The workers and their families held a silent picket in front of the Panabo City Council to solicit support. They were retrenched after DITFI-Dole Stanfilco arbitrarily announced “closure” on Oct. 8. But no help came from any of the councilors, prompting the workers to go back to the picket line at the entrance of the…

The National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) criticized the Lepanto Consolidated Mining Company (LCMCo) for delaying the release of mineworkers’ wages. BY ALDWIN QUITASOL Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 38, October 28-November 3, 2007 MANKAYAN, Benguet — The National Federation of Labor Unions-Kilusang Mayo Uno (NAFLU-KMU) criticized the Lepanto Consolidated…

Thousands of people in northern Negros have been forced to flee their homes as fighting rages between the military and the NPA in the area. The area is gripped by a reign of terror as military operations there have caused violations of human rights. BY KARL G. OMBION HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VII, No.…

Over 200 farmers in the municipality of Baggao, Cagayan Valley, are crying foul over what they call “fake surrenders” while others have been forced to join the CAFGU. BY DABET CASTAÑEDA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 38, October 29-November 3, 2007 Farmer Rancy Bellones, 26, busied himself tending his farm in Barangay Carupian…

The worldwide media watchdog — the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)– is outraged at the continued detention of six Burmese journalists. BY ACE ALEGRE Contributed to Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 38, October 29-Nov. 3, 2007 BAGUIO CITY (246 kms. north of Manila) – The worldwide media watchdog — the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ)– is…

Nagkataon man o hindi, ang trahedya sa Makati ay nagbigay ng pagkakataong makapaghanda ng mas epektibong estratehiya ang mga nasa kapangyarihan para mabawasan o tuluyang mawala ang negatibong epekto ng mga kontrobersiyang kinasasangkutan nito. Ni Danilo Araña Arao Konteksto/Pinoy Weekly Inilathala ng Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 38, October 29-November 3, 2007 Habang sinusulat ito, hindi…

The Joint Statement of Sen. Maria Ana Consuelo “Jamby” Madrigal and the NDFP negotiating panel on the peace negotiations between the Philippine government and the NDFP opens up a new channel for the stalled talks to move forward at a time when all avenues seemed to have been shut as a result of the arrest…

BY THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES Posted by Bulatlat DEMOCRATIC SPACE Vol. VII, No. 37, October 21-27, 2007 We express utter incredulity over Malacañang’s order for the investigation of an incident where members of the Congress and some other provincial officials were given bundles of cash during a breakfast meeting at the…

The removal of the Arroyo regime from power can be a significant step towards a just peace if a new leadership of the GRP would cooperate with the NDFP in resuming the formal talks in the peace negotiations and addressing the roots of the armed conflict through social, economic, political and constitutional reforms in accordance…

BY THE PROMOTION OF CHURCH PEOPLE’S RESPONSE DEMOCRATIC SPACE Posted by Bulatlat Vol. VII, No. 37, October 21-27, 2007 The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) condemns the deadly bombing of the Glorietta Mall in Makati City, October 19. A thorough and truly credible investigation must be done on the incident. Immediate medical and financial…

I do not find it funny that many of our people think this is not a big deal, because not only are racist and xenophobic remarks reflections of our already shameful colonial past and present, but they will indeed shape public opinion and public policy about Filipino immigration to the United States. There’s really not…