Tinig ng Migrante

Friday, August 29, 2014

Please call for justice for the victims of human rights violation in Maguindanao province

karapatan-updates@googlegroups.com: Aug 28 10:53AM +0800

APPEAL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION
Call for justice for the victims of human rights violation in Maguindanao province

28 August 2014

Dear friends,

Please join us in our call for justice for the four-month old child victim of indiscriminate firing and the call to surface Mohammad Abdulkarim and his 14-year-old son Mehad Mohammad.

These cases continue to show that the military's presence in the communities endanger civilians, especially children.

Below is the account based on the initial report received by Karapatan:

Enforced Disappearance of father and son

On July 3, 2014, Mohammad Abdulkarim and his son Mehad Mohammad were stopped by members of the 45th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army at a checkpoint in Brgy. Meta, Datu Unsay, Maguindanao. Witnesses reported the two were taken into military custody soon after they were stopped at the checkpoint.

Abdulkarim's relative went to the Army's detachment and inquired about the father and son. But, the military reported they already released the two.

The whereabouts of Mohammad Abdulkarim and Mehad Mohammad are still unknown as of this writing.

A few days after the abduction, soldiers of the 45th IB were seen near the home of Mohammad. The family believes the military may be conducting surveillance activities on their community.

Strafing of civilian homes leave a baby injured

On the evening of June 7, 2014, Mohammad Panigas and his family were preparing to go to bed when they heard several shots fired.

Mohammad's wife quickly picked up their four-month old baby from the cradle and saw the child wounded in his left leg. The couple sought their neighbors' help to bring the child to the hospital.

Not far away from the Mohammad's home is the detachment of the 22nd Mechanized Brigade of the Philippine Army.

We call on friends and human rights advocates to send letters of concern to call for:

1. The government to immediately surface Mohammad Abdulkarim and Mehad Mohammad.

2. Justice for the child of Mohammad Panigas.

3. The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights to look into these incidents of human rights violations; and, to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.

4. The withdrawal of Oplan Bayanihan, the Philippine government’s counter-insurgency program, which victimizes innocent and unarmed civilians.

5. The Philippine Government to observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all the major Human Rights instruments that it is a party and signatory to.

You may send your communications to the following agencies through mail, e-mail or fax:

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III
President of the Republic <http://www.president.gov.ph/>
Malacañang Palace,
JP Laurel St., San Miguel
Manila Philippines
Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80
Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968
E-mail: op@president.gov.ph

Sec. Teresita Quintos-Deles
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP)
<http://opapp.gov.ph/contact>
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue
Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 638 2216
stqd.papp@opapp.gov.ph

Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
<http://www.dnd.gov.ph/DND-Key%20Officials.htm>
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-6193 / 911-0488 / 982-5600
Fax:+63(2) 982-5600
Email: osnd@philonline.com, dnd.opla@gmail.com

Atty. Leila De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice
<http://doj.gov.ph/directory-of-officials.html>
Padre Faura St., Manila
Direct Line 521-1908
Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.211/214
Fax: (+632) 523-9548
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph, lmdelima.doj@gmail.com, lmdelima.doj2@gmail.com

Hon. Loretta Ann P. Rosales
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
<http://www.chr.gov.ph/MAIN%20PAGES/contact_us.htm>
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
Email: chair.rosales.chr@gmail.com, lorettann@gmail.com

Please send us a copy of your email/mail/fax to the above-named government officials, to our address below.

Letter from the mothers of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño

Date: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 20:48:06 +0200
Subject: [PhilConcerns] Letter from the mothers of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño

August 26, 2014

Dear friends and fellow human rights defenders,

Greetings of peace!

We are heartened by your support in our journey for justice for our daughters, Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, as well as for all victims of human rights abuses.

Your unwavering solidarity, the accompaniment of human rights organizations Karapatan and Desaparecidos, the very able assistance from our counsels in the National Union of People’s Lawyers, the vigilance of the Filipino people – all these contributed to the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr., notoriously known as the “Butcher.” This is the first time that a high-ranking military officer has ever been indicted, arrested and, hopefully, convicted criminally for violation of human rights in the Philippines.

Now that Gen. Palparan has been arraigned, the kidnapping and serious illegal detention case we filed will start hearing on September 1, 2014. While we rejoice for the arrest of the principal accused, we are apprehensive of how slow the wheels of justice grind in our country. We are experiencing in the case of Palparan’s men, who were earlier arrested. The case has been hearing at the Malolos Regional Trial Court for two years now.

Our case against Palparan and his men stands on solid grounds as we have six credible eyewitnesses – all of them were victims of abduction, torture, detention, and enforced disappearances by Palparan and his men. But we also expect that our journey for justice will last a long time, knowing the defects of the Philippine justice system and the prevalent impunity that exist even under the present administration.

In this regard, we appeal to your kind hearts for your continuing support by:

1) Writing letters urging Phil. President Benigno Aquino III for the immediate conviction of Gen. Palparan and his cohorts. You can send communications to:

H.E. Benigno C. Aquino III

President of the Republic

Malacañang Palace,

JP Laurel St., San Miguel, Manila Philippines

Voice: (+632) 564 1451 to 80

Fax: (+632) 742-1641 / 929-3968

E-mail: op@president.gov.ph

2) Releasing public statements on August 30, International Day of the Disappeared, and during other relevant dates and whenever there are developments on the case.

3) Supporting the legal, witness protection and campaign fund for the case. We need to continue to secure the witnesses, provide for the expenses during court hearings and other incidental expenses. Together with human rights organization Karapatan, we have been soliciting the support of kindhearted individuals and institutions for this endeavor. For details, please contactkarapatan@karapatan.org.

You can likewise use the attached timeline and briefer on the Cadapan-Empeño case for reference.

Once again, our deepest appreciation for your support and we hope to continue to work with you for just and lasting peace in our country.

Yours sincerely,

(sgd)CONCEPCION EMPEÑO

(sgd) ERLINDA CADAPAN

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

In the line of fire: Atty. Rodolfo Felicio

27 August 2014

In the line of fire: Atty. Rodolfo Felicio

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) mourns the passing of one of its members, Atty. Rodolfo R. Felicio, as it is outraged by how he was mercilessly felled by bullets of lawless elements last Sunday, August 24, 2014 at Floodway, Taytay, Rizal while reportedly amongst his clients. As of this writing, the authorities have yet to ascertain the name/s of the suspect/s but are considering his active involvement in a land dispute case as a possible motive for the killing. This early, nonetheless, it is clear that he was killed while in the course of performance of his duties as a lawyer.

Atty. Felicio is an active member of NUPL-Rizal Chapter. A true peoples’ lawyer and a jolly good fellow, he is always quick and ready to respond to calls for legal assistance and is, in fact, a reliable hand in Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) sent out by the NUPL and human rights group KARAPATAN-Rizal to address human rights cases. He is also a part of the private prosecution team, along with other NUPL lawyers, in the Olalia-Alay-ay double murder case.

Atty. Felicio is a graduate of University of San Carlos in Cebu and, prior to being a solo practitioner in Rizal area, worked for the Commission on Human Rights. His killing is particularly a tremendous loss to the people of Rizal, his family, friends and relatives, to us fellow peoples’ lawyers and to the legal profession, in general. As aptly remembered by a friend and colleague in peoples’ lawyering, Atty. Ming Saladero, “Si Atty. Felicio ay palatawa, palabiro at masipag sya sa pagQRT sa mga hinuhuli. Sya ay katuwang ng KARAPATAN, Rizal. Malaking kawalan sa amin ang pagpanaw nya hindi lamang sa HR kundi pati bilang kaibigan.”

For the nth time, we call on the government to solve with dispatch the rising impunity in the killings of lawyers and other human rights defenders. We shall also seek the help of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP), the International Association of Democratic Lawyers (IADL), and the Lawyers for Lawyers Foundation (L4L) in seeking justice for our slain colleague.

We have already lost five from our ranks in a decade, and innumerable others subjected to various forms of attacks ranging from surveillance, labelling, intimidation, harassment, threats, plus false or nuisance charges and discrimination.

We have lost too many and cannot afford to lose yet another in the hands of those who show no respect for the law and no regard whatsoever to life. As we remember those who have died in the line of fire, we must protect those who are left standing, especially those who are one with the people in their causes, principled, weather-beaten and under attack. We shall carry on, Rudy. #

References:

Remigio Saladero

NUPL-Rizal Chapter President

+639185435609

Maria Cristina Yambot-Tanseco

NUPL- Rizal Chapter Secretary General

+639178470301

National Secretariat
National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL)
3F Erythrina Bldg., Maaralin corner Matatag Sts. Central District,Quezon City, Philippines
Telefax no.920-6660
Email addresses: nupl2007@gmail.com and nuplphilippines@yahoo.com

Follow us on twitter @nuplphilippines and facebook @https://www.facebook.com/nuplphilippines
Visit the NUPL website at http://www.nupl.net/

"By calling yourselves the ‘people’s lawyer,’ you have made a remarkable choice. You decided not to remain in the sidelines. Where human rights are assaulted, you have chosen to sacrifice the comfort of the fence for the dangers of the battlefield. But only those who choose to fight on the battlefield live beyond irrelevance.”

- Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, in his message at the NUPL Founding Congress, September 15, 2007

"After long years of experience as a people’s lawyer, I can honestly say it has been a treasured journey of self-fulfillment and rewarding achievement. I know it will be the same for all others who choose to tread this path."

- Atty. Romeo T. Capulong, NUPL founding chairperson, in his keynote address at the Fifth Conference of Lawyers in Asia Pacific ( COLAP V), September 18, 2010

Lawyer shot dead by riding-in-tandem gunmen

| ANC – Tue, Aug 26, 2014

Monday, August 25, 2014

PRESS STATEMENT | BS Aquino’s counterinsurgency Oplan Bayanihan targets indigenous peoples

PRESS STATEMENT

Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP)

Reference: Pya Macliing Malayao- National Coordinator/Spokesperson

Contact Nos. 412-5340, 09105845353

August 23, 2014

The Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP) strongly condemns the most recent cases of human rights violations (HRVs) against the indigenous peoples (IPs), demands justice for all the victims of HRVs and call for the end of the BS Aquino's counter-insurgency Operational Plan Bayanihan.

In a span of less than three weeks this month, the extent of HRVs against the IPs in Mindanao clearly demonstrate how the Oplan Bayanihan of the BS Aquino regime works against the rights and interests of the Filipino people.

In August 22, Genasque Enriquez, Secretary General of the KASALO Regional Lumad Organization in CARAGA, a council member of KAMP and the National Vice President and 2nd Nominee of the KATRIBU Partylist, was arrested in Surigao City by members of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Philippine National Police (PNP) and elements of the 30th IBPA by virtue of an alias warrant of arrest issued against him in March 25, 2013. Enriquez was charged by the Philippine Army with three counts of frustrated murder.

Prior to his arrest, Enriquez was also charged with trumped-up charges of murder and frustrated murder in July 2012, which was all related to different military offensives of the New People's Army (NPA) against the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). All charges were all dropped due to lack of evidence.

Enriquez is a staunch Manobo leader from Lianga, Surigao del Sur who openly campaigned against large-scale mining operations and militarization in CARAGA. The arrest of Genasque Enriquez was preceded by a series of military harassments of IP communities in the CARAGA region.

To date, a total of 169 IP leaders and community members were implicated in trumped-up charges, and experienced illegal arrest and detention.

On August 14, Marcel Lambon was killed by suspected members of the Special Civilian Active Auxiliary (SCAA) in Kalabugao, Impasug-ong, Bukidnon. Lambon is a Higaonon council member of the Pigyayungaan Lumad organization and actively campaigned against the environment destruction and expansion of an oil palm plantation in Impasug-ong. In the first quarter of this year, Lambon was repeatedly harassed and accused as a member of the NPA.

On August 10, Datu Roger Alaki of Sitio Mintakei, Barangay Lydia in La Paz, Agusan del Sur was extra-judicially killed by the Bagani Force (another paramilitary group) and elements of the 26th IBPA. This incident occurred after Datu Alaki's community refused to sign a memorandum agreement with the Malampay Mining Company. Because of threats and continued harassment, 30 families of about 160 individuals fled their community.

The murders of Datu Alaki and Lambon raised the count of documented cases of extra-judicial killings of IPs to 45 under the BS Aquino regime.

Since August 7, continued counter-insurgency operations of units under the 1003rd Brigade of the Philippine Army have put the lives of Lumad communities in Kapalong, Davao del Norte in imminent danger. The military used the indigenous communities as shields, occupied the churches and schools and imposed food blockade. The military also openly accuse civilians and even children as members of the NPA that makes them more vulnerable to the atrocities of the military. More than 500 Manobos as a form of protest and also to ensure their safety decided to leave but were prevented because of the forced hamleting. The rabid paramilitary group Alamara is employed to stop them from leaving and to prevent human rights organizations to enter the militarized areas.

In the last four years, KAMP recorded sixteen incidences of forced evacuations of IPs involving about 9,754 individuals. Mostly in Mindanao, these evacuations were triggered by massive and prolonged military operations but suspected to be clearing operations to pave the way for the entry of mining and logging companies.

These cases of harassments, military encampment in IP communities, extra-judicial killings and the filing of trumped-up charges are the part of the Oplan Bayanihan, which was implemented by BS Aquino in January 2012 right after the dreaded Oplan Bantay Laya 2 Extension of the previous the Arroyo regime,,

Despite the arrest of the butcher Gen. Jovito Palparan, symbol of the brutality of the Oplan Bantay Laya, the repression and the culture of impunity continues and worsens under the BS Aquino regime. The Lumad people felt the brunt of BS Aquino's own counter-insurgency program, but it also brings suffering to the communities of the Aggay, Igorot, Dumagat, Palaw'an, Ayta, Mangyan, Tumandok and Ati.

The Oplan Bayanihan is implemented hand-in-hand with so-called development programs such as large-scale mining, dams, energy projects, economic zones and mono-crop plantations, among others, which are mostly foreign-owned and controlled in partnership with local big business elites.#

Kalipunan ng Mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas (KAMP)

National Alliance of Indigenous Peoples Organizations in the Philippines

Room 304 NCCP Building, near Quezon Avenue corner EDSA, West Triangle, Quezon City

(02) 412-5340

www.katutubongmamamayan.org

IP LEADER RELEASED ON BAIL AS TRUMPED UP CASES VS PROGRESSIVE ORGANIZATIONS TREND IN CARAGA

Reference: Naty Castro, Karapatan Caraga (09071009904)

23 August 2014

August 23, Surigao City – KATRIBU Partylist National Vice Chairperson and Kahugpungan sa mga Lumadnong Organisasyon sa Caraga (KASALO Caraga) Secretary General Genasque Enriquez was released after posting bail on three alleged frustrated murder charges before Judge Victor Canoy of the RTC Branch 29 in Surigao City at 11:45 am today.

After his arrest on August 22, concerned citizens and organizations immediately trooped to the Surigao City Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office to ensure his safety. Among the quick reaction teams to respond was the Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN) led by Sr. Noemi Degala, SMSM and Sr. Stella Matutina, OSB.

His bail was posted with the assistance and immediate support of progressive grassroots organizations, church people and civil society organizations and institutions based in the Caraga region. His arrest has also met with widespread protest among national and international human rights and IP organizations that he has engaged with in his work.

“This is clearly another case of state harassment against progressive leaders and organizations to silence us amid the mounting public clamor for change. What is dangerous is that 101 John Does have been included in the warrant that was used to arrest him ”, said Karapatan Secretary General Naty Castro.

Members of peasant organization, Unyon sa Mag-uuma sa Agusan del Norte – Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (UMAN – KMP) Armando Toreta and Eutiquio Bulat-ag were also arrested separately on trumped up murder charges and are still detained in Butuan City to date.

“These trumped up charges are trending in Caraga. There have been names of civilians, leaders and members of progressive organizations, that were maliciously added on to criminal cases filed by the AFP in the civilian courts, connecting them with known NPA offensives.”, claried Castro. “With utter disregard to due process, just like Genasque, they are not given the chance to respond to complaints at the investigation stage before these cases are filed and warrants of arrest are issued.”

“This is a disturbing trend to further curtail our civil liberties. Human rights defenders like Genasque Enriquez are put at risk because of their public defense on the side of the poor and the powerless, who have only their people’s organization as a weapon against tyranny and abuse. The Aquino Administration is no different from the previous Arroyo Regime in its total disregard for human rights and due process,” concluded Castro.#

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Public Information | Exact Justice To Hold Palparan, Other Human Rights Violators and the Fascist State Accountable For Their Crimes Against The People

Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights 2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg.,
#1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central DistrictDiliman, Quezon City,
PHILIPPINES 1101 Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146 Web:http://www.karapatan.org

publicinfo: Aug 23 01:35PM +0800

Reference: Naty Castro, Karapatan Caraga +639071009904
23 August 2014

August 22, 2014

One human rights violator is in jail because of the persistence and courage of victims’ families, eyewitnesses and human rights workers to work for justice. Ret. Major Gen. Jovito Palparan is now jailed in Bulacan after having been presented in court last August 18. He was arrested last August 12 for the abduction and torture of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Palparan was the main actor in Oplan Bantay Laya I and II underwhich more than a thousand extrajudicial killings, and hundreds of enforced disappearances were perpetrated. Palparan was unleashed, lauded and hailed by then Commander in Chief Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was made a role model for the implementation of the government’s counter-insurgency program and policy that resulted to the most brazen human rights violations perpetrated with impunity with 5 extrajudicial killings of activists in a week during its height. Oplan Bantay Laya was the State policy that legitimized the enforced disappearance of James Balao. It was the State policy that legitimized the extrajudicial killings of 9 farmer-hunters in the Cordillera from 2003-2010 and the extrajudicial killings of activists Romy Sanchez, Jose ‘Pepe’ Manegdeg III, Albert Terredano, Jose Doton, Rafael Markus Bangit and Alyce Claver.

Palparan’s being in jail is among the strongest testaments to State fascism. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the State are violators of human rights and they have to be held accountable.

What must be exacted?

Justice.

It has to be exacted to hold Palparan and Arroyo accountable for their violations. It has to be exacted hold the other Palparans in the AFP accountable. It has to be exacted to stop the fascist State policies and the State that creates violators like Palparan.

Palparan is not the only butcher in the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Impunity has not been shattered with his arrest.

The continuing violations committed by State security forces patterned after Palparan’s style and in implementation of State security policy remains. We speak of the continuing extrajudicial killings in the country since 2010. We speak of the massacre of Ama Licuben, Eddie and Fermin Ligiw in Abra by the 41st Infantry Battalion (IB). We speak of the extrajudicial killing of human rights worker William Bugatti. We speak of the terror brought about by State security forces who trample on people’s rights and do so with the premise that they will not be held accountable for it.

Villages in the Cordillera are currently subjected to militarization as troops under the 5th Infantry Division (ID) of the AFP implement Operation Plan Bayanihan. They wage war against the people, especially those resisting imperialist plunder and those asserting people’s rights and self-determination. Soldiers encamp in villages occupying schools, barangay halls and homes, inflict harm on women and children and desecrate indigenous socio-political structures and practices. Community people become targets of military operations or targets of reprisals of State security forces especially in the aftermath of their armed engagements with the New People’s Army (NPA).   These are also in reminder of what Palparan did during the implementation of Oplan Lambat Bitag in the Cordillera in the late 1980s and early 90s and what he has yet to be accountable for.

It took years before the arrest of Palparan was made putting in question the sincerity of the Aquino administration to facilitate the delivery of justice. The arrest was done at this time when the Aquino administration is at its desperate throes of propping up its rule. The arrest was done while the Aquino administration implements Oplan Bayanihan which is no different from Oplan Bantay Laya. The arrest was done in contrast after political prisoners, men and women - now more than 500, were unjustly arrested and put behind bars because they were defying State repression and because trumped up charges were filed against them. The most recent case is that of Mr. Eduardo Esteban – a 60- year old businessman from Iloilo – arrested in Jaro, Iloilo and brought to the Abra Provincial Jail. For the PHP 5.8 M bounty to be collected, the AFP has alleged him to be the Mr. Manuel Esteban they have accused to be a top-ranking leader of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). Yesterday, August 20, the AFP awarded PHP 3.2 M to the “tipster” to the November 2012 arrest of Grayson Naogsan - son of Cordillera Peoples Democratic Front spokesperson Filiw Naogsan. Esteban and Naogsan are unjustly detained at the Abra Provincial Jail because of trumped up charges.

Working for justice is a continuing challenge. We stand by the Empeno and Cadapan families who represent all victims of human rights violations and their families in the case against Palparan and violators like him. The people’s courage and perseverance, in the end will prevail against the violators of human rights and against the fascist State.#

For reference:
Audrey Beltran
Deputy Secretary General
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
Mobile no. 09189199007

Cordillera Human Rights Alliance
55 ferguson road,baguio city, philippines
telefax: +63. 74. 443. 7159
telephone:  +63 74 304 4239
cp:  +63 918 919 9007
email: chra.karapatan@gmail.com

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