NEWS AT A GLANCE

Families of slain Moro inmates to file raps against officials   

After its own investigation reached the conclusion that some of the 22 Moro inmates killed during the siege at Camp Bagong Diwa, in Taguig on March 25 last year were summarily executed, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) recommended the filing of criminal charges against officials responsible for the massacre. 

With this announcement, the Moro-Christian Peoples' Alliance (MCPA) vowed to lead the filing of charges against then Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Angelo Reyes, former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Edgar Aglipay and director general Arturo Lumibao and others responsible for the "inhumane killings of Moro inmates." 

Hadji Insih Moktar, wife of slain Abu-Khayr Moktar, 44, and daughter of Ahmad Upao, would be the primary complainant along with other bereaved families.  

"My father and husband were both innocent, " she said. "We were struggling so hard to cope with their unjust detention and trial. Their unjust killing was so hard to take." 

Ren Jalaludin Ropeta, vice chairperson of the MCPA, said that relatives of the Moro detainees who comprise the Free Basilan 73 Committee will coordinate closely with them in pursuing this case. Bulatlat 

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There is no RP official in NY fighting for undocumented immigrants – Fil-Am group

Filipinos in the United States lambasted March 24 the Macapagal-Arroyo administration for not taking a position against the increased criminalization of undocumented immigrants in Washington.

Based on reports from the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), 11 foreign ministers from overseas remittance-receiving countries in Latin America have joined the campaign against the Sensenbrenner-King Bill and fight for the legalization and upholding of civil rights of undocumented immigrants. NYCHRP commended the eleven Latin American countries – Colombia, Mexico, Panama, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic – which are taking note of the critical debate in the Senate this month and "are being pro-active for the interest and protection of their nationals."

According to the NYCHRP, one of the bill's most controversial points is the clause deeming an undocumented status in the U.S. as a criminal felony, rather than as a civil violation. If federalized, undocumented persons, including those who offer them assistance, can be charged, convicted, and jailed, the group said.

Despite having the most overseas remittance-dependent economy in the world and ranking third among the highest labor-exporting countries, “they (Filipino officials) do nothing but be deafening silent when it comes to protecting us from the backlash of anti-immigrant laws that the US Senate is debating on," said Robyn Rodriguez of the NYCHRP.

Rodriguez said that earlier this year, Philippine Ambassador Albert del Rosario was praising Filipinos in the U.S. for churning in a total of $5.3 billion in remittances to the Philippines in 2005 alone, comprising 60 percent of the total remittances to the Philippines. "Arroyo prioritizes the dollars that we send home, but could care less about our rights and welfare,” he said.

"The Arroyo administration has a long history of taking from but not giving back to OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) and because of this pattern we see a record-breaking number of OFW deaths, disappearances, and human rights violations under her regime," Rodriguez said. “This is a glaring reason why there is such a loud clamor from overseas Filipinos who want Arroyo out of office." Bulatlat

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Labor group slams barangay assemblies as ‘Malacañang initiative’ to push for ChaCha

The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said March 24 that the simultaneous nationwide barangay (village) assemblies are not part of People’s Initiative but a "Malacañang initiative" to ram Charter Change despite the broad opposition of Senators, peoples organizations and other concerned sectors.

"A Malacanang-led 'People's Initiative' is a hoax," said KMU spokesperson Prestoline Suyat, despite claims by Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Ronaldo Puno that the assemblies are independent efforts.

Suyat said that "(Macapagal-)Arroyo's charter change is not acceptable as it only aims to worsen the already bad Constitution," citing broad protests derailed the similar attempt of former president Fidel Ramos for a  people's initiative.

"After failing to transform Congress into a Constituent Assembly, Malacanang is turning to barangay level assemblies," said Suyat. "Like what happened to previous regimes, broad people's protests will derail Arroyo's charter change." Bulatlat

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Davao Archbishop appeals to GMA: Respect due process for Batasan 5

In response to a letter by Representatives Satur Ocampo, Joel Virador, and Teodoro Casino of Bayan Muna (People First), Liza Maza of Gabriela Women’s Party, and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis (Toiling Masses), Davao Archbishop Fernando Capalla appealed to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo March 17, “that the right to due process must be respected and observed in their regard in their capacity both as citizens and as members of Congress.”

The joint letter from the five representatives, Capalla said, was asking for his "utmost support and prayers in these trying times."

"Nevertheless, as a Filipino and a Christian, it is my duty to support them, aside from my prayers, "the archbishop said.

Capalla also said that since Presidential Proclamation 1017 has been lifted, “the demands of public order must now be balanced against the rights of citizens through an appropriate and human implementation of the rule of law”.  Capalla said that he sees this as a moral imperative towards restoring respect and confidence in government. Bulatlat 

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