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Human rights abuses in Philippines abetted by US — Karapatan

ICHRP Secretariat
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Human rights abuses in Philippines abetted by US — Karapatan

http://www.karapatan.org/Human+rights+abuses+in+PH+abetted+by+US

Karapatan said the US State Department report on the human rights abuses in the Philippines is “hypocritical”, saying the US is also responsible for the said abuses through military aid, deployment of troops and a counterinsurgency program that is the blueprint of Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan.

“The US government foments human rights abuses in the Philippines by filling up the military war chest of the Aquino government. The US military aid is used for the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan which already victimized thousands of Filipinos especially in the rural areas,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay. She cited the $40 million military aid to the Philippines promised by State secretary John Kerry in December when he visited the Philippines.

Palabay said, “Impunity persists precisely because of US backing. For its own political and economic interests, the US propped up regimes which are human rights violators—from the time of the Marcos dictatorship up to the present.”

The report, which came out two months after Kerry’s $40 million pledge, is “deceitful” according to Palabay. “It is image building. The US government is trying to soften its image among Filipinos and also in the international community as it prepares for an increased and permanent presence in the Philippines for its vaunted Asian pivot.”

In an article written by Azadeh Shahshahani and Vanessa Lucas of the National Lawyers Guild in the US, they said that US military aid to the Philippines rose to $30 million in 2012, from $11.9 million in 2011, signaling “U.S. government’s renewed support for Oplan Bayanihan, the Aquino administration’s counter-insurgency program and the latest attempt to end a 45-year-old insurgency led by the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA).” [seehttp://www.thenation.com/blog/178453/how-us-aid-fosters-human-rights-violations-philippines#]

“Oplan Bayanihan has adopted a similar framework and similar techniques to Oplan Bantay Laya (counter-insurgency program under Macapagal-Arroyo administration), and has led to human rights violations,” they wrote.

Not a ‘communist propaganda’

Palabay took note of the “prompt response” of the Aquino government and its agencies to the report by the US government while practically ignoring the killings that have been going on since the Aquino’s presidency. Palabay recalled how BS Aquino “immediately dismissed documented human rights violations perpetrated by State forces as ‘communist propaganda’.

From July 2010 to December 2013, Karapatan documented 169 victims of extrajudicial killing. In the first six weeks of 2014, Karapatan already documented six victims of extrajudicial killing.

“Impunity exists because there is not one perpetrator arrested, prosecuted and jailed—they are promoted. The Commission on Human Rights cannot simply agree to the report. It is equally accountable because it issued clearances to military officials promoted by BS Aquino, despite pending court cases against them,” Palabay said.

Reference:
Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General
+639173162831

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
2nd Flr. Erythrina Building
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties.  It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign. 

Political persecution of human rights defenders must end

ICHRP Secretariat
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Political persecution of human rights defenders must end

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance condemns the continuing political persecution of human rights defenders under Oplan Bayanihan.

On 26 February 2014, posters with the heading “Rupa Ken Nagan ti NPA nga Agsusuweldo”  (Faces and Names of the New Peoples Army (NPA) Receiving Salaries) were mounted in markets and waiting sheds in different municipalities of Ifugao by State security forces and their agents.

Unjustly tagged as enemies of the people are Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) Secretary General Jude Baggo, Katribu National Chairperson Beverly Longid, Cordillera Peoples Alliance regional staff member Emerson Soriano, Makabayan leaders Liza Masa, Teddy Casino and Satur Ocampo, National Democratic Front of the Philippines Peace Negotiator Luis Jalandoni  and Chief Political Consultant Jose Maria Sison. Under the photograph of CHRA Secretary General Jude Baggo are the words“NPA BRAIN”, his name and “HUNGDUAN” ( the Ifugao Municipality that he hails from).  The poster stated as well that the  Ifugao Research and Development Center (IRDC) was the house of the NPA in Lagawe. The poster wrongfully accused the people above as troublemakers and that they enjoy a good life from illegitimate means.  In bold letters at the bottom of this material was a warning, “WATCH OUT NPA SYMPATHIZERS AND SUPPORTERS!  THIS IS YOUR FIRST AND LAST WARNING!  WE THE UMILI ARE SICK AND TIRED OF YOU!”.   A certain group “Ifugao People’s Council” is signatory to the poster.

Why do we point to the State, its security forces and their agents as accountable for this?

This is not the first time that this was done.

In October 2012, a Target List in Tinoc, Ifugao of the 86th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, and the 5th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines classified Baggo as “Utak ng NPA” (brains of the New People’s Army). Baggo was subjected to surveillance, threats and incidents of harassment as well as the 27 others in the list which includes development workers, and members and leaders of people’s organizations. One even became a victim of illegal detention and torture in the same year.

These acts of red-tagging or political vilification are cheap attempts to cow human rights defenders into silence and paralyze their effective work of serving the people.

These are also measures to wrongfully condition the people into thinking that activism and political dissent are illegitimate. This would serve as a premise to justify other human rights violations that may be perpetrated against the people named and other leaders and members of their organizations.

The funds for this smear campaign and the whole policy under which it is being implemented, Oplan Bayanihan, come from the nation’s coffers and are being used by the Aquino government against the people.

The Cordillera Human Rights Alliance reiterates our demand that the Aquino government and its State security forces should put a stop to the political vilification of human rights defenders and political dissenters. No person’s rights should be violated because of one’s involvement in the defense and assertion of human dignity.

We call for an end to Oplan Bayanihan — the policy that has definitely not resulted to peace and development but has instead resulted to a condemnable record of human rights violations.

For reference:
Atty. Jennifer Asuncion
Vice Chairperson
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Mobile number:  +639198286247

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Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
55 Ferguson Road, Baguio City, Philippines
telefax: +63. 74. 443. 7159
telephone:  +63 74 304 4239
cp:  +63 918 919 9007
email: chra.karapatan@gmail.com

Tumandoks rally for life, oppose Jalaur megadam project

ICHRP Secretariat
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Tumandoks rally for life, oppose Jalaur megadam project

By John Ian Alenciaga
Media Relations Officer, PAMANGGAS

ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES – Indigenous peoples under TUMANDUK (Indigenous Farmers in Defense of Land and Life) organization held a picket yesterday morning in front of the National Irrigation Administration (NIA) office at Barangay (village) Tacas, Jaro, Iloilo City, in opposition to the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project Phase II (JRMP2), a.k.a. Jalaur megadam project.

Numbering around 60 individuals, the group was joined by members of Panay and Guimaras-wide peasant alliance PAMANGGAS, women’s group GABRIELA, urban poor settlers KADAMAY, all under the Panay wide alliance of BAYAN-Panay.

“We do not need the dam. What will be left of us when our areas are submerge in waters? Where do we live? What will we plant on waters? And how do we live when our life, culture and livelihood is already gone?,” cried Reynaldo Giganto, a TUMANDUK council member.

According to Giganto, the project is never and will never favor the indigenous peoples. “The offered 17,000 jobs are just temporary. After that, what is left of us is our land floating on waters.”

“And if the jobs come, what jobs are we getting but solely odd jobs like masonry, carpentry, and other low-paying jobs that need not college or high school education,” he added.

On her part, Marevic Aguirre, TUMANDUK chairperson, said that NIA has consistently hidden, limited information and even distorted it in favor of their personal interests.

“In their Free and Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) or in any other meetings, they (NIA) never discussed the issue that tumandok areas will be submerged. But in their submitted feasibility study report to the Korean Export-Import Bank in November 2011, it indicated submerged areas.”

The administration’s counter arguments were heard yesterday afternoon after the Supreme Court issued a Writ of Kalikasan in October 2013. The high court found the petitioner’s case of former Cong. Augusto Syjuco Jr, “sufficient in form and substance”.

Respondents in the petition were the officials from NIA, NCIP, DENR, NEDA, DA, DAR, DPWH and Sen. Frank Drilon, among others.

“While this office is steady-strong in pursuing the project, they will also expect strong and growing opposition not just from us tumandoks, but the entire Ilonggo and Filipino people as well,” Giganto ended.

The hearing made a recess after more than an hour of counter argument presentation. The proponent’s group even tried to nullify and dismiss the case but the Court of Appeals stand by its decision that the petitioner’s case remains legitimate.

The hearing will resume on March 14 in a debate exercise of both sides, in time also for the International Day of Action for Rivers.

Reference:
Media Relations Officer, PAMANGGAS
Mobile No: +639093569372

MAREVIC AGUIRRE
Chairperson, TUMANDUK
Mobile: +639093217274
E-mail: tumandok_panay@yahoo.com

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Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
(Agricultural Workers Union)
Philippines
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Recall Philippine Constabulary relic Gen. Lina Sarmiento from the Martial Law victims claims board

ICHRP Secretariat
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Recall Philippine Constabulary relic Gen. Lina Sarmiento from the Martial Law victims claims board

By SELDA

We denounce the appointment of Gen. Sarmiento as chair of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB). After prolonging the formation of the HRVCB for almost a year, the Aquino government made a historical affront to the victims by appointing a former member of the Philippine Constabulary, the forerunner of the Philippine National Police, as head of the Claims Board. It is not only her credentials as former PC officer that is an anathema to the historic struggle against martial law, but her zero track records of any involvement in asserting human rights nor any understanding or knowledge ofthe plights and struggles of martial law victims during and after the dark days of Marcos Dictatorship.

On 13 February 2014, Malacañang announced the formation of the Human Rights Victims Claims (HRVCB) a year after the passage of RA 10368, or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.

Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III appointed Gen. Lina Castillo-Sarmiento, a retired 2-star general of the Philippine National Police as chair of the HRVCB. To complete the members of the board, also appointed are Jose Luis Martin Gascon, Byron Bocar, Aurora Parong, Galuasch Ballaho, Jacqueline Mejia, Glenda Litong, Wilfred Asis and Erlinda Senturias.

The PC and the Armed Forces of the Philippines are the main apparatuses of the Marcos dictatorship in implementing the worst of human rights abuses under Martial Law. It is the PC and the AFP that dispersed rallies, “salvaged” (assassinated), abducted, tortured, arrested and detained thousands of Martial Law activists. Her presence in the Claims Board does not command respect nor confidence in the hearts of the Martial Law victims.

In appointing Gen. Sarmiento, the Aquino government junks altogether the state’s admission of the atrocities and repression used against the Filipino people, the supposed objective of the law. Instead, it promotes into position those who violated the people’s human rights. This is no different from the Pres. Aquino’s appointment of military officials to higher positions under his presidency.

BS Aquino’s Claims Board does not represent the victims of Martial Law. The Aquino government completely disregarded the provision in the law which underlines that members of the HRVCB should have deep knowledge, capacity and experience in defending human rights. Not a single nominee of SELDA, most of them widely known as Martial Law victims and human rights champions, was appointed to the Claims Board. Much to our dismay, Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Etta Rosales and DOJ Sec. Leila de Lima even came to the rescue by saying said that Gen. Sarmiento is qualified for the job.

However the Aquino government justifies it, the appointment of Gen. Sarmiento goes way beyond the issue of qualifications. It is a travesty of justice. It is a conscious effort to discredit and dishonour Martial Law victims. The Aquino government, which has banked on the people’s clamor for justice and change, is trying to push the people’s struggle for justice farther in the sidelines. The appointment of a PC relic to head the claims board is not only considered a grievous insult to the struggle against martial law but a shameless denial of the ideals in asserting freedom and democracy that was highlighted during the first Edsa People Power in 1986.

With its brandishing of human rights violators in the military and the appointment of Gen Sarmiento, the people who fought the dictatorship cannot expect anything more from the current administration. It is rather just to continue to fight for justice. SELDA demands the immediate recall of Sarmiento’s appointment.

SELDA has formed the People’s Claims Board (PCB).This will be the primary body to stand for the victims of Martial Law. It will ensure that all who suffered atrocities during the Marcos dictatorship shall be recognized and indemnified. The PCB will also ensure that RA 10368 will be implemented. It will formulate an Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) which will be submitted to the HRVCB as basis of the law’s implementation.

The PCB will continue to assert that, based on conclusive presumption, the 2,013 Martial Law victims that were delisted (who were part of the 9,539 members of the class suit against the Marcoses filed in Hawaii in 1986), and those who will step forward to make themselves recognized will be rightfully recognized and indemnified.

The PCB is composed of individuals actively in defense of human rights, and were victims themselves. They are Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo; SELDA chairperson Marie Hilao-Enriquez; SELDA vice-chairperson Bonifacio Ilagan; former Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Liza Maza; University of the Philippines Prof. Judy Taguiwalo; Dr. Edelina dela Paz; Atty. Kit Enriquez, Atty. Marcos Risonar, and Atty. Dominador Lagare, Sr.

Martial law victims in the regions of Southern Mindanao, Bicol and Panay launched also similar protest actions to express their grievances on the formation of the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board.

SELDA will continue to fight for justice for the victims of human rights violations.As long as the perpetrators are in power, and the Aquino government continues to implement the same policy of extrajudicial killings, abduction and enforced disappearances, illegal arrest and detention, torture and the wanton use of martial law tactics against the struggling people, we will continue to stand and assert for justice.

Reference:
Marie Hilao-Enriquez
SELDA chairperson
+63917-5616800

Jigs Clamor
SELDA national coordinator
+63917-5965859

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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. 
SELDA National Office:
2/F, Erythrina Building
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Streets,
Brgy. Central District, Diliman,
Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Tel: 632-4342837
Fax: 632-4354146

Ambassador Benavidez is lying, public apology is in order — Migrante Aotearoa

ICHRP Secretariat
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Ambassador Benavidez is lying, public apology is in order — Migrante Aotearoa

By Migrante Aotearoa NZ

Ambassador Virginia Benavidez is now claiming that she never made anti-union statements during a meeting with the Canterbury Pilipino Assistance Group (CPAG) last weekend. Leaders of the Filipino community group Migrante Aotearoa are calling on the Philippine Embassy to offer public apology and be open to all groups engaged in efforts to assist distressed Filipinos instead of advising Filipinos to stay away from unions.

“Kapag may problema kayo sa trabaho, huwag kayong lumapit sa unions at sa media lalo na yung nagpo-post sa New Zealand Herald.” (If you have problems with your job, don’t approach the unions and media especially those posting stories in the New Zealand Herald.”‘ Thus was the Ambassador’s statement as recalled by Migrante officials present in the CPAG meeting.

Marty de Lima, coordinator of Migrante chapter in Christchurch, says, “As one of Board members of CPAG, I was present at the meeting and was seated at the front. I heard exactly what Amb. Benavidez said about discouraging distressed Filipinos to approach the unions especially those who post stories in the New Zealand Herald. I was shocked and dismayed with her statement considering that the unions have been very helpful to Filipinos and other migrants needing assistance which the Embassy could not provide. Filipinos who have problems also approach me as I am the Migrante coordinator and a delegate of the Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union (EPMU).”

“It is regrettable that some officials of CPAG bowed down to pressure from the Philippine Embassy to hide the truth about Benavidez’ anti-union remarks. CPAG loses its credibility as some officials echoed the lies and denials of a government official who failed to promote and uphold Filipinos’ right to join unions. We urge other officials and members of CPAG to refuse to be accomplices in covering up the Ambassador’s booboos against NZ unions,” de Lima added.

“We stand proud to be active members of unions that are campaigning against migrant workers exploitation in New Zealand. Several Filipinos working for Christchurch rebuild are among those who have grievances are now seeking support from Migrante and the unions to ensure they get a fair deal,” Migrante noted.

“A formal public apology is definitely in order. The Philippine Embassy must stop any more lies and attempts to cover up Amb. Benavidez’ anti-union remarks. We believe the Ambassador’s anti-union and anti-media remarks are likely in reference to a particular case headlined in the New Zealand Herald that was handled by the First Union and Union Network of Migrants (Unemig) last year,” Dennis Maga, Migrante Aotearoa national coordinator and First Union organiser, stated. [related story on http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10912087]

“Instead of giving negative remarks against unions, we urge Amb. Benavidez to be open to all groups assisting Filipinos in distress. If she cannot appreciate the efforts of unions and community groups like Migrante to assist our distressed compatriots, the least she could do is refrain from discouraging people to join and support such groups that exist precisely because of gross lack of protection from the Philippine Embassy in NZ and around the world,” Maga concluded.

Reference:
Dennis Maga
National Coordinator
0226073918

Marty De Lima
Christchurch Coordinator
021025500111

Related links / other news:
http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/349360/pinoyabroad/news/phl-envoy-in-new-zealand-gets-union-s-ire-over-statement http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/236512/worries-about-filipino-workers-in-nz http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/9724745/Filipinos-say-boss-welshed-on-pay

Want to study in New Zealand? Think again http://www.mindanaoexaminer.com/news.php?news_id=20140216080534

Migrante Aotearoa NZ
M: 022 607 3918
E: secretariat@migrante-aotearoa.org.nz
W: migrante-aotearoa.org.nz
A: PO Box 13501, Onehunga, Auckland 1643

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