“They do not deserve to be in jail just like other political prisoners, whose rights have been violated from the very beginning.”
Tags: human rights violations
German rights group, daughter of slain tribal leader bring cases of Lumad killings to UN
“With 31 reported killings in 2015, the Philippines has one of the worst track records in the killing of human rights defenders (HRD) worldwide.”
Progressives seek writ of amparo, habeas data over harassment cases
Activists are fighting back against harassment from state forces, by using a remedy from the Supreme Court.
Threats, harassments vs progressive groups
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star What are they up to? Are they aiming to deter bigger participation in the anticipated protest actions timed with President Aquino’s final state-of-the-nation address on July 27, as some activists suspect? Or are they setting the ground for a worse scenario – as a…
HR violations to hound P-Noy in his last SONA
By Satur C. Ocampo At Ground Level | The Philippine Star A month hence President Aquino will deliver his sixth and last state-of-the-nation address. However much he may embellish his administration’s achievements on the economy, anti-corruption drive and governmental reforms, he will be hounded by at least two unresolved issues: his “dismal record” on human…
Group decries killings, harassment in demolition sites
Kadamay said 16 urban poor leaders had been killed under the Aquino administration. The latest victim, Benilda Santos, was shot dead in Quezon City on May 22.
Duplicity of Oplan Bayanihan: Bondoc Peninsula under siege

By RONALYN V. OLEA
The Aquino government boasted that its new counterinsurgency program Oplan Bayanihan is totally different from the infamous Oplan Bantay Laya of the previous administration. However, the mounting cries for justice of the people of Bondoc Peninsula in southern Luzon shows that it is different only in name, but the same in essence.
Encampment in communities, instilling fear, part of ‘peace and development’ operations?
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com DLUMAY, Sarangani — (Second of two parts) In an effort to document the human rights violations being perpetrated on the Blaans, Clans organized a peace and solidarity mission to visit Sitio Dlumay. More than 150 reporters and members of NGOs responded to CLANS’ invitation. The participants left General Santos…
Neglected, Blaans unite, empower themselves

By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“Our lives as Blaans are not affected no matter who wins the national elections. It is these non-government agencies who have been doing a big chunk of their work to improve our lives. So no one could take that away from us.”
NDF-EV Condemns Yet Another 19th IB Massacre Claiming The Lives of a Distinguished Scientist and His Two Assistants
The National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today condemned the massacre of a prominent botanist and his two assistants last Nov. 15, and pinned responsibility on the 19th IB, calling for its expulsion from the region for committing mass killings and other human rights violations for so many years. “The NDF-EV condoles with the families and friends…
Nuns Decry Inclusion of Church Workers in Military’s ‘Order of Battle’
An association of 350 Catholic nuns from 40 congregations in Mindanao expressed outrage over the inclusion of Church people to the reported ‘order of battle’ of the 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. In a document titled “JCICC ‘AGILA’ 3rd QTR 2007 OB VALIDATION RESULT,” several Catholic and Protestant groups were…