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.

Human rights lawyers condemn curfew and arrest of media as violation of the constitution and an arbitrary over-kill

BY Atty. Neri Javier Colmenares

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) condemns the imposition of the curfew by Pres. Gloria Arroyo as oppressive, unconstitutional and an arbitrary overkill intended only to instill fear on the people. Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution states that “Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, as may be provided by law.” Absent any law, Pres. Arroyo does not have the authority to impose curfew. The supposed exemptions in the ‘guidelines’ are of no moment, since the order has no constitutional basis in the first place.

Armed Forces of the Philippines behind exta-judicial killings says UN - Inquirer report

Alston report: AFP behind killings
Report rejects RP claim of Red purge
InquirerLast updated 09:13am (Mla time) 11/28/2007

MANILA, Philippines–“STRIKINGLY UNCONVINCING” IS HOW A United Nations special rapporteur has dismissed the claim of Philippine authorities that the extrajudicial killings of leftist activists were a result of internal purges in the communist ranks.

Philip Alston, an Australian academic assigned by the UN Human Rights Council to look into the executions that have drawn international outrage, said in his final report released on Monday that the Armed Forces of the Philippines had killed leftist activists as part of a campaign against communist insurgents.

AFP units in Panay responsible for assassination attempt on our nominee – Bayan Muna

Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño condemned the latest assassination attempt against a high-ranking official of our party in Western Visayas .