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Urgent appeals for the typhoon victims and survivors

ICHRP Secretariat
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Urgent appeals for the typhoon victims and survivors

Dear friends and colleagues,

Greetings of peace! As a response to the urgent needs of our kababayans stricken by typhoons Yolanda and Santi, and the recent earthquake in the Philippines, we are soliciting financial and relief support for them.

The 7.2 magnitude earthquake has devastated more than 3 million people in the provinces of Bohol, Cebu and Siquijor and has claimed the lives of nearly 200 individuals in the area. With livelihood and homes shattered, earthquake victims are in need of our help to provide relief and rebuild their communities. Santi, on the other hand, swept vast farm lands in Central Luzon. In four barangays in Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac alone, an estimate of 27M worth rice crops and homes were destroyed.

Yolanda has claimed 151 lives in Eastern Visayas, according to the Phil. National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council, while disaster aid groups have estimated the death toll at around 1,200. Karapatan chapters in the regions together with other people’s organizations are conducting relief drives and missions to communities most devastated by the typhoons and earthquake.

Any amount that will be collected will be sent to them to buy potable water, ready-to-eat food and materials for reconstruction of their homes and sources of livelihood.

We will likewise be conducting a fundraising event entitled “Ukay-ukay for Human Rights” on November 14-15, 2013 for the benefit of the typhoon and earthquake victims, which you can support by either donating your pre-loved items or by patronizing the products that will be sold during the event.

We at the Karapatan-National Office are asking for your immediate support to extend financial help for the victims of the earthquake. You can send it through:

For US dollars:
Account Name: Karapatan
Account Number: 186-2-18600268-1
Bank: Metrobank, Kalayaan Avenue Branch, Quezon City, Philippines
IBAN: MBTCPHMM

For Philippine Peso:
Account Name: Karapatan
Account Number: 186-3-18618361-5
Bank: Metrobank, Kalayaan Avenue Branch, Quezon City, Philippines

Or through (Paypal, Western Union, or other money transfers): You can contact Ms. Ghay Portajada through numbers +632 4354146 or 0917-8299202 and through email at karapatan@karapatan.org for your donations.

In times of crisis such as this, we are all called upon to respond to the immediate needs of our brothers and sisters. Thank you for your relentless support.

Sincerely,

Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General

—
KARAPATAN National Office
2/F Erythrina Building #1 Maaralin cor. Matatag Sts., Central District,
1100 Quezon City
Email: karapatan@karapatan.org, karapatan.admin@gmail.com
Telefax: +632.4354146
Web Site: http://www.karapatan.org

 

From Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN or New Patriotic Alliance)
November 11, 2013

Reference: Renato M. Reyes, Jr. Secretary General

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan calls on all its chapters and member organizations in the Philippines and abroad to undertake mass mobilization for relief efforts for the victims of  Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan). We call on unions, employees’ associations, student organizations, community organizations and the general public to contribute to the efforts to help the communities ravaged by Yolanda. Through the Bayanihan Alay sa Sambayanan or BALSA, we are currently receiving cash and donations in kind intended for the victims of the typhoon.

The strongest storm to make landfall this year, and perhaps the most powerful in recorded history, may have claimed up to 10,000 lives according to some estimates. The storm cut a swath of destruction throughout the Visayas region in the Philippines, affecting as many as 4 million people across 36 provinces.

Many areas in the Eastern Visayas region remain without food, water, power and communications facilities. Entire communities have been levelled by the storm. Looting has been reported by the media. Worst hit were the coastal communities. The first area hit by the storm, Guiuan, Eastern Samar have initially reported as many as 300 dead. Relief workers are also trying to reach rural communities also believed to be devastated by the strong winds and the storm surge.

The situation of the people is made even more difficult by the backward socio-economic conditions in these provinces. The worst hit region, Eastern Visayas, ranks the third poorest region in the Philippines as of 2013. Of all the regions in the country, it alone posted negative growth in 2012 according to the National Statistical Coordinating Board. It registered the highest incidence of  families experiencing hunger according to  a 2011 government survey. Most vulnerable to the effects of the storm are the peasants and fisherfolk who live under conditions of poverty and underdevelopment. We fear for the situation of many villages near mountain areas which are also vulnerable due to the effects of large-scale mining and logging operations.

Another region hit, the Western Visayas, has a poverty incidence of 24.7% as of 2012 and an unemployment and underemployment rate of 27.8%. The region has reeled from slumping agriculture and fisheries. The impact of the storm will again take the greatest toll on the peasants and fisherfolk in the region.

Years of systemic fund misuse, as shown by the corruption in the pork barrel system, has further aggravated poverty in these regions. Those in power who are perpetuating the status quo are thus also liable for the dismal situation of the people in these regions.

At this point, government should prioritize relief and rehabilitation efforts for the victims of the typhoon. Funds should be channelled directly to relief and rehab, primarily food and water, health care and shelter in the immediate, as well as livelihood and rebuilding of communities in the medium term. Government funding, such as those used for debt servicing or items that are considered part of the corrupt pork barrel system, should instead be used for the needs of the typhoon victims. We definitely take exception to the use of public funds for the promotion of narrow political interests at a time of severe crisis. Lastly, government should heed the people’s demands for social justice such as genuine land reform and an end to destructive mining and logging operations in these regions. Unless true economic development is undertaken in these regions, the vast majority of the population will continue to be increasingly vulnerable to the effects of calamities both natural and man-made.

We call on the people to join the International Day of Solidarity for the Victims of Yolanda on November 13 by holding assemblies, discussions and mobilizing people to contribute to relief efforts. ###

– See more at: http://www.bayan.ph/site/2013/11/bayan-calls-for-mass-mobilization-for-relief-efforts-for-typhoon-yolanda-victims/#sthash.fu7KevL5.dpuf

 

From the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines

RURAL MISSIONARIES OF THE PHILIPPINES
A Mission Partner of the Association of Major Religious Superiors in the Philippines
# 6 K-JJ Street, East Kamias , Quezon City Tel # 961- 5094

E-mail: ab.ruralmissions2010@gmail.com

November 11, 2013

Angie Gonzales
International Coordinating Committee
for Human Rights in the Philippines

Greetings in the Lord!

On account of the calamities that hit our country one after another: a strong typhoon that hit Central Luzon in late September, followed by an earthquake that badly hit Cebu & Bohol in October and now (November 8) the super typhoon “Yolanda” (international name Haiyan) devastated Eastern Visayas, particularly Leyte and Samar including other provinces. We at the RMP national office received reports of the extent of damage, on how the poor suffer with whom we have been journeying with in the past four decades. We are present in all the provinces affected by the typhoon.

The storm surge went as high as 15 feet, causing flash floods in several low lying areas, affecting ten (10) regions, 44 provinces, 38 cities, 201 municipalities and 934 baranggays. Partial report from the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) as of Nov. 8 statistics shows: 500 people dead in Tacloban City Leyte alone, 55 from Eastern Samar, 5 from Iloilo, 4 from Coron, Palawan, 905,353 affected families, equivalent to 4,031,104 persons, with several persons injured and many are still missing.

In view of this, RMP would like to appeal for assistance, badly needed are : food items (noodles, canned goods, rice) medicines , clothing, bed sheets, kitchen utensils, slippers, mats, etc. We are currently asking for donations from different religious congregations, organizations, institutions and individuals by whatever means you can afford. You may also course your donation by depositing to our bank account name : Rural Missionaries of the Philippines at Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) Kamuning Branch Euro account # 3144032488.

If possible, we would like to invite you or a representative to come with us to the province on your available dates for the medical mission or relief distribution to become a witness to the condition of the poor typhoon victims. Your positive response would mean so much for our less-privileged brothers and sisters. Thank you very much.

Sincerely in Christ,

(sgd) Sr.M. Francis Añover,RSM
National Coordinator

 

Reflections on Churches’ witnessing with human rights victims

ICHRP Secretariat
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Reflections on Churches’ witnessing with human rights victims

By Rev. KYOUNG GYUN HAN
Asian Ministries Coordinator
Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ)

At the time I was based in the Union Theological Seminary (UTS) in the Philippines, local villagers including indigenous people who resisted mining operations and militarization have been forcibly displaced from their communities.

The seminary served as sanctuary for the refugees, despite the threat of harassment and intimidation by state security forces. For the students’ theological training, they were encouraged to be aware of the plight of the poor and marginalized sectors, especially the victims of human rights atrocities.

I believe the UTS support for the refugees is one good example of church solidarity with the victims of injustice. Walking and working with the poor is not optional. It is in fact, a basic role and sacred duty of the church.

Prophetic Voices Silenced

During my ministry in the Philippines I have personally met some of the clergy and lay church workers whose lives were brutally taken as they were known to be outspoken critics of government corruption and human rights abuses.

One of them was The Most Rev. Alberto Ramento, Bishop of the Philippine Independent Church, an active supporter of striking sugarworkers of Hacienda Luisita. He was not only a Bishop of the Church – he was a dearly beloved Bishop of the Poor. Assassins broke through the rectory where Bishop Ramento was staying at around 4:00 am of October 03, 2006 in the Parish of San Sebastian, Tarlac City. He was awakened in his sleep when the assassins had entered his room and stabbed him seven times to death.

Hacienda Luisita is one of the country’s biggest land monopoly controlled by the Cojuangco-Aquino clan. Bishop Ramento was added to the long list of poor peasants and genuine land reform advocates who were brutally silenced by those who are determined to maintain their excessive wealth at the expense of the poor.

Global Voices Denounce Incessant Killings

As hundreds of Filipinos became victims of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances during the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration, my co-workers in the Presbyterian Church of Korea (PCK) along with other member-churches of the World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed indignation over the Philippines human rights crisis.

As current Asian Ministries Coordinator of Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ), I was invited to attend the International Conference for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (ICHRPP) last July in Manila through the support of Philippines Solidarity Network of Aotearoa (PSNA). I was very happy for the chance to return to my second home, where I spent more than 7 years of ministry in Southern Luzon, one of the regions with the highest number of documented rights abuses.

It was a big conference of over 200 people from around the globe. It is such an honour to be part of a global network including churches actively supporting the Filipino people’s quest for justice and peace. The ICHRPP deplored the fact that far from his 2010 election promise to deliver justice for human rights victims of past regimes, Pres. Benigno Simeon Aquino’s 3-year administration now holds a record of ZERO conviction of perpetrators of rights abuses and added more victims: 142 extra-judicial killings, 540 illegal arrests, 76 cases of torture, 30, 678 forced evacuations, 31,417 cases of threats/harassment/intimidation, and 27,029 cases of use of schools, medical, religious and other public places.

NZ Churches in Solidarity with Philippines

The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) was born out of the conference which I attended in Manila.

Coming back to New Zealand, I pledged to watch out Philippine situation, engage in solidarity action and strengthen migrants’ ministry particularly in Auckland and Christchurch, where hundreds of Filipinos are coming over for project rebuild. Our efforts to support the clamor for justice and peace in the Philippines include the following actions:

  • On 19th August, Rev. Stuart Vogel and I joined the Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) in making paper cranes (Japanese origami) in support of the campaign to Surface James Balao and all victims of enforced disappearances. Based on the ancient Japanese legend that anyone who folds a thousand origami cranes will be granted a wish by a crane, we expressed support for all the families awaiting the return of their loved ones who have been abducted by state agents.
  • On 5th September we sent a joint PCANZ-Methodist letter of concern to the Philippine Embassy regarding the harassment of another pastor of our partner, the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), among other persistent rights abuses under the Aquino presidency. We also highlighted call urging the Government of the Philippines to immediately resume formal peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
  • On 17th October, marking two years since the killing of Fr. Fausto ‘Pops’ Tentorio, PIME, we gathered at St John’s Presbyterian Church to remember the martyrdom and lighted candles for justice for Fr. Pops. Rev. Prince Devanandan of the NZ Methodist Church shared his reflection, “We live today in a world where money has become more important than human life. The military in the Philippines and many countries controlled by the multinationals are only taught to kill those who resist injustice, but not taught to respect human life and dignity.”

In support of the goals of the ICHRP, I vow to hold the Filipino people always in our prayers, and hope to engage more New Zealanders in global ecumenical solidarity actions for justice and peace in the Philippines.

Private corporations, government plan wipe out of Hacienda Dolores communities

ICHRP Secretariat
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Private corporations, government plan wipe out of Hacienda Dolores communities

Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL)

Led by Alyansa ng mga Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (Farmers’ Alliance in Central Luzon), Aniban ng Nagkakaisang Mamamayan sa Hacienda Dolores (ANMHD, Association of the United Citizens of Hacienda Dolores), Karapatan-Central Luzon, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasants Movement of the Philippines) and Anakpawis Party-list, a National Fact-finding and Solidarity Mission (NFFSM) was held at the Hacienda Dolores in Porac town on 30-31 October to investigate alleged land grabbing and displacement efforts by Leonardo-Lachenal-Leonio Holdings Inc. (LLL or LHI), FL Property Management Corp. (FL Corp.) and Ayala Land, Inc.

The activity was also joined by groups such as the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP), Social-Pastoral Apostolate of Holy Family Academy (Angeles city) and St. Scholastica Academy – Manila, Central Luzon Ayta Association, Aguman Dareng Maglalautang Capampangan (AMC), AMBALA – Hacienda Luisita, Karapatan – National, Sinagbayan, Anakbayan, Bayan Muna – Pampanga, PDIARS and KM 64.

LHI and FL Corp. have claimed about 754 hectares of the 2,099-hectare Hacienda Dolores which is connected by an interchange of the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx).

“The people of Hacienda Dolores is in grave distress, facing the land grabbing measures of LHI, FL Corp. and Ayala Land.  The children, women, elderly and farmers have their own stories shared in the activity,” Joseph Canlas said, AMGL chairperson and Anakpawis Party-list regional coordinator.

“The private corporations have violated the socio-economic rights of the people of Hacienda Dolores, when they were barred from attending to their farms since 2011. LHI and FL Corp. also destroyed crops, bulldozed of their farms, and their guards snatched livestock and poultry owned by the farmers.  They filed trumped up charges against the farmers resulting to illegal arrests.  These corporations are essentially killing the people as their sources of livelihood are being cut off,” Canlas said.

The NFFSM group initially documented 26 cases of destruction and divestment of properties, victimizing 21 farmers, five peasant women; one case of illegal mass arrest victimizing 12 farmers on 4 November 2011; one case of illegal arrest and detention on 28 July this year; two separate cases of harassment, threat and intimidation; and a case of coercion to a farmer to sign a waiver of voluntary surrender of land and recruitment of local and indigenous Ayta to serve as goons and security guards.

According to a certain Ruben Zalta, 79 years old, one of the eldest in the village cultivating 1.5 hectare of rice land, 7 hectare with vegetable crops, 20 mango trees and 15 coconut tree, 2 hectare with guava trees.  He was a victim of coercion to sign the waiver on 24 August this year when about 20 unidentified men in jackets and bonnets surrounded him with his 81-year old wife, Teresita Zalta and said “papatayin kita kapag hindi ka pumirma sa waiver” (I will kill you if you don’t sign the waiver).

Zalta, then trembling, signed the waiver in front of a man with hand inside the jacket’s pocket, apparently holding something. After the incident, he filed a complaint at the barangay hall but told to complain at the municipal hall.  At the town hall, he was advised to return to the barangay hall but faced with chairman Nestor Tolentino, his son-in-law replying “wala na tayong magagawa dahil nasa korte na,” (there is nothing we can do as it is already at the courts).  At present, his house was being used by the security guards as post and his poultry are missing.

In addition, some women, namely Rossan Colobong, Mercedita Angeles, Filipina Franco, Iluminada Ignacio, Rowena Santiago, Josephine De Jesus and Virginia Ayson resort to other work such as laundry, farm work, marketing and retail as they were not able to harvest their crops as their farms were fenced by LHI and FL Corp.  They said that their crops were stolen by the goons and security guards and this has affected their way of life as they lost source of income, for food and schooling of their children.

The women also supposed that they were able to harvest 10 to 15 tons of guava daily, and they were delivered to Pampang market in Angeles city, a guava jam factory in Bulacan and some parts of Metro Manila.  Thus, they were able to earn weekly about P3,000 to P7,500 from a price set to P10 to P25 per kg of guava.  Since May this year, as their farms were seized from them, they lost about P180,000 of potential income.

The land grabbing of LHI and FL Corp. also affected the youth in Hacienda Dolores.  A young girl named Merry Jane G. Franco, 18 years old, was not able to go to college as her family lost their source of income.  She witnessed how the security guards barred her parents to attend their farm, demolished their house, declining number of livestock and poultry and destruction of their crops.

The LHI is claiming 298 hectares covering Purok 3 to 8 of Hacienda Dolores, while FL Corp. is claiming 456 hectares ranging from th plains to the mountain tops involving some ancestral lands of Ayta communities. Ayala Land has publicized their plan with Hacienda Dolores, covering 1,000 hectares to be developed similar to the Nuvali project in Sta. Rosa city in Laguna province. Nuvali is an eco-residential and tourism project catering rich foreign and local businesses.  LHI and FL Corp. has already barred at least 350 farmers from attending their farms.

“The case of Hacienda Dolores is an unquestionable instance of bankruptcy of past and present land reform laws. The farmers’ ancestors have cultivated the lands since the Spanish colonialism, even before any Philippine government or constitution was established. But now, they are being displaced and their livelihood seized,” Canlas said.

Hacienda Dolores farmers said that their ancestors have cultivated the lands since 1835, in a farming community of 20 households. The lands were then claimed by Gregorio Macapinlac during the late 19th century and from 1916 to 1975 were claimed by the Champourchin family. During the Marcos dictatorship, part of Hacienda Dolores was claimed by the Puyat family and in 1999 by Dayrit family. In 2005, LHI began claiming lands and attempted to displace farmers while FL Corp. started in 2007.

“It is very clear that government laws did not serve the farmers of Hacienda Dolores.  Since the Land Reform Act of Magsaysay in 1955 until the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program Extension with “Reforms” or CARPer, the farmers still do not secure the lands they have cultivated,” Canlas said.

“The moral and just demand of Hacienda Dolores farmers and residents is their lands to be given back, punish the private corporations and their goons and security guards,” Canlas added.

AMGL said that it would take a miracle for the Aquino government to serve the interest of the people of Hacienda Dolores. With Aquino’s family scheming to keep control over the vast lands of Hacienda Luisita, Aquino is clearly on the side of private corporations and his financial backer Ayala Land. Aquino is also pushing the implementation of the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) program which means nothing but the collusion of the government and rich foreign and local business to rake up profits from the country’s natural and human resources.

“It is imperative that poor Hacienda Dolores farmers and residents to firmly defend their rights to land. We call on different sectors to support their struggle as it is one with the poor and oppressed sectors of the country. Their emancipation is the genuine step to development in our country, not the concrete, superficial projects of Ayala Land and similar corporations,” Canlas called.

REFERENCE:
Joseph Canlas
Chairperson, AMGL
+639182335050

Aquino kin threatens eviction of Hacienda Luisita farmers

ICHRP Secretariat
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Aquino kin threatens eviction of Hacienda Luisita farmers

AMBALA suspects foul play in death of farmer Dennis dela Cruz

By Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura

President Aquino’s rabid defense of his pork and the illegal Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) boils down to his family’s desperate efforts to evade land distribution in Hacienda Luisita.

The Unyon ng Mangagagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA, Agricultural Workers Union) strongly remarked: “PNoy, ayaw bitiwan ang DAP at pork. Ayaw bitiwan ang Hacienda Luisita! Hindi lang magnanakaw, mangangamkam pa!” [Aquino refuses to abandon his DAP and pork. He refuses to let go of Hacienda Luisita! He’s not only a thief, he’s also a landgrabber!]

After his prime time TV declaration that he is not a thief, President Aquino’s family-owned Tarlac Development Corporation (TADECO) has now filed trespassing charges against 81 farmer-residents in Barangay (village) Cutcut, Sta. Catalina, in Hacienda Luisita.

The charges came months after TADECO aggressively installed security outposts and armed personnel around choice agricultural lots in Barangays Balete and Cutcut and issued eviction letters to hundreds of farmers who are supposed to be beneficiaries of the 2012 Supreme Court decision to distribute land in Hacienda Luisita.  Armed TADECO guards have also set up several “NO TRESPASSING” signs around agricultural lots tilled by farmer-residents since 2005.

In Barangay Balete, Dennis dela Cruz, a member of the farmworkers group Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA, Alliance of Farmworkers in Hacienda Luisita) was found dead inside the group’s farm hut today. Dela Cruz sustained head concussions from a heavy wooden post. AMBALA suspects foul play.

Days before the incident, dela Cruz was repeatedly threatened by TADECO guards to vacate the hut. Dela Cruz was tasked by AMBALA members to supervise the rebuilding of the group’s hut, after it was damaged by typhoon Santi.

TADECO guards have also occupied four houses in Barangay Balete and prevented its owners from repairing their homes damaged by the typhoon. Even in Barangay Mapalacsiao, TADECO personnel have informed residents that they should cease planting rice and vegetables and they will only be allowed to use the land up to harvest time.

The hundreds of hectares aggressively cordoned off by TADECO from farmers are all prime lands, with the area in Cutcut near the newly-opened TPLEX portion while the rest are all near the SCTEX (high-speed motorways).

“Sabi ng DAR, sa amin na ang lupa. Tapos na daw ang kalbaryo ng mga magbubukid sa asyenda. Pero bakit kami ngayon ang pinalalayas ng pamilya ni PNoy?,” [DAR says the land is ours. They say that the trials of the peasants of the hacienda are finally over. But why are we now being driven away by the family of Noynoy Aquino?] asked Florida “Pong” Sibayan, acting chairperson of AMBALA.

The Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) proudly declared that land distribution in Hacienda Luisita is complete with the dissemination of Certificate of Land Ownership Award (CLOA) photocopies to beneficiaries in all 10 Luisita barangays.

“Distribution of xeroxed titles is not equal to physical land distribution. Papel lang yan, hindi lupa. Ang ibig pang sabihin nito, dapat nang magbayad ng amortisasyon ang mga magbubukid, kahit ni hindi pa nila nakikita kung nasaan ang lupa nila,” [Those are only pieces of paper, not land. This also means that the peasants will be obliged to pay amortization for land that they have not even seen yet.] said Sibayan.

“Naging bingi at bulag ang DAR sa panawagan namin na libreng pamamahagi ng lupa. Ngayon sila pa ang kasabwat ng mga Cojuangco-Aquino sa pangangamkam,” [DAR has been deaf and blind to our repeated calls for the free distribution of land. Now, they are even conniving with the Cojuangco-Aquino family’s landgrabbing,] said Sibayan. The DAR has repeatedly justified TADECO’s claim by saying that the lots in question are not covered by the SC decision and are “residential.” The DAR claims that it is still “verifying” the agricultural nature of these lots.

TADECO also ordered the violent and unlawful arrest of 11 Hacienda Luisita fact-finding delegates in September, which included Sibayan and Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap.

“Hindi pa man nabibigyang hustisya ang pagkamatay ng mga magbubukid sa Hacienda Luisita massacre, pati na ang sunud-sunod na pagpatay nang dahil sa asyenda, mayroon na namang mga bagong kaso,” [Justice has not yet been rendered on the deaths of peasants in the Hacienda Luisita massacre, including the serial killings related to the hacienda, and yet, new cases continue to arise.] said Sibayan.

After nine years, justice has been elusive to victims of the Hacienda Luisita massacre which claimed the lives of 7 farmworkers. AMBALA and UMA will lead intensified protests against sham land reform and impunity under Aquino coinciding with the Hacienda Luisita massacre commemoration on November 15-16.

REFERENCE:
Christopher Garcia
Spokesperson – AMBALA
+639293200615

——————————————————————————

Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (Agricultural Workers Union)
Philippines

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A Day of Solidarity for Roy Velez, Amelita Bravante, other victims of political persecution

ICHRP Secretariat
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A Day of Solidarity for Roy Velez, Amelita Bravante, other victims of political persecution

Dear Friends:

On July and October 2013, the regional trial courts of Lagawe, Ifugao and Labo, Camarines Norte, respectively revoked and suspended the warrants of arrest issued against trade union leaders Roy Velez and Amelita Bravante who have been charged with fabricated murder cases.

The two courts also ordered the City and Provincial Prosecutor’s Offices in Ifugao and Camarines Norte to conduct a re-investigation on the charges filed against the two union leaders with other human rights defenders who are also co-accused in the same cases such as Randy Vegas and Raul Camposano of COURAGE, Rene Abiva (ACT TEACHERS), Virgilio Corpuz (PISTON), and peasant advocates Ramon Argente and Nancy Ortega.

We believe that this is a huge victory for Roy Velez, Amelita Bravante, and other victims of political persecution, their families, friends, colleagues, and their organizations.  And this is due to our unwavering and collective campaigns to stop the criminalization of human rights defenders.

We have formed the Tambuli ng Mamamayan (People’s Clarion Call) composed of victims, families, friends, supporters, and colleagues of victims of political persecution in Metro Manila, which started since December 2012. Since then, we have organized various activities and actions to stress our calls and demands to junk the trumped up charges, and for justice to all victims of political persecution and other human rights violations.

Nevertheless, we must continue our actions to call for the total dismissal of the fabricated cases against our trade union leaders. We must continue to declare that genuine justice shall be served to all victims of political persecution and human rights violations.

We must also continue our campaign and calls for JUSTICE to all victims of  extrajudicial killings such as Arnel Leonor (Silverio Compound), Antonio Homo (Navotas), Marilou Valle (Tondo), Erning Gulfo and Marlyn Sumera (Malabon); call to Free Renante Gamara, Randy Vegas, Raul Camposano, Rene Abiva, Virgilio Corpuz, Silverio 10, and all political prisoners.

Most of all, we must continue to expose and oppose Oplan Bayanihan which aims to silence and stop our legitimate struggles for land, jobs, homes, justice, and for meaningful social change.

Thus, we are inviting everyone on 8 November 2013 to A Day of Action Against Political Persecution & Solidarity with Roy Velez, Amelita Bravante & other Victims of Human Rights Violations.

7:00 – 11:00 AM – Picket Dialogue in front of the Department of Justice and Supreme Court with Roy Velez and Amelita Bravante.

2:00 – 4:00 PM – Solidarity Action (Justice for Arnel Leonor. Free Silverio 10)

6:30 – 8:30 – Solidarity Gathering with Roy Velez and Amelita Bravante on the continued campaign to stop the criminalization of human rights defenders. IFI Conference Room, Taft, Avenue.

For those organizations which cannot personally attend the said event, we are encouraging you to send solidarity statements or messages that can be read during the program.

Once again, thank you very much for your active participation in the campaign. Without let up, we shall continue in the fight for JUSTICE.

Sincerely yours,

Defend Job Philippines
and
Tambuli ng Mamamayan Network

 

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