Seven detained activists slapped with murder charges were ordered released, February 5. Now released from detention, they are planning to file counter charges against state security forces and state prosecutors who were responsible for their arrest. BY RONALYN V. OLEA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat Seven detained activists slapped with murder charges were ordered released, February…
Tags: Southern Tagalog 72
Court Orders Release of Labor Lawyer, 6 Other Activists
BY ALEXANDER MARTIN REMOLLINO Bulatlat Judge Manuel Luna, Jr. of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court, Branch 40 issued this afternoon a release order for labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, Jr. and six other activists from Southern Tagalog who have been detained at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial jail for almost three months now while facing criminal…
Labor Group Bares ‘Abduction Attempt’ on Leader’s Kin
The wife and the daughter of a labor leader in Southern Tagalog were ‘almost abducted,’ a labor group said. According to the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU), Romeo Legaspi’s wife Hermelita, 47, and daughter Sherry Anne, 17, were approached by a suspected intelligence agent yesterday in Cabuyao, Laguna. Legaspi, president of Lakas-Manggagawang Nagkakaisa…
‘Imprisonment Could Worsen Medical Conditions of 6 Political Prisoners’
A doctor said their continued imprisonment could worsen the medical conditions of six political prisoners detained at the Provincial Jail of Oriental Mindoro in Calapan City. The doctor also said their medical conditions disprove the allegations hurled against them. BY RONALYN V. OLEA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat A doctor said imprisonment could worsen medical conditions…
The Plunderer’s Escape and the Activists’ Arrest
BY HELEN ASDOLO Secretary General, Gabriela Southern Tagalog 5th Nominee, Gabriela Women’s Party Posted by Bulatlat The junking of the impeachment complaint is a glaring demonstration of injustice in this country. It is proof that big time plunderer and murderers in this country can go scot-free while human rights defenders, advocates and activists like me…
Drop Baseless Charges vs Filipino Women Activists – US-Based Women’s Group
A New York City-based women’s group of Filipino-Americans condemned what it calls unfounded charges against 72 activists in Southern Tagalog. Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), a member of GABRIELA, said the “recent spate of state repression and violations of civil liberties is a continuation of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s deteriorating administration and governance.” BY BULATLAT…
Batangas Officials Rally Behind Fisherfolk Leader implicated in Globe cell site Bombing
Five mayors, one vice-mayor, a significant number of town councilors, together with barangay captains and officials and fisherfolk residents of six coastal towns in the first district of Batangas had issued certifications, statements of affidavits and testimonies in their individual and collective capacities clearing the name of Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalaya)-…
Legal Offensive vs. Activists, Disturbing – CHR Chair
In a dialogue with the Free Atty. Saladero et. al. Coalition, Commission on Human Rights (CHR) Chairperson Leila de Lima yesterday was quoted as saying that, after intense local and international pressure caused a slight drop in the number of extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, state authorities apparently have been employing a ‘new strategy’ against…
Alliance for Defense of S. Tagalog 72 Launched
An alliance to defend activists in Southern Tagalog who presently face political persecution was launched November 22. BY RONALYN V. OLEA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat Dana, a petite 12-year-old girl, introduced herself to the audience as the daughter of Eden and Orly Marcellana. She said, sobbing, “Si Nanay pinatay nila noong April 22, 2003. Ngayon,…
Charges vs. 72 Southern Tagalog Activists Baseless – Lawyer
One of the lawyers of the 72 activists charged with murder in relation to an ambush incident in Mindoro Oriental said the accusations are baseless. BY RONALYN V. OLEA HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH Bulatlat One of the lawyers of the 72 activists charged with murder in relation to an ambush incident in Mindoro Oriental said the…
Another Activist Arrested for ‘False Charges’
BY BULATLAT Another activist was arrested by elements of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Calamba City, according to the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-New Patriotic Alliance) in Southern Tagalog. Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of labor institute LEADERS, is among the 72 activists accused of multiple murder in connection with a raid by the New People’s…