A New York City-based women’s group of Filipino-Americans condemned what it calls unfounded charges against 72 activists in Southern Tagalog. Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), a member of GABRIELA, said the “recent spate of state repression and violations of civil liberties is a continuation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s deteriorating administration and governance.” BY BULATLAT…
Tags: political prisoners
Legal Offensive vs. Activists, Disturbing – CHR Chair
In a dialogue with the Free Atty. Saladero et. al. Coalition, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Leila de Lima yesterday was quoted as saying that, after intense local and international pressure caused a slight drop in the number of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, state authorities apparently have been employing a ‘new strategy’ against…
Protest Marks Principe’s One Year in Prison
Human rights advocates staged a protest in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the continuing detention of Elizabeth Principle, a consultant of the National Democratic Front (NDF) for the peace negotiations with the government. Members of the Society of Ex-Detainees for Liberation, against Detention and for Amnesty and Health Action for Human Rights…
‘Criminalization of Activists’ Slammed
BY BULATLAT Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-New Patriotic Alliance)-Southern Tagalog chapter decried the ‘criminalization of activists.’ They stormed the offices of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) today, which they held responsible for the charges filed against their colleagues. In August, 27 activists in Southern Tagalog have been…
Crackdown vs Southern Tagalog Activists Continues; Peasant Leader Arrested
BY BULATLAT Another activist leader from Southern Tagalog was arrested last night for trumped-up murder charges. Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka) was taken by some 15 armed men in civilian clothes at around 7:30 p.m. from his house in Brgy. Kaong, Silang Cavite. According to Karapatan (Alliance for the…
72 Southern Tagalog Activists Charged with Common Crimes
In August, 27 activists in Southern Tagalog were charged with arson, destruction of property and conspiracy to commit rebellion in relation to the burning down of a telecommunication company’s cell site in Lemery, Batangas. Just recently, warrants of arrest were issued this time against 72 activists accused of multiple murder and frustrated murder in connection…
Free Labor Lawyer – Int’l Human Rights Group
BY BULATLAT New York-based Human Rights Watch has called on Philippine authorities to immediately release labor lawyer Atty. Remigio Saladero. Saladero, legal counsel of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May First Movement) was arrested October 23 by combined elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Military Intelligence Group of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.…
Labor Lawyer Arrested by State Agents
BY BULATLAT The chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May First Movement) was arrested yesterday around 1 p.m. by state agents. Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr. was arrested in his residence in Antipolo City by combined police and military elements led by the Antipolo Police and Military Intelligence Group 4A of the Intelligence Services…
DOJ Hit for Opposing Medical Request of Political Detainee
BY BULATLAT The Department of Justice opposed the medical request of political detainee Randall Echanis, the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP-Philippine Peasant Movement) said. Echanis is the KMP deputy secretary general for external affairs. He was arrested in April this year for trumped-up charges of murder. He is now detained at the Manila City Jail.…
Political Prisoners Assail Release of Teehankee, GMA’s ‘Double Standard of Justice’
BY BULATLAT An organization of political prisoners added its voice to the condemnation of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s issuance of executive clemency to convicted murderer Claudio Teehankee. Donato Continente, spokesperson for political prisoners of Selda (Society of Ex-Detainees against Detention and for Amnesty), said, “How easy it is for this government to free a child killer…
Women’s Group Condemns Arrest of Colleague
BY BULATLAT The chapter of GABRIELA in Negros condemned the ‘unlawful arrest’ of Mary Grace Delicano. Delicano, 34, was arrested Sept. 25, around 3 p.m. by elements of Negros Occidental Provincial Police Office (NOPPO) and the intelligence unit of the 303rd Infantry Brigade of the Philippine Army. She was at a waiting shed of the…