SPECIAL ARCHIVES
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.
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.
When he exits the military service this Sept. 11, Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. leaves behind a long list of victims of human rights violations in the areas where he was assigned. Based on his declarations in various media interviews, he will perhaps even give a...
In the Philippine military, it has been customary to send errant soldiers (“scalawags” in the AFP jargon) to Mindanao for tougher assignments. Col. Jovito Palparan, Jr. is however considered an asset to government’s counter-insurgency campaign and has been promoted...
For more than 10 years, the Burgos family has been searching for Jonas Burgos. Bulatlat has chronicled the painstaking journey of fighting for justice.
“We will hold them accountable. The sun will rise tomorrow and there is hope. For as long as we are still together, with the families who are also with us, we are very inspired to continue the work.”
The military repeatedly refused to turn over to the courts documents that could have determined what happened to Jonas.
Jonas Burgos may have been forcibly taken away from his loved ones but for five years now, his family and friends have never stopped searching for him. Their memories of him remain vivid, keeping their hopes alive. By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com MANILA – Jonas or...
The violence that marred the strike of plantation and milling workers of the Cojuangco-owned Hacienda Luisita on Nov. 16 was bound to happen and government authorities may have to account for it.
Fourteen years after the Hacienda Luisita massacre, farmers still fight for their land. The Cojuangco-Aquinos have regained control of the vast sugar plantation with the aid of the Department of Agrarian Reform, military and police.
Progressive peasant and fisherfolk groups will hold a series of campaign in the capital this month.
Behind the barrage of official information from Malacanang and concerned government agencies, what did Aquino and his clan do in Hacienda Luisita?
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomed the decision as initial victory in the long quest for justice.
"I need justice for my dad. 'Pag di kumpleto numero, 'di kumpleto hustisya."
“This serves as a crack to the impunity in the killings of journalists.”
Five journalists have been gunned down under the Duterte administration, bringing to 178 the total of media killings since 1986, the restoration of democratic institutions.
“What do we have to prove? We were illegally arrested, tortured, incarcerated for more than 10 months but the burden of proof is still on us.”
“When torturers and human rights violators are rewarded with promotions and acquittals for the crimes they have perpetuated against individuals and communities, this means that the infrastructure of impunity has been so ingrained in the justice system in the country."
“These psychological forms of torture may have no external physical signs but the damage these have inflicted on the complainants will haunt them for the rest of their lives."
“It has been five years since we were wrongfully arrested, jailed and tortured by state agents. Such heinous crimes involve command responsibility and we seek justice.”
"...[t]here is a compelling necessity and urgency to prevent, running up to almost two (2) months before the oral arguments, any further implementation of the provisions of the assailed law as they impact on the lives, liberties and security of the petitioners and the public at large.”
This is not the first time that a national minority was charged with terrorism.
“The issuance of the IRR has set the stage for the unimpeded implementation of the assailed law; the targeting of activists and critics of the government; the suppression of dissent; and the curtailment of civil and political rights, all in the altar of national security,” the motion read.
“No one, save its proponents, is safe from the assailed law. Thus, the issues surrounding its validity are matters of public concern of which the public have the right to be informed.”
Treating the current global food crisis as a ‘logistics’ issue glosses over the fact that it roots from decades of imperialist plunder, land grabbing, trade monopolies, and neoliberal policies espoused by International Monetary Fund, World Bank, World Trade Organization, and other international financial institutions.
“We don’t want aid, what we need is to get our livelihood back. What can we get from the government’s aid? A few kilos of rice and cans of sardines? Those aren’t even enough to feed our family for a day. Our request is to get our livelihood back, we’re not expecting the government to help us, so can they at least allow us to help ourselves?”
“It is the state’s duty to ensure and protect human rights at all times, more importantly during the time of crisis where the temptation or desire to resort to abuse of power is strong.”
“There is no specific law that criminalizes it (violating the ECQ protocols). The police can always tell the people to go home and then file charges but not arrest them.”
Mary Jane is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on Tuesday, April 28.
"We look forward to the full achievement of justice when the other case of Mary Jane is resolved and she is herself ultimately and finally sent home free in time."
“The situation at hand presents a distinct factual milieu. The private complainant Mary Jane Veloso is not sick or infirm.”
This copy was provided to Bulatlat.com by the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers, a Filipino lawyer rights group who took on Veloso’s case as progressive groups carry on their last ditched efforts to save her from execution.
“We live in a society where those who would do good are those who would be put to jail while the real terrorists and killers are free and in government positions.”
According to their lawyer, there was no preliminary investigation conducted. The accused also did not receive a copy of the subpoena, affidavits of the complainants and other pertinent documents about the case.
“We will defend UP, our sanctuary, as much as it has defended us.” - Lumad student
“Jesus Christ, himself, taught us to provide protection to his flock, away from wolves and robbers who seek to come and destroy.“ By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO Bulatlat.com MANILA – As the democratic space continues to shrink in the Philippines, sanctuaries for the...