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[Statement] Threats to development work, threat to people’s right to development -PMPI

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Unity Statement

We, the undersigned organizations and individuals, are united in our stand against the violation of the people’s right to development thru the continued intimidation, harassment and attacks among human rights and development workers in the Philippines, particularly in the Visayas in general, and in Panay Island in particular.

Power dynamics, uneven distribution of wealth and utter government neglect has placed the vast majority of the Visayan people into poverty and hunger despite the bountiful resources of its lands and seas. Development work, thus, plays a major role in enabling and empowering the people for them to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy social, political, economic and cultural development.

However, human rights and development workers are under attack. Last November 6, 2018, Atty. Ben Ramos, Executive Director of PDG, long-time Board of Trustees Member of MASIPAG and development worker was killed months after being maliciously red-tagged. Romeo “Romy” Capalla of the Panay Fair Trade Center (PFTC) was murdered in March 2014. Both cases remain unsolved. Some offices and staff of development organizations were subjected to threats, vilification, surveillance, and red-tagging. Much of the farmers that they helped organized are once daily-wage farm workers who after their intervention are now engaging into sustainable and organic agriculture. Clearly their participation in bringing change and uplifting the lives of the farmers, and their critical stand on the present agricultural and political system in the Philippines made them victims of human rights violations.

These issues are not much different from what is happening all over the country. Under Duterte’s “whole-of-nation” approach, the Philippines tops globally in the number of environmental and land defenders killed. Recently, eighteen local and international non-government organizations, mainly focusing on humanitarian relief assistance, were red-tagged by the military during a congressional budget hearing on AFP modernization held November 5, 2019. Harassment and intimidation thru red-baiting, surveillance, illegal searches, death threats are the tools to demoralize and discredit development workers and their organizations.

The attack on human rights and development workers are an affront to the people’s right to development. These violations will only weaken the nation’s thrust for genuine development, especially in the rural areas whose services brought by development workers and their organizations are most needed. It is very unfortunate that these acts are being made at a time when the country is facing problems brought about by the Tax Reform Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN), Rice Liberalization Law, climate change, landlessness and corporate domination of agriculture.

Come December, 10, 2019, on the 71st anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, we:

1. Enjoin the different sectors on their call for the respect, promotion and protection of human rights and the people’s right to development.
2. Hold accountable the government on the spate of human rights violations in the country and the continued shrinking spaces for development work.
3. Call for an impartial investigation on the human rights violations in the Visayas region. We also call for the support of different nations and in particular the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC)resolution to investigate and prepare a comprehensive report on the human rights situation in the Philippines.
4. Support the enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Bill in the House of Representatives;
5. Call for a nationwide campaign to Stop the Killings of all persons by all parties in the armed conflict strongly being echoed by the Negros Bishops; denounce and hold accountable those responsible for all the killings be it state or non-state actors, from the top leadership down;
6. Intensify human rights education and capacity building of vulnerable communities, conduct widespread awareness campaign on the International Humanitarian Law / CARHRIHL in partner communities and empower them with skills on para-legal work and documentation of human rights violations;
7. Network civil society and faith-based organizations to gather relief-aid and provide psycho-social services for families of the victims of killings and arrests;
8. Lobby for the enactment of policy that are favourable to people and poor communities’ efforts for peace and democracy; ask the Supreme Court to declare all anti-people Executive Orders, Memorandum Orders and Memorandum Circulars as illegal, null and void;
9. That Philippine Misereor Partnership Inc. (PMPI) engage as a network of human rights advocacies in the international level and engaging UN bodies and governments of first world countries;
10. Encourage PMPI partners to implement socio-economic development work in affected communities through a complementation of members of PMPI, other CSOs and agencies to address the basic roots of the armed conflict at the local level;
11. Call for a resumption of Peace Talks between the GRP and CNN; and
12. Help initiate local peace dialogue and/or set-up peace platforms where local communities, government, church and military can discuss and tackle peace, human rights and drug related concerns.

Signed this December 4, 2019 at Jaro, Iloilo City.

Name / Organization:
MASIPAG Visayas
Melvin Purzuelo, GF-WV
Virgilio Q. Sanchez
Elma Jean Pacete
OFFERS Panay
Fair Trade Foundation Panay (FTFP)
Lee Ruben F. Sabanal
Rona Mae Tristeza
Mary Joy Liza
Micka C. Mirante
Rechelle Cagud
Angelyn M. Faeldon
Iloilo Peoples’ Habitat Foundation (IPHF)
Bubong Ilonggo
Antique Human Development Program Inc. (AHDP)
Lidwina B. Dionela
Rea Guiloreza
George Lopez II
Jaime C. Cabarles, Jr.
Rufino L. Alkonga
Vaneza dela Cruz
Analyn G. Casaria
Rejean Fernandez

https://www.facebook.com/notes/philippine-misereor-partnership-inc/threats-to-development-work-threat-to-peoples-right-to-development/3219713974711790/

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Statement

[In the news] Church leaders, advocates say human rights ‘deteriorating’ in Visayas -RAPPLER.com

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Human rights has deteriorated in the Visayas, human rights defenders and leaders from the Catholic Church said here on Tuesday, December 10.

“It’s deteriorating on all fronts,” Fr. Jose Bagadiong, a Catholic priest of the Society of the Divine Word, told Rappler on the sidelines of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines’ Human Rights Day event in Cebu City.

Abuse rampant

“Not just killings, but environmental [rights], socio-economic [rights], cultural rights, the rights violations are comprehensive,” the Cebu City-based priest added.

According to a report from TDFP, from the beginning of 2018 to December 2019, they recorded 104 documented cases of human rights violations.

Of those violations, 31 were cases of “alleged harassment, intimidation and vilification” against human rights workers. The other 58 were linked to the government’s drug war campaign, while 15 were allegedly politically motivated killings. “Of course, this is not all of them, but the victims who were willing to come forward,” Fr. Christian Buenafe, chairperson of TDFP said.

[Statement] #Stand Up, Speak Out for Human Rights -PAHRA and iDEFEND

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Photo from iDEFEND FB page

December 10th is the 71st commemoration of International Human Rights Day. This year focuses on young human rights defenders all over the world, and the challenge of shrinking civic spaces in the Philippines.

The past couple of years marked an extraordinary rise of young people’s movements which call out injustice, corporate greed, violence and inequality. From climate and land issues to discrimination and disinformation, labor contractualization and extra-judicial killings, the youth’s boundless energy gave us inspiration to fight for a better world. The next generation of human rights defenders are front and center in the defense of our environment, sovereignty, economic sustainability, food security, gender equality, climate justice, speaking truth to power.

For a ruling despot, the swelling discontent and the resolute action of young people who are not cowered, are a direct threat to his designs for power. He will thus use his authority to quell this tide.

Since 2018 government has enacted numerous executive issuance, amendments to laws, and policy directives to systematically diminish the spaces and opportunities for political action. Touted as anti-insurgency measures, these actually target critical voices and undermine people’s participation in public governance.

Among these are:

Memorandum Order 32, which increased the deployment and authority of the police and military in the provinces of Samar, Negros and Bicol provinces; Republic Act 10973 which gave subpoena powers to the Chief of Police and Deputy CIDG Director and removed the exclusive subpoena jurisdiction from the Courts; the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2019 amended the Human Security Act, removing its sanctions for illegal arrests; Executive Order 70 instituted a whole of nation approach against insurgency; DILG Memorandum 2019-116 subjecting all civil society groups and peoples’ organizations to surveillance, and its guidelines for the implementation of E.O. 70 which requires Barangays to report on NGOs investigating human rights violations.

On top of existing laws such as cyber libel, the Philippine Identification System (R.A.11055), as well as the ongoing State of National Emergency on Account of Lawless Violence (Proclamation 55) and martial law (Proclamation 216), more proposals are in the pipeline such as draft bills to amend the anti-wiretapping law (R.A.4200), reintroduction of the death penalty, lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, and a foreign electronic surveillance act.

Implementing the above legislation and policy measures weakens our people’s ability to think freely and act responsibly to solve the problems in our society, due to fear of retribution or violence. Shrinking civic spaces debilitates the capacity of the youth to forge a better future for themselves and their children, due to the punitive response by authorities that punish, rather than reward, critical thinking.

In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND) and the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) stand for the strengthening of democracy and human rights against any threat to society, including authoritarian rule. We reiterate the importance of broadening civic spaces, for people’s solidarity, action and real change. We link arms with today’s youth towards achieving a life of dignity for all, right here, right now. We all stand for human rights.

[From the web] Assault on human rights defenders in the Philippines at crisis point -TFDP

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Photo by Jerbert Briola

As we mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), it is, we firmly believe, as relevant today as it was when it was adopted 71 years ago.

Human rights defenders, environmental activists, indigenous peoples rights defenders, lawyers and journalists in the country are facing unprecedented levels of persecution, intimidation and violence, warned Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP)* https://tfdp.net/ today as it launched its Human Rights Defenders Summit 2019 in Cebu City demanding an end to the assault on human rights defenders.

The government authorities should take immediate and effective action to end widespread assault against human rights defenders, the TFDP said today in a press conference in Cebu City.

The situation for human rights defenders in the country is becoming increasingly challenging as elaborated in various reports made by regional and international human rights organizations such as Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia), Global Witness, International Service for Human Rights (ISHR), Organisation Mondiale Contre la Torture (OMCT), International Federation of Human Rights (FIDH) and Front Line Defenders.

Democratic backsliding, deterioration of the quality of democracy, and shrinking democratic space has become one of the defining features of Duterte’s regime.

In July 2016, when Duterte assumed presidency and started his campaign against illegal drugs through “Oplan Tokhang”, TFDP responded by documenting the cases of extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations related to government’s war on drugs. The authorities admit 6,600 people have been killed over the last three years though other groups estimate as many as 29,000 have lost their lives. The authorities claim that those killed fought back or resisted arrest (or “nanlaban”, ignoring case after case in which witnesses says suspects were summarily executed.

On many occasions, Duterte publicly voiced his blatant disregard for human rights in relation to his ‘war on drugs’ and repeatedly threatened to kill human rights activists (defenders).

“What we are witnessing today here in Visayas, based on our documentation, from 2018 to December 2019, there are 104 documented cases of human rights violations, breakdown as follows: 31 cases are related to harassments, intimidation, vilification and killings against human rights defenders including the killing of human rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos on 6 November 2018 at Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental and red-tagging of our organization by authorities in Bacolod City; 58 cases related to government’s war on drugs while 15 are politically motivated cases,” TFDP claimed.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Memorandum Circular No. 15 (s. 2018) mandates all non-profit organizations in the Philippines to comply with arbitrary and invasive registration requirements.

This SEC memorandum comes amidst increasing government pressure on civil society, and allegations of surveillance targeting human rights defenders. The memorandum will further legitimize the invasion of privacy of individuals, and hinder the capacity of organizations to do their legitimate human rights work.

TFDP demands that the government implement what they committed to when the United Nations adopted the Declaration on human rights defenders in 1998. The Declaration calls on states to recognize the key role and contribution of those who defend human rights and to establish effective measures to protect them such as enactment of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Law.

“We are living in dangerous times again and many seem not to bother nor care that the whimsical and capricious display of vindictiveness of Duterte is eating the nation’s soul and trampling on people’s rights,” said Fr. Christian Buenafe, O.Carm, chairperson of TFDP.

What the martial law experience taught us is that when “injustice becomes law, resistance becomes duty,” TFDP concluded.-end-

*TFDP is a Mission Partner of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines (AMRSP) established in 1974. TFDP is a member of the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA), Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia) and SOS Torture Network of the World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT).

[Statement] of the Commission on Human Rights on the celebration of International Human Rights Day

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

[Today], the Commission on Human Rights joins nations and communities everywhere in commemorating International Human Rights Day and the 71st Anniversary of the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).

Over seven decades ago, world leaders convened to adopt the UDHR, a declaration that would form the foundations of core human rights treaties and establish core principles of human rights such as universality, interdependence and indivisibility, equality and non-discrimination. Just as human rights entail rights to individuals, states in ratifying the Declaration have the obligation to respect, protect and fulfil the rights of individuals and groups against abuse.

The theme for this year’s observance is “Youth Standing Up for Human Rights,” which aims to celebrate the potential of youths everywhere as agents of change. Under the Commission’s continuing call for the promotion and respect for human rights and its primacy, we endeavour to show our support and encouragement to the Filipino youth — as an increasing number of them continue to stand up for their rights against violence, injustice and repressive state policies. As a nation, we need to harness the passion and commitment of our next generation of human rights defenders and create a safe and enabling environment for them to continue the fight.

We must remember that human rights should not only be celebrated every 10th of December. We need to defend and celebrate human rights every single day as they are the products of people’s lives and continuing struggles.

As we come to another year of this global observance, the Commission strongly calls for greater state accountability for all human rights violations in the Philippines and to end impunity that further aggravates the suffering of our people. Extrajudicial killings remain to be the biggest attack to human rights in the country as death toll continues to rise with the government’s anti-people policies. Killing of journalists, activists, farmers and other human rights defenders, has become more rampant as the existing political environment is hostile to any form of dissent. The poor peasants, workers, indigenous and Moro people, women, and the youth remain to be the majority of the victims of oppression and violence. But despite the setbacks, we have to celebrate our gains and build on the small and big wins of people’s movement to honour those individuals who sacrificed their lives for us to enjoy the freedoms we have today.

Youth participation in nation-building, therefore, is essential to ensure a vibrant and healthy democracy. Empowering the youth to better know their rights while teaching them the lessons of the past will lead to a better tomorrow where everyone’s rights are respected.

Now, more than ever, we must come together as a nation and build the broadest coalition of human rights defenders for freedom and dignity of all, and continue to push back as we reaffirm our commitment to fight for people’s rights and against all forms of attacks against the Filipino people.

https://www.facebook.com/notes/commission-on-human-rights-of-the-philippines/statement-of-the-commission-on-human-rights-on-the-celebration-of-international-/2478693118913885/

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Statement

[Statement] Asserting Freedom of Information, Expression and Association on Human Rights Day -KILUSAN

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Public school teachers in Central Luzon or Region 3 have successfully voted to have a union. The teachers see this as an important victory for the education sector. An overwhelming majority of them voted to have a union despite the “no union” campaign by local governments and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA).

The “no union” campaign was obviously along the overzealous counter-insurgency drive by the government. The competing unions were both “red-tagged”. Streamers and posters branding the unions as “communist” and “radical terrorists” appeared in many places in the region. The NICA conducted forums in schools. If teachers are not spared from these insidious attacks, the ordinary people would be certainly hapless.

These sinister acts by the government and intelligence community are affronts to the democratic rights of the people, especially the rights to organize and to redress grievances and freedom of expression, which are guaranteed by the Constitution. These are part of “whole-of-nation approach to end insurgency” which is “institutionalized” by Executive Order No. 70 which was signed by Duterte on December 4, 2018 or during human rights week last year. Duterte, from the start of his term, has several times blurted out disgust for human rights and human rights defenders.

EO 70 which creates the necessary structure or task force, under the Office of the President, to “end insurgency” in order to “attain peace”, actually consolidates the powers of the president and gives him more authority.

Accordingly, more memorandum circulars are being issued and House and Senate bills and resolutions filed to enact laws that would give more powers to the state and curtail people’s rights. Among these is the proposed amendment of the Anti-terror Law or Human Security Act of 2007 to give it more teeth by broadening the definition of terrorism so that critiquing the government would mean not only seditious but also a terrorist act.

Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) in Central Luzon, the teachers’ union that received the biggest number of votes in the just concluded certification election and, a member organization of KILUSAN, issued a statement earlier demanding an end to “red-tagging” and “discrediting” by government, police and military. University/college students, as well as workers, farmers and fisherfolks have also expressed apprehension and deep concern about the new policy directives.

Government’s intelligence agencies have red-tagged an increasing number of student organizations and student leaders. Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND), also a member organization of KILUSAN, said this frightens people from thinking about the real problems affecting the community and renders them passive and incapable of resolving their own problems.

We, from Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KILUSAN), are alarmed at the rate of diminishing spaces for people to participate in political action and public debate about social issues. The foundations of our democracy are being eroded. Duterte and other government leaders are even bereft of civility much more of sensibility. “The freedom of the press, free expression, association and the freedom to assemble to demand redress of our grievances, are Constitutional rights of every Filipino”, said Atty. Virgie Suarez, KILUSAN Secretary General, “I think these are the real targets of the various executive orders and issuances by the government, to limit the venues of our actions for change.”
“But where should change come from if not from the people themselves?”. “Genuine solutions could only come from a vibrant public participation in civic spaces. Without it we are all dependent on only one idea coming from the ruling powers, and we know how that usually turns out.”

Thus, we have to uphold and defend human rights by asserting and fighting for people’s democratic and sovereign rights. The essence of democracy is peoples’ sovereignty. The people must realize the principle, “sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from the people”. We, Filipinos have experienced being ruled by a dictator before. We ended it. We will not allow the resurgence of authoritarian, tyrannical rule in the country.

December 10, 2019
PRESS STATEMENT
Reference: Atty. Virginia Lacsa-Suarez, Secretary General (09088159923)

https://www.facebook.com/notes/kilusan-para-sa-pambansang-demokrasya/statement-asserting-freedom-of-information-expression-and-association-on-human-r/2930047993716787/

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Statement

[Statement] Fight for our rights! Defend our academic freedom! -YND

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Universities as higher institutions of learning act as safe spaces that encourage the free flow and exchange of ideas. It serves as an arena of ideas where only the most logical and sound arguments prevail. It is facilitated by academic freedom which develops critical thinking.

As Critical Thinking thrives in schools, they become “infrastructure of dissent” and “spaces for resistance.” It complements the nature of students since they are insatiable for new knowledge. Thus, “students who love to learn are willing to assume the obligation to always think in public regardless of what the authorities (political or disciplinary) say and thus push the inquiry or argument beyond where those authorities would like it to remain.”

This is what the Duterte administration wants to silence and destroy. The regime wants students to abandon critical thinking. The regime fully understands that “the critically minded person is not an undisciplined skeptic, but one who can detect contradictions between principle and practice, and between principles and the values to which they purportedly lead as means. Critical thinking is not the ability to solve problems within the established parameters of social, economic, political, aesthetic, and intellectual-scientific life. Change is impossible if all that people can do is apply the given rules.”

Therefore, dissent should be suppressed, and resistance nipped in the bud. Assaults on students’ rights are pursued through militarizing the campuses and instituting various measure of surveillance scheme on individuals critical of Pres. Duterte’s regime:

Rampant attempts at campus militarization and surveillance legitimizes the baseless red-tagging that has put the students’ safety at risk. Red tagging is basically criminalizing dissent. Activism is now deemed as a criminal act.

Despite the long respected 1980 tripartite Soto-Enrile Accord, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) persist in entering campuses using flimsy excuses. Obviously, these are meant to intimidate students and instill fear among those who wish to reveal the crimes that the administration has committed against those it is meant to empower.

The implementation of the Mandatory Drug testing in Higher Education Institutions attempts to bring the bloody war on drugs or the war against the poor from the communities into the schools. Facilitated by a CHED Memo 18, it serves as a pretext to allows members of the PNP to enter schools under the guise of legitimate drug-related operations. More so, CHED has lent justification for such entry by stating that there is a drug-use problem existing in the UP Diliman campus.

The return of Mandatory Reserved Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) acts as a superficial form of nationalism, which would train students to merely follow without question. Forcing all Grades 11 and 12 Filipino students to participate in a program mired with a history of hazing and violence will only breed a generation of individuals who value discipline above honor, and nation above principles. It will only promote “soldier mentality” among the students who will be trained to act without question, under the guise of false patriotism.

There are schools whose student publications are subjected to the school administrators’ censorship and school councils that still have to assert their independence.

More so, other attacks on the youth include the P11.65 Billion Budget Cut of CHED in the Proposed 2020 National Budget slashing the budget of the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education and the Student Financial Assistance Programs affecting the 1.5 Million beneficiaries and forcing nearly two-thirds to take a government-imposed tuition tuition-subsidy holiday. Essentially, the budget cut robs students both from public and private institutions of their right to education.

The Lowering of the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility is an inherently anti-poor policy aimed at further marginalization of the youth. Children, an incredibly vulnerable sector are prone to abuse and manipulation. In their development stage, it is unjust for them to be tried as criminals for actions that they may not fully comprehend. This policy is an outright violation of children’s rights. Criminalizing children as young as 12 is proof of a justice system that prioritizes punishment over restorative youth programs.

We, the undersigned, denounce these attempts by Duterte’s administration to curtail the academic freedom of the Filipino youth. We demand for the abolition or repealing of any policy which compromises the rights of the students to safety and security, discourages critical thinking and criminalizes student activism. Under the facade of protecting national security, these policies have proven time and time again that Duterte, like any tyrant fears the awaking of power among the students.

True progress and justice must always be for the people. It entails the empowerment of the marginalized, not oppression. It cultivates and upholds the values of democracy, not destruction.

In the face of great adversity, the youth stands united.

– Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND-PH)
– College of Social Science and Philosophy Student Council (CSSPSC- UP Diliman)
– Millennials PH (MPH)
-Young Human Rights Defenders
– Kaisa Ka Youth
– Teatrong Bayan
-Mulat Student Party – PUP

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Statement

[Statement] Put human rights at the center of policies & development -AMRSP-Mission Partners

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

“My order is shoot to kill you. I don’t care about human rights, you better believe me.”
– President Rodrigo Duterte 1
And true to his words, drug-related deaths are now into the thousands. Yet there are no clear statistics on how many have in fact been killed. 2

A. SOURCE: #RealNumbersPH
Number KILLED in War on Drug: 5,526 deaths of “drug personalities”. (June 2019)

B. SOURCE: Philippine National Police
Number KILLED in War on Drug: 6,700

C. SOURCE: Commission on Human Rights
Number KILLED in War on Drugs: 27,000 drug related killings including drug-related killings carried out by vigilantes

We have more than 30,000 new martyrs in our midst. A new theology of martyrdom, a new martyrology for our times is an also act of resistance. 3
Following their commitment to prophetic witnessing, the Churches in the Philippines – Protestant, Evangelical, and Catholic, on their own accord, including non-government organizations, peoples’ organizations and government leaders intensified their protests against the human rights violations on the poor, women, children, those who resisted and opposed this madness of governance.

And like a relentless force, the government machinery, pitted those critical to the President Duterte’s policies against the people – the yellow oppositionist, the red terrorists, the seditionists. Everyone who stood for truth became enemies of the state.

 On July 2019, the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, filed charges of inciting to sedition, cyber libel and obstruction of Justice against thirty-five personalities, including Vice President Robredo, members of the Liberal party, Bishops Villegas, Ongtioco, David; Fathers Albert, Robert and Flavie over the viral videos of Peter Joemel Advincula that tagged President Duterte and his family in the drug trade. Some superiors of religious congregations, implicated by Peter Joemel were issued summons to appear for questioning by the PNP-CIDG.

 In quick succession, the Makabayan bloc in Congress, Bayan Muna, Ibon Foundation, the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines, Gabriela, ACT, the National Council of Churches were tagged as communist fronts. Offices of some of these organizations were raided and their staffs arrested.

 On December 6, Sr. Elenita Belardo, RGS, National Coordinator of the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), was granted temporary freedom from the perjury case filed against her by National Security Adviser Hermogenes Esperon Jr., following the warrant of arrest issued by a Quezon City court on Thursday. 4

Sadly, many Filipinos equate these human rights violations against life and freedom – as President Duterte’s brand of political will.

On December 10, 2018, Pope Francis gave this message in the International Conference on “Human Rights in the Contemporary World: Achievements, Omissions and Negations,” Dec. 10, 2018, at the Pontifical Gregorian University. 5

This exigency of justice and solidarity has special significance for us Christians, because the Gospel itself invites us to turn our gaze to the littlest of our brothers and sisters, to be moved to compassion (Cf. Matthew 14:14) and to commit ourselves concretely to alleviate their sufferings.
On this occasion, I wish to make a heartfelt appeal to all those that have institutional responsibilities, asking them to put human rights at the center of all policies, including those of cooperation for development, even when that means going against the current.

We call on all public servants to govern from the ethics of decency, fair play, justice, social equity and respect for the poor, marginalized and the most vulnerable.

We, the Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission of the Association of the Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines, together with the seven Mission Partners, will continue to walk together with the universal and local Church in “defense of human dignity, human rights, human lives; a defense of the liberation and well-being that Jesus brings.” 6

#RESIST

1 https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/1999755/i-dont-care-about-human-rights-philippines-duterte
2 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-50236481
3 https://www.facebook.com/notes/danny-pilario/extrajudicial-killings-the-church-confronts-the-state-in-the-philippines/10157446976989700/
4 https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1198933/nun-in-esperon-perjury-case-posts-bail#ixzz67Zr6bxGQ
5 https://zenit.org/articles/popes-appeal-human-rights-must-be-at-center-do-not-fear-going-against-the-grain/
6 https://www.facebook.com/notes/danny-pilario/extrajudicial-killings-the-church-confronts-the-state-in-the-philippines/10157446976989700/

https://www.facebook.com/notes/amrsp-association-of-major-religious-superiors-in-the-philippines/put-human-rights-at-the-center-of-policies-development/2211671635601400/

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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Statement

[Statement] Communities are not Targets: Defend the People -ATM

Posted on December 11, 2019 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

QUEZON CITY – Alyansa Tigil Mina joins various human rights and advocacy groups in marching to celebrate the International Human Rights Day. They are voicing out their concern on the alarming threats against human rights defenders, caused by the politics of fear perpetuated by the current administration.

Global Witness, an international human rights NGO, identified the Philippines as the most dangerous country for environmental and human rights defenders. Human rights defenders have been attacked and in some cases, killed by unknown men allegedly part of illegal logging, destructive mining, and corrupt agribusiness operations.

“Mga biktima kami ng mapanirang pagmimina. Kami ay nag hahangad lang ng magandang kinabukasan para sa aming pamilya tapos gagawin pa kaming target. Ginagawa lang nilang mas mapanganib ang buhay namin,” argued Malou Verano, Council of Leader, Alyansa Tigil Mina

We are the victims of destructive mining practices. We only aspire for a better future for our family, but we have become targets. They have endangered our lives.

The institutionalization of the whole-of-nation approach through Executive Order No. 70, s. 2018 has only increased the risk amongst anyone who would oppose the continued aggressive development practices. This policy enables individuals and groups from destructive mining operations to act violently against those who would oppose these harmful practices.

“Instead of targetting communities that have already been victimized, we call on the government to stop endangering environmental defenders and start holding these companies accountable for the destruction they have caused our environment,” stated Jaybee Garganera, National Coordinator, Alyansa Tigil Mina.

Alyansa Tigil Mina continues to uphold and defend the rights of environmentalists and activists that continue to protect the environment.

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