Tag Archives: Harassment

[Statement] Hinggil sa harassment ng PNP sa pagkilos ngayong Mayo Uno 2021 | BMP

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#HumanRights #Workers #Harassment

Hinggil sa harassment ng PNP sa pagkilos ngayong Mayo Uno 2021

KINOKONDENA ng Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) – kasama ang iba’t ibang samahan ng manggagawa na ngangalsada sa Dakilang Araw ng Paggawa – ang ginawang pagharang ng kapulisan sa planong pagmartsa sa kahabaan ng Espana Avenue patungong Mendiola.

Ang ginawang harassment ng PNP ay paglabag sa lehitimong ehersisyo ng mga karapatan sa pagpapahayag at pagtitipon para iparating ang karaingan hindi pa sa rehimeng Duterte kundi sa malawak na publiko.

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[Urgent Appeal] Judicial harassment of Windel Bolinget -Front Line Defenders

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#HumanRights #Harassment

15 January 2021

Philippines: Judicial harassment of Windel Bolinget

Since late December, there has been intensified targeting of human rights defender, Windel Bolinget, in relation to a trumped-up murder case filed against him in August 2020. The case filed by the Office of the Provincial Prosecutor of Taguma City, Davao del Norte, names Windel Bolinget and ten other individuals. The defender was only informed of the warrant for his arrest in the last week of December. Since then, there has been constant police surveillance of his office and locality and police have been harassing his family and friends for information on his whereabouts.

Windel Bolinget is an indigenous rights defender and the Chairperson of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), an alliance of over 300 indigenous people’s organisations in the Cordillera region of the Philippines. The human rights defender has been leading many of CPA’s campaigns against human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings, trumped-up cases, enforced disappearance, harassment, and intimidation of Cordillera indigenous peoples. He has also been at the forefront of local movements against large-scale mining projects, mega-dams and other projects that pose a threat to the environment.

On 6 August 2020, a criminal case was filed at Davao del Norte, against ten individuals, including indigenous rights defender Windel Bolinget, for their alleged involvement in the murder of Garito Malibato, a member of a local indigenous peoples organisation called Karadyawan, on 21 March 2018. On 25 September 2020, the Regional Trial Court in Tagum City issued a warrant of arrest for murder against the individuals. However, the CAP and Windel Bolinget were only made aware of the arrest warrant in the last week of December 2020.

The murder charges brought against the defender appear to be completely fabricated. Windel Bolinget has never been to Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong, where Garito Malibato was murdered. Following the murder, local indigenous organisations pointed to a paramilitary group as the perpetrators. Further, a relative of the victim also expressed that Malibato had received several death threats from the same paramilitary group before he was killed.

With the defender yet to be arrested, police intelligence agents have regularly been approaching relatives, friends and colleagues of the human rights defender, interrogating them for information on his whereabouts. There has also been heavy physical surveillance, with men, believed to be members and assets of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Philippine National Police, walking around Windel Bolinget’s house and also the regional secretariat of the CPA, in search for the defender.Windel Bolinget’s family and colleagues fear that, if the defender is arrested, he may be subjected to the “tokhang”-style execution (extrajudicial killing under the pretext of “resisting arrest” or “nanlaban/fought back”), which is a common occurrence in the country.

This is not the first time that the defender has been targeted for his peaceful human rights work. In 2006, Windel Bolinget was included in a military hit list, along with other leaders of the CPA. In February 2018, the Department of Justice’s terrorist proscription list included the defender’s name and that of former CPA leaders. Their names were eventually dropped from the list due to lack of proof. Since mid 2020, the targeting of the defender has intensified, with many pages on social media branding him, his family and his colleagues as terrorists. On 10 December 2020, flyers with a photo of the defender and text calling him immoral and recruiter of the armed revolutionary group, New Peoples Army, were scattered along the road 80 from his house in La Trinidad, Benguet to Baguio City.

Front Line Defenders recognises the importance of investigating and elucidating all the facts about the murder of Garito Malibato. Nevertheless, it believes that this latest warrant of arrest forms part of a wider pattern by the military to intimidate and vilify human rights defenders by linking them to crimes they did not commit or had no involvement in. Over the past years, several human rights defenders, including several peasant leaders of the CPA have been killed in this manner, after they were red-tagged and judicially harassed.

Front Line Defenders is deeply concerned by the increasingly hostile environment for human rights defenders in the Philippines. Front Line Defenders condemns the judicial harassment of Windel Bolinget and the fabricated charges brought against him, as it believes he is being targeted for his legitimate and peaceful work for the protection of human rights.

Front Line Defenders urges the authorities in the Philippines to:

Immediately cease the investigation and drop all charges against Windel Bolinget, as Front Line Defenders believes that he is being targeted solely as a result of his legitimate and peaceful work in the defence of human rights;

Immediately cease the ongoing harassment and surveillance on the family and colleagues of the human rights defender;

Cease targeting all human rights defenders in the Philippines and guarantee in all circumstances that they are able to carry out their legitimate human rights activities without fear of reprisals and free of all restrictions including judicial harassment.

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[Statement] Priest Inspiring Workers to Access DOLE’s CAMP, Intimidated by Police Forces -CTUHR

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Priest Inspiring Workers to Access DOLE’s CAMP, Intimidated by Police Forces

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9 )

“Fr. Gerry Jorge is simply living out Jesus’ mission in helping the needy. He should be commended, not intimidated by police forces. When the poor workers are in limbo about the government’s assistance program, then it is his responsibility as a parish priest to create the way for them. What is wrong with that?” says Daisy Arago, Executive Director of Center of Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR).

This is CTUHR’s reaction when they heard the news about the Mariveles local police intimidating Rev. Fr. Gerry Jorge of San Nicholas de Tolentino Parish in Bataan in connection with the workers’ mass filing for DOLE’s COVID-19 Assistance Measure Program (CAMP) last April 24,2020.

On April 27, 2020, Fr. Gerry Jorge was informed that the Mariveles PNP Chief was looking for him for allegedly “agitating” the workers through social media regarding their application for the P5,000 financial assistance of the Labor Department.

The Mariveles Ecumenical Workers Desk (MWED) – a parish-based program under the Social Action Committee, launched a petition thru Facebook on April 24, calling on workers who haven’t received the assistance from the DOLE to file en masse. Support for mass filing poured in and the desk was able to assist 632 individuals in filing their applications. MWED is currently assisting the processing of 10,000 more CAMP applications.

CTUHR is seriously alarmed by the police’s reaction. A population without income, livelihood, and hungry do not need agitation to cry out loud. “We condemn this act of local police as it imposes a threat, not only to the priest but to anyone who uses social media to air their grievances and criticisms to the government. Much more, in this difficult time with the pandemic, the intimidation is uncalled for as it adds to the burden of the most affected,” added Arago.

CTUHR knows Fr. Gerry who has a big heart for the workers and thanks to his initiative in setting up Mariveles Ecumenical Workers Desk to help workers, particularly to claim the aid that the government has promised. This, for CTUHR, is simply an act of compassion. Using social media, Father Gerry was able to foster unity among the workers to fight for their rights and welfare.

When the Pandemic COVID-19 hit the country, Fr. Gerry was relentlessly working on finding ways on how he can help the workers. Through the MWED, he was able to hear the grievances of the workers of the Freeport Area Bay (FAB) – an industrial enclave in Bataan comprising different companies for exports that employ 44,000 workers. Most of the companies operating in the FAB are in the garments and electronics sectors. The workers reported that they haven’t received the government’s promised assistance, as many of the companies have not applied for DOLE’s CAMP for unknown reasons.

More than a month into the ECQ, thousands of workers still have not received any assistance. CTUHR pointed out that the government’s incompetence and its militarist approach in handling the public health crisis deepen the burden of the poor. It added that the government should remove its bureaucratic processes that further delay the aid to the people. “As ECQ is extended, more people will go hungry and find means to survive. Threatening, arresting, detaining or killing them will do no good, but will only heighten the problem,” CTUHR ended.

MEDIA STATEMENT
28 April 2020
Reference:
Daisy Arago
CTUHR Executive Director
Tel # 0961 507 1418 / 7718 00 26

Visit our site:ctuhr.org
Follow CTUHR PH on Twitter
Like CTUHR on Facebook

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[In the news] House OKs bill criminalizing catcalling, street harassment -RAPPLER.com

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House OKs bill criminalizing catcalling, street harassment

The House of Representatives approved on Monday, January 14, a bill that would punish catcalling and other forms of street harassment.

Legislators approved on 3rd and final reading House Bill (HB) 8794 or the “Safe Street, Public and Online Spaces Act” with a vote of 208-0-0. (READ: The many faces of sexual harassment in PH)

The bill seeks to tag as “crimes” different forms of gender-based street, public spaces, and online sexual harassment, which are committed “through any unwanted and uninvited sexual actions or remarks against any person that result or will likely result [to] an invasion of the victim’s sense of personal safety, regardless of the motive for committing such action or remarks.”

The Senate already approved its version of the measure in October 2018, which means the bill will now go to the bicameral conference committee so lawmakers can reconcile conflicting provisions of their versions.

Read full article @www.rappler.com

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[Right-up] End Corporate Greed, Stop Harassing Environmental Defenders By Xiou

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End Corporate Greed, Stop Harassing Environmental Defenders
By Xiou

HRonlinePH new logo 2A non-government organization working against the destructive large scale mining is being indicted for Internet or e-libel through a resolution by the Taguig City Prosecutor’s Office.

The Hinatuan Mining Company (HMC) earlier filed charges against Philippine Misereor Partnership, Inc. (PMPI) for issuing a press release about the mining operations in Guiuan town of Manicani Island in the Province of Eastern Samar.

The resolution submitted by Deputy City Prosecutor Patrick Noel De Dios which was approved by City Chief Prosecutor Archimedes Manabat recommends that PMPI National Coordinator Yoly Esguerra and three other staff be held responsible.

PMPI maintains that the complaint of the HMC is a form of strategic legal action against public participation and plain harassment for our organization and human rights defenders that have been helping the resistance of the community who are instrumental for the suspension of mining operations in Manicani Island.

Aside from Article 3, Section 4 of the Philippine Constitution, the right to freedom of expression is protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Philippines is a state party. The Philippines also joined 126 other states at the UN General Assembly in adopting General Assembly Resolution 70/161, which recognizes states’ responsibility to protect human rights defenders. The UN Human Rights Council’s 21 March 2016 resolution on human rights defenders similarly recognizes the important and legitimate role of human rights defenders to express their views, concerns, criticisms and dissent regarding government policy or business activities and underlines the need for governments to take necessary measures to safeguard such dialogue.

We now insist that the Philippine government must fulfill its obligations under international law to ensure human rights defenders are protected, not punished. Our country must decriminalize libel or e-libel, which international law considers a disproportionate form of punishment for defamation-related charges. The Philippine Human Rights community is also urging HMC including concerned legal institutions to drop all unwarranted charges brought against human rights defenders.

Apart from these, the government should also effectively investigate numerous cases of violence committed against human rights defenders and hold perpetrators to account.

The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights provide that businesses have a responsibility to respect human rights wherever they operate. In line with this, businesses in Philippines must respect the rights of human rights defenders who exercise their fundamental rights, including the right to freedom of expression. Businesses should further engage in meaningful consultation and dialogue with relevant communities and stakeholders in order to identify, prevent, and address any potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts related to their activities.

—

PMPI 4In support to PMPI 4 (co-HR Defenders) against the Internet-Libel case filed against them by the mining company, we urge everyone to change and use the attached profile picture today. Please help spread. Thank you.

Related links https://hronlineph.com/…/press-release-taguig-fiscal-recom…/

[Urgent Appeal] Harassment; red tagging of Emily Fajardo, a community organizer assisting the FLACCI in Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL

July 8, 2015

(PHILIPPINES) Harassment; red tagging of Emily Fajardo, a community organizer assisting the Federation of Lamao Concerned Citizens, Inc. (FLACCI) in Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan

ISSUES: physical integrity, in the form of the right to life, liberty and security of the person, individual liberty, in the form of the freedoms of movement, speech, association and assembly, rights as a human rights defender

——

Dear friends,

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about the harassment of Emily Fajardo, a community organizer assisting the Federation of Lamao Concerned Citizens, Inc. (FLACCI) in Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan.

TFDP logo small

CASE DETAILS:

Emily Fajardo is a community organizer assisting the Federation of Lamao Concerned Citizens, Inc. (FLACCI) in their fight against the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) in Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan.

Fajardo and the other FLACCI organizers were invited by a barangay councilor who was supportive of the group’s cause to two Barangay Council sessions last May to give talks to Barangay officials about the harmful effects of coal plants to the environment. However, they were not allowed to continue with the talk as this was allegedly the time that the issues regarding PNOC’s project was being decided upon.

Among the issues were PNOC’s land ownership claim, the proposal for the conversion of the nearby river to a commercial port for use of PNOC, Petron and San Miguel Corporation, and the alleged absence of a barangay hosting resolution. The resolution was one of the legalities needed for PNOC’s coal refinery project, but which would also mean that PNOC and the Barangay had to have had public consultations and dialogues before their project could continue – but no public consultation was ever done.

Fajardo was later informed that some of the Barangay Council members were reluctant to let the group speak because they were “communists”. She was told that they were termed “pulahan” by some of the council members.

CASE BACKGROUND:

In 2009, Emily Fajardo received death threats in relation to her then work with the Nuclear Free Bataan Movement (NFBM). The death threat was sent via text which also tagged Fajardo as “communist”. Some NFBM members, along with Fajardo were also followed by policemen whenever they were doing public addresses, fora, etc. According to Fajardo, this incident has been previously documented.

REQUESTED ACTION:

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE PERPETRATORS OF THE HARASSMENT AND ENSURE AND GUARANTEE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF EMILY FAJARDO.

Thank you.

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear ______________,

Greetings!

This is to express my grave concern regarding the alleged harassment of Emily Fajardo, a community organizer assisting the Federation of Lamao Concerned Citizens, Inc. (FLACCI) in Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan.

I have learned that Fajardo has been assisting FLACCI in their stand against the Philippine National Oil Company (PNOC) and the negative effects of their coal refinery project to the environment.

I have also learned that aside from the environmental concerns, there were also other issues such as PNOC’s land ownership claim, the proposal for the conversion of the nearby river to a commercial port for use of PNOC, Petron and San Miguel Corporation, and the alleged absence of a Barangay hosting resolution.

I have learned that Fajardo had been invited by a barangay council member to give talks to Barangay Council about the harmful effects of coal plants to the environment, however, they were denied entrance for being a “communist”. Fajardo was red-tagged and the group was not allowed to speak.

I am writing to ask for immediate action in favor of Emily Fajardo;

1. For the security and safety of Emily Fajardo.

2. For the immediate and impartial investigation on the harassment allegedly committed by some of the council members of Brgy. Lamao, Limay, Bataan.

3. For the perpetrators be held accountable for their actions against Emily Fajardo.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

_______________________

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:

1.His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III

President, Republic of the Philippines

Malacanang Palace

JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila

1005 Philippines

Tel: +6327356201/5641451 to 80

Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@ops.gov.ph

2.Hon. Leila M. De Lima

Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)

Padre Faura Street

Ermita, Manila

1000 Philippines

Fax: +63 2 523 9548

Tel: +63 2 521 1908

Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com

3.Chairman Jose Luis Martin Gascon

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue

U.P. Complex, Diliman

Quezon City

Philippines

Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188

Fax: +63 2 929 0102

4.Restituto Reyes

Barangay Captain Lamao Barangay Council

Barangay Lamao, Limay, Bataan, Philippines

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Urgent Appeal] Continuing harassment of farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL
June 19, 2015

(PHILIPPINES) Continuing harassment of members of Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Barangay Sumalo (SANAMABASU), farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan
ISSUES: Right not to be deprived of means of subsistence; Access to Justice; Right to Peace and Order

Dear friends,

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about the continuing harassment suffered by members of the Samahan ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan ng Barangay Sumalo (SANAMABASU) Farmers by Riverside Development Corporation owned by the Litton Family.

TFDP logo small

CASE DETAILS:

Sixty-eight (68) residents and farmers of Barangay Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan are allegedly being harassed by the Riverside Development Corporation (RDC) owned by the Litton Family.

The farmers said numerous nuisance and trump-up cases were filed against them by the RDC. Based on their documentation these are the following cases:
Reindagatoria – 36 persons – Regional Trial Court 1– since 2009
Injunction – 25 persons – Regional Trial Court 5 – since June 2009
Grave Coercion 1 – 16 persons – Municipal Circuit Trial Court – since June 2009
Grave Coercion 2 – 21 persons – Municipal Circuit Trial Court – since June 2009
Estafa – 14 persons – Municipal Trial Court (Mandaluyong City) since 2013
Ejectment – 18 persons – Regional Trial Court – since 2013
Grave Threat – 1 person – Regional Trial Court – since July 2011
Oral Defamation, Grave Threat – 5 persons – Municipal Circuit Trial Court – since 2014
Misconduct, Grave Coercion – 10 persons – Ombudsman – since 2011
Grave Coercion – 10 persons – Ombudsman – since 2011
Damages – 9 persons – Municipal Trial Court (Mandaluyong City) – since April 2013
Illegal Possession – 2 persons – Fiscal’s office – since 2012
Grave Threat, Coercion – 1 person – Fiscal’s office – since 2012

Based on the narration of Alicia Poblete de los Reyes, one of the victims, the two cases of grave coercion were filed against them when the RDC along with almost a battalion of police personnel and security guards came to assist the workers of RDC in putting up the fence in the Sumalo farmlands. Residents and farmers tried to stop the materials for fencing from coming by barricading the areas called “Taas” and “Baba” referring to Purok 6 and Purok 1 of the barangay.

Danilo Tolentino and Caridad Tolentino, a senior citizen couple, were even surprised that it was the company who filed against them when it was the company personnel who came in the area with big guns to intimidate and frighten the residents during the fencing.

Belinda Petinez, 37 years old, said that she is a defendant in nine of the cases filed by the Littons. She was not even at the area when the incident happened.

Belinda is one of the victims arrested for the grave coercion charges. She and her other companion had to pay a bail of two thousand five hundred pesos each (PHP 2,500.00) to be freed.

Others who were not arrested like Alicia de los Reyes and Constancia Poblete, 72 years old, opted to surrender. They also had to pay one thousand five hundred pesos each (PHP 1,500.00) as bail.

Guillermo Tolentino, 58 year old, defendant in three (3) of the cases, said he wonders why the police arrested the farmers and residents who were just trying to protect their rights to the land they have been tilling. This is very much in contrast to the incident when they brought a barangay tanod who was beaten up by the RDC security and the police did not even entertain them.

The farmers lament the great injustice that the RDC has done to them. They claim that besides being forced out of their farms and homes, they are continually being harassed and intimidated by the company guards. The hearings that they had to attend since 2009 have also taken its toll on their finances. The money they are supposed to use for food for the family is now spent for the hearing expenses.

Besides the trump-up charges, TFDP has also documented 2 cases of destruction of property where security guards of RDC allegedly demolished the houses of two residents Miguel Almeria and Maria Levy Andulan at separate incidences.

A barangay health worker and her family are also experiencing harassment from the hired guards of the RDC.

Charito Datuon Pilor has been residing in the four- hectare land since 1996 before the RDC claimed the land and fenced the 213 hectares farmland in Barangay Sumalo in 2009. After the fencing of the area, the members of the RDC guards prevented them from going inside their lands. She said they have tried to seek help from the local police, but they were told that the police cannot help them since the area was private property. There was also a time that they were prevented to leave the premises for a week. They had to ask help from their neighbors who would sneak the food over the fence.

Charito said that there was also an incident when her nephews, Justin, 9 years old and Renren, 7 years old were climbing a caimito tree in their backyard when a guard, a certain Hermando Tibayan fired his weapon against them for allegedly stealing from the corporation. Guards had also pointed their guns at her children, Archie, Aldrin and Lester who at that time were minors. She said that the incident has been reported to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) but to no avail.

A similar form of harassment was also experienced by the Sacay family. Guards also pointed their guns at the Sacay children, have prevented the family form coming in and out of the fence and have even forbidden visitors and relatives from going to their home inside the fence. Felaine said that Christian even lost his day job as a messenger for a local college since he was being prevented to go out of the area by the guards. He had to sell balut at night to augment their needs since it was only at night when they could sneak out of the fence.
Felaine recounted two incidents, both times when Christian was away, when the periphery of their house was burned. She and her kids were almost burned inside. The guards claimed that the fires were freak accidents and that they had nothing to do with it.
Farmer Jose Laysa his son were arrested and detained by the security guards of the RDC on December 23, 2012 for allegedly “stealing” crops. Although the two were released, Jose was again taken by the guards at another time. A neighbor who witnessed the incident rushed to tell Miriam, Jose’s wife what was happening. Miriam, along with the other women of Sumalo went to the security headquarters to demand for Jose’s release.

CASE BACKGROUND:

According to the members of SANAMABASU, they have been experiencing harassment from the Litton Family since 1991 when the Littons decided to withdraw their Voluntary Offer to Sell (VOS) and opted to apply for conversion of the land to industrial, commercial and residential use.

The land in question is supposedly a CARP-able land until the corporation filed a land-conversion claim at the Office of the President during the Fidel V. Ramos presidency. The decision was overturned by the OP again during the presidency of Joseph Estrada. After this, the Littons filed a case at the Court of Appeals that overturned the decision of the OP based on the technicality that the name of the organization is of a homeowners’ organization, not of a farmers’ organization and is said to have no legal personality to claim for CARP. The Supreme Court seconded the decision of the CA in 2009.

The farmers steadfastly continued their struggle by taking the case again to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) when the corporation has failed to develop the land within five years as per requirement of Land Conversion. The land is supposed to be surveyed by the local DAR but they are still waiting for police assistance since according to the local DAR, the company guards are preventing them from entering the premises.

The farmers are the supposed beneficiaries of the land through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP).

REQUESTED ACTION:

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO BRING TO JUSTICE THE PERPETRATORS OF CONTINUING HARASSMENT AND ENSURE AND GUARANTEE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF SAMAHAN NG NAGKAKAISANG MAMAMAYAN NG BARANGAY SUMALO (SANAMABASU), FARMERS AND RESIDENTS OF SUMALO, HERMOSA, BATAAN.

Thank you.

Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
SAMPLE LETTER:
Dear,
Greetings!

This is to express my grave concern regarding the continuing harassment of the Samahan Ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan Ng Barangay Sumalo (SANAMABASU), in Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan.

I have learned that the farmers and residents have been experiencing harassments and other human rights violations such as arbitrary detention, destruction of property and threats to safety and life since 2009.

I have also learned that the farmers are the supposed beneficiaries of the land through the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) but that the land has not been distributed and in fact has been fenced to prevent the farmers and residents from entering the land.

I have learned that they have been denied proper means to subsistence and that the farmers and residents have exhausted all their means to gain justice but that their experiences under the Riverside Development Corporation owned by the Litton Family and the hired security guards have mostly been ignored or the process taken too long.
I am writing to ask for immediate action in favor of the victims and SANAMABASU members:
1. For the security and safety of SANAMABASU members and families.

2. For the immediate and impartial investigation on continued harassment committed by Riverside Development Corporation owned by the Litton Family and the hired security guards.

3. For the perpetrators be held accountable for their actions against the farmers and residents of Barangay Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan.

4. For the provision of fair and impartial assistance by the police in the area.

Thank you.
Respectfully yours,

_______________________

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO:

1. His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
1005 Philippines
Tel: +6327356201/5641451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph/opnet@ops.gov.ph

2. Hon. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street
Ermita, Manila
1000 Philippines
Fax: +63 2 523 9548
Tel: +63 2 521 1908
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com

3. Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Fax: +63 2 929 0102

4. Atty. Virgilio R. Delos Reyes
Secretary of Agrarian Reform
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +02 929-34-60; +02 928-70-31
Fax: + 02 920-03-80
Email: secgildar@gmail.com

[Urgent Appeal] Continuing harassment of members of Bugho Farmers Association (BFA), farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Matica, Ormoc, Leyte

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URGENT APPEAL
June 18, 2015

(PHILIPPINES) Continuing harassment of members of Bugho Farmers Association (BFA), farmer beneficiaries in Barangay Matica, Ormoc, Leyte

ISSUES: Right not to be deprived of means of subsistence; Access to Justice; Right to Peace and Order

URGENT APPEAL   URGENT APPEAL   URGENT APPEAL

Dear friends,

TFDP logo smallTask Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) writes to inform you about the continuing harassment suffered by members of the Bugho Farmers Association (BFA) by Danilo Doroy, Fran Farm Workers chairperson and Barangay Matica tanod in Barangay Matica, Ormoc City, Leyte.

CASE DETAILS:

On May 19, 2015, around 10:00 a.m., members of the Bugho Farmers Association (BFA) were harassed by Barangay Matica tanod and Fran Farm Workers chairperson Danilo Doroy at Sitio Boongon, Barangay Matica, Ormoc City, Leyte.

On the day of the incident, BFA members were plowing the field when 50 unidentified bolo and machete-wielding Fran Farm Workers led by Doroy arrived and surrounded them.

According to Rosenda Apay, BFA chairperson, the members stopped plowing and returned to their houses within the farm premises. The tarpaulins where their rights to the ownership of the land were printed were destroyed by Doroy.

On May 27, 2015, around 10:00 a.m., 20 unidentified men with bolos and machetes took over the land where the BFA members planted and plowed.

Apay narrated that several unidentified men with bolos and machetes have been coming in and out of the area since their self installation. They seemed to survey the farm and were taking videos and photos of the beneficiaries while they engage in farming activities.

On June 5, 2015, the farmer beneficiaries asked the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to put up a military or police detachment to keep the place peaceful.

CASE BACKGROUND:

BFA was organized by Kahugpungan sa Mag-uumang Ormocanon (KaMaO) on August 1999.

The late Teofilo Fran was the landowner of the abandoned land awarded by DAR on March 24, 1998 to BFA with 21 farmer beneficiaries/members.

On December 24, 1999, the installation of the BFA by DAR was attended by Elmer Nuñez, head of the Municipal Agrarian Reform Office and Teborcio Morales, head of the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office.

On April 8, 2002, while BFA members were harvesting their grown rice, two six-by-six vehicles loaded with 40 unidentified men with long fire arms from the 19th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army based in Barangay Agiting, Municipality of Kanagga arrived.

According to Apay, the military men aimed their guns at them. Because of fear, they left their harvest and their farm. Accordingly, Doroy informed the 19th IB, PA that the farmers are members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

Apay narrated that when the farmers left the farm they have been tilling for 13 years, Doroy took over and harvested their grown rice.

On April 30, 2015, BFA took a stand and decided to take back the 25-hectare land which was awarded to them.

REQUESTED ACTION:

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO  BRING TO JUSTICE THE PERPETRATORS OF CONTINUING HARASSMENT AND ENSURE AND GUARANTEE THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL MEMBERS OF BUGHO FARMERS ASSOCIATION (BFA) AT SITIO BOONGON, BARANGAY MATICA, ORMOC CITY, LEYTE.

Thank you.

Ramiel C. Aballe
Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

SAMPLE LETTER:

Dear,

Greetings!

This is to express my grave concern regarding the continuing harassment of the members of Bugho Farmers Association (BFA) in Sitio Boongon, Barangay Matica, Ormoc City, Leyte.

I have learned that on May 19, 2015 around 10:00 a.m., members were plowing the field when 50 unidentified bolo and machete-wielding Fran Farm Workers led by Doroy arrived and surrounded them. That on May 27, 2015, 20 unidentified men with bolos and machetes took over the land where the BFA members planted and plowed.

I have known that their tarpaulins where their rights to the ownership of the land were printed were destroyed by Doroy.

I have also known that several unidentified men with bolos and machetes have been coming in and out of the area since their self installation. They seemed to survey the farm and were taking videos and photos of the beneficiaries while they engage in farming activities.

I am writing to ask for immediate action in favor of the victims and his BFA members:

1.      For the security and safety of BFA members and families.

2.      For the immediate and impartial investigation on continued harassment committed by Fran Farm Workers led by Barangay Tanod Doroy.

3.      For the perpetrators be held accountable for illegally taking over the property.

4.      For having a military/police detachment to keep the peace and order of the area.

Thank you.

Respectfully yours,

_______________________
PLEASE SEND LETTERS:

1.      His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President, Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel, Manila
1005 Philippines
Tel: +6327356201/5641451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph/opnet@ops.gov.ph

2.      Hon. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice (DOJ)
Padre Faura Street
Ermita, Manila
1000 Philippines
Fax: +63 2 523 9548
Tel: +63 2 521 1908
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com

3.      Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Fax: +63 2 929 0102

4.      Atty. Virgilio R. Delos Reyes
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR)
Elliptical Road, Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +02 929-34-60; +02 928-70-31
Fax: + 02 920-03-80
Email: secgildar@gmail.com

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

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[Urgent Action] The Military Presence and their Unwanted Behavior Sow Fear and Restlessness in the Community of an Indigenous People in Pampanga -TFDP

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URGENT ACTION

May 29, 2014

(PHILIPPINES) The Military Presence and their Unwanted Behavior Sow Fear and Restlessness in the Community of an Indigenous People in Pampanga

Issues: Harassment, Threat and Intimidation; Violation against the Right to Self-Determination and Liberty of Abode and Travel; Denied of Means of Subsistence

Dear friends,

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal regarding the problems and day-to-day struggle currently facing the Aeta community from the hands of the Military and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Barangay Camias in Porac, Pampanga.

TFDP logo small

If you wish to make any inquiries please contact the Research, Documentation and Information Program of TFDP at: 45 St. Mary Street, Cubao, Quezon City, Philippines 1109; email: tfdp.urgentappeals@gmail.com and tfdp.1974@gmail.com; or call: +632 4378054.
______________________________________________________________________________

Case Title: Harassment of Porac Aetas
Case: Harassment, Threat and Intimidation; Violation against the Right to Self-determination and Liberty of Abode and Travel; Denied of Means of Subsistence
Name of Victims: (Names withheld for Security Reasons)
Date of Incident: From 2008 up to Present
Place of Incident: Barangay Camias, Porac, Pampanga
Alleged Perpetrators: members of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU)
Motive: Suspected supporters of the New People’s Army (NPA) / Development Aggression
______________________________________________________________________________

Accounts:

The Aeta community in Barangay Camias, Porac, Pampanga is continuously being threatened by the presence of government forces in the area and their unwarranted actions.

The military and paramilitary personnel manning the tribal community are currently deployed within the ancestral domain covering 18,067 hectares of land claimed by the Aetas. The former health center where Aetas seek health related assistance is currently being occupied and utilized by the military allegedly under supervision of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA) and Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) as one of their outposts.

The Aetas are usually confronted and questioned by the military about their activities. Traditional practices of the Aetas are currently under suspicion and being examined by the military and CAFGU. Customary practices of their tribe are no longer observed since the military are barring them from doing so.

A recent incident was when the Aetas were restrained from hunting wild birds and animals because the military cast doubt on their method of hunting. For instance, when the Aetas hunt, they have a distinct way of chasing the wild birds. They blow a whistle so that birds will come down from the trees and are caught by the Aetas. The military suspected that this method was a secret signal to give information rebels groups.

On several occasions, the Aetas are not allowed to go to the municipal proper to buy food supplies, medicines and things needed in their community. Worse, the military confiscate their rice and other food items. They also seize some of their livestock and kitchen utensils. They are accused of supporting the New People’s Army (NPA) by giving them food.

They instructed minors and forced them to do errands for them particularly to fetch water from a faucet or well. The education of the children is affected. It causes fear to the children and they are apparently traumatized.

The Military and militia personnel also barred the Aetas from gathering in groups. Often times, the government forces fire their guns while they are under the influence of alcohol.

The military and CAFGU started deployment in Barangay Camias, Porac, Pampanga in 2008. Later on, the area was eventually declared as an insurgency free zone.

Around 1,800 families with 3,000 individuals are affected in Barangay Camias alone.

Alleged Reasons for the Military Deployment:

The Aetas alleged that the deployment of government troops has something to do with the infrastructure and development projects funded by private corporation with consent from both the national and local government. They alleged that the military are being mobilized to protect vested interests of investors as well as government officials who benefit from these projects. They added that soldiers might also be utilized to suppress the rights of people to express their sentiments and the right to oppose for they are the ones affected.
According to the tribal group, the Aboitiz Power Corporation is currently in the process of exploring the geothermal power source in some 20,000 hectares of land in Pampanga that cover the Aetas’ ancestral domain and nearby Zambales.

The company is presently conducting exploration in Porac and Floridablanca in Pampanga; and San Marcelino and Botolan in Zambales.

An investment amounting to $300 million is for the planned 100-MW plant in the area largely owned by indigenous tribes based in the two provinces.

The Aetas are fighting to defend their ancestral domain. Until now, the Certificate of Ancestral Domain Title (CADT) or a formal recognition of ownership has not been issued to the Aetas. The CADT or other certification such as the certificate of ancestral land title (CALT) shall be obtained from the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)-Ancestral Domains Office (ADO), or by securing a certificate of title by virtue of “Commonwealth Act 141, as amended, or the Land Registration Act 496.”4.

Another private corporation, the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), is also involved in a dispute with the IP communities. The Aetas are accusing the company of land grabbing in establishing a golf course and water park inside the Freeport. Five thousand (5,000 hectares of supposed ancestral land are being occupied by CDC.

The third issue is the copper, gold and silver extraction project by the Shuley Mine Inc. (SMI) within the tribe’s ancestral domain in Barangay Camias. The project covers 1,160 hectares of Aetas’ ancestral land.

According to the tribal leaders, lowlanders would be affected when wastes from the mines drain down to Gumain River toward Lubao and Sasmuan towns and Manila Bay. The sites, they said, are used by Aetas for recreation, hunting, source of materials for weddings (tangan) and medicinal herbs.

Another entity, the developer LLL Holdings Inc. is said to have grabbed 18,000 hectares of the land tilled by the farmers and Aetas.

Suggested Actions:

Please write a letter to concerned government agencies urging them to:

  • Conduct an inquiry and investigation regarding the violations of government troops such as Harassment, Threat and Intimidation; Violation against the Right to Self-determination and Liberty of Abode and Travel; Denied of Means of Subsistence;
  • Recall the presence of the military and paramilitary group since the area has already been declared as ‘insurgency free zone’;
  • To provide immediate protection for the IP group especially their leaders against possible physical and emotional harm;
  • Guarantee the means of the victims to cultivate crops, hunt wild birds and animals and raise their livestock, provide food for their community, and to move freely within their community without any fear of getting threatened and intimidated;
  • Guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and international human rights standards.

Sample letter:

Dear___________,

I am writing to draw your attention regarding the problems and day-to-day struggle currently facing the Aeta community from the hands of the Military and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Barangay Camias, Porac, Pampanga. The Aetas are continuously being threatened by the presence of the government forces in the area and their unwarranted actions.

The military and paramilitary personnel manning the tribal community are currently deployed within the ancestral domain claimed by the Aetas covering 18,067 hectares of land. The former health center where Aetas seek health related assistance is currently being occupied and utilized by the military allegedly under supervision of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (PA) and the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) as one of their outposts.

They are usually confronted and questioned by the military about their activities. Traditional practices of the Aetas are currently under suspicion and being examined by the military and CAFGU. Customary practices of their tribe are no longer observed since the military are barring them from doing so.

A recent incident was when the Aetas were restrained from hunting wild birds and animals because the military cast doubt on their method of hunting. For instance, when the Aetas hunt, they have a distinct way of chasing the wild birds. They blow a whistle so that birds will come down from the trees and are caught by the Aetas. The military suspected that this method was a secret signal to give information rebels groups.

I have also learned that the Aetas are not allowed to go to the municipal proper to buy food supplies, medicines and things needed in their community. Worse, the military confiscate their rice and other food items. They also seize some of their livestock and kitchen utensils. They are accused of supporting the New People’s Army (NPA) by giving them food

It was also brought to our attention that the military and militia personnel also barred the Aetas from gathering in groups. Often times, the government personnel fire their guns while they are under the influence of alcohol.

Furthermore, they instructed minors and forced them to do errands particularly to fetch water from a faucet or well. The education of the children is affected. It causes fear to the children and they are apparently traumatized.

We now urge you to call upon competent authorities to carry out a prompt, effective, thorough, independent and impartial investigation or inquiry into these events, and ensure that adequate, effective and prompt action is granted favorably to the Aetas.

Lastly, we hope that the government will continue to guarantee the respect of human rights and the fundamental freedoms enshrined in the 1987 Philippine Constitution and international human rights standards.

I look forward to your urgent action in this case.

Yours sincerely,

————————————————

Please send your letters to:

1. Hon. Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
Philippines
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: corres@op.gov.ph / opnet@op.gov.ph

2. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com

3. Ms. Marlea P. Muñez
Executive Director
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP)
373-95-34 / 575 12 00 Loc. 1012
Email: ncipexecdirector@gmail.com

4. Mr. Bayani D. Sumaoang
Commissioner
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples-Region 3
Tel: +63 2 575 12 00 Loc. 1006
Email: commissioner.region3@gmail.com

5. Lt. Gen. Emmanuel T. Bautista
Chief of Staff
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
Camp General Emilio Aguinaldo
Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: +63 2 911 61 93; +63 2 911 04 88
Email: odr.dnd@gmail.com / odr.pdt@dnd.gov.ph

6. Police Director General Alan LA Madrid Purisima
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +63 2 724 8763/ +63 2 723 0401
Tel: + 63 2 726 4361/4366/8763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Press Release] Steel workers face renewed harassment from police, management -CTUHR

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Steel workers face renewed harassment from police, management

Picketing workers of Pentagon Steel Corporation face harassment from police forces and management anew as the latter tried to take out equipment from the factory site in Kaingin Road, Balintawak Quezon City on February 11.

CTUHR logo

Six patrol vehicles with around 40 uniformed and non-uniformed policemen were deployed in the site at 8 AM to ensure that representatives of Pentagon management and the creditor bank, Banco de Oro (BD)), can enter the factory and conduct an inventory of machines owned by the steel company.

The steel company has payables worth P91 million to BDO based on an order released by Makati RTC Branch 133.

Picketing workers were surrounded by the officers of the Police Community Precinct 1 (PCP 1) of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD). Upon orders by Maj. De Vera, the police commander, uniformed policemen armed with truncheons and shield took their position around the gate of the factory. Another group of non-uniformed men armed with short firearms were also scattered around the picket line.

Workers were thus forced to stay on the sidelines and were unable to stop the company and creditor from taking an inventory of the company properties which the workers have also been claiming as payment for their illegal dismissal.

On April last year, 129 workers of the said company filed a complaint of illegal dismissal at the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) after company Personnel Manager Pablito Alcover and company owner Mariano Chan effected a mass dismissal following persistent workers’ demand for safe working conditions in their collective bargaining agreement.

In defiance to the company’s illegal lock-out, the 129 workers put up a picket protest which the company in collusion with local police and with the use of private goons tried to disperse through relentless harassment. More than 20 workers have been imprisoned and charged with different crimes and complaints. A security guard was also killed and three others were severely wounded when a truck on its way out of the factory premises attempted to run over the picketing workers on July 13 last year.

Meanwhile, Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) underlined that it is a right of the worker to be paid first of their just claims before the employer may be allowed to dispose his properties in favor of the creditors. “The government should protect the interest of the workers in this situation because those properties are the only assurance that their due claim may be given. This is what the workers have been invoking to the police and the employer during the inventory but they never listened,” CTUHR documentation head, Arman Hernando said.

“The case of Pentagon exposes the kind of industrial peace the Aquino government is trying to achieve. Workers wait all their lives only to get a decision from the labor courts. Worse, workers are kept mum and violently dealt with when they start to fight for what is due them,” Hernando added.

For reference; Arman Hernando, CTUHR Documentation, +632.411.0256.

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Urgent Appeal] Harassment of a Radio Broadcaster -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL
January 28, 2014

(PHILIPPINES) Harassment of a Radio Broadcaster

ISSUES: Human Rights Defender, Harassment and Intimidation

________________________

Dear friends,

TFDP logo small

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal regarding the harassment case involving a human rights defender in the media sector.

If you wish to make any inquiries please contact the Research, Documentation and Information Program of TFDP, kindly send email to tfdp.1974@gmail.com or call +632 4378054.
_____________________________

Case Title: Sapanghari HAR
Case: Harassment
Name of Victim: Arthur “Jun” Agarado Sapanghari, Jr., 39 years old
Dates of Incident: December 7, 10, and 18, 2013; January 17 and 21, 2014
Place of Incident: Valencia City, Bukidnon
Alleged Perpetrator: Unidentified persons
Motive: Related to his work as radio broadcaster and the issues he reports about

Account of the Incident:

Arthur “Jun” Sapanghari, Jr., 39, based in Valencia City, Bukidnon and a radio broadcaster of dxDB Bandilyo Bukidnon – Radio Veritas has received death threats from unidentified persons.
As one of the field reporters and commentators of the sub-station in Valencia City, Sapanghari has divulged stories on sensitive issues like barangay corruption, illegal logging, and human trafficking.

On December 7, 2013, Sapanghari started receiving threats through text messages. One of the messages sent to him was, “Dili ka motobag ug tawagan, inihap na ang imong mga adlaw” (You did not answer my call, your days are numbered).

On December 10, he received another message, “Naminaw ko sa imong programa. Hambogero! Di naka ma abtan ug pasko isunod na ka kay Dignos” (I am listening to your program. Conceited! You will be gone before Christmas. You will suffer the same fate as Dignos). Joas Dignos was a hard-hitting commentator in Maramag, Bukidnon who was gunned down by two motorcycle-riding assailants in Valencia City last November 29, 2013.

One of the latest threats he received was on January 21, 2014. He received a message saying, “Nakita nako imong anak ug asawa patyon nako” (I saw your wife and daughter. I will kill them).
He went to Valencia City police station to file a police blotter.

On December 18, 2013 at around 8:00 P.M., while at home, Sapanghari saw three men get down from a motorcycle. One of them who was wearing a cap walked towards the kitchen door. Sapanghari saw the man getting something from his sling bag. Alarmed that it might be a gun, Sapanghari pushed his daughter to a corner of the house and closed the kitchen door. He then dashed towards their front door to close it, and then he turned off the lights. As he gathered his family in their room, he heard approaching footsteps from outside their house. He called the police for help, but when they arrived, the three men have gone.

On January 17, 2014, at around 8:00 A.M., a man aboard a motorcycle went to his house and asked his wife about his whereabouts. When his wife answered, “wala diri” (he is not here), the man went away. His wife called him immediately and asked if he had an appointment with a man that day. At that time, Sapanghari was at the Maramag police station to get a report regarding a killing incident in Musuan. When he said none, his wife told him about the man who was looking for him. His wife described that the man was wearing a cap and a shawl that almost covered his entire face. The motorcycle was color blue and had no plate number. From the description given by his wife, Sapanghari remembered one of the suspects in the killing of a number of people in Valencia City and Maramag.

After Sapanghari was done with his field work, he boarded a bus to Musuan to get his motorcycle. As he was about to get down from the bus, he saw six persons on board three motorcycles near the spot where his motorcycle was parked. Uneasy, he went directly to Valencia City and called a friend to get his motorcycle. When his friend reached Sapanghari’s motorcycle, his friend noticed a gray pickup truck without plate number and two other motorcycles in the area. When his friend started Sapanghari’s motorcycle and went on, the pickup truck followed him. It only stopped when he was about to enter Valencia City proper.

Sapanghari believed that his life, and that of his family’s, is in danger. He wrote a letter to the Police Provincial Director in Bukidnon and requested for police backup. The director responded to his request and ordered the Valencia City Police Chief to send Sapanghari two police officers who stayed with him for one week. After a week, the police backup was discontinued.

Sapanghari fears for his family’s safety. They are always scared, especially when they think of what happened on December 18, 2013. But he said that his work obliges him to expose the truth and fight for what is right.

Meanwhile, Randie Makipotin, also from the media and Sapanghari’s friend, also received text messages last January 21. He was threatened to be killed after Sapanghari is done with.
Makipotin also received a message that read, “Imo diay gitabangan si Jun Bandilyo? Apil taka patyon puslan man nag ka leche-leche akong kinabuhi.” (So, you helped Jun Bandilyo? I will kill you. Because of you, my life has become messed up). He replied to the text message by saying, “alang ako man siyang kauban” (of course, he is my companion).

The threat started when Makipotin offered his multicab as the vehicle for Sapanghari to use instead of the latter’s motorcycle.

REQUESTED ACTION:

Please write a letter to the following authorities, calling on them to initiate inquiries into the case of harassment experienced by Arthur “Jun” Sapanghari, Jr., a radio broadcaster of dxDB Bandilyo Bukidnon – Radio Veritas sub-station in Valencia City, and urge concerned agencies to immediately intervene and resolve the case.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear ____________,

I am writing to draw your attention regarding the case of Arthur “Jun” Sapanghari, Jr., a radio broadcaster of dxDB in the sub-station in Valencia City, Bukidnon, who experienced harassment and was traumatized after receiving death threats.

I have learned that he received text messages saying that his wife and children will be killed. He is at risk of being the second radio broadcaster in Bukidnon to be killed.

I have also learned that his family was threatened last December 18, 2013 at around 8:00 P.M. While at home, Sapanghari saw three men get down from a motorcycle. One of them who was wearing a cap walked towards the kitchen door. Sapanghari saw the man getting something from his sling bag. Alarmed that it might be a gun, Sapanghari pushed his daughter to a corner of the house and closed the kitchen door. He then dashed towards their front door to close it, and then he turned off the lights. As he gathered his family in their room, he heard approaching footsteps from outside their house. He called the police for help, but when they arrived, the three men have gone.

It was also brought to my attention that on January 17, 2014, at around 8:00 A.M., a man aboard a motorcycle went to his house and asked his wife about his whereabouts. When his wife answered, “wala diri” (he is not here), the man went away. His wife called him immediately and asked if he had an appointment with a man that day. At that time, Sapanghari was at the Maramag police station to get a report regarding a killing incident in Musuan. When he said none, his wife told him about the man who was looking for him. His wife described that the man was wearing a cap and a shawl that almost covered his entire face. The motorcycle was color blue and had no plate number. From the description given by his wife, Sapanghari remembered one of the suspects in the killing of a number of people in Valencia City and Maramag.

At present, Sapanghari fears for his life and the lives of his wife and children.

Sapanghari is a human rights defender who has divulged stories on sensitive issues like barangay corruption, illegal logging, and human trafficking.

Therefore, I humbly urge you to initiate a probe into the said case and appropriate action must be done accordingly.

I look forward to you urgent action.

Respectfully yours,

_________________________

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

Please send your letters to:

1. Mr. Benigno C. Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacañang Palace
JP Laurel St. San Miguel, Manila
Philippines 1005
Fax: +63 2 736 1010
Tel: +63 2 735 6201 / 564 1451 to 80
Email: op@president.gov.ph

2. Police Director General Alan LA Madrid Purisima
Chief, Philippine National Police
Camp General Rafael Crame
Quezon City, Philippines
Fax: +632 724 8763 / +632 723 0401
Tel: + 632 726 4361 / +632 4366 8763
Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph

3. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com

3. Governor Jose Maria R. Zubiri, Jr.
Province of Bukidnon
Provincial Capitol
Malaybalay City, Bukidnon
Philippines, 8700
Fax: +63 (088) 813-3845; 813-2457
Tel: +63 (088) 813-2457; 221-2523

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Urgent Appeal] A Political Activist Threatened to be Killed by A Police Officer -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL
January 14, 2014

(PHILIPPINES) A Political Activist Threatened to be Killed by A Police Officer

ISSUES: Human Rights Defender; Harassment; Right to Peaceful Assembly

_______________________________________________________________________________

Dear friends,

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal regarding the conduct unbecoming of a police officer who threatened an activist during a protest action.

If you wish to make any inquiries please contact the Research, Documentation and Information Program of TFDP. Kindly email tfdp.1974@gmail.com or call +632 4378054.

TFDP logo small

________________________________________________________________________________

Case Title: Delizo Harassment

Case: Harassment/Threat

Name of Victim: Rasti Delizo

Date of Incident: December 5, 2013

Place of Incident: in front of the main gate of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Pasay City

Alleged Perpetrators: Senior Inspector Charito Estrada, Pasay City Police

Motive:

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Account of the Incident:

An officer of a militant group actively involved in campaigning against the continuing human rights violations in Burma was threatened by a police officer during a demonstration in Pasay City.

Rasti Delizo, Political Affairs Coordinator of Sanlakas, a broad multi-sectoral organization, together with members of the Free Burma Coalition (FBC) held a peaceful protest action on December 5, 2013 in front of the main gate of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) building at 2330 Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City, Metro Manila. Delizo acted as the rally’s lead negotiator representing the civil society group.

The FBC organized the mass action in response to the three-day state visit of Burma’s President Thein Sein in Manila (December 4 to 6) upon the invitation of President Noynoy Aquino. The rally’s highlight was the formal submission of an official FBC statement addressed to Pres. Thein Sein. Specifically, the FBC’s intention was to further highlight Burma’s continuing human rights violations by the country’s military-dominated regime. Also, FBC aimed to urge the Philippine Government to strongly push for the immediate release of all of Burma’s political prisoners, and to urgently advance a much-needed democratization agenda within Southeast Asia.

Toward the end of the rally, at about 11:35 a.m., Delizo happened to be talking with Senior Inspector Charito Estrada (Precinct Commander of the Pasay City Police Station’s PCP-1/with operational jurisdiction over the DFA’s premises) and Mr. Felix De Leon (a Foreign Service Staff Officer detailed with the DFA’s Office of Intelligence and Security Services/OISS). Delizo directly negotiated with PSINSP Estrada and gave him an assurance that the rally will end in a peaceful manner. De Leon of the DFA-OISS also joined the conversation as an observer.

Delizo was explaining to PSINSP Estrada the rally’s peaceful nature, as well as its political intentions and democratic aims. Unfortunately, however, PSINSP Estrada reacted to Delizo’s assertions. Wearing the full uniform of a PNP Sr. Inspector and on official duty at the time, Estrada told Delizo (in the full presence of Mr. De Leon of the DFA): “If your group misbehaves, then we will kill you.” (He first pointed his finger in the direction of rally, then shifted his finger and pointed directly to Delizo’s face.)

In response to Estrada’s threat, Delizo shouted at him and denounced Estrada’s behavior and conduct unbecoming of a police officer. Delizo told him that he could inform some of Estrada’s officers of his arrogant behavior. At this point, Estrada pleaded not to let them know of the incident.

Three of Estrada’s subordinates who accompanied him to the rally site began to feel uncomfortable with the situation themselves. Their conversation between Delizo and Estrada has not yet ended, but the said policemen began to slowly withdraw toward their mobile patrol car parked roughly thirty meters away.

REQUESTED ACTION:

Please write a letter to the following authorities, calling on them to initiate inquiries regarding the threat and harassment of a Pasay City police officer.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear ____________,

I am writing to draw your attention regarding the threat and harassment of a Pasay City police officer.

I have learned that Mr. Rasti Delizo, one of the leaders of a civil society group actively involved in campaigning against the continuing human rights violations in Burma was threatened by a police officer during a demonstration in Pasay City.

According to the report, while Delizo was reassuring one police officer named Senior Inspector Charito Estrada of the rally’s peaceful nature and political intentions, he intensely reacted to Delizo’s assertions. In the full presence of the public, police officer Estrada told him, “If your group misbehaves, then we will kill you.” At the same time, police officer Estrada first pointed his finger in the direction of rally, then shifted his finger and pointed directly to Delizo’s face.

I have also learned that Rasti’s group, the Free Burma Coalition (FBC) organized the said peaceful mass action to highlight Burma’s continuing human rights violations by the country’s military-dominated regime. The rally’s highlight was the formal submission of an official FBC statement addressed to Pres. Thein Sein during his three-day state visit to Manila.
Mr. Delizo also added that one of the intentions also is to urge the Philippine Government to strongly push for the immediate release of all of Burma’s political prisoners, and to urgently advance a much-needed democratization agenda within Southeast Asia.

At present, Mr. Delizo together with other witnesses is planning to file a complaint before concerned government agencies against police officer Estrada.

Therefore, I humbly urge you to initiate an investigation into the said case and that Senior Inspector Estrada should be held accountable for his misbehavior and conduct unbecoming of an officer.

I look forward to your urgent action on this case.

Respectfully yours,

_________________________

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

Please send your letters to:

1. Police Director General Alan LA Madrid Purisima

Chief, Philippine National Police

Camp General Rafael Crame

Quezon City, Philippines

Fax: +632 724 8763 / +632 723 0401

Tel: + 632 726 4361 / +632 4366 8763

Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph

2. MANUEL A. ROXAS II

Chairperson, National Police Commission

371 Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue

Makati City, Philippines

Tel: +632 896 5980 / +632 895 5068

Email: francisflorentino@napolcom.gov.ph

3. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue

U.P. Complex, Diliman

Quezon City

Philippines

Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188

Fax: +63 2929 0102

Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Urgent Appeal] Harassment against a Student Human Rights Defender -TFDP

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URGENT APPEAL

January 13, 2014

(PHILIPPINES) Harassment against a Student Human Rights Defender

ISSUES: Human Rights Defender; Harassment, Coercion and Intimidation; Student Rights and Welfare; Physical Injuries
________________________________________________

Dear friends,

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal regarding the harassment case involving a human rights defender in the student sector.

If you wish to make any inquiries please contact the Research, Documentation and Information Program of TFDP, kindly send email to tfdp.1974@gmail.com or call +632 4378054.
________________________________________________

Case Title: Quisora HAR
Case: Harassment/Physical Injury
Name of Victim: Ernie Gonzales Quisora
Date of Incident: December 20, 2013
Place of Incident: Marikina Polytechnic College, Marikina City
Alleged Perpetrators: Mr. Joseph Quiles
Motive: One of the Alleged Instigators of Student Protest Action

Account of the Incident:

Ernie Quisora, 20 years of age, of 57 B.G. Malina Street, Parang, a student of Marikina Polytechnic College taking up Industrial Technology Major in Automotive and a Student Council volunteer, suffered minor injuries during a scuffle between him and a college professor.

TFDP logo smallOn December 20, 2013, at around 8:30am, Quisora decided to enter the school premises while a protest action is being set-up by some members and officers of the faculty association of the Marikina Polytechnic College. The said protest is in relation to the additional working hour imposed by the school officials to the members of the faculty, and the absence of a democratic process by which these policies went through without any consultation.

The Security guards on-duty inspected Quisora’s belongings and found a black t-shirt inside his bag. The security guards confiscated the t-shirt and told Quisora that it is prohibited inside the campus. He then asked the security guards, why it is not allowed? Quisora further explained that he will be wearing the black t-shirt as a replacement after his subject “Metallic and Solid Painting AT222”. Apparently, the security guards alleged that Quisora is one of students who advocate and backing the campaign protest of the faculty and that they will be wearing the black t-shirt as a sign of support.

While both were arguing, a professor named Joseph Quiles approached them.

Quisora told him what the security guards did. He added that they have no right to confiscate his t-shirt since it was “wash day”, and he can wear any attire he wants as long as it is appropriate and proper.

The heated argument started between Quiles and Quisora. Moments later, Quiles grabbed Quisora’s shirt from his chest and pulled him back and forth repeatedly. Not satisfied with what he did, Quiles snatched and snapped the lace of his school identification card while wearing with around his neck. Several students and teachers witnessed the incident. Quisora suffered a bruise to his left hand. He also felt a pain to his nape.

A few days after the incident, Quisora again encountered Quiles on several occasions. Quiles accussed him of being a liar, arrogant and discourteous to school administrators. These were done in front of students. In one occasion it happened in front of Quisora’s teacher. Quiles also threatened Quisora and told that he will “drop” him from his subject.

Quisora is now planning to file a formal complaint to concerned government agencies, and at the Marikina City prosecutor’s office for appropriate charges.

Quisora is an advocate of student rights and welfare and an active volunteer of the Marikina Polytechnic College Student Council.

REQUESTED ACTION:

Please write a letter to the following authorities, calling on them to initiate inquiries into the case of harassment and physical injuries obtained by Ernie Quisora, a student of the Marikina Polytechnic College, and urge concerned agencies to immediately intervene and resolve the case.

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear ____________,

I am writing to draw your attention regarding the case of Ernie Quisora, 20 years of age, currently residing at 57 B.G. Malina Street, Parang, a student of Marikina Polytechnic College who experienced harassment and suffered minor injuries at the hands of his professor.

I have learned that a heated argument transpired between Mr. Joseph Quiles and Quisora. Quiles grabbed Quisora’s shirt from his chest and pulled him back and forth repeatedly. Not satisfied with what he did, Quiles snatched and snapped the lace of his school identification card while wearing with around his neck. Several students and teachers witnessed the incident. Quisora suffered a bruise to his left hand. He also felt a pain to his nape.

I have also learned that the incident happened on December 20, 2013, at around 8:30am. Quisora decided to enter the school premises while a protest action is being set-up by some members and officers of the faculty association of the Marikina Polytechnic College. The said protest is in relation to the additional working hour imposed by the school officials to the members of the faculty, and the absence of a democratic process by which these policies went through without any consultation.

It was also brought to my attention that before the incident occurred, the Security guards on-duty inspected Quisora’s belongings and found a black t-shirt inside his bag. The security guards confiscated the t-shirt and told Quisora that it is prohibited inside the campus. He then asked the security guards why it is not allowed even Quisora explained that he will be wearing the black t-shirt as a replacement after his subject “Metallic and Solid Painting AT222”. Apparently, the security guards alleged that Quisora is one of students who advocate and backing the campaign protest of the faculty and that they will be wearing the black t-shirt as a sign of support.

While both were arguing, a professor named Joseph Quiles approached them. Quisora told Quiles what the security guards did. He added that they have no right to confiscate his t-shirt since it was “wash day”, and he can wear any attire he wants as long as it is appropriate and proper. At that point, the heated argument started. A scuffle transpired and Quisora suffered physical injuries.

At present, Quisora is now planning to file a formal complaint to concerned government agencies, and at the Marikina City prosecutor’s office for appropriate charges.

Quisora is an advocate of student rights and welfare and an active volunteer of the Marikina Polytechnic College Student Council.

Therefore, I humbly urge you to initiate a probe into the said case and appropriate action must be done accordingly.

I look forward to you urgent action.

Respectfully yours,

_________________________

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:

Please send your letters to:

1. Chairperson Patricia B. Licuanan
Commission on Higher Education (CHED)
4th Floor Higher Education Development Center (HEDC) Building
C.P. Garcia Avenue, U.P. Campus
Diliman, Quezon City 1101
Philippines
Fax: +632 4411256
Tel: +632 4410927 loc. 400, 401, 402
Email: ched.oc2011@gmail.com; info@ched.gov.ph

2. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Commission on Human Rights (CHR)
SAAC Bldg., Commonwealth Avenue
U.P. Complex, Diliman
Quezon City
Philippines
Fax: +63 2929 0102
Tel: +63 2 928 5655, +63 2 926 6188
Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com

3. Chairperson Leon G. Flores
National Youoth Commission (NYC)
4th Floor, Bookman Building
373 Quezon Avenue
Quezon City
Philippines
Tel: +632 4487330
E-mail: info@nyc.gov.ph

4. Mayor Del De Guzman
Marikina City
Marikina City Hall, Shoe Avenue
Sta. Elena,
Marikina City 1800
Philippines
Fax: +632 6465277; +632 6461621
Tel: +632 6461634; +632 6829281; +632 6462360-70

All submissions are republished and redistributed in the same way that it was originally published online and sent to us. We may edit submission in a way that does not alter or change the original material.

Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[In the news] Activist youth leader bares alleged military surveillance, harassment -InterAksyon.com

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Activist youth leader bares alleged military surveillance, harassment
InterAksyon.com
May 4, 2013

InterAksyon logo2MANILA, Philippines — The chairman of the activist youth group Anakbayan has raised the alarm over what he said were “several incidents of suspected military surveillance and harassment against me.”

In a blog entry in the Philippine Online Chronicles, Vencer Crisostomo said he was preparing to leave his Quezon City home to join Labor Day protests on May 1 when, “at around 9 in the morning, a neighbor reported that a blue van was spotted slowing down in front of our house … seemingly doing surveillance.”

“At least four men were inside the van. (The neighbor) said that at least one wore camouflage pants and military jackets were hanging at the back of the van, visible through the rearview mirror,” he added.

Crisostomo said the neighbor reported the van to security guards of their housing village who confirmed that the driver “identified himself as MSgt Federico Sagun Tambacao, Jr. and presented an military ID card.”

Read full article @interaksyon.com

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[Press Release] On Christmas Eve, Farmers’ appeal to government: Defend us from landowners’ harassment -SARA

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On Christmas Eve, Farmers’ appeal to government:
Defend us from landowners’ harassment

Sumalo, Bataan: A farmer from Barangay Sumalo, Hermosa, Bataan may spend Christmas inside the prison for harvesting three (3) pieces of coconut in the land that he has been occupying and tilling for the past thirty (30) years.

Jose Laysa, a forty-seven year old farmer, who was identified as a potential agrarian reform beneficiary by the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in the 214 hectare property was arrested by the security guards of Riverforest Development Corporation, owned by James Litton, et. al. Litton is claiming the 214 hectares as his own, which was initially subjected to a voluntary-offer-to-sell (VOS) by Litton in 1989. VOS is a scheme under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP), in which the landowners voluntarily offers to sell his land to government for land distribution. Later on, Litton withdrew the VOS and filed for land use conversion.

“Panggata lang sana sa uulamin namin ngayong Pasko dahil wala naman kaming perang pambili dahil pinagbabawalan kaming makapagsaka ng mga Litton”, lamented the wife of Jose Laysa.

Laysa was accompanied by his 17-year old son while harvesting the coconuts. They were then approached by the security guards of Riverforest Development Corporation and accused of theft and trespassing. Laysa resisted and told the security guards, “ Paano ako magnanakaw sa sarili kong tanim at sa lupang aking binubungkal?” At this point, one of the guards pointed his gun and brought Laysa to their barracks. Laysa was later brought to the Hermosa Police Station.

The controversial landholding is being petitioned by the farmers of Sumalo for CARP coverage since the Littons violated all the Rules on Conversion, specifically the non-development of the land or conversion within the five year period as provided in RA 9700 or the CARP Extension with Reforms Law.

“They do not have a conversion order, conversion plan and worse they maliciously and willfully violated the Permanent Injunction Order issued by the Regional Trial Court of Bataan (Branch 5), which clearly stated that they cannot construct fences within the property and therefore the corporation does not have the right to prevent the farmers’ access to their farms,” said Barangay Captain Rolando Martinez, a supporter of the farmers’cause.

“Naging protektor nila ang mga pulis kaya nabakuran nila ang aming mga taniman at ayaw nila kaming papasukin para maani ang aming mga tanim. Ang masama pa, sinusunog, sinisira at ninanakaw pa ng mga tauhan ni Litton ang aming dapat pagkakitaan. Ginigiba nila ang aming mga bahay at tinatakot pati ang mga bata sa pamamagitan ng lantarang pagbandera ng kanilang matatas na kalibreng baril., lamented Fe Andulan, president of Samahang Nagkaka-isang Mamamayan ng Brgy. Sumalo.

Last Dec. 21, in a dialogue, DAR Secretary Virgilio “Gil” delos Reyes told them that he cannot grant the Sumalo farmers’ request for a cease and desist (CDO) or status quo order since he said this is outside his jurisdiction. The farmers were told to seek relief in regular courts.

“This is outright abandonment by the Secretary of his mandate under CARP. The petition for CARP coverage of the Sumalo farmers has been languishing in his office for more than two years now. We cannot understand why he said that the case is outside his jurisdiction, when there is a clear legal basis for our claims,” said Martinez, who was at the dialogue with Sec. delos Reyes.

The Sumalo farmers are worried that there may be truth to the claims of a certain Retired Colonel Renato R. Rapisura, the administration manager of the Riverforest Development Corporation, who uttered “Wala na kayong magagawa, amin na si delos Reyes”.

“We hope that Sec. delos Reyes has not sold himself to the Littons and instead heed our demands. If delos Reyes delivers on his agrarian reform mandate, this will be the best Christmas gift for us.”, added Martinez.

The Sumalo farmers are seeking the help of almost anyone from government and civil society. They have already sought an audience with the Commissioner of Human Rights, Loretta Rosales, CBCP-NASSA and Representatives in the House of Representatives; hoping that the landowners’ harassment and intimidation can finally stop.

Contact Persons:
Ka Elvira Baladad, PARAGOS-Pilipnas-SARA, +63.905.668.3780
Joann Fernandez, Katarungan-SARA, +63.915.377.1068

NEWS RELEASE
24 December 2012

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Human Rights Online Philippines does not hold copyright over these materials. Author/s and original source/s of information are retained including the URL contained within the tagline and byline of the articles, news information, photos etc.

[Press Release] PALEA slams arrest of another member

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PALEA slams arrest of another member

The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) condemned the arrest of another of its members as it planned protests at the airport area in response. PALEA member Esther Gonzaga was arrested yesterday around noon in Makati City and was granted temporary freedom by 6:30 pm after posting bail.

Gonzaga’s arrest follows the earlier apprehension of Romeo Sayas who was detained in Malvar, Batangas for several days before he was released on bail. Gerry Rivera, PALEA president and PM vice chair declared that “The harassment case of grave coercion was filed by the management of PAL against the PALEA 39 who valiantly defended the protest camp when
it was attacked by hired goons on October 29, 2011.”

Aside from the case against the PALEA 39, there are two more criminal suits pending against union members due to the labor row. Rivera called on new PAL President Ramon Ang “to facilitate the resolution of the labor dispute by dropping the trumped up charges against our
members which were filed under the old company management of Jaime Bautista.”

Gonzaga was arrested near her residence while attending a barangay meeting as she is a community leader. She is one of two women among the PALEA 39. PALEA believes that the warrants of arrest on the remaining 37 PALEA members may also be served in the coming days.

Rivera explained that as enunciated under DOJ Ministry Circular No. 15 (Series of 1982) and DOLE Order No. 40-G-03 (Series of 2010), no criminal information can be filed against workers without the required clearance from the DOLE. “Absent such clearance, the courts are mandated to dismiss the charges outright. Such a policy, started after the formal lifting of martial law, aims to resolve rather than aggravate labor disputes and regulate the proclivity of capitalists to engage in harassment suits against workers,” Rivera elaborated.

PALEA also lambasted Pasay Assistant City Prosecutor Orlando Mariano and Judge Bibiano Colasito of the Pasay MTC Branch 44 for finding probable cause and ordering the issuance of arrest warrants against 39 PALEA members. “These officers of the court not only defied labor statutes but infringed on our members right to due process, and thus deserve to face administrative charges,” Rivera insisted.

He also denounced PAL lawyer Atty. Santiago “Sonny” Quial for “legal machinations.” Quial is running for district representative in Pasay for the coming elections. “As many PALEA members are Pasay voters, we will make sure that a law breaker does not become a law maker,” Rivera claimed.

Press Release
November 8, 2012
PALEA
Contact Alnem Pretencio @ 09209543634

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[In the news] Corporal punishment exposes children to abuse, violence -Cebu Daily News

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Corporal punishment exposes children to abuse, violence

March 18, 2012

The home and school are considered first and second homes of children.

The safety of children in these places however is put to the test with the prevailing culture that still considers corporal punishment as part of the discipline regimen on children.

“Most of the reported cases of violence on children however happened at home,” said Emma Patalinghug, child welfare specialist of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

She said it’s already a cultural norm for most families to inflict corporal punishment whenever a child commits mistake.

“We can’t also blame the parents of these children. Probably they have also these experiences (of being disciplined when they were growing up),” Patalinghug said.

Wilfredo O. Tano, Administrative Officer of DepEd Region 7-Cebu City Division, said corporal punishment is still happening in schools.

Tano, currently the Dep-Ed’s education program supervisor of private schools, said the government’s policy is not to tolerate it.

The online edition of Encylopedia Brittanica defines corporal punishment as inflicting of phyical pain upon a person’s body as punishment for a crime or infraction..”

Nelma Ople, a 27-year-old mother of two, shared her experience in school corporal punishment 20 years ago.

She said her experience of being beaten up by teachers in Grade 1, as a form of disciple is still fresh in her memory.

“I was called by my teacher to answer on the board a division problem. For five minutes, I was still in front of the black board staring on my Mathematics book. I was scared because I don’t know the answer. The next thing I knew, my teacher got the book that I was holding and struck me at the back, hitting my head on the board,” she said in Cebuano.

Read full article @ cebudailynews.wordpress.com

[Press Release] Anakpawis local chair cry foul over harassment and assault, to file complaints at the CHR – CTUHR

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Olongapo City – Local chairperson of Anakpawis Olongapo City, Mr. Santos Umipil, cried foul over harassment and assault done to four civilians namely Lee Corpus, Ronaldo Valdez, Walter Visda and Carmelito Patindao by a group of policemen headed by Captain Panchito Doble and four other police officers plus a civilian agent last May 19 around 8.30 in the evening in Corpus’s residence in Sitio Payudpud, Iram Resettlement New Cabalan, Olongapo City.

In the sworn statements of Santos et.al they narrated the four victims were talking about fencing Corpus’s backyard when they suddenly heard a group of men banging the gate. Two of the five men wearing civilian clothes barged in the house. The men turned out to be members of the Philippine National Police Station 4 New Cabalan Olongapo City and were looking for a certain Warren Visda and Carmelito Patindao.

Patindao and Visda, because of fear, immediately ran to the master’s toilet and bathroom respectively. The men however followed the two and physically assaulted them. Patindao narrated that the police officer pointed a gun at him, twisted his arm and dragged him “like an animal” to a distance that caused him bruises all over his body. Visda, on the other hand, was brought to the living room where the police officer holding him flashed light to his face and asked the other officer whether he was the Warren Visda they were looking for. The other police officer said no.

Umipil on the other hand lives across the street and was disturbed by the noise happening in his aunt’s home . He decided to inquire to the civilian agent, Mr. Bernard dela Cruz, who was outside what was going on inside the house. Having learned that they have shown no arrest warrants and having witnessed the physical assault, Umipil argued with the police officers and reminded them of their violations. The policemen however ignored him.

Armand Hernando, CTUHR documentation coordinator said that disrespect for due process and police brutality should be put to a stop. “These are human rights violations that concerns not only organized individuals but by everyone in the communities. The law protects every individual’s freedom from any physical assault and right to privacy. There are processes and procedures that need to be followed and law enforcement agencies should learn to respect and follow these.”

Though the motive for the harassment and assault remains unclear, Umipil and the four other victims have already requested Olongapo City Mayor James Gordon to facilitate an investigation of the incident. Because of the trauma, physical injury and disrespect for human rights, they also plan to file complaints at the Commission on Human Rights against the abusive police officers.

03 June 2011
for Reference: Arman Hernando, CTUHR Documentation Coordinator, +63922.821.6283