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.

More military troops won’t solve mining woes in Tampakan

Philippine green groups today cautioned the Environment Secretary against supporting larger deployments of military and police personnel to protect the operations of foreign mining firms such as Xstrata in South Cotabato, warning that this would give rise to even more conflict and human rights violations against mining-affected communities.

DEFEND LIFE, UPHOLD HUMAN RIGHTS - Bishop Bastes

Statement On the Occasion of the 59th Declaration of International Human Rights Day

Life is the most precious gift that man has ever received from God. Man shares in the grace of the Divine Life and man’s image is created according to its Creator. Such likeness magnifies God’s goodness to man and no one has any right to put a sunder. This pristine dignity is inalienable to man. This is the HUMAN RIGHTS.

BARANGAY DEFENSE SYSTEM (BDS): STATE GARRISONS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE

On the Occasion of the International Human Rights Day

Vibrant life has been lost in the countryside especially in the far-flung barrios in the Province of Sorsogon. It is no longer a place of KASANGGAYAHAN (place of abundance and peace) but rather state garrisons where military rules the life of the people. Military posts have been installed in the barangays; the movement of the folks are regulated and made to log their whereabouts in the journal of the post. People who enter and leave the area are obliged to give their names and their purpose. Dangerously, the civilians particularly the women (mothers usually bring their siblings in the barrios because they do not have “yayas”) and youth are made to watch the military posts. There are even measures to regulate the supplies coming in the barrios such as limiting the rice purchase to 5 kilos only, more than that is not allowed and would mean supporting the rebels. At times, curfew is implemented in the area; hitherto the economic and social life of the people is affected, not disregarding the political straightjacket that tightens the barrio atmosphere. Members of progressive organizations like Bayan, Bayan Muna, Gabriela, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas are subjected to intensive surveillance and threatened to cease their activism if they hold their lives precious or their loved ones. Even the traditional civic organizations are asked to disclose their members, the nature of the organization and the source of fund. Fear and suspicion envelop the once tranquil life of the people.

2007 Human Rights Report: Only GMA ouster can improve human rights situation

The human rights watchdog KARAPATAN today renewed calls for the ouster of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in order to improve the human rights and overall situation in the country.

“The civil, political, economic and social rights of every Filipino are being violated by this dangerous, fascist regime. Arroyo’s continued implementation of her counterinsurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya II, the Anti-Terror Law and other draconian measures show her blatant disregard for the growing criticism of her regime’s human rights record,” said Marie Hilao-Enriquez, secretary general of the Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights (KARAPATAN).