Ma. Loida Magpatoc, 52 years old, had her Document of Identification with her, identifying her as one of the Jasig-protected individuals, when state security forces arrested her on July 28 in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
Category: Other Stories
MRT’s pass-on taxes to commuters, planned hike hit
Just like Manila Water and Maynilad, the government and its Metro Rail Transit Corporation is making the public pay its corporate income taxes.
Progressive groups demand apology from Lacierda
“Such intolerance for dissenting views is totally unacceptable coming from the Spokesperson of the President of a putatively democratic republic.” – ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio
Court orders release of security guard tagged as rebel leader
In its decision, the Court of Appeals noted inconsistencies and lies in the statements of the police and the military.
Bulatlat.com wins in Red Cross humanitarian reporting
“Their stories and images illustrated the heavy toll of conflicts on civilians – with some looking through the eyes of children who are the more vulnerable in these situations. All the finalists showed that reporting on conflict need not be sensationalized or focused only on the conflict or on the peace negotiations.” – Pascal Mauchle, ICRC head of delegation to the Philippines
‘Nothing justifies torture, illegal arrest,’ military told on Morong 43
“Whether De la Cruz joined the NPA after his release or not is his personal choice. That does not in any way change the facts of the case. The military illegally arrested, detained and tortured the 43 health workers, period.” — Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general
Anti-mining activist from N. Vizcaya missing
A known anti-mining activist has been missing since August 21. The victim was last seen being forced into a police patrol car but authorities denied having custody of him.
Probe use of Malampaya funds, Aquino’s ‘biggest pork’, COA urged
A portion in Presidential Decree 910 grants the President the power to allocate the Malampaya funds to any project he wants. “This absolute discretion leads to irregularities or discriminatory allocation of funds to presidential friends and pet projects.” – Bayan Muna
Behn Cervantes, People’s artist
“His [Behn’s] professional achievements, his artistic works, have been imbued with and given direction by his deep concern for the toiling masses of workers and peasants, and the need for national and social liberation.” – Prof. Jose Maria Sison
Aquino trampling on PH Constitution, endangering Filipinos – progressive groups
Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Neri Colmenares said the ‘increased rotational presence’ being ironed out by the Philippine and US governments would only make Filipinos “cannon fodder and no different from how the US treated Filipino war veterans during World War II.”
Oil spill victims call for closure of Petron Depot
Remembering the oil pipe leak that occurred in 2010, which also caused sufferings on the coastal villages in Cavite, the newly-formed group, the Close Petron Depot Movement (CPDM), said the Petron oil depot poses a “constant threat to the lives of fisherfolk and urban poor.”