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While rural communities grapple with militarization, Metro Manila and other urban centers have also turned into bloodbaths due to Duterte’s so-called “war on drugs.”
Local farmers in Sicogon island, Carles, Iloilo, lament how a tourism joint venture led by Ayala Land tramples on their rights.
“We are saddened that the government's mandate to recognize and uphold the right of the Lumad to education and self-determination is superseded by a militaristic approach that further marginalizes the Lumad.”
“The audacity in yakking against us to our extreme prejudice outside the courtroom could not be matched by any modicum of fortitude by at least showing up in court."
“Duterte's economic policies is creating a ‘debt bomb’ that will explode in the near future.“
Mervin Toquero of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) said that barring entry of UN investigators into the country would only prove that “this administration is hiding something.”
As a result of Duterte’s refusal to uphold the country's sovereignty on its exclusive economic zone, China has been able to complete the installation of its military bases in seven reefs that are within the waters being claimed by the Philippines.
During the 41st session of the UN HRC in Geneva, Switzerland, 18 countries voted in favor of the resolution while 14 voted against. Fifteen member-states abstained from voting.
“We hope that the member states and non-member states will support this resolution because this is just one of many initiatives that will address these heinous extrajudicial killings."
Scores of NDFP consultants were killed in police raids. The others were charged with common crimes to hide the political motive behind their arrest and detention and to portray them as ordinary criminals. Their lawyers have maintained that the evidence against them were planted.
"What they demand is just and proper. But it seemed like the government forgets that enough wages, proper benefits and the right to form a union are our constitutional and labor rights.”
It has also filed before the 18th Congress of the House of Representatives bills such as the Magna Carta for Day Care Workers, the amendments to Solo Parents Act, the repeal of Human Security Act and the value added tax on oil, and the resolution on water concession agreement.
“It is a big step in stride with other parallel measures and contemporaneous efforts that merits the full support of an intergovernmental body that is mandated to ensure the promotion, protection and respect for human rights at the global level.”
"We need to speak up and say what really happened, they [officers accused] should be held accountable for the offenses they have made."
“The ongoing barricade by the affected citizens in Nueva Vizcaya echoes the battle that we’ve been long fighting. We want them gone and be held liable for their atrocities...”
"To say that there is no evidence of killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and all attacks is mere parroting of the respondents’ line. It is as if the CA is acknowledging the attacks but absolving the government’s role in all of it."
“They drove us out with force. They even used water canons.”
“As the Duterte regime continuously intensifies its attacks, the killings and arbitrary arrests in Negros is setting a very dangerous precedence – that State forces can do whatever they want against poor peasants and communities, and brazenly promote tyranny and violence.”
"We will hold accountable all those who committed these grave human rights violations against the farmers and the people."
Despite these scandals, Philhealth will still lead and manage the implementation of the Universal Health Care, and be entrusted to manage “humongous huge amount of money” from member premiums, public funding through the General Appropriations Act (GAA) and shares from PAGCOR and sin taxes.
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