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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.”
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“It is unbelievable that Aquino cannot do anything [on the case of the Morong 43],” Jose V. Cabrera, member of the board of governors of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), said.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“This early, Aquino’s daang matuwid has become a U.S. inspired path that is increasingly being marked by the blood of the victims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, forced displacement and other violations of human rights.” -- Karapatan
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“With the raid of the office of progressive organizations by combined elements of police and military in Daet, Camarines Sur and the subsequent arrest of four activists, the Morong 43 template is now being replicated.” -- Karapatan
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Leonardo Co wrote two very important books: on medicinal plants and the forest trees of Palanan. He could speak fluent Filipino, English, Mandarin, and Latin. He could sing, play classical Chinese music with his harmonica, and make people laugh with his antics. But most of all, he dedicated his life in the service of the people.
Sidebar: Groups Say Impunity in Human Rights Violations Resulted in the Killing of Renowned Botanist
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – On Nov. 15, a renowned taxonomist Leonard Co was killed in Kananga, Letye while conducting research work along with two other companions Sofronio Cortez and Julius Borromeo. Elements of the 19th Infantry Battalion of the...
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.”
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.
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,...
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.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Rene Rodriguez, member of the Samahan ng mga Magbubukid ng Batangas, who was shot dead by two men wearing masks and riding a motorcycle last November 7 became the 21st victim of extrajudicial killings under the Aquino administration.
By RONALYN OLEA Bulatlat.com Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has submitted her review and recommendations on the case of the Morong 43 to President Benigno S. Aquino III since the second week of October. The 43 health workers, now known as the Morong 43, were...
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
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.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
A minor’s refusal to join the CAFGU resulted in him being beaten up and threatened by soldiers. And he is not alone in his ordeal.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“They wasted two years of my life,” Lita Mahilum, a political prisoner who was in jail for two years before being cleared by the Court of Appeals of the charges filed against her by the military, said.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“A glaring proof that Filipino women are still living in oppressive conditions – even though the country ranks high in gender-based indexes – is the increasing number of victims of violence against women, most notably, gang rape,” said Lana Linaban, secretary general of Gabriela.
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
“We have been detained for so long. There is no evidence against us and the President has acknowledged that, why not set us free?” said Mercy Castro, who just gave birth to her second child.
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Who would continue their tasks? The dead could no longer speak. It is us, the ones they left behind, who must carry on what they had started,” said Evangeline Hernandez, mother of slain human rights defender Benjaline “Beng” Hernandez and chairwoman of Hustisya!
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A Year Later, Aquino and Ampatuan Massacre