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The Anti-Terrorism Act violates international standards on human rights and countering-terrorism with its vague and overboard definitions of “terrorism” as well as the excessive powers it grants to the Executive branch of the government.
“Most importantly, they demonstrate the BJMP and PNP’s unconscionable contempt for the accused’s grief and suffering as well as total disregard to human feelings, oblivious to public sensibilities and unmitigated disrespect for out eternally observed culture in times of bereavement.”
“Why did this happen? I thought this would be our moment. This is not solemn. Don't you have a family?” Marites Asis, mother of Reina Mae Nasino
Netizens have expressed their sympathy to the grieving mother, comparing the treatment she is receiving to that of the furloughs earlier granted to former presidents Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Joseph Estrada, and Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla, and the release of US Marine Lance Corporal Joseph Scott Pemberton.
Time and again, human rights organizations have called for independent investigation of mounting cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, arrests and filing of trumped-up cases, to name a few.
Kapatid said a simple Google search will reveal that longer furloughs and privileges were granted by the courts and prison agencies to big-time politicians. Thus, there is no reason why Reina Mae Nasino cannot be allowed to grieve and be with her daughter for just mere three days.
"There is no reason to deny her motion. If big names in politics were allowed furlough, the same should be accorded to a grieving mother whose only desire now is to have a last glimpse of her dead 3-month-old child.”
The death of the three-month-old daughter of political prisoner Reina Mae Nasino has again brought to the fore the flaws of the justice system and the viciousness of government's counterinsurgency policy.
Nasino pleaded to the court to immediately give her “the decent and humane chance to be with her baby daughter, whom she was not able to comfort and hold while in sickbed up to her dying hours, for the last time, and to properly grieve over her tragic and untimely passing.”
“As several research, surveys, and studies clearly show, capital punishment is an ineffective deterrent to crime — contrary to the propositions of those advocating for its reimposition.”
“No country wants to be responsible for violating international law and considered unlawful particularly with laws that have been voluntarily ratified. It paints a picture of inconsistency, reduces the credibility of state responsibility and genuinely undermines the rule of law.”
“The movant [Nasino] thus prays that she be placed on a furlough so that she may be with her baby during her last days.”
"There is nothing more heartbreaking for a mother than being separated with her child whose life is now at greatest risk."
Edre Olalia, president of the National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL), said the new resolution is not a magic wand that can erase the human rights violations and the accountability that those concerned will face.
Since the UCCP opened its doors to the distraught members of the indigenous peoples community, the protestant church and its volunteers have been experiencing a series of harassment.
“The filing of cases against two NorDis staff, me included, is an escalation of attacks against our media group.”
"Libel has always been a tool of government officials and influential individuals to stifle freedom of expression and silence critical media organizations."
In a decision dated Sept. 17, Judge Corpuz Alzate of Bangued Regional Trial Court Branch 2 said that the "state had no evidence to present" against Sherwin De Vera.
“There are ways forward. But certainly, the international community has a role in attaining justice, especially [since] the domestic mechanisms are severely compromised,”
Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the lack of substantive action from the proposed resolution might encourage more human rights violations in the country.
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