“Before, we could work in our farms without fear. Life is difficult but we could still eat at least three times a day. We peacefully sleep at night. My children could still go to school. But everything changed when the soldiers arrived.” By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – They traveled 176 kilometers from…
Year: 2012
Passing of law protecting rights defenders urged
“There is compelling evidence that human rights defenders, in particular those advocating for land and environmental rights, are under serious threat, are constantly vilified, intimidated and ‘terrorized.’” – Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – Makabayan senatorial bet and current Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño called…
Typhoon Pablo and large-scale mining wreak havoc in Mindanao – progressive group
“Mindanao is faced with the crisis of the state of impunity and the calamity caused by Typhoon Pablo, which were both driven by plunder and the systematic violation of human rights for corporate and elitists’ profit and interests.” By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – As the death toll brought about by Typhoon Pablo…
On Human Rights Day, rights groups slam Aquino government for violations
“We condemn the continuing extrajudicial killings and the plunder of our resources that take away our rights, land and lives. We denounce the US-inspired and directed counterinsurgency blueprint Oplan Bayanihan.” – Karapatan By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – “We have likewise set on fire whatever is left of the chances for positive change…
Counterinsurgency blamed for rights violations in Cordillera
By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA N. QUITASOL Northern Dispatch BAGUIO CITY — “It is true. Oplan Bayanihan has succeeded; it has succeeded in violating human rights.” This was the statement of Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA) secretary general Jude Baggo during a press conference on the state of human rights in the region, December 7. Baggo said…
Ifugao folk want military out of their village
By KIMBERLIE OLMAYA N. QUITASOL Northern Dispatch BAGUIO CITY — Residents of Gumhang village, Tinoc, Ifugao called for the withdrawal of the Philippine Army’s 86th Infantry Battalion (IB) stationed in their community. In a petition, the residents decried that the soldiers committed various human rights violations. The petition was submitted to the village council, Tinoc…
Rights violations slammed on Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day 2012: Protesters took to the streets to condemn human rights violations under Noynoy Aquino’s regime
Opposition vs. privatizing public health care snowballs
By CONG B. CORRALES Bulatlat.com CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — Opposition to a proposed law, aimed at turning public hospitals into government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) has snowballed, here. This, despite its proponents’ claim that the bill would boost public health care. Entitled, “An Act Converting Government Hospitals into National Government Corporation, Providing Funds Therefore…
Mother of missing student takes witness stand
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MALOLOS, Bulacan – As the world commemorated the 149th Human Rights Day, Mrs. Erlinda Cadapan, mother of missing activist Sherlyn, took the witness stand at the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 14. Her more than six years of searching for Sherlyn, second of her five children, led her to this…
3 activists killed before Human Rights Day
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Is this how Aquino wants to celebrate Human Rights Day, with more impunity towards our beleaguered environment defenders?”– Fr. Oliver Castor, spokesperson of Task Force-Justice for Environment Defenders
Protestant church calls on Aquino to act on murder of tribe leader, stop the killings
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Taking the cudgels for the widow of slain anti-mining tribe leader in Bukidnon, bishops of the United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) wrote to President Benigno Aquino III seeking justice for Jimmy Liguyon. Liguyon, a UCCP leader, was shot to death in front of his family…