By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
The recent deaths of two US soldiers in Sulu have also strengthened calls for the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) between the Philippines and the United States.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
“UCCP: Sa Hamon ng Panahon,” a documentary-drama produced by Kodao Productions and directed by Bonifacio Ilagan, takes a searing look at the human-rights violations committed against members of the Protestant church.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
The decision by a European court to remove Jose Maria Sison’s name from the EU’s terror list will remove restraints on his movement, allowing him, he said, to function properly as chief political consultant of the NDF. He said the delisting will have positive implications for the future of the negotiations.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat.com MANILA -- According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa), Ondoy brought Metro Manila its highest amount of rainfall in the last 42 years. “In 1967, a typhoon brought...
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Long before National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera discovered that the military had been watching him, Jun Cruz Reyes, an award-winning writer, has been the subject of surveillance and harassment that began in 2006.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
Far from a counter-insurgency operation, the massive militarization and dislocation of communities in Surigao del Sur and the Caraga region had more to do with protecting business interests, primarily mining and energy investments. Although there is nothing particularly new in all this, the Arroyo regime had actually taken the extra step to ensure that the military would act as veritable security guards of these companies.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
On the 37th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, activists and victims of the brutality of military rule drew parallels between the Marcos dictatorship and the Arroyo regime. “The bad dream known as martial law has become an absolute nightmare under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!” one of them said. View slideshow
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
The issuance of questionable safe-conduct passes is just one of the many complicated ways in which the Philippine government has been handling what were supposed to be preparations for the resumption of its formal talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. It underscores what the NDFP deems to be an utter lack of sincerity of the Arroyo regime to pursue the peace process.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO DynCorp International, a US military contractor notorious for its mercenary work for Washington and which was the subject of numerous complaints for abuses in other countries, has been fencing off the Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga for US troops. “How can a private, foreign corporation control a specific portion of a Philippine military camp?” Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares wants to know.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
If Noynoy Aquino wins the presidency because he capitalized on the popularity and legacy of his mother, it should not surprise him that some people will put on his doorsteps the failures of the Cory administration not only to remind him of what she failed to do but to underscore what needs to be done. He can start with Hacienda Luisita.
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
The Manobos of Surigao del Sur may be back home for now, but they still face the threats of militarization – even as they also have to contend with the burden of rebuilding their ravaged homes, schools, and livelihoods. View slideshow
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO
In her revelations of the violations committed by US troops while on Philippine soil, former Navy officer Nancy Gadian also affirmed what has always been the core of US expansionism: using its military power to exploit the wealth and resources of another country. This was the core strategy in practically all the wars America had fought. Its so-called “war on terror” in the Philippines is no exception.
In a press conference in Quezon City on Wednesday, former Lt. Senior Grade Mary Nancy Gadian said US troops gather intelligence information – through the use of special intelligence equipment – and participate in the planning of combat operations.
“The GRP is condemnable for refusing to release any detained NDFP consultant in accordance with JASIG and for maliciously limiting the liberty of Randall Echanis to six months and making him a hostaged consultant,” Jose Maria Sison, NDF chief political consultant said in a statement sent to the media on Aug. 22. “It is also condemnable for issuing sham safe conduct passes that in fact incriminate and condemn Vicente Ladlad and Rafael Baylosis and that practically serve as their death warrant.”
Developments that show the popularity of activism through social networks and other online media have led some people to believe that activism online would be sufficient in addressing issues of general concern. But is it really?
By ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat.com The economic downturn hasn’t persuaded everyone to pinch pennies. Philippines President Maria Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was at Le Cirque the other night with a large entourage enjoying the good life, even though the former...
The National Democratic Front accuses the Arroyo government of showing bad faith by not complying with an agreement that provides immunity guarantees to members of the NDF’s panel.
Though there had been some controversy in past conferments of the National Artist Award, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's blatant political accommodation this year tainted the much-revered cultural institution, according to dissenting artists. View slideshow of protest
The Left’s engagement with Cory had been both pleasant and acrimonious at certain stages. While they linked arms with her on a number of causes, there were also issues on which leftists found themselves at odds with the late president.
Even as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has announced during her State of the Nation Address that peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) are likely to resume before the end of this month, the MILF’s negotiating panel has expressed skepticism about whether or not the talks can go very far.
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