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By RONALYN V. OLEA
In a resolution adopted by 390 delegates, the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters condemned, in the strongest terms possible, the culture of impunity in the Philippines.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Children have been suffering the brunt of military operations along with their elders, but whereas before they were considered as “collateral damages,” since 2007, most children being encountered by the military in operations are being labeled as “child combatants.”
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“Land reform is a question of social justice. It is at the heart of the conflict in Luisita.” – Renato Reyes of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.
Sidebar: A Mother’s Quest for Justice
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“The activities are meant to enhance public awareness on the Ampatuan massacre and on impunity,” CMFR deputy director and former dean of the UP-CMC Luis Teodoro said in a press conference Nov. 16.
By IBON FEATURES
Experiences show PPPs did not guarantee savings for the government but even bloated the public debt. It can only get worse under the Aquino government's new schemes for more of PPPs.
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 JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
When the session resumed on November 8, members of the House of Representatives were being asked to vote on the proposed budget. ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio stood up and asked if they could still look into the amendments that were considered and included in the final version of the bill. The request, however, was denied.
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 ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL
Lila Pilipina, the organization of Filipino women who were used as sex slaves by the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II, said the Supreme Court decision denying their petition to hold the Japanese government accountable for its crimes against them, which was penned by Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, was not only plagiarized but was also “twisted.”
By MARYA SALAMAT
Like many Filipinos, the leaders of various health workers and health professionals in the public health sector said they dream of having a decent house, enrolling their children in quality schools, and providing for their family's basic needs like food, clothing and recreation. But sadly, they could not make both ends meet.
Sidebar: Doctors’ Association Seeks Amendments to Laws to Further Code of Ethics
By MARYA SALAMAT
While owners of big name brands ranging from Apple to Nokia to HP and JVC Kenwood roost in their headquarters in the US or Europe and try to outdo each other in bragging about their latest research and development, their supply chain around the world is comprised of different outsourcing companies vying for the contract to manufacture their required parts at the lowest production costs possible.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
"Since (we) are still stockholders and beneficiaries of the subject land, we have the right to information on such matter and HLI is under obligation to disclose whatever nature or kind of agreement it has entered or it intends to enter into with Wahaha with the assistance of DTI," the statement of Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita read.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
“US troops have no business in Hacienda Luisita except to join the armed forces in stepping up the militarization and perpetuate a climate of fear as protesting farm workers persist in their demands for land," Gabriela Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan said, "We want the US troops out of Luisita and out of the Philippines.”
By RONALYN OLEA
LFS chairman Terry Ridon said the greatest terror threat present in the Philippines is the continued US intervention. Gabriela Women’s Party Luzviminda Ilagan added that there is a terror scare because the ‘lopsided VFA not only allows the entry of terrorists in the country, it also guarantees their protection from suit and accountability.’
Sidebar: The VFA, A History of Abuses
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
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
Fidel Agcaoili said the National Democratic Front of the Philippines is now contemplating on inviting new GRP peace panel chair AlexPadilla to a one-on-one meeting in Hongkong to clarify whether the current Aquino government accepts the validity of the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) and can ensure the safe and trouble-free visit of the Jalandoni couple in Manila.
By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
After experiencing heavy deployment of AFP troops, the peasants of Hacienda Luisita are bracing for the entry of US troops who would be conducting 'trainings' inside the hacienda.
By MARYA SALAMAT
Many labor and partylist groups in the country view the labor department’s approval of PAL management’s outsourcing and retrenchment plan as a go-signal as well for an even more intensified contractualization of employment arrangements all over the country.
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