a
Morong 43 Start Hunger Strike

Morong 43 Start Hunger Strike

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Every day in jail is an injustice to us,” the health workers said. “Our action today and in the succeeding days is a call to President Aquino to simply order the withdrawal of the case against us forthwith so that we may be immediately and unconditionally released.”

Justice Secretary, Journalists Agree that Ampatuan Massacre Trial Crucial in Addressing Impunity

Justice Secretary, Journalists Agree that Ampatuan Massacre Trial Crucial in Addressing Impunity

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The case of the Ampatuan massacre is not just a matter of prosecuting individuals. It also requires the neutralization of the whole machinery of violence and brutality that is fueled by power, political influence and wealth.” Justice Secretary Leila de Lima

Journalists Commemorate First Anniversary of Ampatuan Massacre with Reminders, Call for Justice

Journalists Commemorate First Anniversary of Ampatuan Massacre with Reminders, Call for Justice

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The activities are meant to enhance public awareness on the Ampatuan massacre and on impunity,” CMFR deputy director and former dean of the UP-CMC Luis Teodoro said in a press conference Nov. 16.

Sidebar: Live Coverage of Ampatuan Massacre Trial Urged

Kin of Morong 43 Frustrated With ‘Result’ of Dialogue with Malacañang Official

Kin of Morong 43 Frustrated With ‘Result’ of Dialogue with Malacañang Official

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“After this dialogue, there is still no clear resolution [on the Morong 43 case],” said Ofelia Beltran-Balleta, mother of Jane Balleta. “We came here with high hopes. After Aquino’s statement about the illegal arrest, we were expecting that he would soon order the release of the Morong 43.”

Government Union Leader Killed

Government Union Leader Killed

By RONALYN OLEA
Carlo “Caloy” Rodriguez, 41, president of the Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggawa ng Calamba Water District, became the 22nd victim of extrajudicial killings under the Aquino administration when he was gunned down by two motorcycle riding men last November 12.

The VFA, A History of Abuses

The VFA, A History of Abuses

By RONALYN OLEA Bulatlat.com Eleven years of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) has resulted in many incidents of abuses. Here are some: On July 25, 2002, Buyong-buyong Isnijal was shot at by American solder Sgt. Reggie Lane inside his home in barangay Canas,...

Witnesses in Extrajudicial Killing Being Harassed by Soldiers

Witnesses in Extrajudicial Killing Being Harassed by Soldiers

By RONALYN V. OLEA
At the pre-trial hearing on Oct. 27, the two suspects in the killing of Benjamin Bayles denied being members of the 61st Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army (IBPA). The 303rd and 302nd Infantry Brigades have also denied that the two are members of the Philippine Army for four months, but the Headquarters of the Philippine Army officially confirmed their membership and rank last October 9.

Relatives, Colleagues of Morong 43 Hold Caravan to Press for their Release

Relatives, Colleagues of Morong 43 Hold Caravan to Press for their Release

By RONALYN OLEA
In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a petition-signing for the release of the Morong 43 was led by actress Gina Alajar while promoting a film about victims of enforced disappearances “Dukot”. Protest actions were also held in front of the Philippine embassies and consulates in Ottawa and Vancouver in Canada, New York and Los Angeles in the US, and in Denmark. Protest actions were held in San Francisco in the US, Whangarei in New Zealand, Jeddah, Riyadh and Khobar in the Middle East and in Japan.

Sidebar: Patently Flawed Arrest and Detention

Malacañang Rejects Courtesy Call of Jalandoni, NDFP Hits Government’s ‘Hostility’

Malacañang Rejects Courtesy Call of Jalandoni, NDFP Hits Government’s ‘Hostility’

By RONALYN V. OLEA
Fidel Agcaoili said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is now contemplating on inviting new GRP peace panel chair AlexPadilla to a one-on-one meeting in Hongkong to clarify whether the current Aquino government accepts the validity of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and can ensure the safe and trouble-free visit of the Jalandoni couple in Manila.

Relatives Remember the Disappeared, Urge Government to Enact Law, Ratify Covenant Against Enforced Disappearances

Relatives Remember the Disappeared, Urge Government to Enact Law, Ratify Covenant Against Enforced Disappearances

By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Today, as the whole nation remembers the lives of the departed, we commemorate the missing. We light a candle not for their souls to rest in peace but to shed light on their way home. We offer flowers not because we believe they are no longer with us but because they are deeply missed,” Mary Guy “Ghay” Portajada, daughter of a missing labor leader, said.

BE A BULATLAT PATRON

A community of readers and supporters that help us sustain our operations through microdonations for as low as $1.

Pin It on Pinterest