Coke, just
stop…. and think. Think about what’s behind this cold drink and
“cool” image. Think about the thousands of Filipinos who make Coke.
Think fast because they’ll be gone soon. Why?
Because Coke is replacing good regular jobs with insecurity and fear. How?
By refusing workers of job security and union rights.
Coke is going to be rights-free zone right here in the Philippines.
No rights, no respect. No respect for the people who make Coke and make it all
happen.
So, what’s cooler is to send Coke a message: “Hey Coke! RESPECT workers’ rights!”
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