By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com During its 4th International Assembly from July 7-9, the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) renewed its commitment to defend Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) rights as human rights. In the gathering attended by over 300 representatives of people’s organizations from 40 countries from Asia, the Middle East,…
Category: Other Stories
Indigenous peoples in Asia share same stories of oppression
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Indigenous woman Thangjam Manorama of Manipur was raped and murdered by paramilitary forces of India on July 11, 2004. Until now, despite the positive identification of the perpetrators, justice remains elusive. Manipuri women refuse to forget the brutal rape and murder. It is one of the many violations…
DOJ starts probe of criminal complaints filed against soldiers linked to abduction of UP students
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Tension filled the room as the Department of Justice (DOJ) started its preliminary investigation on the complaints filed in by the relatives of two missing University of the Philippines (UP) students and a farmer against officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Col. Jovito Palparan Jr. faces…
Grassroots organizations from 40 countries in Manila for confab to tackle global crisis
By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA — More than 450 delegates from 380 grassroots organizations representing at least 40 countries are here in Manila to attend the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) Fourth International Assembly. (Photos by Ronalyn V. Olea / bulatlat.com) Some of the delegates gathered at the World Peace Bell at the…
Leonardo “Ka Ben” Perez, a labor leader up to the end
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA – Lung cancer took away one of the labor leaders of progressive Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Leonardo Perez, 59. Better known as “Ka Ben” in the progressive labor movement, he had clung to hopes of surviving his illness until the very last week of his life, texting other survivors of…
Youth groups, government employees say Aquino’s first year a failure
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com No more illusions. Militant student and youth organizations led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and Anakabayan said that those who supported President Benigno Aquino III’s candidacy in the May 2010 polls are, in likelihood, regretting their decision. The groups said that one year after Aquino’s swearing in,…
Interview with MILF’s Iqbal on the current MILF-GPH ceasefire, peace talks
By MARYA SALAMAT Bulatlat.com MANILA — After their latest round of formal negotiations with the government of the Philippines in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Mohagher Iqbal, chair of the MILF peace panel, talked briefly with bulatlat.com to share his group’s take of the current state of their ongoing peace talks with the Philippine government. Iqbal mainly…
Farmers say Aquino’s first year in office a ‘colossal failure’
by INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com One after after his inauguration as the Philippines’ 15th president, Benigno Simeon Aquino III has not won any fans from farmers organizations in the country. The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas minced no words in describing Aquino’s first year in office, saying that it was a “colossal failure” and that…
Global Filipinos Australia deplores ARMM elections postponement
Editor’s note: This article was originally published under the title “Filipinos in Australia Deplore ARMM Elections Postponement.” The correct title should be “Global Filipinos Australia deplores ARMM elections postponement” By TheFilipinoAustralian.com Global Filipinos Australia president Lolita Farmer OAM issued June 24 a statement deploring the postponement of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) election.…
Women, child rights groups condemn rape of 15-year-old girl in PSG barracks
By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – Progressive women’s group Gabriela expressed outrage over the news that a 15-year-old girl was raped by three members of the Presidential Security Guard (PSG) inside the Malacañang Palace. Gabriela secretary-general Lana Linaban urged President Benigno S. Aquino III to call for an investigation. “No less than the…
With Mar Roxas at DOTC helm, eviction of thousands of farmers, urban poor in land dispute against Araneta clan feared- Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com Last May 30, President Benigno Aquino III appointed his former running mate and defeated vice-presidential candidate in the May 2010 elections Manuel “Mar Roxas” as new secretary of the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC). Immediately after, a progressive lawmaker and an activist farmers groups decried the appointment as…