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“Comelec’s double standards in implementing election guidelines is apparent in the way it is pursuing the cases against Kabataan and Piston, while large-scale campaign violators such as candidates from Team P-Noy run free and unscathed.” – Kabataan Partylist
The 13-year-old wounded boy, Jonas, (not his real name) who is still recuperating at the Davao Regional Hospital in Tagum City is now “heavily guarded” by military men of the 10th Infantry Division, Philippine Army. Hanimay Suazo, secretary general of human rights group, Karapatan, told Davao Today in a text message that the family of the victim is insulted and feel harassed by this act of the military.
They are being moved from one place to another; they have no stable jobs or sources of livelihood. Now, even basic social services are being denied from them.
The military repeatedly refused to turn over to the courts documents that could have determined what happened to Jonas.
Progressive groups are hounding the 2013 joint US-RP military exercises, which begins today, to protest the continuous assault on the country’s sovereignty, the human rights violations resulting from it and the toxic wastes it leaves behind.
Will this finally lead to finding Jonas? Will those responsible for this abhorrent crime be finally be brought to the bars of justice? Will this be the first significant step toward addressing impunity?
Migrante is calling on President Benigno Aquino III and Vice President JejomarBinay to “take a break from campaign sorties even just for a day to discuss withthe heads of concerned government agencies how to come up with a repatriation plan for all undocumented and stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia.”
Related story Filipinos arrested in Saudi crackdown on migrants
“Mr. PNP Chief, it appears that you don’t know what you’re talking about. The police should investigate the case thoroughly as ordered by the Supreme Court. it is the responsibility of the police to gather evdiences for someone to be prosecuted.” – JL Burgos, brother of missing activist Jonas
Is this the smoking gun that would force the Armed Forces of the Philippines to finally surface Jonas?
Like Cesar Muanag, the latest worker to die, the other victims of electrocution in the Philippines’ biggest oil palm plantation were all “casual” employees despite having worked there from two to 12 years.
“I earnestly pray that this decision would lead us to Jonas and to the names of those involved so that justice may (finally) be served...The ultimate measure of success is our recovery of Jonas.” - Edita Burgos, Jonas’s mother
The two newly-signed labor laws mandating tripartism and compulsory arbitration effectively weaken unions and their power of collective action to bargain for better working conditions.
For two days, more than 200 members of the Manobo tribe under the leadership of Mapasu, along with their supporters from other sectors, trooped to the Tandag City Jail to demand the release of Campos.
“Dear Kristel, we are thankful that you reminded every iskolar that education is a right and must be accessible to all.”
“No money, no service” is how the Anakpawis Partylist described the effects of “Aquino’s rotten policy when it comes to the people’s right to social services.”
Related story Patients, health workers join protests against privatization of gov’t hospitals
“Schooling was her life and hope. There were bigger problems that we faced in the past. Even if we hardly get a good meal, we stayed together. We remained strong. Even when she was hungry, she attended school.” Krizia, sister of UP student Kristel Tejada
Related story Youth, groups mourn Tejada’s death, hold black protest
"It is time to put an end to the more than 40 years of deceptive, anti-farmer, and pro-landlord land reform that is being implemented by the Aquino government." – KMP
“This latest step is just another indication of (the Church’s) refusal to heed the views of a majority of our people. It is sad that the Supreme Court should be instrumental in revoking human rights already claimed by our people under the RH law.” – UP Center for Women's Studies, UP Law Center Institute of Human Rights
“How could we have peace when our government does not care for the poor?” – urban poor leader
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“With the recent developments, Filipinos in Sabah have become more vulnerable to crackdowns and abuses. This, without doubt, is the direct result of the Aquino government’s defeatist and passive stance on the Sabah issue.” – Migrante Partylist
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