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Asked about their plans aside from pursuing legal cases against their abductors, Jonila said their only plan is to continue organizing and be with the masses of the coastal area of Orion, Bataan. "Hopefully we can go back there soon."
"Jude Thaddeus Fernandez was organizing workers in communities to enjoin them to campaign for wage increases and other workers’ rights. He is a labor organizer and does not bear arms.”
"It is not surprising. It only means that impunity persists.," Raymond Manalo said.
An official of the Police Regional Office Mimaropa confirmed that the three were under military custody. The humanitarian team, however, were made to wait outside his office as they were informed that the police official was engaged in a meeting with 'higher-ups.'
"If CERNET would stop, it is like putting an end to our organization."
The three were investigating human rights violations related to reports of bombings and shelling in the area earlier this year which were connected to mining and quarrying projects that affected the residents and indigenous people.
“If the government is truly not involved, then why aren't they helping in the search or offering other remedies for the families and organizations searching for Dexter and Bazoo?"
“The bombs did not reach our community. Prior to this, residents were apprehensive because it might reach our mountains. I do not know why but somehow it did not reach us. Maybe we are too far from where they were holding the exercises."
Karapatan called on the Malolos Regional Trial Court Branch 19 "to act with haste in undertaking the promulgation hearing on the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with serious physical injuries filed by farmer-brothers Raymond and Reynaldo Manalo."
Karapatan demands a stop to what they describe as “steadily growing cases of violation against the International Humanitarian Law (IHL).”
On Sept. 27, the Malolos City Regional Trial Court Branch 19 will decide on the charges of kidnapping and serious illegal detention with physical injuries filed by farmer Raymond Manalo and his late twin brother, Reynaldo, against retired general Jovito Palparan Jr. and five other agents.
"If the 'war on drugs' were effective, the proliferation of illegal drugs would no longer be an issue. If domestic investigations were efficient, I wouldn't be here asking for help again."
“They [soldiers] should be the ones protecting our youth who speak up, not the ones repressing our rights to speak out." - Aila Joy Esperida, editor-in-chief of The Democrat.
“Reprimands against few government officials charged in the said cases can be viewed as mere slaps on the wrists, considering the sufferings endured by Nasino and NUPL and the gravity of the offenses. Full accountability for those responsible in violating their rights can be hardly gleaned from these decisions.” – Karapatan
“From the regime of the dictator-father to that of the son, we have endured and fought against tyranny.”
NUPL Chairperson Edre Olalia said that while they did not achieve full legal redress, the decision "can be viewed as a loud warning shot, as it were."
The victims were reportedly on their way to barangay Gil Montilla when masked and armed men in a white van stopped them and forced the two into the vehicle. The tricycle was also taken and loaded at the back of a pick-up vehicle.
“Now that the truth is out, we demand that everyone involved in the abduction, enforced disappearance and fake surrender of Castro and Tamano be held accountable, especially NTF-ELCAC."
Sapagkat hindi lamang karaniwang lumipas na presidente si Marcos. Ang kanyang diktadura na kanyang binihisan ng martial law declaration ay karumal-dumal na pag-atake lalo na sa mga kapatid nating Muslim o Bangsamoro na tinulak sa pader na lumaban at mag-armas bilang pagdepensa sa kanilang mga komunidad sa Mindanao.
“This is a proof the correctness of our collective fight against reclamation, alongside the fisherfolk communities— a sign for us to continue our struggle,” Jonila Castro said
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