Tag Archives: AFP

[Statement] Red October is Duterte-AFP plot to intensify crackdown on schools, impose dictatorship -NUSP

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Red October is Duterte-AFP plot to intensify crackdown on schools, impose dictatorship
October 3, 2018

NUSP condemns the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for tagging 18 Metro Manila school campuses as communist recruitment grounds for the “Red October” ouster plot against President Duterte. The state uses the old and ineffective “red scare” tactics to create a climate of fear and insecurity, portray itself as a victim of destabilization, and justify Duterte’s imposition of a fascist dictatorship.

The state cannot stand the fact that Duterte is unpopular among the youth for his deadly wars against the people. The malicious tagging of schools is hence part of the fabricated plot used by the state to vilify students who fight against Duterte’s tyrannical rule and anti-people policies. He fears university and college students who criticize the rottenness of his regime and forge solidarity with the rest of the Filipino people to attain education, employment, agrarian reform, and human rights.

Why are AFP and Duterte allergic to fora and films that tackle Marcos’ Martial Law and its similarities with the dictatorship that Duterte is imposing? They hate the truth because lies are the foundation of their rule. They do not want students to discuss inflation and skyrocketing prices, contractualization, Martial Law in Mindanao, the deadly war on drugs, and other pressing issues precisely because they aim to prolong the suffering of the people brought about by their policies and programs. Meanwhile, Duterte, Arroyo and the Marcoses cling to power by using violence and intimidation against dissenters.

The people know better for these schemes are not new. As an army of lies and fake news, the AFP uses deceit to invalidate other institutions and drown the legitimate demands of the masses. For instance, Lumad schools which enjoy broad public support are labelled by the AFP as rebel training camps.

Surely, this fabricated list will be used to justify the crackdown of the state on schools. As if it is fully trusted by the Filipino people, the state will intensify police presence, surveillance and red-tagging in schools in the guise of its “anti-drug”, “anti-terror” and “anti-bomb” campaigns.

The end of October can tell who is on the side of truth and who is delusional enough to dream of fictitious plots like Red October. Throughout #OctoberRage, NUSP is sure that students and youth will be more vocal. Under Duterte’s tyrannical rule, we will continue to conduct fora and discussions, promote the right to organize, and lead mobilizations against the return of dictatorship.

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[Statement] On AFP & Malacanang’s Statement Implicating Trade Unions in “Red October”: Ridiculous, Irresponsible and Sinister -CTUHR

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On AFP & Malacanang’s Statement Implicating Trade Unions in “Red October”: Ridiculous, Irresponsible and Sinister

The Center for Trade Union and Human Right (CTUHR) slammed the statements made by AFP Chief Galvez and AFP Chief of Staff for Operations Brig. Gen. Antonio Parlade with Ms. Tina Monzon-Palma on September 21,2018, alleging that the issue of rice shortage in the country is artificial and orchestrated by the communists. This, according to the AFP is part of the “communists’ sinister plan for economic sabotage and political destabilization.” They also mentioned infiltration in the labor unions and concoction to oust the President (Duterte) by October, or Red October.

“This is the most insensitively ridiculous statement that AFP and Malacanang can tell the public cringing from skyrocketing prices of everything and dramatic dive of income. This is simply passing the blame on the communists and unions, a lame excuse for a grandiose failure of the government to curb the inflation and the public widening dissatisfaction”, CTUHR says.

“To tell that rice prices which went up from P27/kg to P70/kg (e.g. in Zamboanga) or `galunggong’ (scadfish) that people can no longer afford, are artificial and orchestration of communists is unbelievable. It’s outrageous. You don’t need a communist or anybody to feel angry and distressed, you just need to go to rice store and go to market, ride a motorbike to painfully feel the oil price hike”, says Daisy Arago, CTUHR Executive Director.

CTUHR added that for many people outside Benguet and Cebu helplessly watching on TV the dead bodies recovered from landslides feel sad and angry for wasted lives that could have been avoided if Duterte government delivered what it promised to uplift the poor and ban corporations destroying the environment and inducing Climate Change. It won’t be surprising if one day, landslides will be attributed by AFP and Malacanang to destabilization and communist plot, the way victims are being blamed for refusal to evacuate.

The Center decries as irresponsible and sinister Gen. Galvez and Gen. Parlade’s attribution to the workers and unions in distress, the so-called plan for an “Aklasan” “nationwide attempt to close the manufacturing industries” on national television. The strike of NutriAsia was given as an example. This brings back the scenario where strikes are attacked relentlessly following Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s September 22, 2002 statement in a barangay affair in Laguna.

In fact, CTUHR has received reports that immediately following the TV interview, suspicious men are roving around the community and nearby church in NutriAsia asking for the whereabouts of union leaders and paralegal officer assisting the workers. The move began to create fear amongst the residents who supported the legitimate strike. Arago avers that a contractual agency-hired worker who worked at NutriaAsia for 12-16 hours a day for nine -14 years, bottling and labelling Datu Puti soy sauce and vinegar or Mang Tomas sauce for example, does not have to be a communist to feel angry, you just have to be truly human.

The NutriAsia workers under the Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng NutriAsia (NMN) began their strike last June 2, when NutriAsia-owned and managed by Campos (who also owns Del Monte Philippines) – over illegal dismissal of 75 leaders and supporters of NMN and company’s refusal to regularize almost a thousand long-standing contractual workers. On June 14, combined police and guards dispersed the strike, arrested 23 workers and supporters and seriously injuring around 10 workers. On July 31, company goons and guards again attacked the picketline, tens were injured including a 52-year old woman who sustained a fractured face. Nineteen workers were arrested and detained.

CTUHR reminded the AFP and Mr Duterte that workers’ strike accompanying the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining are core labor rights, which the Philippine government pledged to adhere and protect. To demonize workers collective action, is not only a violation of these rights, but a warning for something dangerous may happen to workers exercising these rights.

Equally, CTUHR slams the tagging of Monde Nissin, PLDT and Jollibee, in ‘Red October’ plot or this ‘Aklasan’ as just another attempt to defame the trade unions, dissuade the workers organizing and condition the public that unions are target of its counter-insurgency program. These companies are in fact engaged in prohibited practice of labor-only contracting and are now facing massive workers’ protests’ over illegal dismissal and refusal to regularize long-standing contractuals. If the trade unions want to close down manufacturing industries, they will not demand for regularization. The workers are simply reclaiming what the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) legally affirmed that they should have been permanent by ordering these companies to comply to regularizing these workers. PLDT, Jollibee and Monde Nissin stubbornly defy DOLE orders and this government is not doing enough to make them answerable.

“If Duterte government cannot enforce its own lawful order over companies, it should not blame the labor unions for massive restlessness, it should credit itself. It should give credit to huge corporations treating their workers like dirt and exploiting them for fear of joblessness”, CTUHR explains..

CTUHR is gravely alarmed over the scenario that Gen Galvez and Gen Parlade are painting and the use of Mindanao as a showcase. Using Martial Law as a pretext, the military is hounding trade unionists since February this year, forcing them to surrender as New People’s Army rebels (see related story ). On September 4, unidentified men on motorbike attempted to kill Victor Ageas, union Board Member of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa SUMIFRU, in Compostela Valley. Ageas survived the attempt but was forced to leave his work in fear for his life. (story details)

“The Duterte government including the military cannot stop the further strengthening of the labor movement as well as the groundswell of human rights defenders by red-baiting them and sowing fear upon their ranks. They (government, military) should realize that the rising tyrannical rule are the ones fueling the restiveness and resistance parallel to the policies that clearly feeding on corporate and capitalists greed to the detriment of people’s welfare,” CTUHR ended.###

Source: ctuhr.org

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[Statement] Itigil ang pagpaslang sa mga Lumad! Respetuhin ang karapatang pantao at ang karapatang pagpasya sa loob ng mga lupaing ninuno! –IIPV

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Mga lumad idinaing ang pagkakaipit sa labanang AFP at CPP-NPA:

Itigil ang pagpaslang sa mga Lumad! Respetuhin ang karapatang pantao at ang karapatang pagpasya sa loob ng mga lupaing ninuno! –IIPV

Kaming 26 na miyembro ng konseho at peace panel ng Independent Indigenous Peoples’ Voice na nanggagaling sa iba’t-ibang tribu ng Lumad sa Mindanao ay mariin na kumukondena sa walang patid na patayan sa aming hanay. Sa Munisipyo ng Arakan, North Cotabato lamang, anim (6) ka tao na ang namatay simula noong Oktubre 2017 hanggang sa buwan ng Enero ng kasalukuyang taon. Karamihan sa mga ito ay Lumad.

Ayon sa datos na naitala namin sa pagitan noong Oktubre hanggang Disyembre 2017, tatlo (3) ka tao ang pinaslang. Ito ay sina: Dondon Bartolaba, Edgar Arania, Toto Lamana.

Samantala sa pagbukas pa lamang ng taong 2018, tatlong buhay na naman ang muling nalagas. Ito ay sina:
Tommy Agyaman- January 11,2018
Michael Locario January 13, 2018
Ricky Olado- January 28, 2018

Ang mga patayang ito ay nagdulot ng ligalig at takot sa aming mga kumunidad. Ito ay lalong umigting noong pinalawig pa ng isang taon ang deklarasyon ng Batas Militar ng Presidente sa buong Mindanaa. Isa pang nakakabahala ay ang ipinahayag ng Armed Forces of the Philippines at ng Presidente na 75-80% ng mga kasapi ng New People’s Army (NPA) ay Lumad. Kami ay lubos na nabahala sa mga deklarasyong ito lalo na ng binansagan ni Presidente Duterte na terorista ang NPA sapagkat ito ay naglalagay sa amin sa panganib, kahit pa nga kami ay di kaanib sa NPA.

Ang kaso ng pagpatay ay hindi lamang nagaganap sa munisipyo ng Arakan, North Cotabato kundi maging sa ibang probinsiya ng Mindanao, katulad na lamang sa nangyaring pagpatay kay Datu Victor Danyan at ng kanyang pitong (7) kasamahang lider ng katutubong T’boli ng Ned, Lake Sebu noong Disyembre 3, 2017.

Kami ay naiipit sa labanan ng New Peoples’ Army at ng Armed Forces of the Philippines, maging ng ibang armadong grupo at paramilitary ng mga korporasyon na pilit umaangkin sa likas na yaman na matatagpuan sa aming lupaing ninuno. Ang mga armadong awayan na ito ay hindi amin ngunit pilit na ipinadama at ipanalasap sa aming mga katutubo na nagnanais na mamuhay ng matiwasay at tahimik sa loob ng aming mga lupaing ninuno ng walang pangingialam ng ninuman na grupo;

Kaming mga katutubo ay tuliro at pawang walang mapupuntahan sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Marami na sa amin ay binabansagan na miyembro ng NPA. Habang yaong pumasok bilang CAFGU ay tinitingnan naman na counter-revolutionary sa panig ng mga NPA. Ang mga ito ay nagdudulot ng malalim na pagkahati-hati ng aming kumunidad at pagkawala ng tiwala sa aming mga kapwa katutubo;

Maging isang miyembro ng konseho ng IIPV ay kasalukuyang nanganganib ang buhay. Noong madaling araw ng Enero 30, 2018, pinasok ang bahay ni Datu Danilo Apang ng tatlo ka tao. Hindi ito kilala ng kanyang pamilya. Nagkataon na wala sa kanyang pamamahay si Datu Apang ng panahong iyon. Dalawa sa mga taong pinatay sa buwan ng Enero 2018 (Agyaman at Olado) ay kanyang mga kamag-anak.

Kami ay nanawagan na itigil na ang mga patayan at bigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima. Nanawagan din kami sa lahat ng mga may kaukulan, sa panig man ng gobyerno, rebeldeng grupo at iba pa na mga armado na respetuhin ang mga pamayanan ng mga katutubo maging ng aming mga tribal self-governance systems o Indigenous Political Structures (IPS).

Aming hinihimok ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at ang Communist Party of the Philippines-National Democratic Front-New Peoples Army na bumalik na sa kanilang pag-uusap. Habang walang negosasyon, walang mekanismo na maaring magagamit ang mga mamayang Lumad na apektado sa sigalot ng dalawang grupo, bagkus, ay naiipit at nabibiktima nito.

Muli naming mariin na isinasaad na ang aming mga teritoryo ay sagrado kung kaya’t ang inyong mga sigalot ay huwag dalhin sa aming mga lupaing ninuno.

References:

Timuay Leticio Datuwata Datu Ayag Quiambao
Chairperson, IIPV Peace Panel Spokesperson, IIPV
0928-7321624 0946-8774542

Source: iDEFENDofficial FB page

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[Urgent Appeal] Arrest and alleged torture of a 16-year old boy in Zamboanga City by members of the AFP -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL

Dear Friends,

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, writes to inform you about an arrest and alleged torture of a 16-year old boy in Zamboanga City by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on September 20, 2013. He is an alleged member of the Moro National Liberation Front.

Case Details

Mudzmer Abdulla, 16 years of age, was arrested along with seven other men suspected to have taken part in the siege in Zamboanga City, Philippines by the Moro National Liberation Front.

According to Mudzmer, they were all wounded when they were forced to surrender. He said that the military commanded them to put their hands over their heads and to drop flat to the ground. After, the military in boots stepped on them and tied them up with a rope. After, they were kicked and punched as they were being forced to admit being MNLF fighters.

TFDP logo small

Mudzmer claimed that one of his companions was slashed to death by one of the military personnel when he denied involvement with the MNLF. Fearing for their lives, they all admitted to be members of MNLF under duress.

He was blindfolded and taken to a venue he believes to be the Southern City College since he overheard his captors. Mudzmer was interrogated and asked about the other men. In fear, he confessed that he is originally from Sulu and was part of a certain Commander Nasser Adja’s team. His commander has already been killed by the military.

Mudzmer had shrapnel wounds in his left ankle, right knee and his thighs that needed medical attention but rather than provide him health care, he was punched in the eye, kicked on his injured knee and stabbed at his right hand.

At dawn, Mudzmer was taken to Zamboanga City Central Police Station. According to him, this is when his captors took off his blindfolds. He was put in a detention cell with other alleged members of the MNLF. He said that though he was given bread that day, he along with the other detainees, were not provided food for five days. They were only given water.

Now, Mudzmer has been transferred to the San Ramon Penal and Prison Farm. He said that he was given a dental examination to verify his age but is yet to receive the result of the test.

He said that his co-detainees inside the cell have been treating him harshly and that some even takes his share of food during mealtime.

Mudzmer said that his father, who was an MNLF member, convinced him to join a peace rally to Zamboanga City. He was promised that they will be given five thousand pesos each and that after taking part in the peace rally, they will be becoming integrees of the government. They were given an armalite rifle and an MNLF uniform before leaving Sulu for Zamboanga.

Action requested:

Please write to the authorities in the Philippines to urge them to:

1. Transfer the custody of Mudzmer Abdullah from the San Ramon Penal and Prison Farm to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to ensure the protection of his rights and his best interests.

2. Call upon competent authorities to carry out prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation into the arrest and alleged torture of a minor and ensure that those who committed the crime be held accountable.

3. Guarantee the respect of human rights and fundamental freedoms in accordance with international human rights standards.

Please send your letters to:

1. His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III

President

Republic of the Philippines

Malacañang Palace

JP Laurel Street, San Miguel

Manila 1005

Philippines

Fax: +63 2 7361010

Tel: +63 2 7356201

Email: op@president.gov.ph

2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima

Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)

Padre Faura Street

Ermita, Manila 1000

Republic of the Philippines

Fax: =63 2 5239548

Tel: +63 2 5211908

Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph

3. Hon. Corazon “Dinky” Juliano-Soliman

Secretary, Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)

Batasan Road, Quezon City

Republic of the Philippines

Tel/Fax: +63 2 9318191

Twitter: @dswdserves, @dinkysunflower

4. Hon. Loreta Ann P. Rosales

Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights

Fax: +63 2 9290102

Tel: + 63 2 9285655

Email: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com

5. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista

Chief of Staff, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

DND Building, Camp Aguinaldo

Quezon City

Philippines

Email: http://www.afp.mil.ph

6. Secretary Voltaire T. Gazmin

Secretary, Department of National Defense (DND)

Camp Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo

Quezon City 1110

Philippines

Fax: +63 2 982 5640

Tel: +63 2 982 5638

Email: info@dnd.gov.ph

7. Hon. Teresita Quintos-Deles

Secretary, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

7th Floor, Agustin 1 Building

F. Ortigas Jr. Road,

Ortigas Center, Pasig City

Philippines

Tel: +63 2 6360701

Email: stgd@opapp.net

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[Event] Red-Baiting Forum 2013 -IPON

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Red-Baiting Forum 2013

As a follow-up to our 2012 Red-Baiting Conference we cordially invite you to our
Red-Baiting Forum 2013

(on October 4th at UP Balay Kalinaw, Quezon City)

Based on the talks and results of the two previous forums, objective of the Red-Baiting Forum 2013 is to bring together Philippine state actors, international actors and national/international CSOs/NGOs to gather ideas and recommendations on a “Guideline to AFP ground line personnel on the prevention of Red-Baiting/Red-Labeling of HRDs and/or their legal organizations in conflict and non-conflict situations”.

IPON logo

Red-Baiting in the Philippines can be described as a political strategy to accuse, denounce and persecute individuals and groups as members of communist organizations like the CPP-NDF-NPA in order to obstruct their work. The most forceful and extreme examples of Red-Baiting related violations of human rights are enforced disappearances, torture and extralegal killings.

Funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, IPON emphasizes this crucial issue that deals with threats to the existence of civil society organizations and their members in the third year.
Among the victims of Red-Baiting, human rights defenders are particularly endangered. They become victims of physical and legal harassments because of their peaceful engagement in their demand for human rights. Therefore it is the responsibility of the Philippine state to particularly take measures to protect human rights defenders and provide a situation in which they can peacefully strive for their rights without any kind of repressions.

Together we want to share perspectives, find common grounds and work out practical steps towards possible solutions. We sincerely hope that you will support us with your expertise and knowledge in this important policy design process.

Please feel free to contact us in case of further inquiries.

Nina Johnen
(Country & Project Coordinator)

R.S.V.P. (until Sept 30th), n.johnen@ipon-philippines.org, +63 (0)92 797 016 75

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[Statement] Break through the Marcos impunity: Pass the Freedom of Information bill now -PAHRA

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Break through the Marcos impunity:
Pass the Freedom of Information bill now

21 September 2013-41st Anniversary of the Imposition of Martial Law

pahra logo copy

On September 21, 2011, the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines (CHRP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) launched a joint endeavor to implement the first Principle of the United Nations Updated Principles in Combating Impunity – the Right to Truth.

The Updated Principles present two aspects of this right: the individual(s) right to know as well as the victim(s)’ families and relatives to know the circumstances and the reasons for the victim’s torture, enforced disappearance or extrajudicial killing. The other aspect is the collective aspect, wherein the nation should remember the tragedies that were consequent of the human rights violations. The obligation to preserve documents and other related evidences to the violations arise from the state’s duty. So is the obligation that public access is facilitated.

None of the documents subsequently turned over by the military would help add to the numbers of those who with “conclusive presumption” would be recognized and compensated as victims of human rights violations during the martial law period. The AFP documents have not even start to come close to the documentation done by the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) which was set up in 1974 by the Association of the Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP).

No additional information as of now may be seen as forthcoming from any initiative of the security forces. We may never know how many even how many have been arrested, tortured, subjected to extra-judicial execution and enforced disappearance. Much less would there be a naming of perpetrators of these serious human rights violations and bringing them to justice.

The September 21, 2011 joint endeavor is now proved to be no more than an empty gesture to obtain the right to truth to combat impunity.

It is the people who must initiate to surface the truth about the gross violations against human rights, not only of civil and political rights but also of the violations of the people’s economic, social and cultural rights, especially of the impoverished, the marginalized and the vulnerable. Even then, it is also imperative to bring to the open the violations done against our Muslim sisters and brothers during the repressive period of martial law.

Now, more than ever, with the expose of grand corruption of Napoles-ian scale, should all people of good-will determinedly work for the passage of the people’s initiative bill on the freedom of information.

Accountability must be obtained for both human rights violations and criminal activities.

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Related articles

[Statement] A call to human rights defenders: conduct creative & courageous actions on four (4) fronts to end impunity! -PAHRA

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A call to human rights defenders: conduct creative & courageous actions on four (4) fronts to end impunity!

July 22, 2013

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

pahra logo copy

“Ang mali – gaano katagal man ito nanatili – ay mali pa rin. Hindi puwedeng “Oks lang, wala lang iyan.” Kapag kinalimutan natin ang mga ito,mangyayari lang ulit ang mga kamalian ng nakaraan.Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga nagkasala,parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na umulit muli.” President Benigno Aquino III. SONA July 2011

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) recalls that:President Benigno Aquino III, in his 2011 State of the Nation Address (SONA) popularly well defined impunity: That which is wrong, no matter how long it takes, is still wrong. No way can anyone say after sometime that:

“It already is OK. Let bygone’s be bygone’s.” Otherwise, the same wrongs will recur. If no one pays for what has been done, it would be like we ourselves have encouraged the wrong doer to do it all over again.
Impunity is a deadly social virus of such strain that addressing it with half-measures and / or insufficient dosages of actions only emboldens its bearers more while it instills more widely within Philippine society the climate of fear and of helplessness against impunity’s next choice as its victim. The danger is increased when those infected belong to the high echelons of government, the security sector and the business sector – as shown in the unwillingness of PLDT to comply with the final decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the Digitel Employees Union as well as in the still un-captured ex-Maj.Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. and the highly possible involvement of military and police officers in rub-outs.

Yes, the reported number of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and torture are down. But very few have been made to pay for what they have wrongly done. Government and the security sector has miserably failed to diligently investigate and appropriately prosecute the past and present violations. The culture of impunity persist. And the private sector, in varying degrees, is being infected with it. The President’s past SONA words are a warning unto itself: Kung hindi magbabayad ang mga nagkasala, parang tayo na rin mismo ang nag-imbita sa mga nagbabalak gumawa ng masama na umulit muli.

An outbreak of impunity can again occur anytime.

Extrajudicial killings, for one, by death squads are no longer confined in Davao City. Similar incidents, according to Human Rights Watch, are being reported in the cities of Zamboanga, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro and Cebu.

To prevent this backlash, we call on all human rights defenders to conduct creative and courageous actions to:
1. Assert the right to truth.
2. Pursue the right to justice.
3. Organize to obtain the right for an effective remedy and to received reparations.
4. Work for structural and institutional reforms to prevent recurrence of systemic abuses.

Determinedly work for the passage of the Freedom of Information Bill. Now we need to push for the success of the People’s Indirect Initiative as it has been freed from the clutches of political unwillingness.

Barriers to obtain the truth about graft and corruption as well as criminal activity and/or human rights violations must be demolished to deliver justice to victims and their families and to the Filipino people as a whole.

The intransigence of both the AFP and the PNP, as pointed out by the Court of Appeals, in cooperating with the CHR to obtain information relevant to the resolution of Jonas Burgos case must be decisively dealt with.
If wrongly permitted to take this course, Jonas Burgos and his family would be, despite being a high profile case, added victims of impunity, piled on cases like that of the enforced disappearances of six young casual workers from Surigao known as the PICOP 6. If there is no full consideration, as another example, of the truth about the massacre of the Capion family in Davao del Sur, proper redress and compensation along with justice will be not achieved.

Truth should not only be obtained in the realm of civil and political rights, but also in economic, social and cultural rights. The right to information is not only on the accessibility of police blotters, military camp records but also of transparency of business plans and records containing also financial reports affecting people, their sources of subsistence and the environment particularly in areas of extractive industries.

Till now there is no official National Human Rights Action Plan (NHRAP) that would guide this administration’s compliance of its human rights obligations. It must be remembered that most of the time, impunity in the realm of civil and political rights is rooted in the impunity of economic, social and cultural rights. The completion of CARPER and the people’s control, not foreigners, over sources of subsistence should be ensured to progressively root out the causes of the armed conflict and concomitant abuses.

The touch-and-go or piece-meal style in human rights will not weaken, much less stop, impunity but rather strengthen impunity by using new learned technicalities to subvert actions that respect, protect and fulfil human rights, such as blind-folding a person to escape identification in a torture case.

Passage of some legislation related to human rights, such as the laws on reproductive health, enforced disappearances, compensation for human rights victims during Martial Law and on domestic workers, are noted and commended.

While awaiting the said laws’ full implementation, there are others which should be soonest addressed by the Chief Executive who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

The President should order, not merely endorse, that transparency and accountability be diligently done in dealing with serious accusations of criminal and/or human rights violations implicating both rank-and-file personnel and officers. The President should review and / or rescind executive actions which give rise to human rights violations, like the Executive Order 546 which allows the arming of militias by local officials.
Alongside the ban, he should issue an Executive Order which bans all para-military formations and to dis-arm immediately all the said groups. There is urgency as well to check that Command Responsibility does not deteriorate into a ‘command conspiracy’ between officials both in the civilian bureaucracy and the security sector and their corresponding rank-and-file personnel.

Finally, to ensure that systemic abuses do not recur, structural and institutional changes should take into serious consideration without discrimination the promotion and protection of human rights of all, especially, the indigenous peoples, the peasants, the workers, women, children, the LGBTs, the elderly and persons with disabilities. Human Rights Defenders should monitor government compliance.

No trade-off’s to end impunity.

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[In the news] How the military hid the truth behind Jonas Burgos abduction -bulatlat.com

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How the military hid the truth behind Jonas Burgos abduction
By RONALYN V. OLEA, Bulatlat.com

bulatlatMANILA – Following the recent developments on the case of missing activist Jonas Burgos, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said it would submit to the legal processes.

The Special 7th Division of the Court of Appeals (CA) issued a ruling holding the AFP accountable for the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos. Also this week, the victim’s family filed an urgent motion before the Supreme Court (SC) urging the re-investigation of the case.

“The AFP condemns any act of violation of the basic and constitutional rights of individuals. We are doing every necessary step to ensure that all our personnel strictly follow the AFP rules, regulations and policy which are consistent with the internationally accepted agreements and laws,” the AFP said in a statement.

The Jonas Burgos case itself, however, is a testimony to what the family calls “institutional cover-up” of the military in cases of human rights violations.

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[In the news] AFP vows ‘cooperation’ after CA tags military in Jonas Burgos ‘abduction’ -InterAksyon.com

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AFP vows ‘cooperation’ after CA tags military in Jonas Burgos ‘abduction’
By Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com
March 28, 2013

InterAksyon logo2The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Thursday pledged to cooperate and comply with Court directives aimed at fully uncovering the details behind the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos, one day after the Court of Appeals affirmed suspicions that the military was behind Burgos’ abduction in April 2007.

The AFP said it has yet to receive a copy of the Court of Appeals ruling on the matter, and declined any further comment pending the official transmission of the report. Both AFP spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Burgos and Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Randolph Cabangbang said they would give a more detailed statement after they obtain the official report of the CA.

However, Colonel Burgos said “the AFP in all its undertakings will continue to follow the rule of law and strictly adhere to the protection and promotion of human rights and International Humanitarian Law.”

Read full article @www.interaksyon.com

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[In the news] Rights body hails CA ruling AFP behind Burgos abduction -INQUIRER.net

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Rights body hails CA ruling AFP behind Burgos abduction
By Gil C. Cabacungan
Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 28, 2013

inquirerThe Court of Appeals (CA) ruling declaring the Armed Forces of the Philippines and not Leftist rebels was directly responsible for the “enforced disappearance” of journalist and activist Jonas Burgos is being hailed as a “concrete, positive step” towards getting to the bottom of the climate of impunity which gripped the Arroyo administration.

Commission on Human Rights Chair Loretta Ann P. Rosales on Wednesday bared the March 18 decision of the Court of Appeals on the petition for habeas corpus filed by Burgos’ mother, Edita, against the AFP and its officers led by former Chief of Staff Hermogenes Esperon which she said reinforced the perception of a military cover-up of the abduction.

In a statement, Rosales said the CA decision recognized the abduction of Jonas Burgos as an enforced disappearance case covered by the rule on the writ of amparo. “The decision is noteworthy because it categorically declares the AFP, as an institution, directly accountable for the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos. This conclusion effectively discredits the theory propounded by the Armed Forces that Jonas was the victim of an internal CPP-NPA plot,” said Rosales.

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[In the news] ‘DENIAL KINGS’ | Rights group scoffs at AFP disavowal of Order of Battle -InterAksyon.com

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‘DENIAL KINGS’ | Rights group scoffs at AFP disavowal of Order of Battle
By InterAksyon.com
December 24, 2012

MANILA, Philippines – The denial by the military and the government of the existence of an “Order of Battle” with names of alleged enemies of the state has come under fire from rights groups, who described the denial as a disservice in the wake of the passage of Asia’s first measure outlawing enforced disappearances.

The long series of enforced disappearances precisely stemmed from the existence of such a list, as the “OB” has been taken as license by some men in uniform to seize persons on the list in order to neutralize the insurgency, Karapatan said.

“It seems that acts of denial are usual responses of the Aquino government and the AFP, when confronted with questions on their accountability for human rights violations. Mga denial kings ang mga nasa Malacanang at AFP! The lies that they have sown through their counter-insurgency program Oplan Bayanihan are now being exposed,” said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general.

Karapatan noted the practice of the Aquino government in “continuing” such policy through the reported Joint Order 14-2012 of the Department of National Defense and the Department of Interior and Local Government, which contains an alleged list of leaders of the communist movement whose bounties for arrests amount to P466million.

“Such order, which was not even made public, is a dangerous and malicious perpetuation of the OB list as it becomes a hit list of personalities/individuals who may be persecuted, filed with trumped-up charges or killed,” commented Palabay.

Read full article @ interaksyon.com

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[Press Release] Rights Groups run to challenge Security Sector: Declare in words and deeds torture free detention centers

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Rights Groups run to challenge Security Sector: Declare in words and deeds torture free detention centers

More than 600 people participate in the annual Basta Run Against Torture in time for the U.N. International Day in Support of Victims of Torture today, June 26, 2012. Now in its 6th year, anti-torture advocates challenged the security sector to declare torture free detention centers in words and in deeds.

“This year’s BRAT aims to bridge the gap between the commitments and policies on one hand and practices on the other of the security sector and other government agencies with respect to the issue of torture. It hopes to exact the commitment of AFP, PNP and BJMP to declare their places of detention as torture free and stand firm on their commitment.” Joy Lascano of Balay Rehabilitation Center, representative of UATC said in a statement.

The United Against Torture Coalition (UATC), a network of anti-torture advocates engages the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine National Police (PNP) and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to publicly announce their commitment to proclaim a policy of complete prohibition of torture in all places of detention.

Lascano of UATC further said that, “Three years after the enactment of the Anti-Torture Law of 2009, only a handful of cases have been filed. The attempt to prosecute perpetrators is fraught with difficulties due to a lack of transparency from the security sector and the unfamiliarity of prosecutors and judges about the law on torture. None of these cases have seen a just resolution.”

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), also a member of UATC on the other hand documented 23 cases with 40 victims of torture under the P-Noy administration (as of May 2012). According to the group, the data shows that practice of torture on the ground still persists
while no one get punished.

BRAT 6 was participated by Amnesty International-Philippines, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Medical Action Group (MAG), Balay Rehabilitation Center, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) and the #rememberML@40 campaign committee.

Also present are CHR, PHRC, DILG, DOJ, PNP, AFP and BJMP.

[In the news] What Jollibee saw -INQUIRER.net

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What Jollibee saw.

By: Patricia Evangelista, Philippine Daily Inquirer
March 25, 2012

On Dec. 20, 2011, five years after University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño were abducted from Hagonoy, Bulacan, the Bulacan courts released a warrant for the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr. and three other officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. They were charged with two counts of abduction and serious illegal detention. It is the first time in recent history that officers of the AFP are being hunted down for human rights violations.

Of the witnesses who have stepped forward to point a finger at the military, the youngest is a Bulacan native previously referred to as Jollibee. He was 14 at the time of the abduction, and testified to the abduction of Cadapan and Empeño in spite of his own father’s refusal to stand by his statements.

Late in 2011, at the resumption of the Palparan et al. hearings, the boy called Jollibee pointed a finger at a man who appeared in court as Palparan’s bodyguard. Palparan claimed it was the first time he had met the man. After much reluctance, the AFP introduced him to the court as Staff Sgt. Edgardo Osorio. He is now in custody, along with Lt. Col. Felipe G. Anotado.

Almost three months after warrants for their arrest were released, Palparan and retired Master Sgt. Rizal Hilario are still at large. Jollibee, born Wilfredo Ramos Jr., is now 19 years old, and is happy to inform the gentlemen who once called him a liar that he is still waiting.

* * *

This is Jollibee’s account as told to Patricia Evangelista.

They call me Jollibee, because my mother had me 19 years ago in the first Jollibee fast food restaurant opened in Bulacan.

At 2 in the morning of June 25, 2006, about 15 men from the AFP arrived at our village. They were in full uniform. They knocked on our door. They said if we didn’t let them in they would shoot us down. My father got scared. He opened the door fast, but they beat him anyway and shoved him to the ground. They hit him, behind the neck, and tied him down.

I was 14 when it happened. The girls were staying with us, researching the farmers in Hagonoy. As far as I know they were not members of the New People’s Army. I don’t think they were rebels. Activists, maybe. I knew them for years. They were almost family.

I saw the men bind my father. I went down the stairs. They grabbed me and hit me and shoved me down the hallway and tied me up, too. That’s when I heard the girls screaming for help. They were being forced out of our house and beaten. One of the farmers who lived with us, Manuel Merino, ran out to help Karen and Sherlyn. He was worried about them. They took him, too.

Read full article @ http://opinion.inquirer.net/25565/what-jollibee-saw

[From the web] To P-Noy and the AFP on respect for human rights: There you go, again! Show, Don’t tell –Karapatan

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“We are becoming tired of this government’s empty promises, publicity stints and lies. As the AFP heralds Oplan Bayanihan’s adherence to human rights, six barangay officials and two children from Bgy. Hinagunuyan , Catubig, Samar were declared as NPA surrenderees after they were abducted. The six, and the two children were taken, purportedly for questioning, by elements of the 34th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA) in Northern Samar,” declared Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of Karapatan.

Reports coming from Katungod-Sinirangang Bisayas, a member of Karapatan based in Eastern Visayas, stated that on January 28, 2012, barangay officials and members of the Lupong Tagapamayapa (barangay peace and order council) were arrested and brought to the headquarters of the 34th IBPA in the Municipality of Palapag, Northern Samar. The villagers believed that the act was in retaliation for the village’s hosting of a fact-finding mission conducted by the Katungod-SB last January 12-15, 2012.

“The military reacted because the said fact-finding mission ascertained that the soldiers were responsible for the killing of Jovito Pajanustan, a farmer from Bgy. Osang, Catubig, Northern Samar. Pajanustan was tortured before he was killed last November 24, 2011. When discovered, Pajanustan’s body bore signs of torture – his head was still covered with cellophane and his hands were tied,” added Hilao-Enriquez.

Prior to the arrest of the barangay officials, the military coerced them to sign an affidavit to free the military from any accountability to Pajanustan’s killing. His killing was among the 33 other human rights violations by the military that were documented by the fact-finding mission. The violations range from threat, harassment and intimidation; violation on the rights of the child; violation on the use of public buildings e.g., health centers, day care centers and chapels; and houses of civilians that were used as military camps.

“We demand the release of the barangay officials from Hinagunuyan and the pullout of military troops in these areas. We condemn the continuing military presence in the communities that endangers the civilian population. As in the past, the military turn their guns against the civilians when they fail to pursue the New People’s Army (NPA),” said Hilao-Enriquez.

Hilao-Enriquez points to Oplan Bayanihan, the government’s current counter-insurgency program, just like the vicious Oplan Bantay Laya of GMA, for the unending impunity in the country. “ Under these counter-insurgency programs, people’s livelihood are dislocated and lives are at stake, or worse, lost. The AFP continues to hide behind its so-called human rights program but the reality shows otherwise. The AFP may employ deceptive tactics and slogans, but it can no longer deny the violations they commit against the people to silence them. History has shown that the people themselves won’t allow these to go on. We urge the Aquino government to learn the lessons of history rather than repeating the errors of the past,” concluded Hilao-Enriquez.

http://www.karapatan.org/There_you_go_again_AFP_and_Pnoy

[In the news] AFP dares rights group to name Palparan coddlers -GMA News

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AFP dares rights group to name Palparan coddlers
GMA News
February 1, 2012

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday challenged the group Human Rights Watch to identify the military personnel allegedly coddling retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan, who is wanted for the disappearance of two student-activists in 2006.

“We challenge them to submit names, you file a complaint and this will be addressed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

He was reacting to the reported request of Elaine Person, HRW’s deputy Asia director, to President Benigno Aquino III to send the message to the AFP that the years of protecting Palparan are over.

She also reportedly said Aquino should also tell the AFP to cooperate with civilian authorities in the prosecution of Palparan.

Read full article @ www.gmanetwork.com

[In the news] AFP challenges Human Rights Watch to prove claims – PhilStar.com

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AFP challenges Human Rights Watch to prove claims
By Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star
January 25, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – The military yesterday challenged the New York-based Human Rights Watch to prove that soldiers were involved in unexplained killings.

Armed Forces spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said the group, which had criticized the Aquino administration for its alleged failure to address abuses, should present evidence to the military so they could act on the complaints.

“Human Rights Watch should coordinate directly with us. Give us evidence to support their claim that we committed human rights violations,” Burgos said.

Burgos claimed that the military has posted gains in promoting respect for human rights and adherence to International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

He said the strengthening of the Armed Forces Human Rights Office and its replication to field units has enabled them to ensure compliance with existing polices.

“In fact, the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines) had already achieved milestones in human rights advocacy efforts with the publication of the soldiers’ handbook on human rights and IHL,” Burgos said.

He said the AFP even released a guidebook on ways to conduct intelligence operations without violating human rights.

On Monday, Human Rights Watch criticized the Aquino administration for supposedly failing to prosecute members of security forces tagged in unexplained killings.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

[In the news] AFP denies government may drop peace talks with NDF – PhilStar.com

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AFP denies government may drop peace talks with NDF
By Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star
January 23, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – The military yesterday belied the claim of communist rebels that some sectors within the Armed Forces are spreading false information to pressure the government to drop the peace talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF).

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they have not received reports about soldiers disseminating rumors to derail the talks with the rebels.

“We did not receive such information (about soldiers spreading rumors). The AFP continues to support the peace initiatives of the government,” Burgos told The STAR in a phone interview.

Army spokesman Maj. Harold Cabunoc echoed this, saying the soldiers are aspiring for lasting peace since they have experienced the horrors of war.

“We want the peace talks to move forward. Soldiers suffer hardships and casualties during armed conflict,” Cabunoc told radio dzBB.

“We are continuously urging armed groups to abandon their armed struggle so the miseries of our countrymen would end.”

He dismissed as “propaganda” the claim of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) that some elements within the AFP want to derail the talks.

Last week, sources told The STAR that the return of CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison to the Philippines is now the subject of talks between the government and the rebels.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

[In the news] Military to Palparan: Face raps, clear your name – InterAksyon.com

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Military to Palparan: Face raps, clear your name
by Abigail Kwok, InterAksyon.com
January 3, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) urged retired Major General Jovito Palparan to face the charges against him in order to clear his name.

AFP chief Lt. Gen. Jessie Dellosa said this is the only way Palparan can effectively prove his innocence.

Palparan – currently a partylist representative at the House of Representatives – and three other soldiers are facing charges for the kidnapping and illegal detention of two students of the University of the Philippines. He has gone into hiding after authorities last December thwarted his attempt to fly to Singapore via the Clark International Airport.

“Ang pinakamaganda rito kay Gen. Palparan ay lumabas sya…he has to face his case para at least ma-prove nya that he is innocent and he is not guilty yun ang pinakabest dito,” Dellosa told reporters, even as the military steered clear of directly commenting on the case against Palparan.

Read full article @ www.interaksyon.com

[In the news] AFP unfazed by reports of ‘witch hunt’ vs soldiers in Palparan case – www.philstar.com

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AFP unfazed by reports of ‘witch hunt’ vs soldiers in Palparan case – www.philstar.com
By Alexis Romero, The Philippine Star
January 02, 2012

 MANILA, Philippines – The military is unfazed by reports of an alleged witch hunt against soldiers who took part in operations against persons and groups accused of conniving with communist rebels.

Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Col. Arnulfo Burgos Jr. said they have faith in the justice system and would cooperate with higher authorities when necessary.

“We fully trust our justice system which is working effectively and tirelessly for the benefit of our people. The AFP remains firm in upholding the rule of law and shall continue to promote and respect human rights in all its undertakings,” Burgos said when asked about the supposed witch hunt against the military.

“Every member of the AFP understands that the steps undertaken by any judicial body is part of the judicial system under the Constitution which we have sworn to defend and uphold at all times,” he said.

Amid the controversies stirred by some of the military’s operations, Burgos said they would remain transparent and open to the public.

“If summoned by higher authorities, we will provide necessary documents needed by any legitimate investigating body and we will make available the concerned personnel,” he said.

Last week, a senior military officer revealed that soldiers tagged in the disappearance of activist Jonas Burgos and the arrest of the so-called “Morong 43” would be the next targets of an ongoing “witch hunt.”

The officer made the claim after state agencies had ordered the arrest of retired general Jovito Palparan Jr., who was implicated in the kidnapping of student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

[In the news] 500 flee as AFP intensifies operation vs. NPA in Agusan – MindaNews

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MindaNews » 500 flee as AFP intensifies operation vs. NPA in Agusan.

By Erwin Mascariñas

KITCHARAO, Agusan del Norte (MindaNews/8 Nov) – About 500 people, including members of the Mamanwa tribe, left their homes in a hinterland village here as the military intensified operations against the New People’s Army, bombarding rebel positions with artillery and helicopter gunships last Sunday afternoon, belated reports said.

The operation resulted in the death of a Scout Ranger, Pfc Ninoto C. Gulani, and the wounding of four others, including an officer, according to Maj. Eugenio Julio Osias IV, spokesperson of Army’s the 4th Infantry Division.

About a hundred houses in Sitio Zapanta in Barangay Bangayan – site of frequent of clashes between the military and the NPA – were reportedly deserted on the fifth massive evacuation to happen in the area this year.

Residents said the Army’s 30th Infantry Battalion fired 105mm Howitzer rounds as the Air Force’s MG-520 helicopters attacked rebel positions starting 10 a.m. on Sunday as members of the 5th and 6th Scout Ranger Companies, meantime, operated on the ground in search of rebels.

Nonito V. Senonis, Bangayan barangay chairman, said that the evacuees, including children, started arriving at the barangay hall compound at 4 p.m. on Sunday. Some were accommodated in the buildings around the hall, while others sought refuge in the houses of relatives nearby.

Read full article @ www.mindanews.com

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