Soldiers Shoot at Aggay Family, One Killed

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Aggay family was on their way to Villa Cielo village in Gattaran, Cagayan when the two armed men fired at them.
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By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Aggay family was on their way to Villa Cielo village in Gattaran, Cagayan when the two armed men fired at them.

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
"Injustice takes place in this country on a daily basis. We suffer the loss of our loved ones who were brutally killed for defending the environment and for standing up against corruption or human rights violations; but worse, we do not have a government that supports us in our quest for justice against the perpetrators.”

By KARL G. OMBION
“ Rogina’s name only came out in the 5th amended warrant of arrest, together with Romulo Bitoon who was arrested April 5, 2010, three other names, and other John Does; and that the warrant of arrest served to her last March 3 only contained hers and Romulo Bitoon.”

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“After almost four years of waiting, we finally see a glimmer of hope…While we seem to have won this battle, the real measure of success is the recovery of my son. We shall continue the fight until Jonas is returned to us, alive and well and justice is served.” – Edita Burgos

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Her military captors tried to break her will and her spirit, but she became stronger in the end.

By LYN V. RAMO
Why, they asked, are they being made to suffer human rights violations, when they have only been working for the indigenous farmers, laborers, small-scale miners and urban poor and, in the process, traveling long hours to reach far-flung villages, some of which could only be reached on foot?

By RONALYN OLEA
The families of the victims and their supporters have expressed fear of a possible whitewash with the report of the Department of Justice and National Bureau of Investigation clearing the military of any responsibility.

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Gerry Ortega, journalist, anti-mining advocate, and a veterinarian, was shot dead on 24 January 2011 while buying from a store in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. His widow, Patria ‘Patty’ Ortega filed murder charges against Palawan officials in a supplemental complaint-affidavit submitted to the Department of Justice last February 14.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“There has been no let-up in the spate of human rights violations from the administration of former president Arroyo to the current government. Not one case under the Arroyo government has been rendered justice, not one perpetrator has been brought to jail.” – Karapatan

By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Farmers groups said the presence of more military forces in the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation, which the farmers are claiming, will result in more human-rights violations against civilians. They also said that farmers will be facing renewed threats of eviction.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Celito Baccay, 31, a key leader and organizer of the union in Maeno Giken, a Japanese-owned manufacturer of steel, iron and stainless steel products, was shot by gunmen at point-blank range. A week before the incident, Baccay turned down a promotion offered by the management that would have disqualified him from the union. This, according to his wife, angered the management.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The families of journalists Dennis Cuesta, Maricel Vigo, Juan Pala, Fernando Lintuan, and William Yap Yu said that the Philippine government violated the right to life of their loved ones under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). The Philippines is a signatory to the ICCPR. They filed the complaint on March 4.

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The NPA said its guerrillas were not in the area where Leonard Co and two others were killed. It said it did not venture into the area because it was disadvantageous. “It is too heavily guarded by the 19th IB, the police, paramilitary and private security guards. Why would the NPA put itself at unnecessary risk when there are far better options for launching a tactical offensive?"

Environmental activists, indigenous peoples' leaders and human-rights advocates today lighted green lanterns to pay tribute to the 39 environmental defenders and martyrs who were victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. The activity, held in Bulwagang Nicanor Delos Santos in Quezon City, coincided with the commemoration of the 2nd year since the brutal killing of anti-mining and environmental activist Eliezer “Boy” Billanes in Koronadal City on March 9, 2009. (Photos courtesy of Kalikasan-PNE / bulatlat.com)
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