Impunity and desperation in a murderous, corrupt, and undemocratic regime is a dangerous combination. It brings back memories of Martial Law. BY BENJIE OLIVEROS ANALYSIS Bulatlat Karapatan has raised the alarm over the surge in extrajudicial killings during the first quarter of 2009. A total of 16 extrajudicial killings have been recorded so far, the…
Day: March 28, 2009
The Red Traveler Speaks Her Mind: An Interview with Ms. Con Cabrera of Artists’ ARREST
Ms. Con Cabrera, a member of the Artists’ Response to the Call for Social Change and Transformation, or Artists’ ARRREST, in this interview shares with Bulatlat her views on arts, issues confronting Philippine society today and some personal things that she wanted to share with her audience. BY NOEL SALES BARCELONA Correspondent Bulatlat CULTURE Ms.…
Released POWs Speak Well of Erstwhile Captors
P/Insp. Rex Cuntapay and PO1 Marvin Agasen both used to view the communist-led New People’s Army (NPA) in a bad light. Captured last Jan. 3 together with PO1 Alberto Umali after their unit’s encounter with guerrillas belonging to the NPA’s Narciso Antazo Aramil Command (NAAC), which operates in Rizal (a province southeast of Manila), they were held as prisoners of war (POWs) for almost three months. They were released on March 27, very near the place where they were captured. The three policemen had only kind words to say about their former custodians.
Rice Growers in Kalinga Up In Arms Over P12M Unpaid Seeds
Rice seed growers cooperatives in Tabuk, Kalinga are up in arms over unpaid rice seeds reaching P12 million ($249,014). BY ACE ALEGRE REGIONS Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat TABUK CITY, Kalinga (480 kms north of Manila) – Rice seed growers cooperatives here are up in arms over unpaid rice seeds reaching P12 million ($249,014 at…
Church-Led Lobby Ups Ante vs Casino in Baguio
An influential church-led lobby is increasing its ante to block the opening of a casino at the former American rest-and-recreation facility Camp John Hay. BY ACE ALEGRE REGIONS Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat BAGUIO CITY (246 kms north of Manila) – An influential church-led lobby is increasing its ante to block the opening of a…
De Facto Martial Law Reigns in Aurora Town
A report of a fact-finding mission revealed that a de facto martial law reigns in Maria Aurora, Aurora, affecting the day-to-day lives of residents. BY TERENCE KRISHNA V. LOPEZ HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Contributor Bulatlat MARIA AURORA, Aurora (237 kms. North of Manila)- Beautiful mountain ranges, enticing rivers, winding roads, captivating green fields and rich forest…
What is Happening in Paquibato, Davao City?
The city’s largest district of over 40,000 people, Paquibato has become a virtual garrison these days. People cannot move around the place without identification cards bearing the signature of soldiers. BY CHERYLL FIEL, GERMELINA LACORTE, AND GRACE UDDIN Davao Today HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Posted by Bulatlat DAVAO CITY — The city’s largest district of over…
Duterte Keeps His Hands Off Paquibato
When Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced he was keeping his hands off Paquibato, he admitted the move was tantamount to a breakdown of civilian authority in the area. BY GERMELINA LACORTE Davao Today HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Posted by Bulatlat DAVAO CITY — When Mayor Rodrigo Duterte announced he was keeping his hands off Paquibato, he admitted…
A Historical Roadmap for Liberating the Cuban Five: Gesture for Gesture
Recent declarations by President Raúl Castro reveal a willingness to engage the United States in negotiations that, if successful, could mean the return of the Cuban Five. Responding to reporters´ questions last December, Raúl revealed a willingness to free some prisoners currently held in Cuba in response to a gesture from the United States to…
Ilocos CHR Orders PNP to Submit Evidence on Manegdeg’s Killing
The Commission on Human Rights in the Ilocos Region ordered the Philippine National Police to submit documents and pieces of evidence in their possession on the extra-judicial killing of Jose “Pepe” Manegdeg III. BY ARTHUR L. ALLAD-IW HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat SAN ESTEBAN, Ilocos Sur (363 kms. North of Manila)– The…
Anglican Church Asks U.S. Congress to Probe Balao Abduction
The Episcopal Church in the Philippines has asked the United States Congress, particularly the Committee on Appropriations, Sub-Committee on State, Foreign Operations to look into the abduction of its member James Balao and other human rights abuses in the country. BY ALDWIN QUITASOL HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Northern Dispatch Posted by Bulatlat BAGUIO CITY (246 kms.…