FOR HUMAN RIGHTS · WASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief US lawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at a recent U.S. Senate

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The women’s faces were stern as thePPT declared the guilt of another woman,Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her government,as well as the regime of US PresidentGeorge W. Bush, on charges of violationsof human rights, economic plunder andtransgression of the Filipino people’s sov-ereignty.

After the verdict was read, EvangelineHernandez and Erlinda Cadapan, both con-veners of Hustisya! (Victims of the ArroyoRegime United for Justice), smiled andcalled it a step forward in their quest forjustice for their daughters, both victims ofthe Arroyo regime’s atrocities.

“Our loved ones who were killed by thisgovernment were defamed as terrorists.Today, the real terrorists have been re-vealed,” said Evangeline, whose 22-year-old daughter Benjaline or Beng was killedby members of the Civilian Auxiliary ForcesGeographical Unit (CAFGU) in Arakan Val-ley, North Cotabato on 5 April 2002. Bengwas then the deputy secretary general ofKarapatan for Mindanao, and the vicepresident for Mindanao of the College Edi-tors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).

For her part, Erlinda expressed mixedemotions. “I am happy with the verdict, butthen I’m angry again because my daugh-ter is still missing and this government onlypropagates lies and protects the perpetra-tors.”

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COVER STORY

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On 26 June 2006, Erlinda’sdaughter Sherlyn, 29, was ab-ducted in San Miguel village,Hagonoy, Bulacan with KarenEmpeño, 22, and peasantManuel Merino. The twoyoung women were volunteersof the Alyansa ng Magbubukidsa Bulacan (AMB or Alliance ofPeasants in Bulacan) and were both from the University ofthe Philippines.

Known to friends as Evan and Linda, the two are now amongthe many women whose children, husbands, fathers, moth-ers and loved ones have been killed, disappeared or detainedin the past six years under the Arroyo regime. As tragediestend to change people, they are now among the many thatare standing up to fight for justice.

Evan, 47 and a mother of four, stands as the spokesper-son of Hustisya! She was among those who signed the com-plaint submitted to the PPT.

Linda, 57 and a mother of five, is now a key leader of agroup called Desaparecidos (Families of Desaparecidos forJustice). She was among those who testified at the PPT, viawebcast, on her daughter’s abduction by suspected state se-curity forces.

The two are often seen in protests, pickets, and confer-ences, carrying enlarged photos of their daughters, talkingabout the injustice done to their families and the strugglethat they must continue.

The PPT has helped focus international attention on thehuman rights violations of the Arroyo regime – a crucial thingfor families of victims who are going through the long, cruelprocess of attaining justice for their kin. Prior to the PPT,Evan and Linda had filed cases at the Philippine National Po-lice, the Commission on Human Rights, and the courts to noavail.

Evan’s case against Beng’s killers has dragged on for fiveyears at a North Cotabato regional trial court. Two suspects,both CAFGU men, were detained for a few months but werelater released on bail.

For Linda, the clock ticks away on the habeas corpus peti-tion that her family and the Empeños filed at the SupremeCourt. The notorious retired general Jovito Palparan Jr., thencommander of the 7th ID in Central Luzon, is among the re-spondents.

COVER STORYCOVER STORYCOVER STORYCOVER STORYCOVER STORYWomen for justiceWomen for justiceWomen for justiceWomen for justiceWomen for justice

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CONTENTS

Any part of this magazine may be reproduced with the permission of thepublisher. The publisher reserves the right to accept or reject editorial oradvertising material. Unsolicited manuscripts, photographs and artwork willnot be returned unless accpompanied by self-addressed stamped envelopes.Publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited material.

Vol. 3 No. 1 January-March 2007Vol. 3 No. 1 January-March 2007Vol. 3 No. 1 January-March 2007Vol. 3 No. 1 January-March 2007Vol. 3 No. 1 January-March 2007

Publisher: Marie Hilao-EnriquezManaging Editor: Ruth G. CervantesEditorial Staff:

Lovella de CastroDee AyrosoDJ Acierto

FHR FOR HUMAN RIGHTS is published by KARAPATAN Alliance for theAdvancement of People’s Rights #1 Maaralin St., Central District,Quezon City, Telefax: 4354146, e-mail: [email protected]

website: www.karapatan.org

FHRFHRFHRFHRFHRFOR HUMAN RIGHTS


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NEWS FEATURE

tives, neighbors, friends and followers. “You can allimagine the chilling effect among the people thatthese extralegal killings have been causing.”

The prelate warned: “So long as our governmentand the police and military would always look at thewhole country as a battlefield, targeting the restlessand critical but unarmed citizens in their counter-in-surgency program and war on terror, political killings,enforced disappearances and other forms of humanrights abuses shall not abate.

“And so long as the government and the militarycontinue to completely deny any degree of responsi-bility for the innocent lives that have been sacrificed,the killings will not stop. Their sense of impunity hasreached to a point like that of the ‘hardened heart ofPharaoh’ in the Exodus story,” he said.

Citizens’ lobbyCitizens’ lobbyCitizens’ lobbyCitizens’ lobbyCitizens’ lobbyPascua and Enriquez was part of a nine-member

ecumenical delegation from the Philippines that flewto Washington D.C. to give a report on the unabatedand unpunished series of politically motivated mur-ders in the country. The high-level church delegationalso lobbied Congress and church leaders in the U.S.to exert pressure on the Arroyo government to endthe killings.

The delegation met with the House Committee onForeign Affairs, headed by Rep. Tom Lantos (D-Cali-

Filipino HR activists testifyFilipino HR activists testifyFilipino HR activists testifyFilipino HR activists testifyFilipino HR activists testifyat US Senate hearing on RP killingsat US Senate hearing on RP killingsat US Senate hearing on RP killingsat US Senate hearing on RP killingsat US Senate hearing on RP killings

The U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations’Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs,chaired by Sen. Barbara Boxer, held the hearing on14 March 2007 to examine strategies to end the po-litical killings that have claimed 836 lives since Presi-dent Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed the presidencyin 2001.

The witnesses from the Philippines were: MarieHilao-Enriquez, secretary general of the human rightsgroup KARAPATAN; and Bishop Eliezer Pascua, gen-eral secretary of the United Church of Christ in thePhilippines (UCCP).

In her testimony, Enriquez said human rights vio-lations in the Philippines have become worse underArroyo’s leadership and pointed to the Bushadministration’s “war on terror” as the culprit.

She said that the Philippine and U.S. government’santi-terrorist push “makes no distinction betweenarmed guerrillas and unarmed activists, making thelatter fair targets of political assassinations and ab-ductions by suspected state - organized deathsquads.”

“Arroyo’s administration has curtailed civil liberties,disregarded human rights and international humani-tarian laws and launched attacks on the people,”Enriquez said.

RP a battlefield in war on terrorRP a battlefield in war on terrorRP a battlefield in war on terrorRP a battlefield in war on terrorRP a battlefield in war on terrorBefore a jam-packed audience at the Dirksen Build-

ing, Pascua admittedthat with the appallingtoll of extrajudicial kill-ings in the Philippines,even he feels afraid.More than a dozen work-ers from his church havebeen killed since 2001.

He went on to saythat the fear is greatamong the victims’ rela-

WASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief USWASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief USWASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief USWASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief USWASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief USlawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at alawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at alawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at alawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at alawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at arecent U.S. Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.recent U.S. Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.recent U.S. Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.recent U.S. Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.recent U.S. Senate hearing on the extrajudicial killings in the Philippines.

Senator Barbara Boxer (far right) listens to the testimony of Marie Hilao-Enriquezon the political killings in the Philippines. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARKIBONG BAYAN


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NEWS FEATURE

fornia), in a House briefing.Both the Senate hearing and the

House briefing were made throughthe efforts of church and ecumeni-cal bodies led by the Rev. BobEdgar, General Secretary of the Na-tional Council of Churches of Christin the USA. Grassroots organiza-tions in the US also lobbied Sen.Boxer, Rep. Lantos and other rep-resentatives to take up the issuewhile the Philippine delegation wasin Washington.

President Arroyo was one of thefirst world leaders to endorseBush’s war on terror in 2001 andone of the first to join the so-called“Coalition of the Willing.” Thishelped boost U.S. military andother forms of aid to the Arroyo gov-ernment. Since then, there hasbeen a constant, heavy presence ofU.S. troops in the Philippines in-volved in counter-terrorist trainingand combat operations.

In her opening statement, Sen.Boxer said: “It is important we[Americans] do not have blood onour hands.” She questioned howthe Arroyo government uses U.S.military aid to fund counter-terror-ism exercises and trainings. “If weare training the [Philippine] militarywith our hard-earned tax dollars,our concern about the military can-not be discounted.... the war onterror cannot beused as a excuseto kill innocentcivilians.”

According tothe U.S. State De-partment militaryaid to the Philip-pines included$70 million inForeign MilitaryFinancing from2004-06 and

$2.7 million in International Mili-tary Education and Training in2004. The Philippines also received$148 million worth of equipmentunder the Excess Defense Articlesprogram.

Other witnesses and resourcepersons at the hearing were: EricJohn, Deputy Assistant Secretary ofState for East Asian and Pacific Af-fairs; Jonathan Farrar, PrincipalDeputy Assistant Secretary of Statefor Democracy, Human Rights andLabor Department; T. Kumar, advo-cacy director for Asia and Pacific ofAmnesty International USA; and G.Eugene Martin, executive directorof the Philippine FacilitationProject of the US Institute of Peace.

Deputy Assistant Secretary ofState John said, “As friends and al-lies, we are concerned about suchkillings, whoever is responsible, butparticularly about allegations thatmembers of the security forceshave been involved. There is dis-agreement about the numbers ofvictims, but of course even onesuch killing is too many.”

Amnesty International USA’sKumar told the inves-tigating body that theP h i l i p p i n e sGovernment’s re-sponse was long de-layed and inad-

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equate. He said that after almostfour years of rising numbers of po-litical killings - and after intensepressure from the international hu-man rights organizations and theUnited Nations - the Philippine gov-ernment took some steps to “un-derstand” the problem by creatingthe “Melo Commission.”

Added Kumar, “It is a mysterywhy the Government of the Philip-pines failed to address this disturb-ing trend of political killings for allthese years despite the fact thathundreds were killed for politicalreasons.”

Tie strings on aidTie strings on aidTie strings on aidTie strings on aidTie strings on aidSen. Boxer, who chaired the

hearing, said “it remains to be seen”if the Philippine government’s as-surances to solve the killings “willbe followed by real and tangible ac-tions.”

The Democrat senator from Cali-fornia said U.S. military assistanceto the Philippines should not beused for extrajudicial killing andproposed “to tie some stringsaround military aid.”

The Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in thePhilippines lent their support to the US Senate hearing on theextrajudicial killings. The church people marched to thePhilippine Embassy in Washington, and had a brief worshipservice in front of National City Christian Church. PHOTOSPHOTOSPHOTOSPHOTOSPHOTOSCOURCOURCOURCOURCOURTESY OF TESY OF TESY OF TESY OF TESY OF ARKIBONG BAARKIBONG BAARKIBONG BAARKIBONG BAARKIBONG BAYYYYYAN & BAAN & BAAN & BAAN & BAAN & BAYYYYYAN USAAN USAAN USAAN USAAN USA


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Evan: keeping the faithEvan: keeping the faithEvan: keeping the faithEvan: keeping the faithEvan: keeping the faith

Evan, a Born-again Christian, said it was when shejoined Hustisya! that her eyes were opened to the injus-tices experienced by many others.

“Nakita ko yung ibang victims, at isa yun sa nag-udyoksa akin sa Hustisya!. Hindi lang pala ako, marami papala. Naisip ko, it’s high time for me to make a stand,”says Evan. (I saw the other victims and their similar plightencouraged me to join Hustisya!. I wasn’t alone, thereare many of us. I realized it’s high time for me to make astand.)

A native of Davao City, she describes herself as a “plainhousewife” who had never been employed. She marriedand gave birth to Beng before graduating from highschool. Her daughter’s full name, Benjaline, is a combi-nation of her own name and that of her husband, Ben-jamin.

Being a young mother, Evan seemed a mere eldersister to her children. Although she was close to Beng,she had no inkling that her daughter had gone a stepfurther than simply writing for her school paper in Ateneode Davao. Beng was involved in activist campaigns withinand outside the campus, and had taken on tasks as ayouth leader.

One day, Beng told her that she was going to work“FT” with Karapatan. “Ano yun? San ka mag-fulltime, tanong ko. Hindi ko naman kasinaiintindihan yun,” recalls Evan. (What is that?Where would you go full time? I asked. I couldnot understand these things at first.) Beng saidit was office work and left it at that, so as notto worry her mother. She remained in schooleven while working with Karapatan and plannedto study law to become a human rights lawyer.

“May superiority complex yun,” (She hassuperiority complex.) Evan jokes, describing herdaughter as talkative and smart, even as achild. Beng was “lawyermaterial, so to speak,”says Evan.

More than a year afterbeing a full time humanrights defender, Bengcould not defend herselfagainst bullets fired at

close range by the CAFGU. Beng was killed with twoother youths doing community research in ArakanValley, site of the Tababa massacre which she investi-gated the year before. Beng’s face was shattered, herchest and neck riddled with bullets.

She and her companions Vivian Andrada, 18, andCrisanto Amora, 23, had bullet wounds on their palms,indicating that their hands were raised in surrenderwhen fired upon. Also killed was Labaon Sinunday, alumad (indigenous person) in his 30s. The CAFGUelements, led by a staff sergeant of the 12th SpecialForces Company, even boasted to villagers how they“wiped out” the four, and “how the women cried.”Army officials later claimed it was a “legitimate encoun-ter.”

Although Beng’s death shattered their family, Evansaid they kept strong and held on to their faith. Beinga Born-again Christian, she said her faith helped a lotin keeping herself together. Faith, as well as thegreatness of her daughter’s cause, pushed Evan tocarry on and work for justice for victims of similaratrocities.

“Nung maintindihan ko itong piniling advocacy niBeng, nakita kong bukod-tangi talaga. Nanliliit ako dunsa kanyang naumpisahan, kaya dapat double-timeako,” she says. (When I finally understood this chosenadvocacy of Beng, I saw that it is really one of a kind. Ifeel so little in the face of what she has accomplished,that is why I have to work double time.)

On her belated activism, Evan expresses a bit of re-gret. “Unfair para sa akin na hindi ako nabigyan ng chance,

COVER STORY

Top left: KARAPATAN Secretary General MarieHilao Enriquez comforts Linda andConcepcion Empeño, mother of anotherabducted student Karen, during one of themonthly gathering of families of victims ofextrajudicial killings and enforeced disap-pearances. PHOTOS COURTESY OF ARKIBONG BAYAN

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pregnant, was dragged outside with Karen, whose shirt was pulledup and wrapped around her head by the soldiers.

The men also took peasant Manuel Merino who was staying inanother house.

During the habeas corpus petition hearing at the Court of Ap-peals (CA), Gen. Palparan admitted that soldiers indeed capturedtwo women in Hagonoy on the same day that Sherlyn and Karendisappeared. But he identified them as “Ka Tanya” and “Ka Lisa”who he said were conducting “extortion activities.”

This, Linda says, was actually an admission that Karen andSherlyn were abducted by Palparan’s men. In November 2006,witness Oscar Leuterio, who was abducted by soldiers and CAFGUmen in Bulacan in April that year, testified in court that he saw twowomen who looked like Sherlyn and Karen at Fort Magsaysay,where he was also detained.

The CA has yet to come out with a decision on the case.

“Kung alam nila na may kasalanan ang isang tao, bakit hindinila ilabas? Bakit itinatago sa family at sa public? Talaganggumagawa sila ng labag sa batas. Ako, as a mother, kailanganhahanapin ko yung nawawala kong anak, at wala akong mahingianng assistance. Ang government, ini-ignore ang aking appeal atdun ako lalong nagagalit sa kanila,” says Linda. (If they know thata person has committed a crime, why don’t they surface her? Whydo they have to keep a person from her family and from the pub-lic? They are really doing something which is against the law. As amother, I really need to look for my missing daughter and I can notcount on anyone’s assistance. The government is ignoring myappeal and that makes me angry at them.)

In their search for their daughter, Linda and husband Asherhave since joined Desaparecidos. Their children are all behindthem in their efforts to find Sherlyn and attain justice. Linda saysher children would always text her, reminding her to take her vita-mins and to attend her speaking engagements.

Since Sherlyn’s disappearance, Linda has come to know themany other cases of enforced disappearances. She has metmembers of peasant and human rights groups in Bulacan whereshe learned about the problems of the peasants and fisherfolk,the agrarian struggle, the need to organize, and the value ofSherlyn’s work among the poor.

“Kaya ang mga tao lumalaban, kasi hindi binibigyang pansinng gobyerno ang maliliit. Kung me tumutulong sa maliliit,napakaheroic ng gumagawa ng ganun,” she says. (The reasonpeople are fighting is that they are being ignored by governmentespecially the poor. Helping the poor is a very heroic task.)

Linda says these realizations makes her respect and love hermissing daughter even more. It also gives her more reason to carryon her daughter’s cause.

“Ako, at my age, yung ginawa niya hindi ko kayang gawin perosomehow, in some ways, gusto kong tumulong sa ganungpagbabago ng ating lipunan,” she says. (At my age, I could nolonger do what she was doing, but somehow, in some ways, I wantto contribute to the efforts towards changing our society.)

NATIONAL [HR] NEWS

naging mailap noong panahon na iyon,” she says. (It is unfair tome that I was not given an opportunity earlier, it seemed far frommy reach then.) For all she knows, maybe her time has just ar-rived.

Linda: lost and foundLinda: lost and foundLinda: lost and foundLinda: lost and foundLinda: lost and found

As a young mother in the 70s, Linda juggled motherhood andher work as an agriculturist, raising her plants and five children inLos Baños, Laguna. Her husband Asher was then an employee ofthe International Rice Research Institute.

Linda, a native of Valladolid, Negros Occidental, sent all herchildren through college with her multiple jobs, including her spe-cialization in mushroom culture. She was also “madiskarte” (re-sourceful), collecting plastic bottles, newspapers and otherrecyclables and selling these to a junk shop to earn extra income.

Once, Linda came home and found Sherlyn giving away herrecyclables to children collecting garbage. “Di mo alam gaanokatagal kong iniipon yan,” (You don’t know how long it took for meto collect those.) she tried to reprimand Sherlyn. To which thelatter answered: “Ma, marami ka namang ibang pagkukunan, silawala.” (Mother, you have other sources of income, they don’t.)

Her daughter became a busybody like her. “Hindi rin siyanapipirmis sa bahay,” she says. (She could not keep still at home.)

Sherlyn was an honor student in her elementary years. In highschool, she began training as a sprint runner. Linda proudly recallshow Sherlyn had to miss her high school graduation because shewas competing at the Palarong Pambansa (National Games) inCebu, where she won a silver medal, losing out to a famous sprinter,Nancy Navalta of La Union. Linda said Sherlyn was trained byanother awarded athlete, Elma Muros, and even competed forthe Asian games against Lydia de Vega, once dubbed “Asia’s fast-est woman.”

As a student at the College of Human Kinetics in UP, Diliman,Sherlyn represented her college in the University Student Council.She later left home and volunteered with the local peasant alli-ance in Bulacan province.

“Dini-discourage ko siya noon, na marami naman angmatutulungan dito, di na kailangang lumayo. Kita n’yo riyan, mgapaslit diyan, matutulungan mo, sa pag-aaral,” Linda recalls, (I triedto discourage her then. I told her she could help a lot of peoplehere and she need not go far to help others. Look at the young kidswho you could help send to school.) but Sherlyn was not to bedissuaded.

Linda knew her daughter was courting danger when she be-came an activist but she had no idea that there was such a crimeas enforced disappearance.

“Alam ko na community organizer siya. Sabi ko, ingat lang siya,”recalls Linda. (I knew she was a community organizer. I told her tobe careful.)

At around 2 a.m. of 26 June 2006, armed men believed to besoldiers and wearing ski masks, barged into two houses in BarangaySan Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Some of the men were seen wear-ing military fatigues and combat boots. Sherlyn, then two months


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Hustisya and Desaparecidos, two organizationsrepresenting victims of human rights violations,issued this statement following the verdict of thePermanent People’s Tribunal’s (PPT) Second Ses-sion on the Philippines at The Hague on 25 March2007.

“We, the complainants who made the appealto the Permanent Peoples’ Tribunal to hear ourcharges versus Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, arehappy with the tribunal’s verdict,” Hustisya headconvener Evangeline Hernandez said during apress conference at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City hoursafter the verdict was read.

Hustisya is an organization of families and friends of vic-tims of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances andother human rights violations under the Arroyo regime.Desaparecidos counts as members families of victims ofenforced disappearances since the Marcos regime.

Other complainants who brought the case before the PPTwere the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alli-ance), an alliance of progressive people’s organizations, andthe Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon atpara sa Amnestiya (Association of Ex-detainees Against De-tention and for Amnesty), an organization of former politicalprisoners.

In a 13-page verdict read before some 300 people in PaxChristikerk in The Hague, the PPT found both Philippine Presi-dent Arroyo and U.S. President George W. Bush, Jr., includ-ing their respective governments, as responsible for grossand systematic violations of human rights, economic plun-der and transgression of the Filipino people’s sovereignty.

The verdict, read at the conclusion of the five-day sec-ond session on the Philippines by François Houtart, SessionPresident, described the extrajudicial killings, forced disap-pearances, massacres, torture and other atrocities allegedlycommitted by the Arroyo government as “crimes against hu-manity.” Such violations can not be justified as “necessarymeasures against terrorism” and must be stopped immedi-ately, the PPT said.

Independent bodyIndependent bodyIndependent bodyIndependent bodyIndependent body

Hustisya and Desaparecidos members said: “We are

proven correct in our belief that only a body independent ofArroyo’s influence and political clout can come out with astrong verdict unlike in the Philippines where the judiciary issubjugated by the whims of the Executive and rendered use-less by state terrorism.”

They said they were very much elated with the verdict,even if they knew that it would not directly result to the arrestof Arroyo and her supporters. “But as she is condemned bythe world as a criminal and as a perpetrator of human rightsviolations. For us victims, we are given hope, a glimmer ofthe light of justice.”

The victims’ kin added that like Marcos, Arroyo sowed ter-ror and fear among the people “and now she will reap thecondemnation of the Filipino people and the world.”

“Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts may have prevented thetruth from coming out when she successfully blocked twoimpeachment trials, but they had no way to stop the glaringevidence against her in an international court,” said Hustisyaand Desaparecidos.

“This is the beginning of her regime’s end,” they declared.

“Now the truth is out and the whole world will know abouther crimes: the extrajudicial killings, abductions and enforceddisappearances, massacres, illegal arrests and arbitrary de-tention, attacks against the communities, attacks on peas-ants, workers, women and children.”

On 30 October to 3 November, 1980 in Antwerp, theMarcos dictatorship was also tried and found guilty by thePPT following five days of hearings on charges of politicalsuppression and abuse of power in violation of the rights ofthe Filipino people. The PPT also condemned the political,

MMMMMANILA – “Spread the word, GloriaANILA – “Spread the word, GloriaANILA – “Spread the word, GloriaANILA – “Spread the word, GloriaANILA – “Spread the word, GloriaArroyo and her government isArroyo and her government isArroyo and her government isArroyo and her government isArroyo and her government is

guilty of crimes against the Filipinoguilty of crimes against the Filipinoguilty of crimes against the Filipinoguilty of crimes against the Filipinoguilty of crimes against the Filipinopeople. She is set to go down in his-people. She is set to go down in his-people. She is set to go down in his-people. She is set to go down in his-people. She is set to go down in his-tory like the dictator Ferdinandtory like the dictator Ferdinandtory like the dictator Ferdinandtory like the dictator Ferdinandtory like the dictator FerdinandMarcos.”Marcos.”Marcos.”Marcos.”Marcos.”

NEWS FEATURE

Arroyo to go down in history like Marcos,Arroyo to go down in history like Marcos,Arroyo to go down in history like Marcos,Arroyo to go down in history like Marcos,Arroyo to go down in history like Marcos,say human rights victimssay human rights victimssay human rights victimssay human rights victimssay human rights victims

GUILTY! The PPT jurors at the verdict. PHOPHOPHOPHOPHOTTTTTO BY JAN BEENTJESO BY JAN BEENTJESO BY JAN BEENTJESO BY JAN BEENTJESO BY JAN BEENTJES


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NEWS FEATUREeconomic and military complicity of the U.S. and other for-eign powers. A popular uprising ousted Marcos in 1986.

TTTTTestimoniesestimoniesestimoniesestimoniesestimonies

Voluminous testimonies and evidence were presented tothe PPT to find the Arroyo and Bush regimes guilty for viola-tions of the Filipino people’s political, economic and culturalrights and right to self-determination.

Several testimonies were presented live through a tele-video conference with witnesses, experts, and resource per-sons in Manila who were questioned by members of the jury.

Those who gave depositions and testimonies either inperson or through video hook-up included Marie Hilao-Enriquez, secretary general of the human rights allianceKarapatan; Dr. Constancio “Chandu” Claver, victim of frus-trated murder; Dr. June P. Lopez, an expert on torture andtrauma victims; Navy Capt. (ret.) Danilo Vizmanos; UP Fac-ulty Regent Prof. Roland Simbulan; Bishop Elmer Bolocon ofthe United Church of Christ of the Philippines (UCCP) andEcumenical Bishops Forum (EBF); Elmer Labog, chair ofKilusang Mayo Uno (KMU); and Danilo Ramos of the KilusangMagbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP).

Philippine Senator Ana Consuelo Madrigal also appearedbefore the PPT as a resource person on the environment.

RRRRRespondents a no-shoespondents a no-shoespondents a no-shoespondents a no-shoespondents a no-showwwww

The PPT placed on record that the two main accused par-ties - the governments of the Philippines and the U.S. andtheir respective presidents - were notified of the procedurethrough their embassies in Rome and in The Hague and in-vited to participate in the process and to exercise their rightto defend themselves before the tribunal.

It quoted media reports in the Philippines and The Haguethat qualified representatives of the Arroyo administrationexpressed confirmation, through their contradictory state-ments, that the government hadbeen duly informed in a timely man-ner but did not actively participatein the processes despite the pres-ence of Philippine authorities in thePPT’s opening session on March21.

The public hearings of the PPTwere held in the Christus TriumfatorKerk in the Hague for over three fulldays (March 21-23) and the delib-erations of the Jury in closed-doorsessions lasted from the evening ofMarch 23 until the presentation ofits verdict on March 25.

IntIntIntIntInternational jurernational jurernational jurernational jurernational juryyyyy

The Tribunal, composed of six in-ternationally-eminent persons, also

The PermanentPeoples’ Tribunal (PPT) isan international opiniontribunal, independent fromany State authority. Itexamines cases regardingviolations of human rightsand rights of peoples.

Promoted by the Lelio Basso International Foundation for theRights and Liberation of Peoples, the PPT was founded in June1979, in Bologna, Italy, by a broad spectrum of law experts,writers, and other cultural and community leaders (including fiveNobel Prize laureates) from 31 countries. PPT is rooted in thehistorical experience of the Russell Tribunals on Vietnam (1966-67) and the dictatorships in Latin America (1974-1976). Theimportance and strength of decisions by the PPT rest on themoral weight of the causes and arguments to which they givecredibility, and their recognition in the UN Commission onHuman Rights.

Complaints heard by the Tribunal are submitted by thevictims, or groups or individuals representing them. The PPTcalls together all parties concerned and offers the defendantsthe possibility to make their own arguments heard. The Jury isselected for each case by combining members who belong to apermanent list of jurors, and individuals who are recognized fortheir competence and integrity.

The PPT has held 32 sessions from June 1979 to thepresent.

The PPT’s verdictThe decisions of the Tribunal with respect to the

accusation and charges against President’s Arroyo,Bush and their governments, as reported in par. 3,are as follows:1. The wealth and consistency of the oral andwritten documentation made available throughwitnesses and expert reports has convinced the PPTthat each and all of the three charges presentedagainst Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her Govern-ment, and against George Walker Bush and hisGovernment, are substantiated.2. The PPT underlines that the charges cannot beconsidered separately nor independently. Theatrocities of extra-judicial killings, of massacres, oftortures, of communities destroyed and dispersedare the visible and dramatic expression of onestrategy, which has its continuity and effectiveness inthe mechanism and instruments documented with

What is the PPT?


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NEWS FEATURE


named the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as having“a central role” in the atrocities, adding that the military wasa “structural component and instrument of the policy of the‘war on terror’ in the Philippines” declared by both Arroyoand Bush.

The Tribunal jurors also denounced as “unacceptable”the inclusion of the Arroyo government in the UN HumanRights Council (UNHRC). The Philippine membership, the ju-rors said, undermines the credibility of the United Nationsparticularly on human rights and is “an intolerable offense”to the victims.

Aside from Houtart, who is from Belgium and Director ofthe Centre Tricontinental (Cetri), the PPT jurors included:Oda Makoto (Japan), a well-known novelist and social activ-ist; Ties Prakken (The Netherlands), professor in criminallaw at the Maastricht University; Oystein Tveter (Norway), alawyer, former Director of the Karibu Foundation and formerforeign ministry official in South Africa and Zambia; IreneFernandez (Malaysia), a lawyer, social development expertand head of the NGO Tenaganita; and Lilia Solano (Colom-bia), 2005 Right Livelihood Awardee (alternative Nobel) andDirector of Project for Life and Peace.

Richard Falk (USA), professor emeritus of internationallaw at Princeton University and Hans Köechler (Austria), presi-dent of the International Progress Organizations were alsoassigned as members of the jury but were not able to partici-pate due to academic commitments.

PPT General Secretary Gianni Tognoni served as modera-tor of the proceedings.

Houtart and Makoto were also members of the jury dur-ing the PPT’s first session on the Philippines in 1980 whichtried the Marcos dictatorship. That PPT’s guilty verdict be-came a major factor in the Marcos dictatorship’s isolation inthe international community, leading to its ouster six yearslater.

TTTTTransmission transmission transmission transmission transmission to UN, ICJo UN, ICJo UN, ICJo UN, ICJo UN, ICJ

Houtart said that although the verdict may be legallynon-binding, it is nevertheless “morally binding” and will betransmitted to the United Nations, the International Court ofJustice, the European Parliament and various foreign gov-ernments. Tognoni said that the transmittal to these bodieswill be a major step towards focusing world attention on thehuman rights crisis in the Philippines. World opinion, thePPT general secretary said, will add more pressure to theU.S.-supported Arroyo government to stop the killings.

Dr. Angela Gonzales, Executive Director of the Interna-tional Coordinating Secretariat for the PPT’s second sessionon the Philippines says the tribunal’s verdict will be trans-mitted to other international bodies, both government andnon-government. (With a report from The Hague)

respect to chapter 2 and 3.3. The extension and the systematic nature of the violations

of the rights of the Filipino people committed by thegovernments of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and withthe support and full awareness of the government ofGeorge Walker Bush, qualify the same violations ascrimes against humanity, with all the consequences forthe persons who are responsible for them. Such viola-tions must be stopped immediately.

4. The Philippine government and the Bush administrationhave knowingly and willingly colluded with each other inimplementing the U.S.’s so-called “war on terror” inSoutheast Asia and in the Philippines in violation ofnational sovereignty and territorial integrity, violating thePhilippine Constitution which bans the presence offoreign troops and nuclear weapons on Philippine soil.

5. The PPT has found unequivocal evidences that themilitaries have a central role in the greatest majority ofthe scenarios of human rights violations in the Philip-pines. The PPT however wants to underline the highlymisleading role of the recurrent debates on the direct vs.indirect involvement of the military forces in one or theother individual case. The AFP is a structural componentand instrument of the policy of the “war on terror”declared jointly by the Philippines and the US. Govern-ments, as a comprehensive label to justify all illegalactions and their impunity.

6. The PPT denounces as unacceptable the inclusion of theGovernment of the Philippines in the UN Human RightsCouncil:

· It undermines the credibility of the UN in this field;· It is an intolerable offense to the victims;· It is a denial of the many well documented denuncia-tions of the dramatic violations of human rights in thePhilippines.

As Permanent People’s Tribunal and part of the largerhuman family, we recognize that the dramatic and worseninghuman rights situation in the Philippines is the responsibility ofus all, not just those who struggle for their rights in that country.We commit ourselves to strengthen our efforts to defeat thosepowers which, under pretext of the so-called “war on terror-ism” and in the mantle of “market- and profit-driven globaliza-tion”, deprive the marginalized of a life in justice, dignity andpeace.

This commitment includes a sharp attention to the safetyof the witnesses who courageously have contributed to thefact-finding task of the tribunal. If anything would happen toany of them, we will hold the government of the Philippinesresponsible for that. (For the full version of the verdict of thePPT Second Session on the Philippines, log on towww.philippinetribunal.org)

...from what is PPT?...from what is PPT?...from what is PPT?...from what is PPT?...from what is PPT?


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Tens of Thousands Marched at thePentagon against Iraq war

INTERNATIONAL [HR] NEWS

WASHINGWASHINGWASHINGWASHINGWASHINGTTTTTON, D.CON, D.CON, D.CON, D.CON, D.C. – More than 50,000 people bra. – More than 50,000 people bra. – More than 50,000 people bra. – More than 50,000 people bra. – More than 50,000 people bravvvvved the snoed the snoed the snoed the snoed the snow and freezing rain on 1w and freezing rain on 1w and freezing rain on 1w and freezing rain on 1w and freezing rain on 17 Mar7 Mar7 Mar7 Mar7 March 200ch 200ch 200ch 200ch 2007 t7 t7 t7 t7 tooooojoin the marjoin the marjoin the marjoin the marjoin the march at the Pch at the Pch at the Pch at the Pch at the Pentagon tentagon tentagon tentagon tentagon to pro pro pro pro proooootttttest the west the west the west the west the war in Iraq.ar in Iraq.ar in Iraq.ar in Iraq.ar in Iraq.

PHOPHOPHOPHOPHOTTTTTO COURO COURO COURO COURO COURTESTESTESTESTESY OF ANSY OF ANSY OF ANSY OF ANSY OF ANSWER Coalition.orgWER Coalition.orgWER Coalition.orgWER Coalition.orgWER Coalition.org

Dubbed as the U.S. component ofthe world-wide protests marking thebeginning of the fifth year of the waragainst Iraq, the march was led by acontingent of Iraq war veterans, active-duty service-members, Gold Star fami-lies, and veterans from other past andpresent wars.

The demonstration received a largeamount of media coverage. The rallywas broadcast live on C-span and Al-Jazeera while CNN featured the dem-onstration. The major French news-paper, Le Monde, published a longarticle on the rally.

The march at the Pentagon wasone of more than 1,000 protests thattook place in the U.S. between 17March and 20 March . In Los Angeles,the A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition called ademonstration that drew a crowd ofabout 50,000.

The ANSWER demonstration on 18March in San Francisco mobilized50,000 protesters who filled 15 blocksof Market Street, a six-lane avenue.

The march at the Pentagon tookplace the day after a severe wintersnow and sleet storm suddenly hitnortheastern states that preventedmany buses from traveling, 700 flightsfrom taking off, and thousands of carsfrom reaching the march. Peoplemarched to the Pentagon and stayedas long as they could braving 20 mile-an-hour winds.

The lead banner of the march de-manding “US Out of Iraq Now” was car-ried by Cindy Sheehan, CynthiaMcKinney, Jonathan Hutto co-founderof Appeal for Redress, Mahdi Bray, Ex-ecutive Director of the Muslim Ameri-can Society Freedom Foundation, Salt

Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson andyouth and students in the anti-warmovement.

PPPPPolice preolice preolice preolice preolice prevvvvvent people frent people frent people frent people frent people from joiningom joiningom joiningom joiningom joiningthe rallythe rallythe rallythe rallythe rally

The Pentagon and Virginia StatePolice, many clad in riot gear, wearinggas masks and wielding batons,blocked people coming from the sub-way/metro who wanted to attend thedemonstration. They also blockedbuses from accessing the Pentagon incontravention of the agreementsreached in the permit.

Many people who came to the rallyafter it had begun - some who hadseen the huge march at a distance asit crossed over the Memorial Bridgeacross the roadways and wanted tothen join the activity - were blocked bythe Pentagon and the police from en-tering the rally site through a maze ofmisdirection, road closures andthreats of arrest at multiple differentlocations.

The ANSWER Coalition worked toget people in, and ANSWER organiz-ers and their attorneys went to thesite of sudden police confrontationsand shutdowns, but many peoplewere still unable to get in includingthe hip-hop artist Immortal Techniquewho was scheduled toperform. (ANSWER Report) F H RF H RF H RF H RF H R


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INTERNATIONAL [HR] NEWS

VANCOUVERVANCOUVERVANCOUVERVANCOUVERVANCOUVER, B.C. - The arrest of Philippine legislat, B.C. - The arrest of Philippine legislat, B.C. - The arrest of Philippine legislat, B.C. - The arrest of Philippine legislat, B.C. - The arrest of Philippine legislator Satur Ocamor Satur Ocamor Satur Ocamor Satur Ocamor Satur Ocampo on 1po on 1po on 1po on 1po on 16 Mar6 Mar6 Mar6 Mar6 March 200ch 200ch 200ch 200ch 2007 and7 and7 and7 and7 andthe intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines hasthe intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines hasthe intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines hasthe intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines hasthe intensifying human rights violations and political repression in the Philippines hassparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.sparked international concern, including that of Canadian labour unions.

and human rights groups.

The forum was endorsed by the Vancouver DistrictLabour Council.

One of the speakers in the forum was Dr. ConstancioClaver, chair of Bayan Muna (People First) Party inKalinga province and member of Hustisya! (Justice) Vic-tims of the Arroyo Regime United for Justice. Dr. Claversurvived an assassination attempt on July 31, 2006 inwhich his wife Alyce was killed.

Other speakers included: Ted Alcuitas, member ofthe BC Committee for Human Rights in the Phiippinesand Jennifer Efting, Hospital Employees Union staff andBus Riders Union organizer who both recently returnedfrom the Canadian Fact-Finding Mission to the Philip-pines held in November 2006. (BCCHRP Report)

Canadian unions concernedon human rights violations in RP

The B.C. region of the Public Service Alliance ofCanada (PSAC), one of Canada’s largest unions, co-sponsored the forum “Building People to People “Building People to People “Building People to People “Building People to People “Building People to PeopleSolidarity” Solidarity” Solidarity” Solidarity” Solidarity” on 22 March, which also coincided withthe Permanent People’s Tribunal: Second Session onthe Philippines in The Netherlands. The event was heldat Bonsor Recreation Complex in Burnaby.

Kay Sinclair, Regional Executive Vice-President of thePSAC for B.C. shared, “We need to build awarenessamongst our members and other trade unionists aboutthe grave political situation, for trade unionists andother activists, in the Philippines.”

“It is part of our effort towards international soli-darity,” added Sinclair.

The forum gathered people from trade unions, localFilipino-Canadian and Indigenous Filipino community

When is an arrest legal?When is an arrest legal?When is an arrest legal?When is an arrest legal?When is an arrest legal?

An arrest is legal if there is a warrant of arrest. Anarrest can also be legal even without a warrant if theperson making the arrest (which can be anyone) haspersonal knowledge that the crime for which the arrestis made has been committed or is about to be commit-ted by the person being arrested. When a personmaking a warrantless arrest is only told about thecommission of a crime, then the arrest is illegal for s/he has no personal knowledge of the crime.

An arrest is also illegal when the arresting personfails to inform the arrested person why s/he is beingarrested. When the crime filed in court is not the crimeyou were arrested for, then the detention or the arrestis illegal.

What are the legal remedies for illegal deten-What are the legal remedies for illegal deten-What are the legal remedies for illegal deten-What are the legal remedies for illegal deten-What are the legal remedies for illegal deten-t ion?t ion?t ion?t ion?t ion?

When no complaint has been filed against thearrested person, a habeas corpus petition can be filed.Anybody who has interest in the person so detained,

Pastor Berlin Guerrero,abducted by Navyforces, shows historture marks

from page 16RIGHTS 101

and not necessarily animmediately family member,can be the petitioner in thesaid habeas corpus case. Acriminal case for arbitrarydetention or a civil case fordamages can also be filed.

If a criminal complaint isfiled after the requiredperiod after the arrest, onecan file a criminal complaintfor delay in the delivery or acivil case for damages.

What must one remem-What must one remem-What must one remem-What must one remem-What must one remem-ber if one is detained orber if one is detained orber if one is detained orber if one is detained orber if one is detained orabducted?abducted?abducted?abducted?abducted?

Stay calm, observe everything and put all detailsinto memory. Remember especially the names of yourdetainers and the places that you are brought to. Insiston your right to be free at all times. F H RF H RF H RF H RF H R


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NATIONAL [HR] NEWS

Valentine’s gift.”

Josie and Malabanan’s daughter Glendyl lamented,“We have presented our cases to the Commission onHuman Rights, to Congress and to media so that Arroyowould hear our plight but justice had not been servedand the killings have not stopped.”

Families of victims of extrajudicial killings in northernPhilippines were able to meet with Alston on 16 Februaryin Baguio City. He was touched by the vivid account ofHipolito Asucena about the killing of his son Nelson by

Victims, rights groupspresent cases to UN Rapporteur

Among the cases presented were those of ArmandoJavier, Jr. and Romeo Malabanan, both victims of extraju-dicial killings by suspected state security agents.

Javier, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) Party List munici-pal coordinator of Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, was fatally shotin his home on 2 October 2005 by suspected soldiers.His wife Josie was also shot but survived. Prior to hismurder, Javier reported being harassed by soldiersdeployed in the area.

Malabanan, Bayan Muna Coordinator of Bay, Laguna,was shot in front of his home on 23 December 2003.

Javier’s wife Josie said, “As I thought of my husbandon Valentine’s Day, I hoped that Prof. Alston would reallylisten to our story and would do everything in his powerto give us justice; this would indeed be a good

WITNESSES AND RELAWITNESSES AND RELAWITNESSES AND RELAWITNESSES AND RELAWITNESSES AND RELATIVES OF TIVES OF TIVES OF TIVES OF TIVES OF about 20 victims whose casesabout 20 victims whose casesabout 20 victims whose casesabout 20 victims whose casesabout 20 victims whose caseswwwwwere documentere documentere documentere documentere documented bed bed bed bed by KARAPy KARAPy KARAPy KARAPy KARAPAAAAATTTTTAN presentAN presentAN presentAN presentAN presented their cases ted their cases ted their cases ted their cases ted their cases to UNo UNo UNo UNo UNSpecial RapporSpecial RapporSpecial RapporSpecial RapporSpecial Rapporttttteur on Extrajudicial Killings Preur on Extrajudicial Killings Preur on Extrajudicial Killings Preur on Extrajudicial Killings Preur on Extrajudicial Killings Prof. Philip Alstof. Philip Alstof. Philip Alstof. Philip Alstof. Philip Alston aton aton aton aton atan undisclosed place in the morning of 1an undisclosed place in the morning of 1an undisclosed place in the morning of 1an undisclosed place in the morning of 1an undisclosed place in the morning of 14 F4 F4 F4 F4 Februarebruarebruarebruarebruary 200y 200y 200y 200y 20077777.....

Families of victims with Professor AlstonPHOPHOPHOPHOPHOTTTTTO FROM KARAPO FROM KARAPO FROM KARAPO FROM KARAPO FROM KARAPAAAAATTTTTANANANANAN

CACACACACAGGGGGAAAAAYYYYYAN DE ORAN DE ORAN DE ORAN DE ORAN DE ORO CITO CITO CITO CITO CITY— A consultant tY— A consultant tY— A consultant tY— A consultant tY— A consultant to the peace talks beo the peace talks beo the peace talks beo the peace talks beo the peace talks betwtwtwtwtween the goeen the goeen the goeen the goeen the govvvvvernment and theernment and theernment and theernment and theernment and theNational Democratic FNational Democratic FNational Democratic FNational Democratic FNational Democratic Frrrrront of the Philippines (NDFP) wont of the Philippines (NDFP) wont of the Philippines (NDFP) wont of the Philippines (NDFP) wont of the Philippines (NDFP) was snatched bas snatched bas snatched bas snatched bas snatched by six heay six heay six heay six heay six heavily armed menvily armed menvily armed menvily armed menvily armed menin brin brin brin brin broad daoad daoad daoad daoad daylight on 1ylight on 1ylight on 1ylight on 1ylight on 19 F9 F9 F9 F9 Februarebruarebruarebruarebruary 200y 200y 200y 200y 2007 in this city7 in this city7 in this city7 in this city7 in this city.....

Peace talks consultant abducted, still missing

continued on next page

‘’We are not aware of that,’’ said Army Maj. SamuelSagun. ‘’As far as the 4th ID is concerned, it neverhappened.’’

Witnesses said one of the armed men wore asleeveless jacket with the markings ‘’CIDG.” The Crimi-nal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) deniedits agents were involved in the abduction.

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) deniedhaving custody of Velasco, who is among those chargedwith rebellion by the Department of Justice in the af-termath of the declaration of a “State of National Emer-gency” in February last year.

In a statement sent to media, the Families ofDesaparecidos for Justice (DESAPARECIDOS) called on

NDFP consultant to the peace process Leo Velasco,who was implicated in last year’s controversial rebellioncase against 51 individuals, including six leftwing lawmak-ers, was manhandled and abducted by armed men whointroduced themselves as government agents nearAguinaldo and Yacapin streets at about 10:30 a.m.

Witnesses said Velasco was forced into into a grayMitsubishi L300 van with license plates LCV-513. Theyalso said the abductors used a black Toyota Revo backup vehicle with a license plate ending in “692”.

ArmArmArmArmArmyyyyy, police denial, police denial, police denial, police denial, police denialDespite witnesses’ accounts, the local police and the

Army’s 4th Infantry Division (ID) claimed to have no recordof the abduction.

continued on page 14


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NATIONAL [HR] NEWS

CEBU – TCEBU – TCEBU – TCEBU – TCEBU – Twwwwwo political prisonero political prisonero political prisonero political prisonero political prisonerssssswwwwwere released frere released frere released frere released frere released from the Cebuom the Cebuom the Cebuom the Cebuom the CebuPrPrPrPrProoooovincial Rvincial Rvincial Rvincial Rvincial Rehabilitation andehabilitation andehabilitation andehabilitation andehabilitation andDeDeDeDeDetttttention Centention Centention Centention Centention Center separater separater separater separater separately onely onely onely onely onJanuarJanuarJanuarJanuarJanuary 9 and 1y 9 and 1y 9 and 1y 9 and 1y 9 and 10 this y0 this y0 this y0 this y0 this yearearearearear.....

Antonio Castillon, 36 years old,a Bayan Muna member andcampaigner of former AsturiasVice-Mayor Martin Seguarra, wasreleased at 9 a.m. of January 10after Judge Gaudencio Villarin ofthe Regional Trial Court (RTC) 7,Branch 59 of Toledo City dismissedthe charge of arson against him.

Castillon was arrested on 19August 2001 on suspicion of beinga New People’s Army (NPA) rebeland was charged with a criminaloffence.

A day before Castillon’s release,at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon,another political prisoner, TeodoroSericon, , , , , was also released after ayear in detention. Sericon, 49, is amember of SELDA, an organizationof former political prisoners.

Sericon was arrested on 1January 2006 on allegations ofleading a rebel attack on an armycamp the previous year.

The two released politicalprisoners vowed to work for thefreedom of others arbitrarilyarrested and unjustly imprisoned.They also vowed to help put a stopto the political killings and otherforms of political persecution.

Four more political prisonersare still languishing in Cebu jails,namely Gerard Lavadia, SharonAbangan, Jigger Geverola and JoseSuplaag. Currently, there are 248political prisoners all over thecountry.

Two politicalprisoners gainfreedom By Dennis Abarrientos

COMPOSCOMPOSCOMPOSCOMPOSCOMPOSTELA VTELA VTELA VTELA VTELA VALLEY – On 3ALLEY – On 3ALLEY – On 3ALLEY – On 3ALLEY – On 311111MarMarMarMarMarch 200ch 200ch 200ch 200ch 2007 at ar7 at ar7 at ar7 at ar7 at around 8:00 in theound 8:00 in theound 8:00 in theound 8:00 in theound 8:00 in themorning, Grecil Buymorning, Grecil Buymorning, Grecil Buymorning, Grecil Buymorning, Grecil Buya, 9, and hera, 9, and hera, 9, and hera, 9, and hera, 9, and herbrbrbrbrbrooooother Garther Garther Garther Garther Garyyyyy, 6, ask, 6, ask, 6, ask, 6, ask, 6, asked permissioned permissioned permissioned permissioned permissionfrfrfrfrfrom their parents Gregorio Galacioom their parents Gregorio Galacioom their parents Gregorio Galacioom their parents Gregorio Galacioom their parents Gregorio Galacioand Virginia Buyand Virginia Buyand Virginia Buyand Virginia Buyand Virginia Buya ta ta ta ta to go to go to go to go to go to theo theo theo theo thenearbnearbnearbnearbnearby rivy rivy rivy rivy river ter ter ter ter to tako tako tako tako take a bath.e a bath.e a bath.e a bath.e a bath.

At around 8:30 a.m., the kidsheard gunfire. Gary called out to herelder sister and hurriedly ran off outof fear, leaving Grecil behind.

Meanwhile, Gregorio and his wifewith their two other young daugh-ters ran away from their house uponhearing the sound of gunfire.

When the gunfire subsided,Grecil was found dead a few meters away from their house. Abullet hit her right elbow while another pierced the left side of herhead, blowing off her brains.

On 2 April 2007, the Philippine Daily Inquirer (a nationalbroadsheet) quoted the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) asdeclaring that Grecil was a child combatant and that she waskilled during an encounter between AFP soldiers and NPA (NewPeople’s Army) guerillas.

Soldiers even showed the barangay captain a photo of thedead Grecil with an M-16 lying beside her.

A resident who fled the area, however, reported that the gun-fire came from above (“sa taas”), where a platoon of the 8th

Infantry Battalion under 2nd Lt. Francis John Gabawa waspositioned.

Grecils’ neighbors and Barangay Capt. Eulogio Almasa attestedthat there was no rifle and ammunition beside Grecil’s remainswhen they found her. Almasa also vouched that Grecil nor anymember of her family was with the NPA.

In fact, just a few days prior to her death, on March 27, 2007,Grecil finished second grade at the Simsimin Elementary Schoolwith class citations. She was almost the same height as the rifleshe allegedly carried, which when loaded would be heavy even foran adult to carry, much more a small nine-year old girl.

Soldiers kill nine-year oldin Compostela ValleyBy Kelly Delgado and Cora Larobis


Grecil just finished Grade2 a few days prior to herkilling by soldiers.



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NATIONAL [HR] NEWS


Peace talks consultant ...from page 19

government security forces to respect Velasco’s right tolife.

“Whether rebel or not, a person has the right to lifeand the right not to be tortured. Ironically, the govern-ment is the first to violate such right,” said GhayPortajada, Desaparecidos spokesperson.

Peace consultantPeace consultantPeace consultantPeace consultantPeace consultantNDFP Negotiating Panel Chairperson Luis Jalandoni

demanded the immediate surfacing and release ofVelasco who, he said, is covered by safety and immunityguarantees as a duly accredited person in the GRP-NDFPpeace negotiations.

Jalandoni further stated that Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as Commander-in-Chief of the AFP and the Phil-ippine National Police (PNP), is accountable for Velasco’sinvoluntary disappearance. “Mrs. Arroyo is accountablefor this grave violation of the Geneva Conventions, theInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights(ICCPR), the GRP-NDFP Joint Agreement on Safety andImmunity Guarantees (JASIG) and the GRP-NDFP Com-prehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights andInternational Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL), under theuniversally recognized and applicable principle of com-mand responsibility,” he said.

The NDFP is further holding General HermogenesEsperon, AFP Chief of Staff, and Major General JoseBarbieto, Commanding General of the 4th Infantry Divi-sion of the Philippine Army based in Cagayan de Oro, ac-countable for Velasco’s enforced disappearance.

Case lodged at the UNCase lodged at the UNCase lodged at the UNCase lodged at the UNCase lodged at the UNThe United Nations Working Group on Enforced or In-

voluntary Disappearances (UNWGEID) acknowledgedreceipt of Jalandoni’s letter to Arroyo dated 26 February2007 that protested “in the strongest terms” the invol-untary disappearance of Velasco.

The NDFP negotiating panel filled up a form sent bythe UN WGEID in order to start the process of filing anofficial complaint with the UN special body.

The NDFP, said Jalandoni, is also planning to file com-plaints against Arroyo, Esperon, retired generals JovitoPalparan and Pedro Cabuay, including other generals andhigh officers of the AFP and PNP who are accountablefor the enforced and involuntary disappearances of otherNDFP consultants, personnel and immediate relatives,namely:

· Rogelio Calubad and son Gabriel, abducted 17

June 2006· Prudencio Calubid, his wife Celine Palma, andtheir companions Gloria Soco and Ariel Beloy,abducted 26 June 2006, together with AntonioLacno who managed to escape and gave a writ-ten testimony of the abduction· Leopoldo Ancheta, abducted 24 June 2006· Philip Limjoco, abducted 8 May 2006

Jalandoni condemned the “brazen abduction com-mitted by government agents on 19 February evenwhile UN Special Rapporteur Professor Philip Alstonwas in the Philippines conducting an investigation onextrajudicial killings and summary executions.”

The NDFP, he said, is determined to seek justicefor the victims of involuntary disappearances speciallythe NDFP consultants, personnel and their immediaterelatives.

soldiers led by Lt. Marcelo Pascua of the Alpha Companyof the 21st Infantry Battalion.

The 51-year-old Hipolito recounted how his son wasshot with M16 and M14 rifles by soldiers in their houseon the night of 13 December 2006. Nelson was only 19and a Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) official intheir village.

On 19 February , in Davao City, relatives of victimscame from as far as Basilan, Tandag and Marilog to tellAlston their stories of pain and horror. Alston heardtestimonies on the death of peasant leaders SofronioEnoc, Hermelino Marqueza and Dalmacio Gandinao ofthe Bulane massacre in Davao del Sur and the murderand frustrated murder of striking banana workers fromCompostela Valley, among others.

In Manila, the Philippine human rights watchdogKARAPATAN explained to Alston the pattern of violencethat point to a state policy behind the killings.KARAPATAN Secretary General Marie Hilao-Enriquez said,“We explained to the UN human rights team that thenationwide scope of killings being attributed to statesecurity forces can only be a result of a directive from thePhilippine government.”

Enriquez also expressed concern that the comingpassage of the Anti-Terrorism Bill would worsen thesituation, especially with the continuation of the OplanBantay Laya program. FHRFHRFHRFHRFHR

Victims, rights groups ...from page 12


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FOOTNOTES FROM THE PAST

or the 1906 U.S.war on terror

MARMARMARMARMARCH 7 THIS YEARCH 7 THIS YEARCH 7 THIS YEARCH 7 THIS YEARCH 7 THIS YEAR mar mar mar mar markkkkked the 1ed the 1ed the 1ed the 1ed the 10000011111ststststst y y y y year of the Battle of Bud Dahu, one of the fear of the Battle of Bud Dahu, one of the fear of the Battle of Bud Dahu, one of the fear of the Battle of Bud Dahu, one of the fear of the Battle of Bud Dahu, one of the fierierierierierc-c-c-c-c-est coest coest coest coest cottattattattatta battles in the Morbattles in the Morbattles in the Morbattles in the Morbattles in the Moro-o-o-o-o-American WAmerican WAmerican WAmerican WAmerican War (1ar (1ar (1ar (1ar (1898-1898-1898-1898-1898-199999111113).3).3).3).3).

The Moro-American War erupted as the natives of Mindanao and Sulu fought off theThe Moro-American War erupted as the natives of Mindanao and Sulu fought off theThe Moro-American War erupted as the natives of Mindanao and Sulu fought off theThe Moro-American War erupted as the natives of Mindanao and Sulu fought off theThe Moro-American War erupted as the natives of Mindanao and Sulu fought off theAmerican colonizerAmerican colonizerAmerican colonizerAmerican colonizerAmerican colonizers who insists who insists who insists who insists who insisted on imed on imed on imed on imed on imposing their rule as parposing their rule as parposing their rule as parposing their rule as parposing their rule as par t of the Tt of the Tt of the Tt of the Tt of the Treaty of Preaty of Preaty of Preaty of Preaty of Paris, inaris, inaris, inaris, inaris, inwhich Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the US for $20 million.which Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the US for $20 million.which Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the US for $20 million.which Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the US for $20 million.which Spain sold the Philippine Islands to the US for $20 million.

In June 1903, the American colonizers created theMoro Province, with Leonard Wood as the appointedgovernor general. Wood enforced colonial authority byordering disarmament and imposing taxes, includingroad taxes and a P2 head tax. The American imposi-tions reaped hatred and discontent among the Moros,who were never defeated by Spanish colonizers.

It was in March 1906 when some 1,000 Tausugsfortified themselves in Bud Dahu in Patikul, Sulu, indefiance of American authority. “We will never submitto America…we will fight until we can no longer hold thekris aloft,” a negotiator quoted the leader of thebesieged Moros in Bud Dahu. The Tausugs were readyto defend their people, theirland, and Islam against theforeign aggressor.

The Tausugs built theirtrenches in the crater on topof Bud (mountain) Dahu, anextinct volcano with an altitudeof 2,100 feet. Against some1,000 Moros armed with kris,spears and rocks, Gen. Woodsent 790 rifle-armed soldiers,backed up by artillery such ascanons, heavy mountain gunsand machine guns fired fromthe gunboat Pampanga. Still,the unwavering Moros provedto be one of America’s bravest

adversaries. They barricaded themselves in the crater,hurled huge rocks and made grenades from sea shellsfilled with gunpowder. When the walls came down, theyrushed with their kris and died fighting. The battlelasted for two days, from March 6 to 7. Twenty-oneAmerican soldiers were killed and 75 were wounded.Only six people came out of Bud Dahu alive, withseveral historical accounts estimating the body countat 800 to 1,000 Moros.

Other battles in the Moro-American War saw theMoros fighting to death in cotta or kuta fightings, andthe colonizers proceeding with their overkill: such asthe Battle of Padang Kerbala and the Battle of Bud

Bagsak, where unarmed women and childrenwere among the dead. Although the Ameri-cans eventually defeated the Moro resis-tance, the latter’s defiance persisted evenafter the colonizers turned over governanceto succeeding Christian-dominated regimes.

Today, under the Visiting Forces Agree-ment, the US regularly sends hundreds ofsoldiers and military officials, armed to theteeth with their modern weaponry and equip-ment, and riding their war vehicles to Sulu,Mindanao and other areas in the Philippines,ironically, under the guise of trainings forcounter-terror combat operations and intelli-gence gathering. As if they were not respon-sible years ago for the overkill battles and thecarnage of the innocent.

Sources:Sources:Sources:Sources:Sources:TTTTTausug resisausug resisausug resisausug resisausug resistance ttance ttance ttance ttance to American Occupationo American Occupationo American Occupationo American Occupationo American Occupation (1989-1913), article by Madge Kho,

Philippine Centennial Celebration at www.msc.edu.ph/centennial/index.htmlFirst Battle of Bud Dajo,First Battle of Bud Dajo,First Battle of Bud Dajo,First Battle of Bud Dajo,First Battle of Bud Dajo, from Wikepedia, the free encyclopedia at en.wikepedia.org

Excerpts from the book “Swish of the Kris”“Swish of the Kris”“Swish of the Kris”“Swish of the Kris”“Swish of the Kris” by Vic Hurley, at www.bakbakan.com/swishkb.html

A TA TA TA TA Tau sug wa r r i o rau sug wa r r i o rau sug wa r r i o rau sug wa r r i o rau sug wa r r i o rand h i s kr i s .and h i s kr i s .and h i s kr i s .and h i s kr i s .and h i s kr i s . F H RF H RF H RF H RF H R

BBBBBYYYYY D D D D DEEEEEEEEEE A A A A AYRYRYRYRYROSOOSOOSOOSOOSO


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Lina

RIGHTS 101

What is detention?What is detention?What is detention?What is detention?What is detention?

Detention is a situation where one is deprived ofthe freedom to go around. It usually follows an arrestor abduction.

In legal language, detention is what is called adeprivation of liberty. According to the Supreme Court,deprivation of liberty does not necessarily mean beingtied down or imprisoned. It occurs whenever one iseffectively restrained from going around. The degreeof force, threat or intimidation used to consider onedetained is that which can effectively restrain a personfrom going around. It can range from imprisonment toa mere "no" from a person with some moral ascen-dancy over another.

What must one do when detained?What must one do when detained?What must one do when detained?What must one do when detained?What must one do when detained?

If the detention is illegal, as is the case in mostabductions or kidnappings, one must find a way toescape without being killed or harmed. When thedetention is legal, one must avail of legal remedies.Legal remedies are still the best option even when thedetention is illegal and there is no way to escape.

When is detention legal?When is detention legal?When is detention legal?When is detention legal?When is detention legal?

Detention is legal when the person or group doingthe detaining has the authority to do so and it is donewithin the parameters of the proper legal process.Generally, it is the police that is given the authority toarrest and detain persons. But not all detentions doneby the police or any government official, especiallymembers of the armed forces, are legal.

Detention is legal only when the arrest is legal andwhen there is a filed complaint or information againstthe detainee. An arrest may be legal but the eventualdetention becomes illegal when there is no complaintor information filed within the period of time givenwhich is usually 12, 18 and 36 hours after arrest,including Sundays and Saturdays.

...continued on next page 11

ON ARRESTS & DETENTIONON ARRESTS & DETENTIONON ARRESTS & DETENTIONON ARRESTS & DETENTIONON ARRESTS & DETENTIONBBBBBYYYYY A A A A ATTTTTTTTTTYYYYY. R. R. R. R. REXEXEXEXEX J. M J. M J. M J. M J. MAAAAA. F. F. F. F. FERNANDEZERNANDEZERNANDEZERNANDEZERNANDEZ

POETRY

To us, it was like a sudden rain in summer

when death stopped the heart that beat

for those whom false gods sought to strip

of their humanity

for raging against the inhuman life

foisted by a few on the many,

the heart that burned like a prairie fire

when those who were trampled upon

were being tempted to betray themselves

for thirty pieces of silver.

It was like a sudden rain in summer,

and the rain will be long and hard.

But we shall last through the rain

with the thought that your heart continues to beat

in every breast that’s filled with yearning for the day

when it’s no longer a crime

to loathe the life unfit for humans.

BYBYBYBYBY A A A A ALEXANDERLEXANDERLEXANDERLEXANDERLEXANDER M M M M MARTINARTINARTINARTINARTIN R R R R REMOLLINOEMOLLINOEMOLLINOEMOLLINOEMOLLINO

The HR Gal le r y

(In memory of Myrna “Ka Lina” Fajardo,outstanding human rights activist, 1959-2006)

Art

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Dominguez, a multi-talented visual artist has beenselflessly contributing his talent to various people’sorganizations. He is known for working on ethnicthemes and colorful dynamic style

We’ll exhibit your artworks here.send us photos, illustrations, paintings

and other works of art in digitalimage via e-mail. Please don’t

forget that the theme should be onhuman rights.


Documents

FOR HUMAN RIGHTS · WASHINGTON – Filipino human rights advocates were able to brief US lawmakers on the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines at a recent U.S. Senate