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Aquino-Cojuangco bulldozers threaten Luisita farmers anew

ICHRP Secretariat
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Aquino-Cojuangco bulldozers threaten Luisita farmers anew
Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Federation of Agricultural Workers | Philippines

Hacienda Luisita farmers express support for victims of the massacre in Kidapawan. In the backround is the “kubol” or the local headquarters of AMBALA in Barangay Mapalacsiao under threat of demolition.

“Two Cojuangco-Aquinos have won the presidency with the promise to distribute Hacienda Luisita to us farmworkers. But look at what’s happening to us here now.”

The rumbling sound of bulldozers roused Hacienda Luisita farmers from sleep past 10 pm last night, April 18, when Aquino-Cojuangco aides reportedly ordered the complete demolition of collective farms and huts run by a farmworkers organization in Barangay Mapalacsiao.

According to reports from the Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA), goons under the orders of Arsenio “Arsing” Valentino, a known Aquino-Cojuangco aide and farm administrator were set to demolish AMBALA’s kubol (headquarters) in Barangay Mapalacsiao last night. Several women farmers held vigil to stop the bulldozing.

AMBALA is the local affiliate of the national agriworkers center Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA).

“Hindi natuloy ang pagbuldos ng kubol sa Mapalacsiao, sa pagkakaisa ng mga kababaihan na ipaglaban ang lupa. Kahit gabi na, hindi sila natakot na ipagtabuyan ang mga magbubuldos, (The bulldozing of our hut in Mapalacsiao was averted by the women’s unity to fight for the land. It was very late, but they were not afraid to drive away the goons,” said Florida Sibayan, AMBALA Chairperson.

However, AMBALA also reported that the bulldozers are now on standby and demolition can continue anytime. Gravel and sand has been delivered to the area where a workers’ barracks has been set up for the construction of a new structure in the said disputed area.

UMA noted that this new threat coincides with the fourth anniversary of the historic Supreme Court decision for total land distribution in Hacienda Luisita which was promulgated on April 24, 2012.

Only last month, from March 21-22, more than 20 hectares planted mostly to monggo (mung bean) and other food crops in the same area have been destroyed by 8 tractors manned by goons reportedly hired by Valentino, and another known Cojuangco-Aquino aide, Buena Timbol.

UMA Secretary General Danilo Ramos lamented that “President BS Aquino does not give a damn about these illegal activities in his own backyard. He didn’t even say anything about farmers killed and hurt in Kidapawan.” President Aquino was among respondents in the Hacienda Luisita massacre case filed by survivors and kin of victims, a case which was “killed” or junked by the Ombudsman twice during Aquino’s reign.

Anakpawis lawmaker Fernando “Ka Pando” Hicap revived his call to investigate bogus land distribution implemented by Aquino and the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) in Hacienda Luisita. As early as August 2013, Anakpawis authored House Resolution No. 163, directing the House Committee on Agriculture to conduct an inquiry, after reports of fraudulent processes and harassment of farmers hit the news. In October 2103, Anakpawis, Rep. Neri Colmenares and the rest of the Makabayan bloc in Congress also introduced House Resolution 417 to hold investigations regarding the highly questionable land survey of Hacienda Luisita.

“The DAR’s dubious land survey and mode of distribution via tambiolo raffle draws in highly militarized ceremonies laid the basis for the swindle of supposed beneficiaries and the shameless landgrabbing and eviction happening now in Hacienda Luisita,” said Ramos.

Other than this incident, on June 25, 2014, the DAR itself through its Provincial Agrarian Reform Office led by Atty. Jose Eduardo Narcisco, with assistance from fully-armed policemen led by SPO3 Dela Cruz of the Tarlac City PNP assigned at the Mapalacsiao precinct, and Bgry. Capt. Edison Diaz of Lourdes (Texas) village, led the destruction of food crops and fruit trees in the same area in Hacienda Luisita.

The DAR is also instrumental in the illegal arrest, smear campaign and filing of trumped-up charges against Hacienda Luisita farmers who were slapped with violation of RA 6657 or the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law – for cultivating the land promised by agrarian reform.

In 2014, complaints or countercharges were filed by farmers at the Department of Justice (DOJ) against the perpetrators and other members of President BS Aquino’s family who are involved in such atrocities against the farmers. But up to now, no action has been taken by authorities.

“Now they are wooing us to vote for someone who will continue their ‘Daang Matuwid.’ Are they referring to a ‘straight path’ where farmers are run over by rumbling bulldozers?” ended Sibayan.

Reference:
Gi Estrada
UMA Media Officer
+639166114181

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Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura
Federation of Agricultural Workers | Philippines

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Karapatan files UN complaint on arson of Lumad evacuation center

ICHRP Secretariat
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Karapatan files UN complaint on arson of Lumad evacuation center

At the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland

March 7, 2016, Geneva, Switzerland – Human rights activists from Karapatan participating at the 31st United Nations Human Rights Council session submitted a complaint/letter of allegation to UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Dr. Chaloka Beyani on the recent deliberate and targetted burning of the evacuation camp of more than 700 Lumad indigenous people in Mindanao at the compound of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Davao City on February 24, 2016. The evacuees came mostly from communities in Davao del Norte and Bukidnon where military operations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines are conducted.

In July 2015, Dr. Beyani was in the Philippines for an official visit to investigate the human rights situation of internally displaced persons in typhoon Haiyan-affected communities, communities affected by mining activities of trans-national corporations, and those who forcibly evacuated from their communities because of military operations. Beyani also visited the UCCP Haran compound and had a dialogue with the tribal leaders.

In his exit statement, he said, “I was alarmed that tribal leaders reported that their communities were consistently being manipulated and divided and that they had been harassed and received threats when they expressed their opposition. Indeed, some leaders and members of the indigenous communities have been killed over the past years, reportedly due to their anti-mining activities.” In its vain attempt to divert the issue, the AFP Eastern Mindanao Command deliberately twisted Beyani’s statements to conform to the EastMinCom’s vile scheme to further harass the evacuees. Beyani, in response, called the AFP’s move as “gross misrepresentation” of his statement.

According to Karapatan’s complaint, at around 2:30 a.m. on February 24, 2016, evacuees woke up to the smell of gasoline poured on the canvas roofs of the evacuees’ tents at the evacuation center. Immediately after, the tents were set aflame when a lighted torch was thrown in. Five makeshift houses were already consumed by fire when it was put out. The dormitories of the UCCP compound, which was roughly 100 meters from the evacuation camp, were also burned.

Five persons were hurt during the incident, with three needing hospitalization, including two children. The children suffered burns when the canvas roofs melted and fell on the children’s feet. Some also had burns in their hands.

The more than 700 evacuees started to arrive at the UCCP- Haran, batches, starting February 2015. Most them are from Talaingod and Kapalong, Davao del Norte, while a number came from Kitaotao in Bukidnon province. The Lumad fled their communities when soldiers and military-backed ALAMARA militia forces occupied their communities and forcibly recruited them into the paramilitary group.

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the continuing harassment on the Lumad evacuees seeking refuge at the UCCP Haran, and the insistence of state agencies to force them back to their communities, show a lack of understanding of their plight and a lack of concern for their safety and welfare.

Palabay, together with Michelle Campos, daughter of slain Lumad leader Dionel Campos, and Karapatan Caraga coordinator Dr. Naty Castro, participated at the UN HRC session in Geneva, Switzerland this March 2016 to raise awareness on the killings and forcible evacuation in the Philippines, including that of indigenous rights defenders and their communities.

Institutions, organizations and individuals from Canada, the Netherlands, Rome, and Australia also condemned the deliberate burning of the Lumad evacuation center and wrote statements and appeals calling on Pres. Benigno Aquino to stop the harassment of Lumad evacuees and to stop military operations in civilian communities. The United Church of Canada, Netherlands Philippines Solidarity Committee, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines Canada, Sisters of Our Lady of Sion Australia, Consiglio Metropolitano Partecipato Rome, and Palestina nel Cuore Committee of Rome are among the said organizations.

Please see copy of the complaint sent to Dr. Chaloka Beyani.

Reference:
Cristina “Tinay” Palabay
Secretary General
thru Facebook: Tinay Palabay
Twitter: @TinayPalabay

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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
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 ACTION: Human rights defender Zara Alvarez threatened

ICHRP Secretariat
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URGENT ACTION: Human rights defender Zara Alvarez threatened

By Human Rights Matter

Name of HRD at risk: Zara Reboton Alvarez
Country: Philippines
Date and time of security incident: 4th of March 2016 at 08:45 am
Security incident: Received threats via SMS “JUST WAIT YOU ARE GOING BACK TO JAIL AGAIN WE KNOW YOUR WHEREABOUTS”

HRD security incident summary:

Human Rights Defender and mother Zara Alvarez faces once again severe harassments and threats! After serving more than one year in prison for trumped up, robbery, and murder charges, she received a text message this morning from an unsolicited number, saying:

“JUST WAIT YOU ARE GOING BACK TO JAIL AGAIN WE KNOW YOUR WHEREABOUTS”.

Currently Zara Alvarez is out on bail as her case is pending. Due to her active involvement in Human Rights, Campaigning and Political Prisoners struggles, she has been facing a mix of security incidents ranging from being followed and surveyed to being harassed by electronic means such as threatening text messages. This particular threat aims to target her ongoing criminal case, which will be heard later this month. This puts in doubt that Zara Alvarez will receive a fair and independent trial. We are currently requesting that urgent action be taken by the international community by highlighting and exposing the violations and therefore putting pressure on the Philippines authorities to take positive protective measures and properly investigate the current incident.

For more information on Zara’s case, please check out the following blog post:

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS DAY – Philippines: Zara Alvarez continues her work in spite of incarceration and threats

Green groups storm DMCI, demand closure of its Zambales nickel mine

ICHRP Secretariat
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Green groups storm DMCI, demand closure of its Zambales nickel mine

MAKATI City—Today on the 21st Anniversary of Philippine Mining Act of 1995, environmental advocates from Metro Manila, Zambales and Batangas amassed outside the office of the DM Consunji (DMCI) company. The protesters aired their demands for the stoppage of the destructive mining and pollutive power projects of DMCI.

“DMCI operates several mining, power, and logging operations across the country, most having long records of forest denudation, water pollution, community displacement, and human rights violations. They are a clear example of the irresponsible brand of mining promoted by the current Mining Act. The Aquino government should suspend the DMCI’s operations, especially their mines in Zambales, Palawan and Antique,” said Clemente Bautista, National Coordinator of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE).

DMCI’s nickel mines in Zambales and Palawan, and its coal mine in Semirara have been suspended repeatedly due to environmental violations over the past years. In July 2015, 9 mine workers were killed when part of DMCI Semirara coal mine collapsed. Just last month, communities in Sta. Cruz, Zambales have put up barricades to stop DMCI’s Zambales mine operations. Scores of barricading residents have been arrested and slapped with mining obstruction charges by DMCI.

DMCI’s Berong Mine in Palawan, meanwhile, also has a record of environmental violations. It was fined Php120 million by the Palawan Provincial Mining Regulatory Board in March 2015 for illegal road construction and river destruction.

“Our homes and farm lands are buried because of the flash-floods aggravated by nickel mining. Mine wastes and chemicals have polluted the rivers and the sea in Sta. Cruz. Our children and elders are suffering from hunger and ailments. When we responded with protests well within our rights, the police harassed us and impeded us with legal cases. The government should be protecting us, not these pollutive mining companies,” said Allan de los Santos, a resident of Bgy Bayto, Sta. Cruz, Zambales.

Petti Enriquez, secretary-general of the Bukluran para sa Inang Kalikasan sa Batangas (Bukal Batangas) said that “DMCI, which owns the oldest coal power plant in the country, have also caused pollution in the province of Batangas. The Calaca power plant uses the dirty coal that comes from Semirara. The plant has caused massive water and air pollution in its surrounding communities.”

“There is scientific evidence that the plant has been emitting harmful and toxic materials in the air and water bodies for several decades. Studies have also shown that these pollutants have caused negative health impacts, especially among young children. Cases of birth defects and diseases like cancer are alarmingly increasing in number. Batanguenos have long been calling for the shutdown of the coal power plant,” Enriquez further explained.

The protesters hit the human-size poster of DMCI Chairman Isidro Consunji with hammers, to dramatize their anger and disgust over the company’s violations.

The green groups also challenged the incumbent administration and the current crop of electoral aspirants to start working towards the repeal of the Mining Act of 1995, and the passage of the People’s Mining Bill (currently House Bill 171) in Congress.

“Shameless environmental criminals like DMCI remain unpunished or lightly penalized for their violations under the Mining Act. We should radically change our mining law and enact a new one. A mining law that will ensure erring mining companies like DMCI will be held accountable for their violations and will be barred to continue operating in the country,” Bautista said.

The protest at DMCI is part of the Green Flag Day activities of the Kalikasan PNE, a campaign that aims to highlight mining issues and people’s struggles on the 21st Anniversary of Mining Act of 1995. Other mobilizations and activities were also simultaneously held in the provinces of Zambales, Cagayan, Ilocos Sur, and Davao City.

Reference:

Clemente Bautista, National Coordinator
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
0905 432 5211

Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
26 Matulungin Street
Central District, Diliman
Quezon City, Philippines, 1100
Tel: +63 (2) 433 0184
E-mail: secretariat@kalikasan.net
Site: www.kalikasan.net

Daughter of slain Lumad leader to UN Rights Expert: Impunity Persists in the Philippines

ICHRP Secretariat
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Daughter of slain Lumad leader to UN Rights Expert: Impunity Persists in the Philippines

At the 31st Session of the UN Human Rights Council in Switzerland

http://www.karapatan.org/Impunity+Persists+in+the+Philippines

March 4, 2016, Geneva, Switzerland – Michelle Campos, daughter of slain Lumad leader Dionel Campos, and Karapatan human rights workers Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay and Karapatan-Caraga coordinator Dr. Naty Castro, met United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders Michel Forst in the sidelines of the 31st UN Human Rights Council sessions in Geneva, Switzerland on March 2.

In the said meeting, Campos narrated the September 1, 2015 killings in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, where her father, grandfather Datu Juvello Sinzo, and school director Emerito Samarca were killed before the whole community.

“Six months after the incident, not one of the three named perpetrators has been arrested. This is the kind of impunity that is perpetrated by the Aquino regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines – they do not arrest criminals in their ranks and among paramilitary groups. They even have drinking sprees with them,” Campos said, recounting her relatives’ experience on December 30, 2015 when they saw Loloy Tejero, one of the suspects at large in the Lianga massacre case, having a drinking spree with members of the 75th Infantry Battalion-Philippine Army.

Castro said that the more than 2,000 evacuees in Tandag, Surigao del Sur continue to suffer the consequences of such impunity. “It is worrisome that the issues of increasing military operations in Mindanao, including indigenous peoples’ communities, and plunder of their ancestral lands remain low among the priority electoral issues among national candidates,” she stated.

Palabay said Karapatan notes and appreciates Forst’s report in the 31st UN Human Rights Council on the cases of attacks against human rights defenders in the Philippines delivered on March 3, 2016.

In the said report, Forst stated that he “considers the killings of Messrs. Emerito Samarca, Dionel Campos, and Bello Sinzo to be systematic of the aggressions suffered by human rights defenders in rural areas and indigenous communities in response to violations committed in the course of environmentally dubious mining operations, wide-spread development of monoculture plantations, land grabs and territorial disputes.”

He expressed regrets that there were reports of further killings in Mindanao after the September 1, 2015 massacre in Surigao del Sur. He urged the Philippine Government to “take every possible measure to ensure that these extrajudicial killings do not remain in impunity, for fear of the potential encouragement a lack of justice would provide for any potential perpetrators of such acts in the future.”

Forst also lamented the attacks against human rights workers of Karapatan, specifically the surveillance and intimidation of its members, as a result of their legitimate human rights activities and exercise of rights to freedom of expression and association.

Karapatan also submitted complaints on the following violations on human rights defenders to Forst:

  1. Killing of Karapatan-Sorsogon spokesperson Teodoro Escanilla and peasant leader Sixto Calcena;
  2. Trumped up criminal charges against teachers of the Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV) and indigenous people’s leaders of MAPASU, more than fifty human rights defenders including Karapatan human rights workers, church and community leaders in Sarangani and General Santos City;
  3. Threats, harassment and surveillance on leaders of Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (Courage) and Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC);
  4. Harassment and violation on the right of freedom of movement of former Rep. Liza Maza; and,
  5. Illegal arrest, detention and harassment of peasant leaders in White Culaman, Kitaotao, Bukidnon.

For reference: 

Cristina Palabay
thru Facebook: Tinay Palabay
Twitter: @TinayPalabay

Please see copy of the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders on the 31st Human Rights Council sessions. The report on the cases in the Philippines is at pages 53-54.

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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
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.

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