Green group slams ‘guns for hire’ by mining firms

Calls on Church, legislators to probe hiring and use of AFP’s military troops to protect mining operations

An environment group today slammed the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) by acting as ‘guns for hire’ by mining firms, after media reports today disclosed that the AFP’s 7th Infantry Division has signed a Memorandum of Agreement to secure and guard 3,700 hectares controlled by DMCI Mining Corp. (DMCIMC) in Sta. Cruz, Zambales following reassurances by the AFP’s Chief of Staff that the Army would help provide security for mining firms.

GDP growth hype cannot hide gov’t economic failures

The Arroyo administration’ s hype over its full-year 2007 economic growth cannot hide its many economic failures, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

NUJP will continue to campaign against criminal libel

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) welcomes the Supreme Court circular urging judges to forgo imprisonment as a punishment for those convicted of libel.

Justice Puno’s bold move, one of many he has taken in defense of basic rights and liberties, gives us hope to continue calling on Congress to act on our demand to decriminalize libel.

We note, however, that Chief Justice Reynato Puno’s announcement does not remove libel from our criminal statutes or prevent those who want to silence the media from filing cases against journalists.

The NUJP will continue to campaign against criminal libel. We urge our lawmakers not to pass up this chance to strengthen press freedom and democracy.

References:
Joe Torres Jr., NUJP chair
Rowena Paraan, NUJP Secretary-General

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Courtesy: PinoyPress

Mining policies a bane for RP’s green courts

The creation of 117 environmental courts is a positive development which may be unforunately reversed by the very actions of the Arroyo administration. We are thankful that the judiciary and Chief Justice Puno have gone towards the step of creating ‘green’ courts. But the fundamental source of problems is the policy of plunder and environmental destruction being promoted by the executive department under the Arroyo administration.

Lumads flee as military operations in Talaingod heighten

PASAKA condemns the massive military operations being conducted by 73rd Infantry Battalion commanded by Lt. Colonel Alexander Ambal together with the Army Scout Rangers led by 1 st Lt. Betinol, 2nd Lt. Mopal and 1st Lt. Villanueva in the hinterlands of Talaingod town, Davao del Norte which has now caused the enforced evacuation of Ata-Manobo families.

Amid U.S. global economic slowdown removing VAT oil to give greater number of Filipinos

Removing the 12% value-added tax (VAT) on oil products will give relief to a majority number of Filipinos in the fastest way possible, including reduced prices for petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

PNP has resorted to rumor-mongering to justify press freedom violations

The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines is alarmed over statements made by authorities that a journalist supposedly aided fugitive Marine Capt. Nicanor Faeldon escape after the November 29 Makati standoff. Especially worrisome is the way authorities are releasing information – tantamount to rumor-mongering and done behind the skirt of anonymous and unofficial sources.

RP call centers, OFW’s to be hit worst by U.S. slowdown

Call centers and overseas Filipino workers, both lauded by the Arroyo government as economic winners, are seen to be the worst hit by an anticipated US recession and general slowdown in the world economy, according to independent think-tank IBON Foundation.

Tribal folks barricade nearing clash with mining firm

Close to a hundred tribal folk are preparing for a head-on confrontation with an allegedly armed pro-mining mob and heavy drilling equipment in the municipality of Kasibu in Nueva Vizcaya, Northern Luzon, this afternoon, an environmental group reported.