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National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Frank Fernandez and wife Cleofe Lagtapon were convicted of illegal possession of firearms by Branch 266 of the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC), human rights group Karapatan reported.
"It is undeniable that this latest memo from DepEd is part of a long trend of similar attacks against ACT, and such moves — with their intent to profile ACT's members — not only violate rights to privacy and security as well as teachers' basic right to organize and unionize."
Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of Karapatan, said that the increased use of the anti-terror law and other trumped-up charges against activists has become a pattern during the first year of Ferdinand Marcos Jr administration.
More children have fallen victim to the government’s offensive military operations.
"Families experience loss of livelihood, severe trauma, especially among children, and a grave violation of their freedom of association. Farmers who cultivate the land and feed the nation deserve peace, justice and the right to enjoy the fruits of their labor."
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas called for the dropping of the charges filed against the Pili 4 and that they be released immediately. “Beyond this, the proposed Naga Airport Development Project must be reevaluated to ensure the preservation of prime rice fields in Pili.”
In a statement, Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said that there have been many occasions that the courts dismissed writ of amparo petitions despite clear threats on their life, security and liberty.
"We ask the Supreme Court not to wait for red-tagging and death threats to materialize into extrajudicial killings, or detention, trumped-up charges and even abductions to become enforced disappearances."
“This heinous act is a blatant violation of the rights of the child and the special protections under international humanitarian law."
Based on reports gathered by Karapatan, soldiers have been harassing the Fausto couple since last year.
Despite the attacks and the experience in prison, the four continue to struggle for education and land because they have witnessed ancestors who sacrificed their lives just for their land.
“After all, Teodoro comes from the same ilk of military warmongers who served Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and supported convicted war criminal Jovito Palparan."
“He always reminded me of my mom’s unwavering fighting spirit as she battled with cancer – that we have to be strong and prepare ourselves for any eventuality and prepare whenever she has to go."
“If there is anything that recent abduction cases prove, it is the existence of secret prisons maintained by state forces, in violation of Republic Act 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012."
“We call for the full respect of their rights including the strict observance of their right to due process. If there are no clear cases against Lizada and Aumentado, they should be released without conditionalities."
"It is frustrating that government agencies are violating RA 10353. We just want to know if our loved ones are in the custody of Nolcom or not," Eli Capuyan, Dexter's brother, said. "It's been 40 days since the two went missing."
The CPP said the Philippine military violated Casaño and Cierva’s rights when they were kept incommunicado for more than 15 days.
Human rights group Karapatan reiterated its demand for the Philippine government to stop violations of international humanitarian law (IHL) as the group continues to receive reports of civilians and hors de combat (combatants who are unable to fight) being killed in the implementation of the government's counterinsurgency program by state forces.
“Our call remains that their basic human rights be respected, they be accorded due process, and for their immediate release to be with their friends and families."
“We were able to prove in court that Salugpongan Lumad Schools only taught the students Science, Math, English, and farming classes. And definitely, no classes or topics on taking arms against the government."
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