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“The victims have been pointing to state security forces as the perpetrators of the human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship. Why did Aquino appoint someone from the ranks of violators? It would be even better for President BS Aquino to appoint Gen. Palparan to complete the cruelty of his insensitivity.” -- SELDA
Progressive groups in Northern Mindanao noted the manner of attack is “a typical strategy of the riding-in-tandem death squads that haunted social justice activists in the Philippines.”
“The use of schools for military purposes puts children at risk of attack and hampers children’s right to education.” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
RELATED STORY | ‘Military presence in schools results in rights violations’
Last year, soldiers from the 25th Infantry Battalion Philippine Army occupied the Salugpongan Ta’ Tanu Igkanogon Community Learning Center, Inc. (STTICLCI) in Purok 4-B, Mangayon village, Compostela Valley. The soldiers reportedly arrested four students, interrogated, and used them as guides in military operations.
They allowed the people, even kids, to hold their guns and pose for the cameras. Placed in front of the tent that has camouflaged sacks on top of one another is a machine gun. Two mortar launchers- short and long range, were also in display.
"The recent resolution of the Court of Appeals denying the motion for the re-arrest of security guard Rolly Panesa strengthens the anti-torture case he filed against his arresting officers and interrogators," Cristina Palabay, secretary general of human rights alliance Karapatan.
”[Eduardo] Sarmiento’s conviction, despite glaring evidence to the contrary, may be a sign of government’s bad faith in fulfilling its purported commitment to address the peace situation in the country.” – National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Arman Padino, 33, died from a gunshot wound in the head at around 2 p.m. yesterday at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
At around 4 a.m., Jan. 12, father and son Noel and Reynold Tumali and Arman Pardino were on their way to the farm when they were shot at by suspected security guards and goons of Leonardo-Lachenal Holdings, Inc. (LHI), FL Property Management Corp. (FL PMC).
Jay-jay, 12, saw a man pulling a gun against her father Marcelo Monterona last January 3. Her instinct was to throw a stone against her dad’s attacker, but as fear overwhelmed her, she scampered to get home.
"For us families of the disappeared, unless and until Palparan is arrested and faces the court, President Aquino becomes part of the cover up to protect the Butcher. He thus, becomes part of the continuing crime of enforced disappearance and should be liable under the Anti-Enforced Disappearance Act."
Malacañang claims that the culture of impunity has been solved because the Aquino government has been doing something about it. And yet, unsolved cases of extrajudicial killings under the current administration continue to pile up.
“The overwhelming show of people’s goodwill and humanitarianism in the aftermath of super-typhoon Yolanda should prod the BS Aquino government to extend compassion to ailing and elderly political prisoners who continue to suffer systemic and systematic injustice.” – Ramon Patriarca, detained at the AFP Central Command Headquarters at Camp Lapu Lapu, Cebu City
A few meters away from Malacañang, speakers from various sectors held the Aquino administration accountable for "the damage it has caused on the rights, lives and livelihood of the Filipino people, especially the poor majority."
RELATED STORY | Even in jail, political prisoners join protest
After her father disappeared, Jessamine let go of her reluctance to talk to government soldiers and approached her ex-soldier childhood friend, who confirmed that indeed, 'soldiers do bad things to people like (Ben Villeno).'
"Ironically, under the government of BS Aquino, warlords and paramilitary groups were not dismantled. Worst, the same warlord group is said to be facilitating the entry of mining and oil palm plantations like that of A. Brown Company in the area."
Through arts and play, the children were able to see that they have a voice to speak out their concerns.
“We deserve a government that does not play with 'human rights' rhetoric and inflicts grave human rights violations against women and the people.”– Cristina Palabay, convener of Tanggol Bayi and Karapatan secretary general
“In this [Ampatuan] case, our criminal justice system is not working. The much-needed reforms in our institutions never happened.” Harry Roque, lawyer for the families of 14 victims
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