We, Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA, Association of Ex-Detainees against Detention and Arrest), is in solidarity with the detained peace consultants and other political prisoners at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology — Special Intensive Care Area 1 Jail (BJMP-SICA1) Jail in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City, in denouncing the intensifying fascist reprisals and restrictions currently inflicted not only against the political prisoners by jail authorities of BJMP-SICA1 but also against service providers.
SELDA denounces jail senior inspector Michelle Ng Bonto of BJMP-SICA1 for continuously violating the rights of the political prisoners under the Republic Act No. 7438 (An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained, or Under Custodial Investigation). The reprisals and restrictions against the political prisoners seemingly irked the jail warden when the political prisoners launched their 10-day hunger strike, (five days before and five days during the visit of Pope Francis I to our country) even as the latter informed the jail authorities and other government agencies of their planned action and succinctly explained. The hunger strike as a passive form of expression was meant to symbolically deliver the political prisoners’ call for freedom, social justice, and just and lasting peace in the country while the Holy Pope was visiting the archipelago.
Due to unjustified restrictions and curtailments of rights of political inmates, the latter have no other recourse but to seek redress through legal actions. Political prisoners filed charges of multiple violations of Republic Act No. 7438 (An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained, or Under Custodial Investigation) and of Gross Misconduct, Grave Abuse of Authority, Gross Oppression and Conduct Unbecoming of a Public Officer in February against SICA1 warden jail senior inspector Michelle Ng Bonto.
SELDA affirmed that the fasting, hunger strike and even filing of complaints against the jail authorities are basic democratic rights of political prisoners. The right to complain against the abuses of jail authorities is in accordance with the international standard of treatment of prisoners. “Every prisoner shall be allowed to make a request or complaint, without censorship as to substance but in proper form, to the central prison administration, the judicial authority or other proper authorities through approved channels.” (UN Standard Minimum Treatment of Prisoners, Part I, Information to and complaints by prisoners).
Any form, instrument and modality of restraint rendered by jail senior inspector Michelle Ng Bonto of BJMP-SICA1 is unjustified and only shows her ruthless, arrogant and fascist character.
Thus, we join the political prisoners and human rights organizations in their call to immediately remove and replace jail senior inspector Michelle
Ng Bonto as a warden of BJMP-SICA. We demand that complaints filed against her by the political prisoner be addressed now.
We call for the immediate release of all political prisoners.
Reference: Marie Hilao-Enriquez Chairperson +639175616800
Jigs Clamor National Coordinator +639997721233
The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) is an organization of former political prisoners in the Philippines. Founded on December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by newly-released political prisoners of the martial law period. SELDA’s primary task is to work for the release of all political prisoners and to see to it that humane treatment of those who are still in detention are complied with by the Philippine authorities. SELDA advocates justice for current and former political prisoners. It calls for the mobilisation of resources in support of political prisoners, former detainees and their families. It carries out legislative advocacy for the indemnification and rehabilitation of political prisoners. SELDA goes into partnership and builds solidarity with concerned individuals and groups for the freedom and welfare of political prisoners and all victims of tyranny.
Homes of more than 3000 families burned down in Parola Compound, Binondo, Manila. Let us join to them to demand to the Philippine Government for their welfare, housing, livelihood and immediate reliefOn March 2, 2015 between 5:00-6:00 in the evening, a huge fire broke out in Parola Compound, Area B, C and H. Firetrucks came but were not able to stop the fire. Homes of more than 3100 families (20000 people) were burned down.According to the victims, if only the government was prepared to rescue, their homes could be saved. There was no government presence during the incident. No government officials assisting them what and how to do or where to go. Even until the fire was out by dawn of March 3.
Parola is just few minutes away from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) or from Malacanang and the City Hall of Manila, yet food was only served a day after the incident.
To date, the government has only given P2000 financial assistance and a few food packs. The affected families said that such amount is really small, not enough to buy food, clothing and medicine or even materials to fix their homes.
On the 5th day after the fire, thousands of families are barely coping inside the evacuation centers. At Delpan Sports Complex, more than 1000 families are seeking refuge. Women, children and the old are sick and hungry.
Worst, the residents learned some information that they will not be allowed to come back to their former places and will be forcibly evacuated somewhere.
The community of Parola has long been a target for national government project in line with the Manila Bay Reclamation and the on going port privatization– a project pushed by foreign multi national corporations with their local partners in the Philippines.
The same kind of neglect and abandonement was experienced by millions of people in Eastern Visayas. The Parola people are also victims not only of fire but also victims of criminal neglect of the Aquino government.
Let us join the people of Parola in their demand to the Philippine Government to ensure their welfare, demand enough relief and financial assistance that will help the victims in restoring their homes and livelihood. Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap-Tondo and Manila with their local organizations in Parola are also appealing for any donations for the affected families.
Thank you very much.
Urgent Appeal for 3000 families in Parola Compound
Melona R. Daclan
Campaign Director
Defend Job Philippines
Telephone:3535760
Mobile: +639267856299 and +639289069223
Website: www.defendjobphilippines.wordpress.com
www.demolitionwatch.wordpress.comDefend Job Philippines is a member of International Network for Economic Social and Cultural Rights (ESCR Network)
MANILA – From bloodbath to bloodbath, pork barrel, coverup, criminal negligence, government violation of the Constitution, human rights, and even of its own signed peace agreements, Aquino’s leadership is now viewed as a danger and scourge to Filipinos. On Thursday (March 5) a diverse composition of organizations and personalities launched the Noynoy Out Now (NOW!) national movement, vowing to lead a series of nationally coordinated protest actions starting March 8, Women’s Day. They are demanding Pres. Aquino’s immediate resignation.
To replace his leadership, NOW! proposes an “extra-Constitutional way,” which, they said, is correct legally, morally and politically.
Rather than the usual transfer of the reins to the vice-president, they propose to initiate “real democratic change.” They want Aquino to resign ASAP and give way instead to a “people’s council for national unity, reforms and peace.” They presented it as two intertwined solutions to problems of injustice and poverty today, to veiled threats including legal doubts on people power, and to naysayers who want to force Filipinos to bear with Aquino until next year.
Against the Malacañang’s statements noting people’s hesitation at joining Oust Noynoy now movements, Mico Pagalangan of Youh Act Now said, “If we do nothing now, that is a statement in itself.”
He urged the youth and the Filipino people not to be swayed into staying silent over Aquino’s fatal flaws as leader just because Aquino has only 15 months left in his term.
“Don’t be wary of what will come after ousting him. Be wary of what will happen if he stays in power,” said Pagalangan.
In the new movement’s manifesto titled “Aquino resign! Establish the People’s Council for National Unity, Reform and Peace,” NOW! Leaders said an interim “people’s council” could ensure truth and accountability in the Mamasapano probe and put in place key electoral reforms and anti-corruption measures prior to the holding of elections for a permanent government.
In a press conference in Quezon City, they asked the public to join this national movement to effect change, the end-goal of which they differentiate from the “change” after the first two people power uprisings. Teddy Casiño explained that post Edsa “change” had benefited mostly the installed political factions of the same elite who just maintained the same political system skewed to elite interests, at the expense of ordinary working people. The latest of these leaders to capitalize and benefit from people’s aspirations for change is President Aquino, but he has bitterly disappointed his supposed boss, as the justifications for ousting him listed by the Noynoy Out Now! leaders said this Thursday.
“We cannot afford another Mamasapano blunder, another PDAF-DAP scheme, another MRT mishap, another disastrous response to natural calamities, a Zamboanga siege or Luneta hostage crisis. We cannot sit by while poverty and joblessness worsens despite glowing growth rates, criminality engulfs our communities, and our public assets and national patrimony are being sold down the river,” said the manifesto of the Noynoy Out Now! movement.
The list of why President Aquino has to vacate Malacañang is getting longer the more he stays in power, said the leaders and personalities in Noynoy Out Now (NOW!) who came from groups of Church people, professionals such as doctors, lawyers and teachers, retired militarymen, whistleblowers, students and professors, seasoned activists and progressive partylist lawmakers, women and sectoral leaders such as from farmers and fisherfolk, urban poor, workers, drivers and small operators.
They are people-power-tested (or battle-tested) and mobilizable, as Teddy Casiño, former Bayan Muna Representative and now a spokesman for Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, one of the members of NOW!, put it during the press conference. He describes the groups pushing for Noynoy Out Now! as groups who do not just call out for change but who are also ready and proven at bringing warm bodies for this struggle for justice.
Aquino as living symbol that something is wrong
Catholic Archbishop Oscar Cruz enumerated many indicators of problems pointing to Aquino’s failed leadership. He cited for example the increased incidences of prostitution, gambling and casinos, taxation, confusing prices of gas and oil, continuing malfunction of railways, and, particularly in the Napoles debacle where Aquino himself escorted Janet Lim-Napoles to the arresting police officers, all these particularly the Napoles debacle are the “very living symbol that something is wrong.”
Aquino’s presidency showcases “a proven pattern of his being habitually remorseless, recidivist, and violator of the law,” said lawyer Edre Olalia, president of NUPL.
“Our president has lost the moral authority to lead this country,” Bishop Art Asi of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines declared at Thursday’s press conference.
“Having Aquino as president is a big disaster for Filipinos,” said National Artist Bien Lumbera who also slammed Aquino for having shown utter disregard and disrespect of Philippine culture.
“No matter how patient Filipinos are, they cannot bear anymore with a presidency like Aquino’s who turned every day into a disaster for women and children,” Joms Salvador, leader of Gabriela, largest association of women in the country, said at Thrusday’s press launch of NOW!
Salvador decried how, under Aquino, more women became victims of violence, and that the country’s social services fell down to its most rotten status.
“We don’t want to add to statistics of victims of disaster, violence and negligence,” Salvador said, hence the participation of Gabriela in Noynoy Out Now!
Bucking Aquino coverup
Since the start of 2015 and left and right price hikes, the Aquino administration has consistently belittled criticisms and protests against the hikes – saying they make up only a few groups. In Oust Noynoy campaign, their tact sounded the same. But, contrary to claims that only a few Filipinos want Aquino to resign, psychiatrist Roonie Lesaca of RX Resign said more people nowadays are in fact recognizing already President Aquino’s bungling leadership.
Lawyer Jose Malvar of Citizen Crime Watch also disputed the idea that only a few people are trying to unseat Aquino. He cited the overkill deployment of police to block the Edsa anniversary protesters from entering the people power shrine.
Martin Diño of VACC said at the launch of Noynoy Out Now! that today, the issue appears to be more about who has a thicker face (pakapalan ng mukha). He described what is happening in various investigations of Mamasapano as just “brasuhan” (one-upmanship), and not about accountability.
For Dr. Jojo Carabeo of Health Alliance for Democracy, the Aquino presidency is like a malignant tumor that has to be taken out for the country to start to get healthy and well.
“There is no other action but make him go down,” the doctor said. The health groups condemn the Aquino presidency for privatizing health services and instituting budget cuts, all of which result directly to people’s suffering.
From the start, the working people in this country has derived no comfort or relief from poverty from this administration, said Elmer “Bong” Labog, chairman of Kilusang Mayo Uno.
“The workers demanded emergency relief but Aquino took no action; instead he brought the wages down,” said Labog. He added that every day Aquino hangs on to his post in Malacañang, he continues to prolong the people’s suffering from high prices, all-out war, and low wages.
“The country’s professionals are easily moved to signing petitions asking Aquino to resign,” Malou Turalde of POWER Quezon City, a group of professionals, said at the NOW! Press launch. “Our professionals are frustrated, discontented and angry at the incompetence, ineptitude and subservience of Aquino presidency,” Turalde said. The group she represents are part of Noynoy Out Now! Movement.
Batting for a New People Power
The Noynoy Out Now! movement’s manifesto recognizes and appeals to the public that a new type of people power will have to be required to do away with the Aquino presidency and replace it with a temporary council for genuine good governance.
“The people’s efforts to force the removal of the Aquino regime and replace it with a transitory People’s Council will necessarily be through the route of people power, or more precisely, the Power of the People,” NOW! manifesto reads. The movement calls on the armed forces, police and local authorities to respect and support “the people’s exercise of their sovereign will,” a power which, they said, is clearly enshrined in the Philippine Constitution.
Why replace Aquino now? The Noynoy Out Now! movement warns that to wait for 2016 elections is to let Aquino get away with his crimes and coverup – because with him still in Malacañang, NOW! leaders said, the message is that leaders like Aquino can trample on our law, and continue to use the government machinery in 2016 elections where “political dynasties, money and a flawed automated electoral system will decide the Filipino’s fate” as a people, again.
“Systematic cover-up.” That sums up the main take away from the legislative hearings into the January 25 Mamasapano tragedy.As the nation commemorates the 40th day of the deaths of 44 Special Action Forces, 18 Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas and six civilians, we demand clear and transparent reports from the various bodies probing the Mamasapano clash.
As we pray for the tens of thousands of Maguindanao residents fleeing homes in the aftermath of Mamasapano, let us demand that those who stirred the cauldron of death and suffering be held into account for their actions.
Craven lapdogs
Leaders of the House of Representatives proved to be craven lapdogs of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III when they called off hearings after a lone session.
They made the decision after critical solons unearthed details showing Mr. Aquino’s role in the bloodshed. Even as they tried to bury the truth about Mamasapano, House leaders were summoned by Mr. Aquino to salvage the peace process he had torn to shreds.
At the Senate, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police accused each other for the deaths of the SAFs. Senators egged on the clashing AFP and PNP officers. They paid scant attention on the other fallen, including six civilians, one of whom bore the marks of torture.
While senators dissected military strategies and tactics, a clear pattern emerge: a concerted effort to limit accountability to military and police officers, and suspended national police chief Allan Purisima.
Elevating Purisima
Allies of the President, especially Senate Franklin Drilon, clearly took their cues from a Chief Executive out to wash his hands of the blood of the fallen.
Mr. Aquino trained his hire on SAF Director Leo Napenas, accusing him of disobeying orders to coordinate with the AFP in the hunt for Malaysian Marwan and Usman Bassit.
The many officials of the military and civilian bureaucracies stalled as long as they could to hide the President’s exercise of direct oversight over the Mamasapano operations.
When Purisima’s role as head honcho of the Mamasapano operations could no longer be denied, Mr. Aquino tried to deflect responsibility by claiming his good friend had lied to him.
Most senators and the Mr. Aquino’s aides ignored the elephant in the room: That the Mamasapano tragedy stemmed from the President’s willful disregard of basic rules of accountability, and his insistence on favoring a disgraced police chief, to the extent of shutting out key officers who could have prevented the debacle.
Simply put, there would have been no opportunity for Purisima to lie had the President made good his campaign promise of “tuwid na daan.”
Purisima was on preventive suspension, facing serious graft charges. The President, who presents himself as warrior in chief against corruption, decided his friend was exempt from standards of accountability. He kept top national security officials in the dark. He elevated Purisima above all others; gifted him with a parallel chain of command.
Sacrificed
The President sacrificed SAF men at the altar of law enforcement even as he spat at everything law enforcement stands for.
Various officials, from the Secretary of Justice to the Senate President, have tried to downplay the President’s role. Drilon has the gall to preempt the Senate’s investigative report, insisting no blame should be ascribed to the President.
Misguided, misled, misinformed. While he may have been all that, we warn lawmakers: Do not shield the President. Napenas answered only to Purisima and Mr. Aquino — because the President willed it.
There was also an effort to keep under wraps the full extent of the US’ role in Mamasapano. The shields of diplomacy, national security and the global war on terror must not be allowed to hamper the search for truth, including possible violations of admittedly flawed, unequal and unjust bilateral agreements.
Mamasapano is not just about 68 persons slain on January 25. Mamasapano is also about the thrashing of a fragile peace process. Above all, Mamasapano is a glaring example of the President’s willful violation of all tenets of good governance and accountability.
To ignore that would be a mockery of the Senate’s oversight functions. To ignore that would make lawmakers complicit in rewarding the corrupt.
Bsp. Deogracias Iñiguez
Atty. Vicente Joyas, President, Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Atty. Evalyn G. Ursua
Atty. Edre Olalia, Secretary General, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Peachy Rallonza-Bretaña
Dr. Carol Araullo, Chairperson, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Atty. Roel Pulido
Atty. Ernesto Francisco, Jr.
Dr. Ramon Paterno, Pagbabago – People’s Movement for Change
“The Aquino government has no respect for women,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said as their group and other organizations staged a picket protest in front of the Justice Department in preparation for the international women’s day.
“Among the 491 political prisoners, 43 of these are women who face criminal trumped up charges. We call on the Department of Justice to dismiss their cases and immediately release them,” Palabay said.
“This includes Andrea Rosal and Miradel Torres who are jailed in Taguig City Jail,” Palabay said. Rosal and Torres are mothers who were pregnant during their arrests. Rosal gave birth to a girl only to lose her two days after. Torres had to fight to keep her son after birth and nurse him in jail.
Free all women political prisoners!
“Women peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of The Philippines Wilma Austria-Tiamzon and Loida Magpatoc are also incarcerated. These women who exercise their right to take part in political affairs are contained in jails because they are unjustly seen as threat to the BS Aquino government,” Palabay said.
“Of the 224 victims of extrajudicial killings under the BS Aquino government, 18 are women victims, 3 girls were raped. None of these cases were solved in court, nor its perpetrators were put to jail,” Palabay said. “What good is this government if it cannot prosecute those who killed these women and keeps on arresting and jailing innocent but principled women?” Palabay said.
“Taking the lives of our sisters such as Cristina Jose, a leader of typhoon survivors, and many young girls in communities struggling for land is an unforgiveable offense. We will stand with the rest of the women and the Filipino nation on March 8 to call for BS Aquino’s resignation,” Palabay concluded.
Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay Secretary General +63917-3162831
Angge Santos Media Liaison +63918-9790580
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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
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Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org
