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Don’t add insult to injury, no to house arrest for GMA —Karapatan

ICHRP Secretariat
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Press Statement – “In the name of justice, GMA should end up in a detention facility and not under house arrest,” asserted Jigs Clamor, deputy secretary general of human rights group Karapatan.“ Clamor added that, “GMA should not be accorded special treatment. Instead, she must account for all the human rights violations committed under her regime.”

In GMA’s nine years in power, Karapatan has documented the following violations and the corresponding number of victims of her Oplan Bantay Laya:

 

Extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary execution

1,206
Frustrated Killing

379
Enforced or involuntary disappearance

 206
Torture

 1,099
Illegal arrest

 2,059
Physical assault and injuries

30,119
Threat, harassment and intimidation

 81,835
Indiscriminate firing

538,017
Illegal search and seizure

53,893
Forcible evacuation and displacement

 873,787
Hamletting

 39,803
Violation of domicile

 29,101
Food and other economic blockade:

 87,152
Use of schools, medical, religious and other public places for military purposes

57,914

“The victims of GMA as commander-in-chief of the AFP are real people. They are not just numbers. Justice should be served to those who were wronged. Enough of lies, enough of tricks. The families of the victims have suffered for so long. GMA must end up in jail. That’s the least the P-Noy administration can do,” said Clamor. ###

 

Reference:    Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General, 0920-9466210

 

                        Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580


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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 Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., 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.

Don’t let GMA flee! Jail GMA! – Morong 43

ICHRP Secretariat
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Don’t let GMA flee! Jail GMA! – Morong 43

We challenge the Aquino administration to do everything in its authority and influence to ensure that Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will not flee the country. She should be made accountable for all the crimes she committed against the people!”

Gary Liberal, R.N., spokesperson of the Morong 43 and  one of the plaintiffs named in the civil suit  filed on April 4, 2011 against GMA, etal.  at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, reminded the Aquino administration that it should not forget the victims of human rights violations  such as the Morong 43 case committed under GMA’s term.

Liberal, speaking in behalf of the 36 freed health workers and said that they are enraged of Mr. Aquino’s inability to act upon the cases filed against his predecessor such as to immediately free 2 of the Morong 43 who were transferred and still illegally detained in Mindoro.  “Obviously, the President took a sweet time before hastily filing an electoral fraud case against GMA.  Such obvious haste was unnecessary had Mr. Aquino acted swiftly on scores of other cases such as our illegal arrest and detention, the killing of Mr. Leonard Co, enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and the Ampatuan massacre among others.”

Seven months since they filed a civil suit suing for damages totaling P15 million for physical and psychological torture and other forms of indignities they suffered during their illegal arrest and detention, the case has not moved beyond the first and last hearing on June 2011.

Defendants named in the suit are former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales, former Chief of Staff Gen. Victor Ibrado, Gen. Delfin N. Bangit, former commander of the 2nd Infantry Division (ID) Gen. Jorge Segovia, commander of the intelligence unit of the 2nd IDPA Lt. Col. Cristobal Zaragosa, 2nd IDPA Warden Major Manuel Tabion, commander of the 202nd Infantry Batallion (IB) Col. Aurelio Baladad, 16th IBPA commander Lt. Col. Jaime Abawag, and Rizal Provincial Police Office commander P/Supt. Marion Balolong.

Liberal added that while they had to go on a hunger strike, get punished in jail for holding noise barrage, and file numerous requests in court to assert hospital confinement for two of their pregnant colleagues Judilyn Oliveros and Mercy Castro in the Philippine General Hospital, GMA was graciously allowed by the court and authorities to be on “hospital arrest” without dropping a sweat.

While GMA is asserting her constitutional rights to life and travel, Liberal questioned her camp if “their boss ever thought of ‘constitutional rights’ when she had 43 health workers arbitrarily arrested, detained, and tortured under the hands of her military and police?”

“We have not forgotten.  GMA and her cohorts should be made accountable for even the minutest crimes she committed against us and thousands of others like us.  She should not be given special treatment by this government.”

Her aces may be well laid in the Supreme Court but we have the people’s movement behind us – the very force that make the wheels of history turn, Liberal added.#

Reference: Gary Liberal, R.N., Spokesperson, Morong 43
Mobile: (0922)5751689 / Telefax: (+632 929.8109)

PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org

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.

URGENT ALERT: Mining bares more teeth by hiring renegade paramilitaries

ICHRP Secretariat
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URGENT ALERT: Mining bares more teeth by hiring renegade paramilitaries

URGENT ALERT: Mining bares more teeth by hiring renegade paramilitaries to force resisting communities to issue their consent in Bukidnon, Philippines

On October 28, 2011, members of the paramilitary group Triom Force intercepted Jimmy Liguyon, the barangay (village) captain of Dau, San Fernando, Bukidnon, and his wife as they were heading home from a human rights rally in Cagayan de Oro City.  According to Liguyon, the motorcycle they were riding was stopped and he and his wife were made to walk to a (vacant) house, accompanied by 13 armed men.  Their leader, whom he identified as Ange Dal-anay also known as ‘Taruc’, then threatened them.  Dal-anay told him to stop joining rallies and stop reporting the Triom Force’s activities on the radio.

Dal-anay then told him he should sign an endorsement letter accepting mining in Barangay Dau otherwise he will be killed.  Liguyon argued that it was not for him to decide whether or not to accept mining because he had to consult the residents of Dau.  Their barangay, however, had been staunchly against the entry of large mining companies because their primary livelihood was small scale mining.  They were released after more than an hour of threats.  However, he is warned that should he further refuse to sign, they already have the orders to kill him.  They did not, however, say who gave them the orders.

Prior to that incident, Jimmy Liguyon had already been constantly harassed by groups pushing for mining.  On October 13, Nonong Salusad, one of Triom’s leaders, called him and told him not to show his face again in Barangay Dau otherwise they will kill him.  The leaders of Triom are also heading the San Fernando Matigsalug Tigwahanon Tribal Association (SANMATRIDA) which is claiming the ancestral domain title in San Fernando.  The group threatens to kill anyone who will not join their association.

On October 16, at around 12 midnight, Ange Dal-anay and at least four other armed men encircled the house of the Liguyon family.  Dal-anay demanded for Jimmy to come out.  However, only his two sisters, his brother, two nieces and his mother-in-law were there.  After the incident, Jimmy’s relatives left Dau for fear that Dal-anay and his group would come back.

Liguyon’s case is just one among the many human rights violations committed by Triom Force.  Just recently, the Philippine Army has increased its forces in the municipality of San Fernando, claiming the deployment of more troops is to keep the peace and order situation in the communities.  Despite this, Triom members are able to go around freely.  The residents are suspecting that the military is supporting the group to help them with their counter-insurgency operations.  In fact, one of its leaders, Nonong Salusad, had been seen together with military personnel after he supposedly became instrumental in the surrender of 80 alleged New Peoples’ Army rebels.

The indigenous communities of San Fernando are fed up with the staged actions of the military and its backed armed civilian groups.  The increased military presence did not help their situation and in fact only added to their fears.  The military bombed the mountain of Butay near the Pantaron Range where the people of of Barangays Bunacao, Namnam and Magkalungay gather abaca.  They justified it by saying that it was an operation against rebels even if there was no crossfire.  Residents who had been there at that time took days before they were able to go home after they fled from the bombs.  Recently the area was restricted to the communities, robbing many families of their livelihoods.  The location of the military camp in Barangay Namnam is also just in front of the elementary school and every time they fire a bomb, the entire barangay is shaken.  This, in addition to the possible danger the camp is exposing the barangay should rebel groups attack the military.

We, the indigenous peoples of San Fernando ask for help in pressuring the Philippine government – with its numerous agencies that are supposed to be concerned of our welfare – to look into our situation and act on it.  We call upon the military to stop terrorizing and threatening our communities and to stop the militarization of our villages. We do not want military detachments to be constructed in or near our communities as it causes fear among the inhabitants. We want the Triom Force to be disbanded and disarmed to end their violence, killings and extortion. We would also want an investigation regarding the organization of this paramilitary group and the military’s involvement.

Below are the contact details of the government agencies where letters of concern can be addressed:

Hon. Loretta Ann Rosales
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Building, Commonwealth Avenue
UP Complex, Diliman, Quezon City

Ms. Zenaida Brigida H. Pawid
Chairperson
National Commission on Indigenous Peoples
2nd Floor N. dela Merced Building
Cor. West and Quezon Avenues, Quezon City
Philippines
Telephone +63-2-373-9787
Telefax: +63-2-373-9765
resource@ncip.gov.ph
dorothyhamada@gmail.com

Hon. Roque N. Agton, Jr.
NCIP Commissioner
Southern & Eastern Mindanao (Region XI & XIII)

Ms. Leila M. De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura Street
Ermita, Manila 1000
Philippines
fax: +63 2 523 9548
tel: +63 2 521 1908
email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph / doj.delima@gmail.com

His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
President
Republic of the Philippines
Malacanang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila 1005
Philippines

*This Urgent Alert is released by Katribu, a community-based organization of indigenous people in San Fernando, Bukidnon. Katribu is a member of the Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization. Please contact Kalumbay for other details or questions concerning this Urgent Alert.

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KALUMBAY Regional Lumad Organization
Ilocos St., Aluba Phase II, Macasandig
9000 Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
E-mail Address: kalumbay@gmail.com
Tel. Nos.: +63 (88) 310 8253
Working for the defense of our land, rights & culture, KALUMBAY is a regional alliance of nine Lumad (indigenous peoples) organizations in Northern Mindanao, Philippines

GMA, pro-Arroyo Judges, have no right to invoke “right to life” – Karapatan

ICHRP Secretariat
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Press Release – To insist on Gloria Arroyo’s right to travel as her “right to life” is the height of absurdity, insensitivity and injustice.

How about the right to life of Bsp. Alberto Ramento, Eddie Gumanoy, Eden Marcellana, Benjaline Hernandez, Arthur Orpilla, Dionisio Battad, Celso Pojas, Rebelyn Pitao, Fr. Cecilio Lucero, Maximo Baranda, Daya Manunggal Mandi, Roel Dotarot, Flaviano Arante, Elmer de la Cruz, Nonilon Gabani, Dr. Alice Claver, Atty. Juvy Magsino, Leima Fortu, Benjamin Bayles and the 58 victims of the Ampatuan massacre. They are among the thousand of peasants, workers, indigenous people, women, lawyers, students, Church people, activists, environmentalist who were victims of one of the bloodiest wars against the Filipino people. They are among the more than 1,000 victims of extrajudicial killings under the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime.

How about the right to life of Jonas Burgos, Sherlyn Cadapan, Karen Empeno, Honor Ayroso, Leo Velasco, James Balao, Nilo Arado, Luisa Posa-Dominado, Leopoldo Ancheta, Rogelio Calubad, Gloria Sioco, Celine Palma and Prudencio Calubid. They are among the hundreds of victims of enforced disappearances under GMA’s nine-year regime.

How about the right to life of Rolando Paniamogan, Ricardo Solangon, Muhamadiya Hamja, Mercy Mahinay, Antonio Roda, Freddie Ruiz, Delfin Pimentel, Prospero Agudo, Rogelio Villaresis, Eulogio Castillo, Rolando Laylo, Dario Tomada, Ernesto Dumlao, Manolito Matricio, Genoroso Granado Jr., Edgardo Lingan, Lambert Santiago, Raul Villar, Jesus Alegre, Selman Alegre, Elvie Apolonia, Emeterio Antalan and Leopoldo Caloza. They are among the 44 political prisoners who are sick; who need, but are denied of, immediate and adequate medical attention. They are among those arrested and detained under the GMA regime, being its most vocal critics.

They are the victims of the Arroyo regime. They are twice victimized by the Aquino government’s failure to act on the cases promptly. The government, when it filed electoral sabotage case against GMA, showed that it can act swiftly if it wants to. It was done, it can be done, and it should be done on all other cases filed against GMA. Pres. Aquino should ensure that Arroyo stays in jail and punished for the human rights violations she committed.#

Licensed to Flee: GMA must come to court with clean hands while Pnoy twiddles his fingers

ICHRP Secretariat
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Press Statement, National Union of People’s Lawyers – Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s attempts to escape justice and frustrate efforts to prosecute her is in plain view that nobody could have missed it. The minute she steps out of the country, the quest for justice will almost certainly fall apart. She will most probably wait it out till the political atmosphere and conditions are more conducive or accommodating to her political rehabilitation while she is “recuperating” or dodging imagined “political persecution.”

Amidst the competing views and the complex legal and political implications surrounding the issue, it is sad that prudence took the back seat. The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) was seen by not a few as having been issued with rather undue and unusual haste even as there is no compelling urgency for it. Oral arguments and studied contemplation should have been done first. Arroyo’s health condition is, fortunately, not life threatening.

While the Arroyos cry that their rights are being violated, the speedy issuance of the TRO has made some sectors of our society squirm in astonishment. It does not help any that there are pervasive perceptions that the results appear to hew to clear partisan lines. It could be seen as giving a relief that is precisely the meat of the petition and may in fact result in irreparable justice that can not be undone, to the utter disadvantage of the Filipino people and their interest in making high public officials really accountable and that impunity must stop, once and for all. There also is an apparent double standard with which the cases of privileged litigants with power and influence, like the Arroyos, are being treated.

The situation must be put into perspective. Needless to say, the surrounding facts and circumstances show that Arroyo is abusing the right to travel as a plausible ruse to escape accountability for the grave crimes she allegedly committed of which there is strong evidence. Even the “devil can quote the Scriptures,” so to speak.

But the law should not be taken in abstraction; instead it must be applied in a concrete legal and political situation, with the dispensation of justice as the overriding goal. As has been said before, “general propositions do not decide specific cases.”

Ironically, it bears noting that DOJ Department Circular 41 was issued during Arroyo’s time. It is downright odd and curious that she and her allies cry justice and due process now that things have turned and they are on the other receiving end. She and the former First Gentleman must come to court with clean hands. They must also drop the tasteless “persecution complex” and poor victim stunt.

We support all efforts to exhaust all possible remedies to stop attempts of the Arroyos to flee. Too many tyrants, here and abroad, have tried to escape accountability through the hospital door. For history not to repeat itself, we should be vigilant as the events that surely have long term effects on our nation unfold before our eyes. We can argue how many angels can dance on a head of pin but at the end of the day, the issue all boils down to accountability of our public officials. Can we really get justice?

Had President Aquino accompanied the rhetoric and blame game with prompt and concrete legal actions in prosecuting the Arroyos as part of its campaign against corruption, it would not have come to this high drama. While the Arroyos are rushing to leave the country, Pnoy was twiddling his fingers in decisively filing cases in court against them not only for big time corruption and unmitigated plunder but also for the most heinous violations of basic human rights#

Reference: Atty. Edre U. Olalia, NUPL Secretary General (09175113373)

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