NEWS AT A GLANCE

20 years of women militancy

A day after its ninth congress, the militant women’s alliance Gabriela celebrated 20 years of women militancy in its National Women's Day of Protest last Oct. 28.

Women from Gabriela chapters nationwide protested against the Macapagal-Arroyo government’s corruption, fascism, puppetry, and state terrorism. Workers, peasants, youth, and other groups joined the caravan from Mabuhay Rotonda to Mendiola.

The group also honored the brave women who fought against the same issues during the Marcos dictatorship.

“Reminiscent of the women's protest 20 years ago, women from all walks of life came together to echo the same call. That is an end to an inutile and graft-ridden government,” said Gabriela secretary general Emmi de Jesus.

With more than 50,000 women members nationwide, the group is determined to “prevent Mrs. Arroyo from terrorizing the Filipino people” by foiling the president’s plan for another term, a Gabriela press statement said.

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FBI hunt of JI denounced

The Promotion of Church People’s Response (PCPR) expressed alarm Oct. 28 over the reported invitation to the United States’ (U.S.) Federal Bureau Investigation (FBI) agents by the Macapagal-Arroyo government to search for the terrorist group Jemaah Islamiyah in the country.

PCPR said that this move is “pure deception” by U.S. and Macapagal-Arroyo governments to justify U.S. military presence and intervention in the country under the guise of fighting terrorism.

Meanwhile, the church group condemned the U.S.-led wars that killed Muslim families in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“At this time of Ramadan, it is the height of hypocrisy that Bush, the world’s biggest liar and war criminal, has sent a message for Muslims while there is continuing U.S. occupation of Iraq and threats of U.S. attacks against Iran, Syria and others,” Rev. Fr. Allan Jose Arcebuche, OFM, PCPR spokesperson said.

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Gov’t urged to act on child abuse in jail

The Coalition to Stop Child Detention Through Restorative Justice urged the government Oct. 27 to take actions over the increasing cases of human rights violations against children prisoners.

The coalition said that instead of detaining them with adults, minors should be turned over to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) as mandated by the Child and Youth Welfare Code or Presidential Decree 603.

The coalition also expressed alarm over cases of tattooing and tortures of children prisoners by adult inmates.

April 2002 data from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) showed there had been 1,936 children prisoners in the country—including street kids and child laborers—mostly charged with property-related crimes like theft and robbery.

The coalition said the passage of the Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002 (RA 9165) increased youth prisoners, as the number of children drug users and pushers rose.

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AFP lies to hide shame—NPA

The New People’s Army-Reynaldo Piñon Command (NPA-RPC), under the regional operational Fortunato Camus Command in Cagayan Valley, refuted the statement of the 5^th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (ID PA) that only four soldiers died in a guerrilla tactical offensive last Oct. 25.

Its spokesperson Victor Servidores said in a statement sent to the media that aside from the big number of wounded soldiers, seven members from the 53rd Reconnaissance Company of the 5^th ID and Alpha Company of the 45th Infantry Battalion in the barrio (village) of Binatog, San Mariano, Isabela died after the five-hour encounter.

Servidores said that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) invents figures to conceal its embarrassing defeat.

Bulatlat.com

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