KMP is seeking urgent donations and support to aid farmers in need of immediate relief — rice, food, relief packs, hygiene kits, drinking water, clothes, sleeping kits, and medicines. A more long-term rehabilitation effort is also needed and farmers and fisherfolk will need seeds and seedlings, farm tools, farm animals, bancas and fishing equipment, and production subsidies.
Most of us may be afraid and cautious of this invisible virus possibly lurking in our vicinity. But for the economically vulnerable, it is the untrustworthy authorities that they are most afraid of during this quarantine. With Duterte’s order to shoot anyone who does not obey, the police were given even more power to assert their authority over the vendors and homeless.
Gabriela secretary general Joms Salvador said in a Facebook post that Marikina police arrested 10 relief workers who were conducting a feeding program.
“The more than 30-days lockdown has demonstrated just how bound and determined this administration, not in ‘flattening the curve’ of COVID-19 cases, but at committing human rights violations with impunity along the way.”
“This is harassment, plain and simple. We have no violations. The police also can’t justify why they are refusing to release our volunteers. We are in a crisis situation. Now is not the time to prosecute activists and cause-oriented groups who are engaged in humanitarian and relief efforts.”
Ni RICHARD R. GAPPI Bulatlat.com Intoy, ipinagkaloob ng tatay sa mga nasa evacuation center ang iyong mga pinagliitan: ang sapatos na unang sumapo sa iyong bigat noong pinag-aaralang mamaybay at lumakad ang mga bolang nagpatahan sa iyong iyak at nagpatalbog sa puso ko ng iyong inosente, malulutong na tawa at halakhak ang mga damit na…