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“We ousted a dictator before. We can do it again!” – Marie Hilao-Enriquez, chairperson of the Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda)
“Cha-Cha aiming to extend the term of Aquino and to disempower the Supreme Court poses an immediate threat while economic Cha-Cha poses long-term threats to the welfare of the nation.”
“Even with the capture of notorious Gen. Jovito Palparan recently, his butcher mentality and his bloody human rights record have been well-entrenched in the AFP’s bureaucracy and is carried on by no less than his protégé, Gen. Ricardo Visaya. The continuing Palparan-like killings and tactics is proof of that.” – Jomorito Goaynon, chair of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization
“While his transfer to a regular detention cell today is some kind of soothing balm to a lot of pain and suffering for his many victims, the fight for justice is far from over. His unscrupulous disciples of darkness will not tire of wronging a right to protect evils incarnate.” – Edre Olalia, National Union of People’s Lawyers secretary general
“Palparan’s practices are part of the military’s official policy. Palparan is only the most known but the implementation of the counterinsurgency program is systematic.” – Benito Tiamzon
“Palparan sees enemies everywhere. A person wearing red shirt is his enemy. A person who carries a banner is his enemy. People who demand jobs, decent wages, land to till, shelter -- they are all Palparan’s enemies. So where will he go?” Aya Santos, Desaparecidos secretary general
“We will have an election budget filled with lump sums and one that does not adequately address social development.” – Leonor Briones, former national treasurer
“Soldiers are attacking the alternative schools in the countryside simply because the government does not want the indigenous people to know their rights.” – Dulphing Ogan, a Blaan and secretary general of Kusog sa Katawhang Lumad sa Mindanao (Kalumaran)
SPECIAL REPORT: His eyewitness account, lauded by the Supreme Court for being clear, categorical, consistent and credible, served as among the evidences that led to the filing of charges of two counts of kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the enforced disappearance of the two students of the University of the Philippines Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, along with farmer Manuel Merino, on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy, Bulacan.
“They could only claim that it is an ‘executive’ session if they admit to an illegal act. But even then, the said session would not be considered by the court as an executive session because the privilege cannot be used to commit or cover up a crime or an illegal act.” – Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares
“We cannot blame our kababayans if they would opt not to return to the Philippines because no jobs, livelihood and security for their families await them here. The government is also mainly accountable for placing our kababayans in the situation they are in now,” said Garry Martinez, chairperson of Migrante International
Indigenous peoples answer the Aquino administration’s “deception, dispossession and destruction” with defiance.
“With boundless hope and bated breath, may justice find its place amidst tragedy and the many lives that have been snatched, futures destroyed and agonizing years that have passed.”– Edre Olalia, National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers
Piston is calling on drivers and all the riding public to continue to press for a rollback in oil prices, to press the government to nationalize and regulate the oil industry, and to condemn the Aquino government for its inaction that, Piston said, is tantamount to collusion with the oil cartel.
“This petition highlights the unity of indigenous peoples’ communities against large-scale, plunderous, destructive mining.” – Piya Macliing Malayao, KAMP spokesperson
A look at the previous Bulatlat.com stories -- the earliest were written in 2003 -- show that Palparan has left a trail of blood in areas where he had been assigned – Southern Tagalog, Central Luzon and Eastern Visayas.
“I am in tears. I hope that justice would be served and that they would now surface Karen and Sherlyn.” Connie Empeño, mother of disappeared UP student Karen
In the press conference, the Free Kim Gargar (FKG) Alliance also reiterated that while Kim’s colleagues, family and friends are welcoming his release on bail, demands for the court to drop all trumped-up charges against Kim still stand.
The PNP should be accountable for their illegal arrest and detention. We demand their immediate release.” – Hustisya
“More than 100,000 indigenous peoples from 39 tribal groups all over the country will be dislocated or will lose their livelihood as an effect of the all-out mining liberalization under Aquino. Even more indigenous communities will be displaced in energy, water, and plantation projects under the Public-Private Partnership program.”– Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas
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