BLOOD RUSH By SARAH RAYMUNDO Berdugo is derived from the Spanish verdugo, which means 1. executioner or a person who carries out the death penalty; 2. hangman in the gallows; 3. tormentor or a cruel person. “There is no reputation to besmirch” was Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay’s curt response to the Armed Forces of…
Tags: Philippine military
News in Pictures: Progressive lawyers, groups file manifestation questioning CHR decision on Roxas torture case
MANILA — The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) filed a manifestation at the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) on Tuesday regarding its recent resolution absolving the military from its liability on the enforced disappearance and arbitrary detention of Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas and her two other companions Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Jandoc. (Photos by Tudla Productions / bulatlat.com)
Mother of missing activist to Army major: ‘Who ordered you to get my Jonas?’
By RONALYN V. OLEA
“Harry, listen to the innermost voice of your heart and correct the wrong done to this mother. Tell me where I can find my son.” — Mrs. Edita Burgos
Balikatan in Nueva Ecija: Farmers Fear More Rights Abuses, Displacement
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Farmers groups said the presence of more military forces in the Fort Magsaysay Military Reservation, which the farmers are claiming, will result in more human-rights violations against civilians. They also said that farmers will be facing renewed threats of eviction.
NPA Blames Military for Botanist’s Death, Refutes Encounter Claim by Army
By RONALYN V. OLEA
The NPA said its guerrillas were not in the area where Leonard Co and two others were killed. It said it did not venture into the area because it was disadvantageous. “It is too heavily guarded by the 19th IB, the police, paramilitary and private security guards. Why would the NPA put itself at unnecessary risk when there are far better options for launching a tactical offensive?”
Human Rights Issues to Hound New AFP Chief
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
The youth group Anakbayan is not holding its breath that the new administration of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will do wonders to the country’s human rights situation. In the meantime, the group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Karapatan want the new military leadership to deal with the extrajudicial killings of activists.
Video of Soldiers Torturing Captives Riles Filipinos on Facebook
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
After watching the video, which was widely circulated on Facebook, many expressed shock and outrage, denouncing the Armed Forces of the Philippines as human-rights violators, while others simply commented how difficult it is to look at the video and not cry with anger.
Martial Law-Type Repression by Dole Philippines vs. Union Alarms NGO (PR)
NEWS RELEASE 22 February 2011 Labor NGO Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and Research, Inc. (EILER) expressed alarm over food giant Dole Philippines’ brazen harassment of a militant union amid the ongoing union election today as the company has brought in truckloads of armed men in the workplace. The Ecumenical Institute for Labor Education and…
The journalist in times of inhumanity
In these times of inhumanity, the thin line between being a journalist and an activist is blurred even more. I know in my heart that I owe no one an apology.
Dole Philippines Workers in Tough Fight as US Company Uses Military Force Vs Union
By MARYA SALAMAT
Today, Feb. 22, the workers at the largest plantation and cannery in the Philippines will hold a union election. The incumbent KMU-affiliated union, Amado-Kadena, is fighting to retain its dominance even as Dole Philippines uses a pro-management faction of the union against it while the US company, its allies and the military vilify and harass the union’s members and officers.
Reds Release Another POW, Slam Military for More Cases of Ceasefire Violations
Below are statements issued by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines and the New People’s Army: Conrado Heredia Command Front 20 Operations Command New People’s Army–Southern Mindanao Press Statement 19 February 2011 CHC-NPA frees POW PO3 Sabatin; slams AFP/PNP ceasefire violations On the occasion of the renewed round of peace talks between the Government…