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[Press Release] Green activists and rights groups launch campaign asking PNoy to prioritize peoples’ rights and environment over profit from mining

Posted on July 19, 2014 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Green activists and rights groups launch campaign asking PNoy to prioritize peoples’ rights and environment over profit from mining

A week before President Benigno Aquino’s 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 28, rights groups, environmental activists and advocates intensified their call for PNoy to act decisively on what according to them is the root cause of grave abuses on human rights and environment impacted on mining affected communities.

They reiterated the need to scrap the Mining Act of 1995 and certify as urgent the legislation of the Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB).

The group is holding a nationwide appeal addressing President Aquino, through maximizing all forms of actions, including appeal letter sending, mass actions and social networking site. They are initiating a simultaneous and nationwide campaign which they dubbed as “Sa SONA: Dapat Tao Muna Hindi Mina! Dapat AMMB Ipasa NA!” a week before the SONA.

“Not acting on this law is a clear violation of human rights. It is submitting the peoples’ rights and welfare to corporate greed and thus promoting corporate impunity,” Jaybee Garganera, head of Alyansa Tigil Mina (ATM) said pertaining to the Mining Act of 1995,.

“We have recorded numerous human rights abuses perpetrated by Mining Companies and human rights violations by some government personnel but the government remains numb and we received no decisive actions to address them,” Emmanuel Amistad, Executive Director of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) lamented.

“The bill to increase revenue from mining that was proposed and crafted by the MICC and that was submitted to the Office of the Presidents is not enough,” Garganera added.

“Although we welcome this proposal as a development, we see it as treating issues on mining as mere income and profit concerns and neglecting the issues of rights and environment,” he added.

The group explained that, “what our country needs is a law that would benefit us as a nation in a holistic manner – rights- based , environment friendly – and not in a profiteering, greed driven and destructive way. Facing the problems in piece meal legislations will not answer and justify the destruction that the said law has caused the environment.”

“It has been exposed many times, that the Mining Act of 1995 is a law that mainly prioritizes profit for the few over the rights and welfare of the many and at the expense of our environment. It has been proven to worsen the life of the people in the affected communities over claims and promises of progress and development,” Said Amistad.
In the middle of plunder, graft and corruption controversies in the government, the group cited that on the issue of mining, there are also alleged practices of corruption that concerned government agencies are allegedly involved in.

Senator Juan Ponce Enrile, who is facing charges on PDAF Scam is also the head of a political dynasty in Cagayan which has condoned and abetted the proliferation of black sand mining in the province despite repeated raids and arrests of miners with no proper permits.

“There are only two years left for President Aquino to once and for all heed the call for the scrapping of this law that causes not only too much suffering on our people but also destruction to our environment, PNoy must act now!” Amistad concluded.

PRESS RELEASE
July 19, 2014

For more information pls contact:
Egay Cabalitan, TFDP Advocacy Staff, 09288443717, egay.advocacytfdp@gmail.com
Check Zabala, ATM Media and Communications Officer, (0927) 623.50.66 checkzab@gmail.com

Sa SONA: Dapat Tao Muna Hindi Mina! Dapat AMMB Ipasa NA!
WEBSITE http://taomunahindimina.wordpress.com/2014/07/19/sa-sona-dapat-tao-muna-hindi-mina-dapat-ammb-isabatas-na/
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/TaoMunaHindiMina
TWITTER @TaoMunaDiMina

Press Release

[Event] State of the Indigenous Peoples Address 2014 -LRC-KSK

Posted on July 13, 2014 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Dear Partners, Friends, and Advocates,

This July 28,President Benigno Aquino III will deliver his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA) and in the last 4 SONAs he is not even mentioning the plight of the indigenous peoples in their right to self-determination.

The Aquino government caused serious concerns on his development agenda relying on the Private-Public Partnershipwhich favors corporate profit than responding to the needs of the peoples, has brought more problems than solutions, more hardships than ease to the lives of the indigenous peoples and rural communities. The increasing large-scale mining permits issued, coal operating contracts, agro-industrial conversions and escalating human rights impact to these businesses.

The promise of change has been central to the Aquino’s campaign. Has the first 4 years showed concrete steps towards the direction of change? How does this administration inform itself of the issues and problems faced by the indigenous peoples? And how has it position itself to be able to address these issues?

The women and men leaders of the indigenous communities will come together in their annual gathering of SIPA to reflect and assess on how the Aquino government took seriously its promise of change. This time, the SIPA 2014 will continuously remind the government on the Indigenous Peoples agenda.

With this, we invite you to join the culmination event on July 25, 2014 (Friday) at Bulwagan ni Rizal Hall, Faculty Building, UP Campus, Diliman, Quezon City from 9:00am to 1:30pm.

The SIPA or the State of the Indigenous Peoples Address is a national gathering of indigenous peoples to present to the President of the Philippine government and the Filipino people the true state and plight of the indigenous peoples, their issues and concerns, their aspirations and their struggles to protect and promote their rights as communities and as peoples; and how these have remained to be neglected and ignored by the Philippine government. The first SIPA was held in 2008, and has become an annual event since then.

For additional information or clarification, please contact Carl Cesar “Cocoi” Rebuta at 0905-327-2676 or email at cocoy.rebuta@lrcksk.org or visit FB page Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center.

Event

[Press Release] Gov’t urged to bare and disclose MRT-3 mess before asking for a fare hike -PM

Posted on August 16, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Gov’t urged to bare and disclose MRT-3 mess before asking for a fare hike

Before considering any hike in MRT and LRT rates, the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) is asking the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) to bare and disclose the real score behind the failed Build-Lease-Transfer (BLT) MRT-3 project which condemned the government with tremendous financial headaches.

In a position paper it plans to submit prior to the public consultations being organized by DOTC, PM demands that all parties be provided with the following documents:

1. The original BLT contract between the DOTC and the MRTC, including contract price, guaranteed passenger traffic, and amendments that were made;
2. A factual presentation of why the government was forced to assume the operations and maintenance of MRT-3 from MRTC and why the latter hailed the former before the Arbitration Court in Singapore;
3. The proposed Compromise Agreement with MRTC as mentioned under Executive Order No. 126 signed by President Aquino on February 28, 2013;
4. Audited financial statements of MRT/LRT systems, including BLT amortization and local tax liabilities of MRTC assumed by the government; and,
5. Other available relevant documents.

“Hindi lang dapat tama ang kwenta. Dapat tama rin ang kwento,” stated PM spokesman Wilson Fortaleza, pointing out that Pepe and Pilar deserved to be apprised of the real story behind the numbers as well as the truth on why the MRT-3 project turned into a big mess.

President Aquino during his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) complained of the big subsidies taxpayers pay for MRT and LRT commuters. He said the amount of subsidy in MRT line is P45 and in LRT lines P25. To reduce this burden, he proposed that rates in the MRT/LRT systems be brought closer to the rates of air-conditioned buses. The President’s numbers, however, are being contested by PM.

DOTC puts the annual subsidy for the MRT and LRT systems at P6-B, down from P7-B in the previous years. The agency has recently floated the idea of asking for a P10 hike in MRT/LRT rates.

The labor group said based on initial reports, some P75-B of subsidy for MRT-3 had been spent by the government for the past ten years and close to that amount for LRT 1 and 2.

“If such is true, private investors and creditor banks had already made the killings out of the MRT-3 contract,” said Fortaleza, adding that the project cost amounted to US$679-M only in 2007 or about P20-B based on the prevailing exchange rate at that time.

“So after coughing out P75-B, are we going to continue to pay them P6-B annually for the next 10 years?” lamented Fortaleza.

Ownership of the private concession was also mired in corporate complexity after the consortium Metro Rail Transit Corporation (MRTC) owned by the Sobrepenas, Ramos and Ayala, who bagged the MRT-3 contract securitized their interests through bond issues and which later was bought back by the government through the Land Bank and the Development Bank of the Philippines.

MRTC loans were backed by government’s sovereign undertakings similar to the notorious IPP contracts in the power industry which carried “take-or-pay” provisions.

“The country had loads of bad experience in onerous IPP contracts. The MRT project happened under the same regimes of BOT contracts during the time of President Ramos and as such, it must have suffered the same flaws,” explained Fortaleza.

Partido ng Manggagawa insists that costs borne out of onerous contracts, corporate fraud, or flawed executive decisions should not be passed on to consumers.

If such is proven, PM demands that the BLT contract is not only terminated but rescinded at no further cost to the government and any liabilities accrued from such onerous or fraudulent transactions should not be passed on to commuters.

NEWS RELEASE
Partido ng Manggagawa
15 August 2013
Contact: Wilson Fortaleza
09178233956; 09053732185; 09225261138

MRT-LRT fare costs more, says Palace (manilastandardtoday.com)
LRT, MRT to raise fares by P5 this year (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
MRT fare hike will only pay debts, militants say (newsinfo.inquirer.net)
MRT, LRT fare hike a ‘bitter pill to swallow’ – Palace (rappler.com)

Press Release

[Press Release] Spate of Journalist Killings, Government Inaction Contributes to Erosion of Media Freedom -HRW

Posted on August 11, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Philippines: Spate of Journalist Killings
Government Inaction Contributes to Erosion of Media Freedom

(Manila, August 9, 2013) – Philippines President Benigno Aquino III should speak out against the recent killings of three journalists and ensure that the authorities expedite their investigation, Human Rights Watch said today. While the killers and motives are unknown, these and past unresolved attacks on journalists have a chilling effect on media freedom in the country.

“The latest killings and threats against journalists underscore the precarious state of media freedom in the Philippines and the need for the government to respond,” said Phelim Kine, deputy Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Unless the government brings people who attack journalists to justice, these killings are not going to stop.”

On July 30, 2013, unknown assailants shot and killed Richard Kho, 47, and Bonifacio Loreto Jr., 59, both columnists for the weekly tabloid Aksyon Ngayon, in Quezon City, Metro Manila. Two days later, on August 1, unidentified gunmen killed a freelance photojournalist, Mario Sy, 53, in the southern city of General Santos. Police have not made any arrests in the killings.

That same week, a broadcast journalist, Ces Drilon, received text messages threatening to “erase” her after her network, ABS-CBN, aired her report on the Maguindanao Massacre, in which 58 people, most of them journalists, were executed in 2009. While her news show reported on a bombing in Cagayan de Oro City she received a text message that read: “You’re next to explode.”

Although the number of extrajudicial killings has declined since 2010, when Aquino took office, certain groups, such as environmental and labor activists, and journalists, continue to be recurring targets of attack.

Journalism has long been a high-risk profession in the Philippines. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, some 73 journalists have been murdered in the Philippines since 1992; local media groups put the number considerably higher. The Philippines consistently ranks as among the “top 3” in the organization’s list of “deadliest countries” for journalists.

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines said that the three recent killings brought the number of journalists killed in the country under the Aquino administration to 18. Journalists, particularly outside the major cities, regularly report threats and harassment. The union said that most of the journalists killed had received death threats.

The Aquino administration has announced reforms to the criminal justice system that could result in more effective criminal investigations, but has not fully implemented them, Human Rights Watch said. For instance, Administration Order 35, issued by the Aquino administration in 2012, authorized the creation of a government “super body” to coordinate and expedite the actions of various criminal justice organs on specific high-priority cases. However, eight months later, that body is stalled at the stage of identifying appropriate cases to pursue.

Aquino began his term with a promise to promote and respect human rights, and pressed for the passage of several laws to improve human rights, but this has not translated into significant improvements on the ground. In particular there has been little progress in prosecuting human rights abusers. In his State of the Nation Address in July, which outlined the priorities of his administration’s final three years, Aquino did not mention human rights, raising concerns that less attention would be given to human rights issues.

“The Philippines has a reputation for having one of the freest media freedom environments in Asia, but that reputation disappears bit-by-bit with every killing of a journalist,” Kine said. “President Aquino needs to realize that this problem won’t go away on its own.”

To read Human Rights Watch’s World Report 2013 chapter on the Philippines, “Philippines: A Year of Pluses, Minuses on Rights,” please visit:
http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/01/philippines-year-pluses-minuses-rights

To read the Human Rights Watch report “‘No Justice Just Adds to the Pain’: Killings, Disappearances, and Impunity in the Philippines,” please visit:
http://www.hrw.org/reports/2011/07/18/no-justice-just-adds-pain-0

For more Human Rights Watch reporting on the Philippines, please visit:
http://www.hrw.org/asia/-philippines

Philippines: Spate of Journalist Killings | Human Rights Watch (worldhumanrights.wordpress.com)
Killing Journalists in Philippines (venitism.blogspot.com)
HRW: Philippines must take action over journalist killings (jurist.org)
[From the web] Dispatches: Philippines Should Revoke Blacklisting of Protester by Carlos Conde (hronlineph.com)
Philippines: Spate of Journalist Killings (hrw.org)

Press Release

[From the web] Dispatches: Philippines Should Revoke Blacklisting of Protester by Carlos Conde

Posted on August 8, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Dispatches: Philippines Should Revoke Blacklisting of Protester
by Carlos Conde
Follow @condeHRW

Thomas van Beersum, a 20-year-old Dutch citizen, was about to board his flight Tuesday morning back to the Netherlands when the Philippines Bureau of Immigration stopped him and detained him for the next 30 hours at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila. Officially, his crime was overstaying his visa, a charge Beersum disputes. Immigration officials, however, were emphatic about why he was detained: Beersum had joined an anti-government rally on July 23, 2013, near the Philippine Congress where President Benigno Aquino III delivered his State of the Nation address.

Bureau of Immigration Officer-in-Charge Siegfred Mison told the media Beersum had violated visa rules because he joined the protest. Foreign visitors, Mison said, should not join such protests. Apart from detaining Beersum, the immigration bureau also declared him an “undesirable alien,” put him on an “alert list order,” and blacklisted him, thus barring any future visits to the country of his fiancée.

That Beersum was arrested when he was already on his way out suggests this was nothing but harassment. The government’s behavior violates the guarantees of free expression and peaceful assembly to which foreign visitors as well as Philippine citizens are entitled under international law. It undermines Aquino’s claims that his administration respects human rights and values civil liberties.

While the administration seems to have time to chase foreigners protesting rights violations, it has fallen far short of its rhetoric to end impunity for serious abuses, an important topic that Aquino failed to mention in his State of the Nation address.

The Philippine government should revoke the blacklisting of Beersum. It should reject the immigration chief’s statement warning foreigners from joining in peaceful protest actions. Instead of harassing those who decry the continued violations of human rights, Aquino should welcome them.

http://www.hrw.org/news/2013/08/07/dispatches-philippines-should-revoke-blacklisting-protester

Philippines: Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, On the detention of Dutch activist Thomas van Beersum (maosoleum.wordpress.com)
[Statement] Internationalism : Free Thomas Van Beersum -LMK (hronlineph.com)
Philippines Deports Activist Who Made Cop Cry (news.sky.com)
Dutch activist in Sona protest leaves Philippines (globalnation.inquirer.net)
Rights groups condemn deportation, blacklisting of Dutch activist (bulatlat.com)

From the web

[Statement] Internationalism : Free Thomas Van Beersum -LMK

Posted on August 6, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines One comment

Internationalism : Free Thomas Van Beersum

The arrest of Thomas van Beersum, a Dutch activist while on his way hoe only proves the basis of the protest actions against Aquino government last 22nd of July 2013 on the President’s State of the Nation Address, particularly on the Human Rights concerns.

Beersum’s participation in the said protest was to call the attention of the authorities on the situation of the society especially with regards to Human Rights Violations. Beersum proved that one’s nationality do not hinder to free the oppressed.

If the government arrested Beersum, why foreign troops that blatantly violating human rights and the nation’s sovereignty were not arrested? Is it because they are allies and collaborators to tell the world that thinking that joining social movements and actions are meaningless, like what Beersum did?

To understand and saw the importance of joining social movements let us take a look to the lives and history of Adres Bonifacio, Jose Rizal, Emilio Jacinto at more. Without their movements and struggles we were not able to prove and showed that we are a society, a nation before being colonized and named Philippines. And the right to self-determination of the Bangsamoro and Lumad (Indigenous People) have not been subsumed by that colonization.

The arrest of Beersum is part of the massive propaganda to defeat that critical and radical thinking.

LMK and Beersum may differ in ideology, perspectives and strategies, but in the name of Human Rights, we recognize Beersum’s solidarity in the struggle of the oppressed and exploited class of the Philippines. Recognition of Human Rights cut across political, ideological, class, nationality and gender.

The same that we strongly condemn foreign interventions and interference in our economic and political affairs like China, America (USA), Japan, Malaysia and more. It is clearly not for the welfare and benefit of the oppressed and the poor. It is not internationalism, it is Imperialism and one form of oppression and exploitation. We have to unite our forces as oppressed across the world.

The warmth and spirit of the youth to join social movements to perform its meaningful tasks and responsibilities for the society, environment and the world shall not die and will not perish.

Mabuhay ang mga Kabataan!

FREE THOMAS VAN BEERSUM! FREE THE OPPRESSED! HUMAN RIGHTS ABOVE ALL!
Liga ng Makabagong Kabataan
Mindanao, Philippines
6 August 2013

lmkabataan@yahoo.com.ph

Statement

[Urgent Appeal] Violent Dispersal of Protest Action of Civil Society Organizations during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III -TFDP

Posted on July 27, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

URGENT APPEAL

July 24, 2013

(PHILIPPINES) Violent Dispersal of Protest Action of Civil Society Organizations during the State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Benigno Aquino III

Issues: Violent Dispersal; Harassment and Intimidation; Arbitrary Arrest and Detention; Human Rights Defenders; Freedom of Expression and Right to Organize; Physical Injuries; Command Responsibility

________________________________________________________________________________

Dear Friends,

The Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) is forwarding to you an appeal regarding the violent dispersal of demonstrators perpetrated by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) at the Southbound lane of Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, Philippines during the protest against the SONA of President Aquino on July 22, 2013 and is seeking your help to end violations against the Freedom of Assembly.

Around twenty (20) persons were hurt during the dispersal and one (1) person was arbitrarily arrested during the incident.

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 or call +632 4378054 or email tfdp.urgentappeals@gmail.com.

________________________________________________________________________________

FACTS OF THE CASE

Around 20 demonstrators were hurt and 1 person arbitrarily arrested in a violent dispersal during a protest action in Commonwealth Avenue Quezon Cityon July 22, 2013 at around 3 PM. The protest was in line with the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III.

The group of around 2,000 protesters led by the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) were shifting towards the southbound lane of the avenue when around 250 members of the PNP immediately blocked them and instructed them to leave.

Leaders of FDC tried to initiate a dialogue and negotiate with the police to allow them to continue their protests. However, Police Ground Commander Senior Superintendent Norberto Mabagay allegedly instructed the members of the PNP to push the demonstrators back to the northbound lane of the avenue. They also started grabbing the streamers and flags of the protesters.

Further violence erupted when members of the PNP cornered and attempted to pull out FDC leaders from the group. Some protesters at the frontline fell to the ground as the PNP continued pushing them. After a while, some of the PNP started shoving their truncheons and wooden sticks against the protesters.

Some of the demonstrators claimed that they were punched and kicked by members of the PNP who were wearing combat boots. They also noted that many of the PNP were not wearing their name tags.

The scuffle stopped when the demonstrators pleaded to the police to stop since there were already a number of persons injured. Among the casualties were Rasti Delizo, Aaron Pedrosa, Sammy Gamboa, Rapha-el Olegario and Alex Castro, who all obtained bruises and abrasions during the dispersal.

The police also claimed that they were also hurt during the dispersal and arrested Vincent Coronacion, 19 year old son of a member of the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) who came to the rally to accompany his mother. The police alleged that Vincent threw the rock that hit one of the police and were recommending that he be charged with multiple cases; resistance and disobedience upon an agent of a Person in Authority, Malicious Mischief, Direct Assault, Physical Injuries and Violation of BP 880. He was only released on July 23, 2013.

REQUESTED ACTION:

PLEASE SEND LETTERS TO THE CONCERNED GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO:

a) Investigate officers and members of the PNP deployed in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City during the SONA for their violent dispersal and if they are found to have committed grave abuse of authority for their excessive use of force against the Civil Society demonstrators and be held accountable for their actions.

b) Assurance from the PNP will use Maximum tolerance during protest activities and no similar violent action will be taken against protesters.

c) Guarantee the means for demonstrators to express and act freely in conformity with the bill of rights and freedoms as stated in the Philippine Constitution;

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

SAMPLE LETTER

Dear _________________,

RE: Violent Dispersal of Civil Society Group

I am writing you to draw your attention regarding the violent dispersal of a protest rally during the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III.

I have learned that around 250 members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) tried to disperse 2,000 demonstrators affiliated with the Freedom from Debt Coalition FDC) by using excessive means that elicited violence, that caused the injury of around 20 protesters.

It was also brought to my attention that after the incident, a young man from the group, Vincent Coronacion was arbitrarily arrested by the Police and recommended to be charged with multiple cases and was only freed a day after his arrest.

I am asking the concerned government agencies to investigate the actions taken by the PNP, as well as appropriate sanctions to be given if they have used excessive force.

I am also asking for the assurance of the concerned government agencies that no such repeat of this violence be done to protesters.

Finally, in view of the above mentioned information, I urge you to act quickly to correct this situation and ask that you inform us of the outcome of your investigation.

Respectfully yours,

____________________

PLEASE SEND YOUR LETTERS TO:
1. Mr. Benigno Simeon Aquino III

PRESIDENT

Republic of the Philippines

Malacañang Palace

JP Laurel Street, San Miguel

Manila 1005

PHILIPPINES

Fax: +63 2 7361010

Tel: +63 2 7356201/5641451 to 80

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

2. Mr. Mar Roxas

Secretary

Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)

A. Francisco Gold Condominium II

EDSA cor. Mapagmahal St., Diliman

Quezon City

Philippines 1100

Fax: +63 2 9250332

Tel: +63 2 9250330/9250331

Email: mar@marroxas.com/maia@marroxas.com/mbunico@dilg.gov.ph

3. Mr Herber Bautista

Mayor, Quezon City

3rd Floor, High-Rise Building

Elliptical Road, Brgy. Central

Diliman

Quezon City

Philippines 1100

Fax: +632 9216750

Tel: + 632 9884242 local 8300 to 8307/ 9243592

Email: mayor@quezoncity.gov.ph/ http://www.quezoncity,gov.ph

4. Police Director Alan LM. Purisima

Chief

Philippine National Police

Camp General Rafael Crame

Quezon City

Philippines

Fax: + 632 7248763/7230401

Tel: + 63 2 7264361/4366/8763

Email: feedback@pnp.gov.ph

5. Chairperson Loretta Ann P. Rosales

Commission on Human Rights (CHR)

SAAC Bldg. Commonwealth Avenue

U.P. Complex, Diliman

Quezon City

Philippines

Tel: +632 9285655/9266188

Fax: +632 9290102

Email: rosales.chr@gmail.com

________________________________________________________________________________

Kindly inform or copy-furnish tfdp.urgentappeals@gmail.com of urgent appeals sent to above government officials for monitoring purpose. Thanking you in advance for your time on this important and urgent matter.

Urgent Appeals

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

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

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

July 22, 2013

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

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

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

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

An outbreak of impunity can again occur anytime.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

No trade-off’s to end impunity.

Statement

[Statement] End inequality! End vulnerability -PMCJ

Posted on July 23, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

SONA 2013:
END INEQUALITY! END VULNERABILITY

We, members of the Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ), a national coalition of national networks/groups and national formations coming from grassroots communities and basic sectors that are greatly affected by the devastating impacts of global warming and climate change, strongly urge the government of President Benigno Aquino to END INEQUALITY, END VULNERABILITY NOW!

INEQUALITY and JOBLESS GROWTH

On July 22, 2013 Pnoy will deliver his 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA). Like his past SONA he will pride himself of his administrations so called gains and achievements. His “bosses “will again hear about GDP growth which for ordinary Filipinos mean nothing since it has not stopped the rumblings of their hungry stomachs.

The ambitious Philippine Development Plan of 2011-2016 unveiled last 2011 serves as the main ingredient of the Pnoy administration’s “social pact” with the Filipino people and indicates where his “Tuwid na Daan” will lead us.

Now, halfway in its implementation, the Filipino masses are still plunged deep in poverty. The National Statistics Coordination Board (NSCB) in its latest report announced that present national poverty rate only decreased by 0.7% since 2009.

The Social Weather Station (SWS) survey conducted from March19-22 this year reveals that unemployment rate is on the rise at 25.45% – equivalent to 11.1 million people – as compared to December 2012 data of 24.6% — equivalent to 10.1 million jobless individuals.

The high economic growth of 2012 and first quarter of 2013 and the series of favorable international credit ratings are not evidence of Pnoy’s success in poverty alleviation.

The President Aquino peddles the notion that high growth driven by private investment and consumer spending, coupled with handouts (CCTs). will eventually eliminate poverty – the classic trickle-down theory which has consistently been exposed as a big failure.

Social injustices and inequality worsen and persist because of elite ownership and control of economic resources combined with neo-liberal economic policies implemented by previous governments and continued by the Aquino government.

END VULNERABILITY!

Rising inequality and joblessness in the face of high economic growth is evidence that it is the rich and high income sectors that are mainly benefitting from the GDP growth. Impoverished Filipinos are experiencing not only worsening inequality and joblessness – these conditions make them even more vulnerable to the climate crisis.

In the past decade, the Philippines has been in the top 5 most vulnerable country in the world in terms of extreme weather events related to the climate crisis. The Philippines has been ranked first and fourth on the 2006 and 2012 German Watch Climate Risk Index and ranked 6th by Maplecroft in its 2010 Climate Risk Index. Metro Manila is second amongst vulnerable metropolis in the world in 2012.

While the current administration score some positive points in confronting climate change, including the passage of the P1 billion People’s Survival Fund (PSF) and the strong stance of the Philippine delegation in the international climate negotiations, these are overshadowed by the PNoy Governments culpability for continuation of policies that exacerbate the climate crisis and its impacts. For instance, destructive mining and logging operations continue largely unabated.

DIRTY and HARMFUL “DEVELOPMENT” TRACK

Under the P-Noy Administration, we have witness the continued push for a “development” track that is destructive of our rich but environment and eco-systems, weakens our people’s adaptive capabilities and fuels climate disasters.

Despite the new policy of P-Noy Administration on mining – EO 79 – devastating mining exploration and operations continue Though there are positive components of the current mining policy, it is largely unresponsive to the main issues raised by affected communities and perpetuates the plunder of our mineral resources under the Mining Act of 1995.

In the face of climate change the call for a shift to cleaner, accessible, affordable and renewable energy sources is fast gaining support, but the P-Noy government is pushing for more coal plants and coal mining across the country. Aside from the severe effects of coal plants on local populations and eco systems — coal burning comprises 60% of the total global carbon dioxide emissions.

Under the Philippine Energy Plan (PEP 2010-2030) of the government 26 more coal plants are already in the pipeline to be constructed. To supply the growing demand for coal resources, a total of 76 coal operating contracts were given. Like other mineral mining, environmental and social problems will most likely be a feature of this track.

Pagbabago ng Panahon, Panahon ng Pagbabago

Thus, PMCJ calls on the P-Noy Administration to take decisive steps to shift away from inequitable, harmful and dirty growth-fixated economic strategy. He has wasted the past three years of his administration; there is still time to take on a different path.

END INEQUALITY! END VULNERABILITY!
Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ)
July 22, 2013

Statement

[Statement] Human Rights Watch reaction on PNoy’s SONA 2013

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Human Rights Watch reaction on PNoy’s SONA 2013

“We are dismayed that President Aquino, in his State of the Nation Address today, chose not to talk about the continuing culture of impunity in the Philippines. We are disappointed that he did not take the opportunity to communicate to the military and the police that they will be held accountable for human rights violations. President Aquino’s failure to denounce abuses against outspoken activists, environmentalists, clergy and journalists sends the wrong message to abusive security forces and corrupt politicians.”

James Ross
Legal and Policy Director
Human Rights Watch

[Press Release] Aquino too insecure for this year’s SONA — CTUHR

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Aquino too insecure for this year’s SONA — CTUHR

The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) criticized the very tight security employed by the police by installing razor sharp wires along Commonwealth Ave. to keep the protesters away from Batasan Complex in time for the President’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) this afternoon, July 22.

“Maybe President Aquino is too insecure of his performance to resort to installing those barbed wires kilometers away from where he is going to deliver his SONA” Daisy Arago, Executive Director of CTUHR asked.

Arago also said that such security measure is ominous of what is forthcoming to those who refused to be lured if not fooled by the rosy picture of SONA which [Pres. Aquino] wants the nation to believe.

“The razor sharp wires sharply show that P-Noy is willing to listen only to those who agree to what he has to say and is meant to harm those who are critical or opposed to his administration’s programs and policies. And clearly, it is the protesting people largely coming from the marginalized section of society whom the government is trying to bar.” Arago said.

Thousands of protesters coming from various sectors—workers, peasants, students, professionals, women, urban poor among others—is staging a rally to demonstrate the “real” state of the nation.

“Surely, the President will boast again of the growing economy, the administration’s fight against corruption, its public private partnership and 4Ps program. But alongside these so-called achievements, unemployment remains high at over 10%, the gap between the poor and the rich is widening and the human rights situation is still appalling,” Arago added.

Arago also said that in the last three years of this administration, “we have seen how the interest of the capitalists, foreign investors, and foreign allies such as the US has been favored by the Philippine government over national sovereignty and the welfare of the people.” Arago cited the Balikatan exercises, the move to change the Constitution to allow full foreign ownership of land and property, higher prices for basic utilities, and dismantling of homes and displacement of the poor as some glaring examples pro-rich, pro-US and neo-liberal policies of the administration.

“The worsening situation for the majority of Filipinos will definitely prompt the people to question, if not reclaim, the Aquino administration’s authority. But unless the administration realizes that he is walking the wrong path and reverses his anti-people policies, then more and bigger protests will surely flood the roads leading to Batasan and Malacanang no matter how sharp and strong wires those barricades are made of.” Arago said.

RELEASE
22 July 2013
For reference: Daisy Arago, CTUHR Executive Director, 09162484876

Press Release

[Press Release] Workers challenge to PNoy’s SONA: Address inequality -PM

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Workers challenge to PNoy’s SONA: Address inequality

#SONA2013 Photo by Partido ng Manggagawa

In time for President Benigno Aquino III’s fourth State of the Nation Address, the labor group Partido ng Manggagawa called on the government to address the “central problem of inequality.” “We echo the Catholic bishops call to PNoy that he should do more for the poor even as workers specifically ask that government address the core issue of inequality. Despite GDP growth, mass poverty has remained unchanged and income equality has widened because only 40 wealth families are monopolizing the gains of economic development,” insisted Renato Magtubo, PM national chairperson.

PM together with allied labor groups under the umbrella of Nagkaisa! will mobilize this afternoon in a counter-SONA rally along Commonwealth Avenue. Workers and poor from Nagkaisa!, Freedom from Debt Coalition and Kampanya para sa Makataong Pamumuhay will assemble at 1:00 p.m. near Tandang Sora and then march towards the direction of the Batasang Pambansa.

“The next three years will just be more of the same if PNoy does not face reality. To address inequality, government must stop blaming the National Statistical Coordination Board’s data and instead fault the policies that exacerbate the gap between the rich and poor,” Magtubo asserted.

He added that “PNoy’s SONA will undoubtedly focus on proposals that serve as his legacy to the nation. But without measures to respond to the problem of inequality, PNoy’s legacy will be poverty amidst growth.’

“In his SONA, PNoy will pay lip service to inclusive growth but programs such as CCT are mere token reforms that are targeted and not universal. Workers demand comprehensive measures to solve mass unemployment, job contractualization, starvation wages and high prices of basic goods and privatized services such as water and electricity,” Magtubo elaborated.

Citing a study of Cielito Habito, Magtubo averred that “Just 40 rich families control 76% of the country’s GDP. Their combined wealth of US$ 57 billion is more than the current annual budget of government.”

He furthered that “They have not only monopolized the country’s wealth but have also taken control of our lives. They own the corporations that supply water and electricity to our homes, the biggest banks that command financial capital, the real estate businesses that have expropriated the land in the cities to the detriment of the poor, the providers of telecommunications services which everyone uses daily and even the media networks that shape popular culture and ideas.”

Press Release
July 22, 2013
Partido ng Manggagawa
Contact Renato Magtubo @ 09178532905

Press Release

[Statement] A Postscript to the Wealth Sharing Deal -Mindanao CSOs

Posted on July 22, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

A Postscript to the Wealth Sharing Deal

We, Mindanao civil society groups, sighed with relief when the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) finally signed the Annex on the Revenue Generation and Wealth Sharing Agreement last Sunday, July 14, 2013. Some would say it’s historic but not as euphoric as the Framework Agreement on the Bangsa-moro (FAB) . Some likened it to giving birth complete with labor pains and all, since after the FAB signing, it took almost nine months of conceiving, reviewing, and even changing the mode of negotiations midstream before it was delivered as one of the crucial consensus agreements in the GPH-MILF peace process .

That momentous midnight should be appreciated in the light of how the two Parties, H.E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III, Chair Murad Ebrahim, their respective panels led by Chair Miriam Ferrer and Chair Mohagher Iqbal, Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process Teresita Deles, Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda and their cohorts – rolled up their sleeves to hurdle the process and arrive at a breakthrough.

They deserve to be congratulated as they continue to offer the olive branch.

They deserve to be affirmed not only by our accolades. They deserve the Filipinos’ respect when they collectively exude as sincere peacemakers and shine the brightest at the darkest hour of the negotiations; when commitment to the peace writ large mattered most more than their respective interest and agenda – this is indeed, dialogue at its finest. They deserve our standing ovation in delivering for the Bangsamoro people and the country as a whole.

Negotiating for peace, after all, is a product of an incremental process – of standing by on agreed principles, maintaining the climate of trust, and widening the consensus agenda. Hence, the Annex on Wealth Sharing agreement is but one of the milestones to remind us of the cleared path behind us and the rugged road that lies before us while we search for solutions to the Bangsamoro question.

As we hold close to our hearts and ideals the significance of the month of July – in the observance of the Holy Month of Ramadhan, and the upcoming 4th State of the Nation Address (SONA) of Pres. Aquino – we, the Mindanao CSOs and our partner stakeholders and communities, earnestly appeal to all key actors the following :

1. For President PNoy to consistently standby your Social Contract with the Filipino People and translate the specific provision on Peace and Order #14 into reality. (On Peace and Order : 14. From a disjointed, short-sighted Mindanao policy that merely reacts to events and incidents to one that seeks a broadly supported just peace and will redress decades of neglect of the Moro and other peoples of Mindanao).

2. For the incoming 16th Congress to believe in the outcomes of the peace process and deliver for the Bangsamoro :
• internalize the urgency of the Bangsamoro Basic Law as a priority legislative agenda;
• appreciate that a politically-negotiated settlement will redound to an empowered region which will serve as an impetus for development, positively affecting the surrounding areas of the core territory of the Bangsamoro and beyond;
• convince their constituents to build on the ownership of ALL in this transformation happening in Philippine society- at the very heart of Mindanao;

3. For the public to engage in a constant dialogue to understand the essence of self-governance and its positive implications to the over-all nation-building of the country; that it’s not about the “other” getting what you have, but it’s about living together – sharing responsibility of building stable and resilient communities.

4. For the media to appreciate the primacy of “peace reportage” and mainstream the peace process in the public agenda. That media practitioners should be “agents of an informed public” in the peace process instead of “agents of misinformation”.

5. For the GPH and MILF peace panels and the mechanisms in the over-all peace architecture of the Bangsamoro to :
• Stay on course and maintain a time-bound peace table. Our direst plea is NOT to allow a “protracted negotiations” mode since this increases vulnerability of the process from negativity and consequently erodes trust and support.
• Continue to make the process inclusive and transparent. Only structured opportunities for public participation will ensure a more durable and lasting peace.
• Ensure that the bottom lines of civil society and the grassroots will be part of the agenda and consensus agreements of both Parties.
• Allow space for the voices of the un/underrepresented sectors within or adjacent to the core territory (i.e. indigenous peoples, women) to be heard and reflected in the upcoming signed agreements and the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
The health of a peace negotiations built on trust and consensus on the substantive agenda will always serve as basis of our “sense of urgency” battle cry which goes beyond the deadline issue. As you carry out agreeing on the remaining Annexes on Power-Sharing and Normalization and the final agreement, our two-pronged essential project now is making the Bangsamoro an imperative in the public and policy agenda and encouraging the public to own and extend support to this transformative process.

We, the Mindanao CSOs, guarantee our steadfast commitment in seeing through the process even beyond the final agreement to be reached by both Parties – until the full establishment of the Bangsamoro government.

Thus, we pledge our share of olive branch.
Signed :

Agong Peace Network
Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS)
Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID)
Lanao Peace Partners
Mindanao Coalition of Development NGOs (MINCODE)
Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW)
Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC)
Peacebuilders Community, Inc
People’s Coalition for ARMM Reform and Transformation (People’s CART)

PRESS STATEMENT
On the State of the Nation Address (SONA)2013
July 22, 2013

Contact Persons:

Guiamel Alim, Chair, Consortium of Bangsamoro Civil Society (CBCS) & Lead Convenor, Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW); Contact # 09177247579
Gus Miclat, Executive Director, Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID) & Secretary-General Mindanao PeaceWeavers (MPW); Contact # 09177013099

Statement

[Press Release] Groups call on PNoy: Likas Yaman Depensahan, Karapatan Proteksyunan Enact three green bills—NLUMA, FRB, AMMB

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

Groups call on PNoy: Likas Yaman Depensahan, Karapatan Proteksyunan
Enact three green bills—NLUMA, FRB, AMMB

Photo by PhilRights

Days before President Benigno “PNoy” Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), at least five hundred advocates and activists marched to the House of Representatives in Batasan to call on the President and Congress to defend the Philippine’s natural resources and protect people’s rights through the enactment of three green bills.

Calling for the enactment of the National Land Use Management Act (NLUMA), Forest Resources Bill (FRB) and Alternative Minerals Management Bill (AMMB) are the Campaign for Land use Policy Now! (CLUP Now!), Sagip GUBAT and SOS Yamang Bayan networks.

The “Green Groups” urged PNoy to recognize these urgent concerns in his SONA and to certify urgent the three “Green” bills that will not only address our environmental problems but also protect the rights of Filipino communities to a thriving environment and livelihood opportunities.

Erwin Quiñones, national coordinator of SOS Yamang Bayan explained: “Two years ago we asked the President: gawing luntian ang tuwid na daan. Unfortunately, he failed us. Now we call on the government again to prioritize these three environment bills that will address land use problems, deforestation and minerals management.

“Eventually, these legislative measures will contribute to the rehabilitation and stability of our eccosystems and will raise our capacity to fight the impacts of climate change and a growing population ,” he added.

Photo Green March (pre SONA 2013) with our lead green champions at the House of Representatives. greenresearch.gwen@gmail.com

Reps. Barry Gutierrez III of Akbayan Partylist, Teddy Brawner-Baguilat Jr of Ifugao, Jorge “Bolet” Banal of the 3rd Distict of Quezon City, and Kaka Bag-ao of Dinagat, who support these bills met the group as they arrived in Batasan. The group is composed of indigenous peoples, farmers and fisherfolks, urban poor, women, human rights advocates, environmentalists and students.

Rep. Gutierrez urged President Aquino to ‘paint’ his administration green and champion important laws to safeguard the environment.

“President Aquino during the start of his administration used the color yellow as a symbol in the people’s campaign to fight for transparency and end a corrupt past and then employed the color purple in the struggle for the passage of the Reproductive Health law. It’s just fitting that, in the remaining years of his presidency, he should also paint his administration green and push for the passage of laws crucial for the protection of the environment,” according to Gutierrez.

NLUMA already has the support of President Aquino which he mentioned in his SONA in 2010 and certified as urgent piece of legislation last Congress. However, the bill was derailed in the Senate after it was reverted back to the Second Reading with the motion of reconsideration at the last minute by Senator Marcos, Enrile, and Villar. NLUMA was also excluded in the list of agenda last 2 session days in the Senate ending its chances of being passed into law last 15th Congress.

Reps. Kaka Bag-ao, Teddy Baguilat, and Jorge Banal refiled the National Land Use and Management Act last July 1. In the Senate, Sen. Gregorio Honasan also refiled the National Land Use bill that will rationalize the holistic and just allocation and use of our country’s land and natural resources.

Rep. Banal, principal sponsor of NLUMA stressed “We have pushed for the enactment of a National Land Use and Management Law during the 15th Congress and we are steadfast in fighting for its passage.”

He also encouraged everyone to support this campaign for NLUMA for this will “ensure sustainability and ecological balance, distributive justice in the allocation of land and water resources”.

Meanwhile, re-elected Ifugao Rep. Baguilat eagerly refiled the Forest Resources Bill last July 1.

“I strongly believe it is imperative that Congress pass all three green bills because they address the lack of a proper framework for the use and management of our natural resources. Our lands, waters, forests and minerals are not just sources of raw materials to be exploited but are resources that should be wisely managed for the benefit of present and future stakeholders. We hope Malacanang will support all three bills as well and not just fiscal incentives for investments,” stressed Rep. Baguilat.

The three bills have been filed in both Houses of Congress as House Bill No. 108 and Senate Bill No. 63 (NLUMA), House Bill No. 95 and Senate Bill No. 45 (FRB), and House Bill 984 and Senate Bill No. 43 (AMMB), respectively.

Rep. Bag-ao promised: “In this 16th Congress, we will not let the opportunity pass to enact the NLUMA, AMMB and FRB into laws. These three environmental bills must be prioritized by this Congress to jumpstart the deliberations and debates towards the speedy passage of these laws. ”

The networks challenge this Congress to be “Green Heroes” and immediately tackle and pass these bills.

The Executive Branch led by President Aquino is also called on to support the urgent passage of these critical resource laws, together with promoting a better policy and fiscal environment for investments. .

Press Release
July 17, 2013

For more information, contact:
Kim Alvarez, CLUP Now!, 0918-6545059 kbalvarez@gmail.com
Eric Dorente, Sagip GUBAT Network, 0922-8151938 advocacy@haribon.org.ph
Farah Sevilla, SOS Yamang Bayan Network, 0923-5122374 policy@alyansatigilmina.net

Press Release

[Appeal] PNoy give an explicit public support for the soonest passage of the proposed bill providing compensation to victims of human rights violations (HRVs) during the Marcos administration under Martial Law – #rememberML@40

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

HIS EXCELLENCY BENIGNO SIMEON AQUINO, III.
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
Manila

September 20, 2012

Your Excellency,

September 21, 2012, the 40th year since the imposition of Martial Law by then President Ferdinand Marcos offers a kairos, a moment of grace and opportunity, to you and your administration. It is a momentous chance to show to the country and to the world that the matuwid na daan breaks through impunity and leads to justice.

All the undersigned request Your Excellency to give an explicit public support for the soonest passage of the proposed bill providing compensation to victims of human rights violations (HRVs) during the Marcos administration under Martial Law. A follow-up to your State of the Nation Address (SONA) on this matter would signal unequivocal determination in seeking justice.

Your support will solidly be grounded in the international human rights instruments the Philippines had ratified, as well as the increasing number of national laws passed compliant to many of the said treaties since the EDSA people power.

Your Excellency’s encouragement will surely enthuse the authors and /or supporters of the Bill from both Houses of Congress.

We, the undersigned, have been very concerned, if not alarmed, at conscious efforts even in cyberspace to distort the real happenings during martial law and to dismiss altogether the atrocious violations of rights and dignity. We thus launched a campaign within a period of six months earlier to broaden and to raise awareness among the citizenry, especially the youth, of the true situation during Martial Law and the justness of enacting a long-delayed compensation bill that is fair and equitable to all victims.

Such a move and passage, Your Excellency, would be unprecedented in the ASEAN and Asian Region. It will be a standard of fulfilment that would make us Filipinos all proud in the realm of human rights.

Thousands of victims of human rights violations engendered hope that the impunity perpetrated during that period of repression would be dealt with progressively when the Presidential Committee on Good Governance (PCGG) allotted a definite portion (Php 10 billion) of the confiscated ill-gotten wealth of the Marcos estate for the victims’ compensation. After all, the United Nations “Updated Principles in Combating Impunity” states, among others, “the right of victims to have an effective remedy and to receive reparations”. Compensation, then, while not the fullness, is an integral component of justice.

Thank you very much, Your Excellency, for the kind consideration of this our request that sincerely seeks

Dignity and justice for us all,

Max de Mesa
Chairperson
Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
Lead Convenor
#Remember ML@40 – Never Again to Martial Law!
Campaign Network

Appeal

[Statement] Justice for Marilou Valle, the 100th victim of extra-judicial killing under Pnoy administration! -TFUC

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines One comment

Justice for Marilou Valle, the 100th victim of extra-judicial killing under Pnoy administration!
July 26, 2012

One day before the State of the Nation Address of President Benigno S. Aquino III, a woman servant-leader in an urban poor community was shot dead by well-known killers in the area. Marilou “Malou” Bacani Valle, 43, elected President of KADAMAY Barangay 105 and resident of Sitio Damayan, Smokey Mountain II, Tondo, Manila died instantly due to three gunshot wounds she sustained in the left cheek, below her lower lip and on her lower right shoulder. The suspects was identified by witnesses as members of barangay tanod. The victim’s son Jomar de Jesus embraced his dying mother while cursing at the assailant who trained his gun at him, forcing him to flee for his life, and the bullet missed him. The crime which happened between 5:27 to 5:34 in the afternoon of July 22 in front of the victim’s house was witnessed by relatives and neighbors.

Right after the killing, the suspects went to the house of Malou’s elder brother Jerry Bacani and fired several shots. Jerry Bacani and son Ninoy Bacani were hit in the leg and foot respectively. Neighbors brought them to a nearby public hospital.

Prior to this incident, Malou filed cases of grave threat, gun-toting and child abuse before a Manila City Hall court on the third week of March against Raffy Tejas, Benjamin Tejas, Sonny Tejas and Conchita Tejas, wife of Raffy. The cases were triggered by the illegal entry of the Tejases into the house of Malou and the gun threat against her and her children Marjorie de Jesus, Jomar de Jesus and George de Jesus, Jr., all minors, on March 4.

On that day the Tejases confronted Malou for distributing leaflets to the community opposing the demolition and relocation plan and urging an on-site development.

On one hand, Malou had been a respected leader in the community. Residents sought her advice on whatever problem they may have, including the matter of residency in the area. She used to conduct social services for the community along with the local people’s organization called Samahan sa Sitio Damayang Nananambakan (SSDN)-KADAMAY, a local chapter of KADAMAY-NCR, an urban poor organization in the National Capital Region where Malou’s husband George de Jesus Sr. is an active member. She also used to help the churches whenever the latter conducted services or other activities in and for the community. The Department of Social Work and Development (DSWD) tapped her services particularly in its 4Ps program (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program) which gives cash to selected poor families. The National Housing Authority (NHA) also made use of Malou’s services.

On the other hand, the killers are well-known hoodlums in the community whom the people fear. It is believed that they are responsible for the many killings in the area. But they never got apprehended due to their strong connections with the authorities. According to the people, Barangay 105 Council designated them as Barangay Tanod (community guards) legitimizing their carrying of guns and being coddled by some police officers assigned in Tondo Precinct 1.

Her body lies in state temporarily at the Permanent Housing near Brgy 105 in Tondo Manila. People were threatened by the killers, in fact, a certain bishop who wanted to pay his respects to the dead was warned by a concerned community leader not to go because the situation was “still hot”, and that there is the likelihood that a grenade may be lobbed by the suspects during the wake.

We call on THE AQUINO administration to end impunity for human rights violations and all forms of political repression against the people and push for immediate action against the local authorities who may be involved in this heinous crime.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Fr. Charly Ricafort, MI
Chairperson

Fr. Rico Ponce, O‘Carm
Vice Chairperson

Sr. Maureen Catabian, RGS
Secretary

Fr.Melvin A. Ordanez, SMM
Treasurer

Bro. Ciriaco Santiago, CSsR
Auditor

Board Members

Sr. Victoria Chrisiley Lao, CMSSTCJ

Fr. Tito Maratas, MSC

Sr. Marissa Gallardo, MSM

Sr. Ester Maria Alunan, OSA

Sr. Odilia Bulayungan, OSB

Fr. Eugene Cañete, MJ

Sr. Fely Solatorio, MSM
Amrsp Board Liaison

Sr. Ma. Teresita Bravo, SFIC

Fr. Baltazar A. Obico, OFM

#5 14th Street, Brgy. Damayang Lagi, New Manila, Quezon City, Philippines
Tel # (02) 448-5963 Email: tfucmp@yahoo.com

Statement

[In the news] OPINION | RH bill is for the poor, most of all – Cabinet HDPR Cluster -www.interaksyon.com

Posted on August 5, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines 2 comments

OPINION | RH bill is for the poor, most of all – Cabinet HDPR Cluster
By Cabinet Cluster on Human Development and Poverty Reduction
August 5, 2012

(The Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) Cabinet Cluster has issued a paper strongly endorsing the President’s position on “responsible parenthood.” Below is its full text)

In the President’s recent State of the Nation Address, he emphasized the urgent need for responsible parenthood to counter the country’s soaring population growth and the disturbing social consequences that have resulted from it.

The Human Development and Poverty Reduction (HDPR) Cabinet Cluster — which consists of 20 government agencies dealing with poverty and development — strongly endorses the President’s position.

As early as 20 July 2011, the Cluster had already pushed to make the Reproductive Health (RH) bill a priority legislative measure in the Legislative Executive Development Advisory Council (LEDAC). Two days later, it passed HDPR Cluster Resolution No. 1, Series of 2011, Endorsing House Bill No. 4244, “An Act Providing for a Comprehensive Policy on Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development, and for Other Purposes,” and Senate Bill No. 2865, “An Act Providing for a National Policy on Reproductive Health and Population and Development’’ to the President.

Read full article @ www.interaksyon.com

In the News

[In the news] IPs and the Sona: Benign neglect -INQUIRER.net

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

IPs and the Sona: Benign neglect
By: Rina Jimenez-David, Philippine Daily Inquirer
July 26, 2012

The President’s State of the Nation Address could have been three hours long (it lasted an hour-and-a-half, his longest Sona so far) and still there would have been disgruntled groups unhappy at their exclusion from this speech.

This is because the speech is meant to be a year-end “report card” on the administration’s accomplishments, as well as a “road map” on where it wants to go in the near-future, preferably with help from the legislature by way of passing priority bills.

The common belief is that a mention in the Sona is a sign of the President’s high approval (note the smiles on the faces of the Cabinet members he had singled out by name), or the high priority that an official, person, group or sector will receive in the future. By this yardstick, I would think police and military personnel have good reason to look forward to more “goodies” (housing, rising salaries, guns and weaponry) from the P-Noy government.

But what if the President neglected to mention you at all? What is that a sign of? Does it mean he takes you for granted, or is truly unhappy with your performance, believing silence is the better part of discretion? Or does it mean you or your sector simply don’t register on P-Noy’s radar? That among the vast range of the President’s concerns, you hardly register a blip or a nod of acknowledgment?

Read full article @ opinion.inquirer.net

In the News

[In the news] Large-scale mining now Mindanao’s ‘environment destroyer’ -MindaNews

Posted on July 28, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines Leave a comment

MindaNews » Large-scale mining now Mindanao’s ‘environment destroyer’.
By Keith Bacongco, MindaNews
July 28, 2012

SOMEWHERE IN NORTHERN MINDANAO (MindaNews/ 27 July)– The threat to Mindanao’s environment is no longer illegal logging but large-scale mining operations, National Democratic Front-Mindanao spokesperson Jorge Madlos said.

Logging, the rebel leader stressed, is already a “sunset industry” and the mining industry is now taking its place in destroying the island’s environment.

Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, issued this statement in reaction to President Benigno Aquino’s third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday. The President boasted the government’s drive against illegal logging in Caraga region last month.

But Madlos claimed that the logs confiscated in Butuan City were owned by several Lumad farmers, who were just merely depending on the supposed income from the logs so they can send their children to school.

“We learned that there was a middle man who consolidated those logs and then sold them to the sawmill operators,” the rebel leader said while monitoring the SONA inside their guerilla base.

Read full article @ www.mindanews.com

In the News

[In the news] Bukidnon Lumad leaders on SONA: Silent again on indigenous peoples -Mindanews.com

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Human Rights Online Philippines One comment

Bukidnon Lumad leaders on SONA: Silent again on indigenous peoples
By Walter I. Balane
July 24, 2012

MALAYBALAY CITY (MindaNew/23 July) — “Silent again on indigenous peoples.”

This was the reaction of Lumad (indigenous peoples) leaders here to President Aquino’s nearly 90-minute State of the Nation Address Monday afternoon.

Datu Mayda Pandian, a provincial board member representing the indigenous peoples said Aquino forgot about the IPs. “There was zero mention of his plans or the development of his visi on for us,” Pandian, the IP’s mandatory representative to the provincial board, said.

He said there was even no mention about the Lumads when he cited his position on mining in the country.

Last Wednesday, Pandian told the provincial board the government must harmonize its local and national mining policy with the real interests of the IPs.
“Are the Lumads really benefiting from the mining propositions in their ancestral domains?,” he added.

He watched the SONA from his house in Panadtalan, Maramag town and was disappointed. But he declined to comment on the content of the President’s speech.

Read full article @ www.mindanews.com