Tags: Bulatlat Perspective

The real target of military operations in Mindanao

On Monday, Dec. 3, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. publicly tagged Bayan Muna former representative Satur Ocampo and ACT Teachers’ Partylist Rep. France Castro an “active members of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).” In a news report, Galvez claimed that Ocampo and Castro, who…

Rape as state violence

The recent incident of rape involving a member of the Philippine National Police (PNP) is enraging. But what is even more infuriating is the admission of PO1 Eduardo Valencia when he was presented to PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde. To quote, “Sir, may pamilya po ako. Sir, hindi na po bago sa’ting mga operatiba…

This is not just about Senator Trillanes

As human rights lawyer Neri Colmenares said during the gathering of supporters and families of the Makabayan 4 last July, this regime does not tolerate dissent. He said that the issue is beyond the arrest of the Makabayan 4, it is about the people whose democratic rights are being trampled upon for voicing out their grievances against the government.

Duterte gov’t’s proclivity for short cuts backfires

People have been saying this all along; the Duterte administration could not solve the illegal drug problem with the use of uncontrolled violence and shortcuts that disregard human rights. And they were right. The Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs has not made a dent on the illegal drug trade despite more than 12,000 extrajudicial,…

Fading memory or a concerted effort to make people forget?

By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective Thirty-two years since the first EDSA People Power and the celebrations continue to lose its spirit, and the crowds that attend it. I am referring, of course, to the official government celebrations. It is natural for the collective memory of the Filipino people about EDSA People Power to start fading.…

Are we getting anywhere with a tough talking president?

By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective During his presidential campaign, Rodrigo Duterte vowed that if he becomes president, he would solve the illegal drug problem in six months, adding that the drug war would be bloody. He also promised to stamp out corruption. Well, barely after a year in office, in August 2017, President Duterte conceded…

Hold public discussions on proposed amendments to 1987 Constitution

By BENJIE OLIVEROS Bulatlat perspective What do the public know about the current initiative in Congress to amend the 1987 Constitution? First, the Duterte administration is proposing a shift to a Federal form of government. And second, there have been disagreements between the Lower House and the Senate on how to amend the 1987 Constitution.…