The VFA, A History of Abuses
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Ronalyn V. Olea | Nov 13, 2010
POSTS FOR "Civil & Political Rights"
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News in Pictures: Maco Farmers Continue to Receive Threats from the Military
News in Pictures: Maco Farmers Continue to Receive Threats from the Military
Progressive groups in Southern Mindanao Region, led by human-rights group Karapatan, on Tuesday revealed that farmers in Maco, Davao del Norte, continue to experience threats and psychological torture from members of the Philippine military. According to Karapatan-SMR, the farmers have been tagged as members of the New People's Army and were included in The Order of Battle, which forced them and their families to evacuate their homes.
Witnesses in Extrajudicial Killing Being Harassed by Soldiers
Witnesses in Extrajudicial Killing Being Harassed by Soldiers
By RONALYN V. OLEA
At the pre-trial hearing on Oct. 27, the two suspects in the killing of Benjamin Bayles denied being members of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA). The 303rd and 302nd Infantry Brigades have also denied that the two are members of the Philippine Army for four months, but the Headquarters of the Philippine Army officially confirmed their membership and rank last October 9.
Peasant Activist in Batangas Killed
Peasant Activist in Batangas Killed
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Rene Rodriguez, member of the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid ng Batangas, who was shot dead by two men wearing masks and riding a motorcycle last November 7 became the 21st victim of extrajudicial killings under the Aquino administration.
Relatives, Colleagues of Morong 43 Hold Caravan to Press for their Release
Relatives, Colleagues of Morong 43 Hold Caravan to Press for their Release
By RONALYN OLEA
In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a petition-signing for the release of the Morong 43 was led by actress Gina Alajar while promoting a film about victims of enforced disappearances “Dukot”. Protest actions were also held in front of the Philippine embassies and consulates in Ottawa and Vancouver in Canada, New York and Los Angeles in the US, and in Denmark. Protest actions were held in San Francisco in the US, Whangarei in New Zealand, Jeddah, Riyadh and Khobar in the Middle East and in Japan.
Sidebar: Patently Flawed Arrest and Detention
News in Pictures: OFWs in Middle East Join Calls for Immediate Release of Morong 43, Other Political Prisoners
News in Pictures: OFWs in Middle East Join Calls for Immediate Release of Morong 43, Other Political Prisoners
The indoor protest action by Migrante-Jeddah chapter last October 29 jumpstarts a series of protests and press conferences from November 2 to 6, marking the 9th month detention of the Morong 43. The activities will be held simultaneously with internationally-coordinated actions led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan to pressure the Aquino government to act on the immediate and unconditional release of the Morong 43 and other political prisoners.
Relatives Remember the Disappeared, Urge Government to Enact Law, Ratify Covenant Against Enforced Disappearances
Relatives Remember the Disappeared, Urge Government to Enact Law, Ratify Covenant Against Enforced Disappearances
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Today, as the whole nation remembers the lives of the departed, we commemorate the missing. We light a candle not for their souls to rest in peace but to shed light on their way home. We offer flowers not because we believe they are no longer with us but because they are deeply missed,” Mary Guy “Ghay” Portajada, daughter of a missing labor leader, said.
Military Terrorizes Batangas Community, Forcibly Recruits Minors to Join Paramilitary
Military Terrorizes Batangas Community, Forcibly Recruits Minors to Join Paramilitary
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
A minor’s refusal to join the CAFGU resulted in him being beaten up and threatened by soldiers. And he is not alone in his ordeal.
Woman Political Prisoner Released After Appeals Court Reverses Lower Court Decision
Woman Political Prisoner Released After Appeals Court Reverses Lower Court Decision
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“They wasted two years of my life,” Lita Mahilum, a political prisoner who was in jail for two years before being cleared by the Court of Appeals of the charges filed against her by the military, said.
‘Gender Gap Index’ Not Reflective of True State of Filipino Women – Gabriela
‘Gender Gap Index’ Not Reflective of True State of Filipino Women – Gabriela
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“A glaring proof that Filipino women are still living in oppressive conditions – even though the country ranks high in gender-based indexes – is the increasing number of victims of violence against women, most notably, gang rape,” said Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela.
Another Morong 43 Detainee Placed Under Hospital Detention After Giving Birth
Another Morong 43 Detainee Placed Under Hospital Detention After Giving Birth
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“We have been detained for so long. There is no evidence against us and the President has acknowledged that, why not set us free?” said Mercy Castro, who just gave birth to her second child.
MILF Still Optimistic About Peace Negotiations with Aquino Administration
MILF Still Optimistic About Peace Negotiations with Aquino Administration
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The greatest challenge to the peace process is whether, this time, the President has the political will to surmount all obstacles and opposition... Running parallel is whether the peace process is really a problem solving endeavor or just an exercise to manage the conflict, as what previous presidents, deliberately or otherwise, did.” – MILF Chairman Al Haj Murad Ebrahim.
They Grieved Then Took on the Struggle for Justice
They Grieved Then Took on the Struggle for Justice
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Who would continue their tasks? The dead could no longer speak. It is us, the ones they left behind, who must carry on what they had started,” said Evangeline Hernandez, mother of slain human rights defender Benjaline “Beng” Hernandez and chairwoman of Hustisya!
Kin of Victims of Killings, Disappearances Hit Aquino Gov’t for Inaction on Rights Cases
Kin of Victims of Killings, Disappearances Hit Aquino Gov’t for Inaction on Rights Cases
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“I had hoped that my father’s case would be the first and the last case of extrajudicial killing but the culture of impunity is still here. There has been no effort from the President to stop the killings. His inaction has allowed the killings to go on,” Ernan, son of Fernando Baldomero, first victim of extrajudicial killing under the Aquino government, said.
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