EJK | Human Rights Online Philippines

Tag Archives: EJK

[Press Release] Human Rights Groups ask the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a strong resolution on the Philippines due to continuing human rights violations -PAHRA

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Human Rights Groups ask the UN Human Rights Council to adopt a strong resolution on the Philippines due to continuing human rights violations

Quezon City- The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) and In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) appealed to the ongoing 45th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) asking for a strong resolution on the Philippines, following a renewed spate of killings in the country. The groups sought the establishment of an international investigation into the human rights crises in the country.

In a statement the groups cited new documented cases of ten killings between May to September 2020. Recalling the message of Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra to delegates of the HRC during the 44th Session in June, the groups said that the DOJ inter-agency panel Guevarra claimed to conduct investigations into EJKs is not credible:

“… the panel failed to meet international standards of independence and impartiality due to its member agencies’ main role in the implementation of the illegal drugs campaign. There has been no significant engagement with civil society and despite the signing of a memorandum with the Commission on Human Rights, no further movement has been observed from this panel. Thus, we find that this initiative of the Justice Department can only provide a smokescreen to the continuing bloody campaign.”

The groups said families of victims of the killings remain distrustful of the government, which keep them from cooperating in official inquiries, if any.
Also cited were reports of other human rights groups:
“Human Rights Watch found 155 persons killed in the past four months from government statistics. In addition, before the Covid-19 crisis, 103 persons were killed by the Police from December 2019 to March 2020.[1] ”

The message also raised the alarm on the terrorist-tagging of human rights personalities and organizations in the Philippines by the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the AFP.
Observations were also made of the pandemic response of the government:

“Adopting the drug war’s blueprint, the government’s implementation of a militarist response to an unprecedented public health crisis has exacerbated the people’s deprived living conditions. Communities which were traumatized by the summary killings, have been re-traumatized by the erection of checkpoints manned by soldiers and police, as well as severe punishments for lockdown violators.”

The groups called for the Council’s urgent action to follow up the High Commissioner for Human Rights’ report on the Philippines in June.

“A strong resolution on the Philippines expresses the international community’s commitment to end impunity and to exact accountability against the perpetrators. A strong resolution serves to bring justice more closely to those who have been victims of the grave human rights violations; a strong resolution will provide crucial impetus to ending the attacks against human rights defenders.”

[1] https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/09/08/killings-Philippines-50-percent-during-pandemic
—
PHILIPPINE ALLIANCE OF HUMAN RIGHTS ADVOCATES (PAHRA)
Unit-E 4th flr. Tempus II Place
Makatarungan St. Bgy Central Quezon City
E-mail: rightscomms1987@gmail.com
Website: https://philippinehumanrights.org

Press Release

[Tula] May araw din ang mga ina… -ni Nina Somera

Posted on May 12, 2020 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

May araw din ang mga ina…

Aakalain mo na iyon ay karaniwang gabi.
Sa isang iglap tinangay at pinatay
ng buwitre at ng kanyang galamay:
Mga anak na minsa’y may minimithi.

Hindi pa rin umaaraw.
Ang Pebong Silang ay balot sa takot
Maging sa mga pabaong bangungot.
“Totoo ba ito?” Nais mong magduda…
Ililihis sa iba’t ibang mararahas na tagpo,
Bibingihin sa mga ingay ng mga sumasambang tao at kanilang bayarang anino sa poon na mamatay-tao.
Ngunit sadyang gising ang diwa.
May kamalayan sa katotohanan.
May kumikitil sa mga karapatan.

Sa pusod ng poot ay pangarap ng mga ina:
Sa dulo ng bangungot ay may mga mananagot.
Wala nang maitatago at makalulusot
kapag nakalaya ang ginapos na hustiya.

(Mga litrato ng mga ina – Lorenza de los Santos, ina ni Kian de los Santos, kuha ni Jonathan Cellona para sa ABSCBN; Nanette Castillo, ina ni Aldrin Castillo, kuha ni Noel Celis para sa AFP at nalathala sa Rappler; at kuha ni Ezra Acayan na kinilala sa Ian Parry Award sa kanyang dokumentasyon ng mga extrajudicial killing sa ilalim ng rehimen ni Rodrigo Duterte.)

[Off-the-shelf] The Killing State: The Unrelenting War Against Human Rights -PhilRights

Posted on October 10, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Findings of the 2017-2019 Documentation of Extrajudicial Killings (EJK) committed in the context of the so-called War on Drugs
by the Philippine Human Rights Information Center

Since Rodrigo Duterte’s inauguration as the 16th president of the Philippines in 2016, the country has witnessed a steep surge in gross violations of human rights. Three years into his presidency, President Duterte’s so-called war on drugs continues without letup, despite his own admission that the drug problem has not been—and cannot be—solved.

The number of victims continues to mount and the violence and brutality are just as severe. Extrajudicial killings (EJKs) have become the hallmark of the Duterte administration’s governance.

The challenges to human rights organizations are as urgent as ever: to respond to the rise in cases of gross human rights violations, to provide support and intervention to victims and families, to campaign for rule of law and respect for human rights, and to fight against impunity. Among these challenges is the urgent task of documenting the cases of violations, so that they are not erased from public memory, and to gather evidence that could be used for exacting accountability.

PhilRights’ documentation abides by the principles and investigation guidelines set by The Minnesota Protocol on the Investigation of Potentially Unlawful Deaths (2016).2 This document, also known as the Minnesota Protocol, was issued by the Office of the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights (OHCHR) to set international legal standards to prevent unlawful deaths and investigate extra-legal, summary, and arbitrary executions.

The Minnesota Protocol clarifies that a “potentially unlawful death” may (1) have been due to the acts or omission of the State, its organs or agents including law enforcers, paramilitary groups, militias or death squads allegedly “acting under the direction or with the permission or acquiescence of the State,” and “private military or security forces exercising State functions,” (2) have happened when the victim was in detention by or in custody of the State, its organs or agents, and (3) have been due to the failure of the State to fulfill its obligation in protecting life. Under international law, a “potentially unlawful death” is the product of an arbitrary, summary, or extra-legal execution or an alleged extrajudicial killing. In the event that the victim survived the incident, the violation is referred to as “frustrated or attempted extrajudicial killing.”

Click the link to read more:

Off the shelf

[Statement] CTUHR Reports on EJKs and other Human Rights Violations Among Workers at the CHR Public Hearing

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

10 September 2019

On September 10, the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) joined fellow labor and human rights defenders and advocates at the Commission on Human Rights’ public inquiry on the attacks on human rights defenders in the country.

“We welcome these efforts of the CHR to hear the plight of human rights defenders in the country today. The human rights situation in the country has reached a record-low point where policies, state forces and agencies are all geared oriented to repress people’s dissent amidst growing discontent and poverty,” said CTUHR Executive Director Daisy Arago.

For the past three years, the Philippines has consistently landed on the top 10 worst countries for workers according to the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) Global Rights Index Reports. This is a clear manifestation of the dire state of workers’ rights in the country.

Arago, in her presentation, highlighted the 43 workers, unionists and labor rights defenders extrajudicially killed under Duterte’s three years in power. She also noted that most of these killings happened under the pretext of Duterte’s policies such as the Oplan Tokhang, Martial Law in Mindanao, Oplan Sauron in Negros and the Executive Order 70 (whole-of-nation approach and creation of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict) and Oplan Kapanatagan.

Some of the victims of EJK among workers are Francisco Guevarra, a PLDT union member; Linus Cubol, former president of Manila; Merly Valgun and Dorie Mallari, Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Annex Vendors Association- KADAMAY Cavite; Dannyboy Bautista, Board Member of Nagkahiusang Mamumuo sa Suyapa Farms (NAMASUFA-KMU) in Compostela Valley; and Felipe Dacal-Dacal, National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW). 19 of the 43 killed were sugar workers in Negros and part of the NFSW, including the 9 workers killed in the Sagay massacre.

The CTUHR Executive Director highlighted the killing of one of their former staff in Cebu, Butch Rosales, who was killed in broad daylight in a public transportation. Since 2009, Rosales has been receiving death threats due to his work as a labor rights defender and recently, as a volunteer of the Rise Up for Life and Rights Network.

“Even from the beginning of Duterte’s term, he has been vocal about his views against unions and strikes, so this atmosphere of violence and repression against workers come as no surprise. However, it is still very alarming, as this administration continues to connive with and favor capitalists over the exploited workers,”said Arago.

Arago further added that the attacks against workers, especially those who are organized or organizing their ranks, are systematic. The State employs a variety of tactics to silence and repress the growing discontent among workers – harassment, vilification, fabricated trumped up charges, red-tagging, violent dispersals, abduction and brutal killing.

“We call on the CHR to urge and pressure the government to accept the Intenational Labor organization’s tripartite High-Level Mission to the Philippines, which shall investigate the strings of labor rights violations in the country,”Arago appealed to the Commission. She added that the workers are in urgent need of the CHR’s help and support in their fight for justice for all the rights violations that this regime, together with the capitalists, have committed. “Help us hold these culprits accountable and protect the rights of the workers,”Arago ended.

Reference:
Daisy Arago
CTUHR Executive Director
Tel # 0916 248 4876 / 718 00 26

Statement

[From the web] The Uncounted Dead of Duterte’s Drug War -The Atlantic

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

All Jefferson Soriano wanted was to go to bed. But the power was out, his tiny room felt like a furnace, and his friend Manuel Borbe had come by. The pair walked outside to chat and get some air, eventually stopping for a late-night coffee along a busy road.

Soriano and Borbe had lived nearly their entire lives in the area, a shantytown in a Manila community called Holy Spirit, and had met as teens on a neighborhood basketball court. They had been friends ever since, growing up together, and now both were new fathers in their 30s struggling to make ends meet—Soriano by working odd jobs in grocery stores and fast-food restaurants, Borbe as a construction worker.

At the time, Rodrigo Duterte’s first year as president of the Philippines was coming to a close, a violent period during which the government prosecuted a war on drugs, in which police swept down, arrested suspected drug sellers and conducted sting operations against them. Officers were given wide latitude to shoot, and kill, suspected drug dealers—ostensibly in self-defense—and Holy Spirit was one of the offensive’s epicenters.

[from the web] Understanding the UNHRC Resolution on human rights in the Philippines -PhilRights

Posted on August 25, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

A recent survey by the Social Weather Stations (SWS) found that 60% of adult Filipinos agreed that the government should not block the investigation of international groups into drug-related killings.

While the result was a product of field interviews held in June for the pollster’s Second Quarter 2019 Social Weather Survey, it coincided neatly with the July adoption of an Iceland-led resolution before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC). The resolution requested the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet to prepare and present a “comprehensive written report” on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

Strong public support for international involvement and, correspondingly, the international community’s willingness to engage the Philippine government through the UN system both bode well in clarifying the State’s accountabilities on the thousands of killings that has occurred in relation to the so-called war on drugs as well as the general human rights situation in the country.

To further understand the resolution, and what it means for human rights in the Philippines under Pres. Duterte, PhilRights reached out to two key figures who were part of the mission in Geneva which lobbied for the resolution’s adoption: Ellecer Carlos, of the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), and Rose Trajano, of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA).

Click the link to read more:

From the web

[Statement] Action by the UN’s premier human rights body is crucial to stem the violence ensure accountability -HRW

Posted on June 29, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

HRW reaction to UN HRC opening statement on Philippines

In her opening statement today at the 41st session of the UN Human Rights Council, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about the “drug war” killings in the Philippines and supported the call by Special Rapporteurs for action by the Human Rights Council. States at the Human Rights Council should urgently follow through and support the resolution initiated by Iceland, putting Philippines on the council’s agenda. The killings continue in the Philippines on a daily basis and action by the UN’s premier human rights body is crucial to stem the violence ensure accountability.

Laila Matar
Deputy Director for United Nations
in Geneva at Human Rights Watch

Statement

[People] “No mother should bury her child.” -Sen. Leila de Lima

Posted on June 9, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

This is what every mother fears. Sadly, under this tyrannical Duterte regime and its failed War on Drugs, this is a tragic reality that thousands of mothers have gone through; a harrowing ordeal that they live with every day.

Global Health NOW’s article, “Elderly Mothers Bear the Emotional Burden of the Drug War” (6 June 2019), narrates the plight of 70-year-old Elvira Miranda and 60-year-old Carmelita Bajacan whose sons where shot and killed during an anti-drug police operation in Manila North Cemetery on August 3, 2017.

Almost two years have passed but, as Bianca Franco, a researcher at the Ateneo de Manila University who covered communities victimized by the drug war, aptly described it: “Their sons had been dead for a year or more, but these mothers wept like it happened yesterday.”

Bukod sa namamanglaw at nanghihinang katawan dahil sa kanilang edad, bukod sa pagdurusa at kalungkutang dala ng pagkamatay ng kanilang mga anak, naiwan sa mga tulad nina Ginang Elvira at Carmelita ang mabigat na pasaning arugain at itaguyod ang kinabukasan ng mga apong naulila ng kanilang mga magulang.

Sila po ay kabilang lamang sa libo-libong mga ina na hindi pa rin mapigil ang pagluha dahil sa malagim na trahedya, subalit kailangang maging matatag para sa pamilya at sa paghahanap ng hustisya. Bukod sa mga pinaslang ng karumal-dumal na War on Drugs ni Duterte, sila ang mukha ng mga biktima—mga itinuturing na “collateral damage” ng marahas na polisiyang maraming buhay ang sinayang at wala namang pinatunguhan.

Even when their children are laid to rest, these mothers’ pain will never truly disappear. They will never forget. Dadamdamin nila ang mapait na alaala hanggang sa kanilang huling hininga. They will continue to cry for justice for their sons, daughters, and even granchildren whose lives were cut short by an evil man who had the gall to play god.

Stop the killings! Justice for the victims!

Dispatch from Crame No. 530: Sen. Leila M. de Lima’s Reflection on “Elderly Mothers Bear the Emotional Burden of the Drug War”

6/9/19

People

[In the news] Rights Experts Urge U.N. Inquiry Into ‘Staggering’ Killings in Philippines -The New York Times

Posted on June 8, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

GENEVA — A group of United Nations human rights experts called on Friday for an international inquiry into the state of human rights in the Philippines because of the “staggering number” of unlawful killings by the security services and official attacks on people and institutions who defend human rights there.

In a strongly worded condemnation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s three-year rule, 11 United Nations special rapporteurs said the body’s Human Rights Council should set up an independent investigation “given the scale and seriousness of the reported human rights violations” and the climate of official impunity in which they occur.

“We have recorded a staggering number of unlawful deaths and police killings in the context of the so-called war on drugs, as well as killings of human rights defenders,” the experts said.

The joint statement, by an unusually large group of experts, seeks to galvanize international action in the Human Rights Council, which convenes a new session this month. Diplomats in Geneva, where the council is based, said that the Philippines was lobbying officials there against any council action. The Duterte administration had no immediate comment.

In the News

[From the web] Have ‘courage’, Pope tells ‘killing field’ bishop -CBCPnews

Posted on May 28, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Pope Francis encouraged Bishop Pablo David of Kalookan to face the challenges in his diocese with “courage”.

The pope met with the first of the three groups of bishops from the Philippines May 20 during the “ad limina” that prelates are required to make to the Vatican.

Seated around the pope, David and other bishops were allowed to address the pontiff freely without the aid of a microphone.

When David had his turn, he told the pope that he had no question and just wanted to ask for his prayers.

“I was surprised when he interrupted me in the middle of my sentence and said, ‘I want you to know that I know your situation; I know what you are going through. I am praying for you,’” David recalled.

“My eyes blurred with tears when he said that. I had to clear my throat to be able to go on speaking,” he said.

The Kalookan diocese is composed of the southern part of Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas covering some of the poorest communities in Metro Manila.

The bishop earlier said the cities in his diocese have been “turned into killing fields” in the government’s bloody campaign against illegal drugs trade that claimed thousands of lives.

[Press Release] HR violations victims’ kin: No to candidates with bloody hands -CAED/ Anti-EJK Network

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Photo by Michael Non

United by the common pain of loss and injustice, families of victims of involuntary disappearance were joined by the families of victims of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) on Holy Wednesday to intensify their call for justice, which for years has eluded them.

An annual event of the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND), the Kalbaryo ng Kawalan ng Katarungan for the past years had always highlighted the cross the families bear. This year, according to Nilda Sevilla, Co-chairperson of FIND, the event showed their strength and unity as more families of the disappeared and EJK victims are coming out in the open to become staunch human rights defenders (HRDs).

Forming a human chain in front of the Centris Mall along EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, they emphasized the significance of the May 13 national elections in their fight for justice. “Let us ensure that no perpetrator of human rights violations and supporters of Duterte’s brutal drug war will be voted into office. Do not vote for candidates who have blood on their hands,” Ellecer Carlos, spokesperson of iDEFEND and son of a surfaced desaparecido said.

“As human rights violations against the poor and critics of this administration escalate, it is crucial that we elect candidates who, based on their track record, will prioritize all human rights for all,” Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) Executive Director Emmanuel Amistad stressed.

Meanwhile, Senator Leila de Lima, in a statement read during the event, urged the families of victims not to lose hope. “Like you, I am also a victim of injustice but I believe that one day through our persistence and collective action, justice will be served.”

The opposition lawmaker has been detained for more than two years now in Camp Crame on what her supporters describe as trumped-up illegal drugs charges meant to silence her criticisms against EJKs and the war on drugs.

As they come together, the families demand that government: conduct prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation of the killings and disappearances even prior to the filing of formal complaints; ensure accountability of perpetrators; strengthen the rights against enforced disappearance and EJKs; grant reparation to all victims of human rights violations; enact the human rights defenders protection law; and address the roots of insurgency and illegal drugs.

“We have no illusions that these demands will be fulfilled by the same people who snatched our loved ones from us. Our vote on May 13 will be a protest vote against impunity and injustice,” Mary Aileen Diez-Bacalso, Secretary General of the Asian Federation Against Involuntary Disappearances (AFAD) said.

Elaborating on the political character of the families’ Lenten call, Sevilla reminded the gathering that the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a violent act of the State. “The struggle for political power underlay King Herod’s plot to eliminate Jesus Christ whom he tagged as a subversive – a threat to his enduring reign,” she pointed out.

Support #KarapatDapat na Agenda campaign! Click the video to know more.

Press Release

[In the news] Initial tokhang documents show lack of genuine probe into killings – lawyers -RAPPLER.com

Posted on April 9, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

The Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said on Thursday, April 4, that initial drug war documents showed a lack of effort to investigate the killings committed under the mantle of Oplan Tokhang.

“Investigation leaves much to be desired. While all cases indicate that investigations are ongoing, it appears that not much effort has been placed into identifying and arresting the assailants, based on the length of time devoted to investigating the case,” said FLAG’s Ted Te in a news conference on Thursday with FLAG chairman and opposition senatorial candidate Chel Diokno.

FLAG and the Center for International Law (CenterLaw) earlier filed petitions asking the Supreme Court (SC) to declare the war on drugs unconstitutional.

The SC ruled last Tuesday, April 2, to release to the two petitioners documents related to 20,322 killings by both vigilantes and police in the war on drugs.

[In the news] US senators file resolution condemning ‘ongoing human rights abuses’ in the Philippines -PhilStar.com

Posted on April 8, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Five United States senators introduced a bipartisan resolution highlighting human rights concerns in the Philippines and urging the Duterte administration to respect freedom of expression.

US Sens. Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Richard Durbin (D-Ill.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Chris Coons (D-Del.) this week filed the six-page resolution, which specifically raised the cases of detained Philippine Sen. Leila de Lima and Rappler CEO and veteran journalist Maria Ressa.

“Extrajudicial killings in the Philippines have been a stain on the country’s human rights record,” Markey said.

“But rather than working with lawmakers, journalists, and civil society in the Philippines to hold perpetrators for these crimes accountable, the Duterte government is turning the law against the very voices promoting the rights of the Philippine people,” he added.

[In the news] Priests recount death threats -PhilStar.com

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Priests recount death threats

Three priests who have received death threats allegedly for their criticism of the Duterte administration’s war on drugs declared that they are not scared.

Fathers Robert Reyes, Flavie Villanueva and Albert Alejo yesterday went public and said that they have been receiving death threats and even monitored suspicious men lurking near their houses and offices.
“We took a stand to speak out and say, Digong, we’re not afraid of you… we only abide by our lord God,” Reyes said in Filipino.

Reyes, a vocal critic of the administration, was the most daring in his words, directly addressing President Duterte in his message.

Reyes said the threats, insults and curses all stemmed from the President’s sharp tongue against the Catholic Church.

Read full article @www.philstar.com

In the News

[In the news] ICC likely to come after Duterte despite PH split – lawyer -ABS-CBN news

Posted on March 12, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

ICC likely to come after Duterte despite PH split – lawyer

The International Criminal Court is likely to continue investigating President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged crimes against humanity even after the Philippines’ withdrawal from the tribunal takes effect a week from now, a rights lawyer said Sunday.

The Hague-based ICC launched last year a preliminary examination into Duterte’s supposed role in the alleged death squad killings in Davao City, where he ruled as mayor for over 2 decades. He is facing a separate complaint before the court over his anti-narcotics drive that has killed thousands.

The cases prompted Duterte in May 2018 to withdraw the Philippines from the Rome Statute, which created the ICC. Manila’s split from ICC takes effect next Sunday.

“There is a large possibility that the President of the Philippines… and other officials behind the drug war killings may still be investigated by the ICC prosecutors even after March 17,” said lawyer Ruben Carranza, reparative justice director at the International Center for Transitional Justice.

“There are precedents where even after the withdrawal of a state from the ICC, a case that was investigated by the prosecutors continued,” he told ANC.

Read full article @news.abs-cbn.com

In the News

[In the news] 29,000 deaths probed since drug war launched -PhilStar.com

Posted on March 10, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

29,000 deaths probed since drug war launched

At least 29,000 cases of killings categorized as deaths under inquiry (DUI) have been recorded nationwide since President Duterte launched his crackdown on illegal drugs, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In an interview over The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News on Monday, PNP spokesman Col. Bernard Banac said the homicide cases under investigation were recorded from July 1, 2016 to Feb. 4.

Banac did not provide a breakdown of regions with the highest number of DUI cases.

Read full article @www.philstar.com

In the News

[In the news] Most Filipinos worried becoming EJK victims: SWS -ABS-CBN.com

Posted on March 1, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Most Filipinos worried becoming EJK victims: SWS

Majority of Filipinos worry that they will be a victim of extrajudicial killings (EJKs), a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey revealed Friday.

Of 1,440 Filipino adults polled, 78 percent said they are concerned that they or anyone they know will be a victim of EJK. This figure is 5 points higher than the 73 percent in June 2017.

Meanwhile, 22 percent said they are “not worried,” compared with 27 percent in June 2017.

The worry is highest in Visayas at 83 percent, followed by Metro Manila at 79 percent, Mindanao at 78 percent, and Balance Luzon at 75 percent.

Read full article @news.abs-cbn.com

In the News

[Event] JOIN US in celebrating Tutoy’s 21st birthday -YND

Posted on October 19, 2018 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

JOIN US in celebrating Tutoy’s 21st birthday.

The family of Karl Anthony ‘Tutoy’ Nuñez,
a budding youth leader whose basketball career was cut short by six gun shots from two unidentified gunmen last December 26, 2017, would like to invite you in commemorating Totoy’s 21st birthday this October 20, 2018.

The Nuñez family wishes to deliver to their only son his wish to have a debut which brings together his closest friends and acquaintances. As they offer 21 wine shots and 21 candles for Tutoy, it is also their desire to attain justice for Tutoy and all victims of these violent killings.

In this light, Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya and Youth for Nationalism and Democracy formally invites you to this event, on October 20, 2018, 4PM at #1438, Pajero St., Culdesac, Brgy. Sun Valley, Parañaque City.

For queries you may e-mail us at ynd.national@gmail.com
or call tel.no. 717 3262

Event

[People] Church Leaders Condemn Killing of Young Priest -by Fr. Shay Cullen

Posted on May 6, 2018 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Church Leaders Condemn Killing of Young Priest
by Fr. Shay Cullen
4 May 2018

Catholic church leaders have spoken out to condemn the brutal killing of a young priest, Father Mark Anthony Ventura, 37, from Gattaran town in the province of Cagayan last Sunday, 29 April 2018. Father Mark was shot by an assassin at Barangay Piña Weste gymnasium on the outskirts of Gattaran town after celebrating the Eucharistic mass. He was blessing children and chatting to the members of the parish choir when he was shot dead. The gunman ran away and escaped on a motorcycle driven by another man.

Archbishop Romulo G. Valles, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, said in a statement: “We are totally shocked and in utter disbelief to hear about the brutal killing of Fr. Mark Ventura, Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Tuguegarao. Right after celebrating the Sunday Eucharist at 8 o’clock in the morning today, he was shot to death by murderers riding in tandem. We offer our prayers for Fr Ventura, for his bereaved family and the lay faithful of Tuguegarao. . . We condemn this evil act! We make our appeal to the authorities to act swiftly in going after the perpetrators of this crime and to bring them to justice.”

Father Mark was outspoken in support of the rights of the indigenous people and was against the mining activities that are intruding into their ancestral lands. Father Mark is newly appointed director of the San Isidro Labrador Mission Station in Mabuno village, also in the town of Gattaran.

The indigenous people in the region are under great pressure from the local and international mining interests who are striving to get access to the rich mineral deposits in the ancestral lands of the indigenous people. Father Mark was said to have supported them in their struggle for justice. Some tribal leaders have been vilified as terrorists thus justifying military action against them. Liberal Party president Senator Francis Pangilinan also said his party “condemns the senseless killing” of Father Mark Ventura.

Hit men are also targeting supporters of human rights and political prisoners. Father Marcelito Paez, 72, was assassinated by unknown riding-in-tandem hit men on a motorcycle in Jaen, Nueva Ecija last December 2017. He was helping a jailed political prisoner at the time of his brutal murder. The Italian priest, Father Fausto Tentorio, 59, was murdered in North Cotabato in October 2011 when he was leaving his rectory by a motorbike-riding hit man. Father “ Pops,” as he was called, was the third missionary priest of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions (PIME) who was murdered in the Philippines. He died inside the compound of the Mother of Perpetual Help Parish church in Arakan, North Cotobato, Mindanao. When local mining firms backed by multinational mining corporations encroached into the ancestral lands of the indigenous people, Father “Pops” was there to help them fight for their The fellow missionaries of Father “Pops” were murdered also.

Father Tulio Favali was brutally killed on April 11, 1985 in Tulunan, North Cotabato and Father Salvatore Carzedda was killed in 1992 in Zamboanga City. Recently, Sister Patricia Fox from Australia has been ordered to leave the Philippines for allegedly “engaging in activities that are not in keeping with the terms of her missionary visa.” She attended a rally for political prisoners and helped indigenous peoples also.

Mining corporations are desperate to develop the rich mineral deposits such as cobalt, nickel, gold and silver among others. The growing popularity and demand for electric cars, laptops, smart phones and other electronic gadgets that are driven by batteries is driving up prices of the minerals used to make them and mining corporations will not stop until they get what they want.

The Philippines is the sixth-largest cobalt producer in the world and is now producing 100 MT less in 2017 following a ban on open-pit mining imposed by President Duterte to his credit. He reportedly rejected a recommendation by the Mining Industry Coordinating Council (MICC) to lift the ban because of environmental concerns.

But that is a small dent in overall production of Philippine cobalt. The value of shares has increased 100 percent in 2017. It is fast becoming a conflict mineral as the indigenous peoples are under increasing pressure from private armies and armed goons that brand the tribal leaders as terrorists and rebels and kill them with impunity. These violations are what the missionaries and brave Filipino rights advocates are opposing and getting killed for their stand.

That electric car or latest smart phone may not be produced under ethical or fair trade standards. Lives may be lost for us to have these gadgets. Every life is precious, of value, more especially those of the poor and the outcast. They have so much less in this world and deserve more dignity and equality especially those considered worthless and shot dead as suspects.

In commenting on the killings, former CBCP President Archbishop Socrates Villegas, speaking against such killings said, “We demand answers. Shepherds must sometimes raise their voices when wolves prey on God’s flock. Does the death squad, any death squad, own up to this latest travesty?” he said.

Such actions, Villegas said, is clear proof that the problem on unexplained killings remains. “It tells us, your bishops, that we cannot be reconciled with this situation. Silence in the face of this horrendous deed is complicity,” he said.

Follow PREDA @
Website: http://www.preda.org
Facebook: @preda.for.child.rights
Email:predainfo@preda.org

People

[Right-up] Bakit ba salbahe ang ‘Salvage’ -ni Greg Bituin Jr.

Posted on January 14, 2018 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

image by Design Egg Yolk

Bakit ba salbahe ang ‘Salvage’

salitang ‘salvage’ ay di Ingles sa ‘save’ o pagsagip
ito’y Kastilang ‘salbaje’ at salbahe ang hagip
kayraming mga na-salvage, pinagkamalan, suspek
makikita na lang, bulagta’t buhay na’y tiwarik

uso pa kasi ang bato, bato-bato sa langit
“Ding, ang bato”, sabi lagi ni Darnang anong rikit
kaya mga nagbabato’y talaga ngang tagilid
mapapaagang sa kabaong sila’y maisilid

gayunman, isaalang-alang ang due process of law
pagkat ang bawat isa’y may karapatang pantao
kahit negosyanteng drug lord na siyang puno’t dulo
kung bakit nagkalat ang drogang kanilang negosyo

naglipana ang ‘na-salvage’, kayraming sinalbahe
ngunit maliliit, pawang dukha ang nadadale
di batid kung ilan ang sinalbaheng inosente
nahan ang mga drug lord, ang mga may sinasabi

nawa’y masugpo ang mga droga, shabu’t ecstasy
at dapat mapigil nang di kumalat sa marami
ngunit ang tamang proseso’y pairaling maigi
habang binubunot ang mga ugat na kaytindi

– gregbituinjr.

Follow Greg Bituin Jr. @
Blogsite: http://matangapoy.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/akdatulanigregbituinjr/