ADVERTISEMENT
By MARYA SALAMAT
“It is the experience of every nation that wherever there is a concentration of American soldiers for a prolonged period of time, exploitation and abuse of the local people ensued,” said Emmi de Jesus, secretary-general of Gabriela, the women’s group.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
They are usually the first to respond to cases of extrajudicial killings, torture and enforced disappearances in the Philippines. In a country where impunity prevails, these human-rights defenders have not been spared from the same atrocities that they are trying to stop.
By DEE AYROSO
In a remote village in Samar, children are forced to go to school to another village, walking for hours to attend their classes, after the soldiers started coming in and committed atrocities. What happened to Bay-ang illustrates the extent militarization damages not just communities but the education of poor Filipino children, particularly in the countryside.
Hundreds Honor the Desaparecidos
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
The International Day of the Disappeared on Aug. 30 was marked in the Philippines with a ringing of the bells to honor those taken by the regime -- a warning to the government that the families left behind by these desaparecidos “are watching” to make sure that, soon, “we will get the justice we deserve.” View slideshow
Sherlyn and Karen -- Desaparecidos
By RONALYN V. OLEA
Under the bill, no justification can be offered that would allow torture and other inhuman punishments. Those who torture will be penalized as principals, as well as their superiors in the military, police or law enforcement establishments who ordered it.
'Comfort Women' Still Fight for Justice
The CHR fact-finding mission is in response to a resolution approved by the provincial government of Surigao del Sur asking the CHR to look into the alleged abuses by the military against Lumads. Progressive groups will hold a parallel solidarity mission to the province.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Court of Appeals has granted the Filipino-American activist's amparo and habeas data petitions, saying that Melissa Roxas’s story was credible. But it also pointed out that Roxas failed to show that the military was behind her abduction and torture, hence President Arroyo and elements of the armed forces cannot be made respondents in the case.
Special Report | Last of Three Parts Even in times of crisis and conflict, Alcadev, the nonformal school for tribal children in Surigao del Sur, carries on with its mission. Indeed, the recent militarization in Surigao that resulted in massive displacements of Lumad residents proved to be quite a learning experience for the students, if only it weren’t so traumatic.
The occupation by the military of a nonformal school for tribal children in Surigao del Sur has raised concern among officials, with the Department of Education suggesting this week that those threatened by the presence of the soldiers should seek the court’s protection through the writ of amparo.
Special Report | Second of Three Parts A significant impact of an Alcadev education is that it “bridges the knowledge between students and parents.” It thus helps the development of Lumad communities. But the military is suspicious, branding the school and what it does as communist, harassing not just the teachers and students but its foreign supporters and visitors as well.
The living conditions of the Lumad in the evacuation center make them, especially the infants and children, vulnerable to illnesses resulting from lack of food, water and facilities for sanitation. "Their daily lives, work and schools have sadly become “collateral damage to the Arroyo’s counterinsurgency campaign," says Gabriela Rep. Luz Ilagan.
A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.
Save as PDF