Philippines pledges to end enforced disappearances
Thursday, 05 May 2011 04:22
Source: THE PENINSULA
MANILA: The Philippines pledged yesterday to end enforced disappearances of left-wing activists, community organisers and suspected Maoist rebels and sign and ratify an international treaty.
More than 2,000 such cases have been documented in the Philippines, about 40 percent of which were reported during the iron-fisted regime of late dictator Ferdinand Marcos from 1965 to 1986.
Dozens were also reported missing during the nine-year rule of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo which ended last year. Her government was also blamed for hundreds of political killings in 2006-2007.
Philippine security forces also promised to cooperate in the investigation and prosecution of military and police officers implicated in disappearances, Justice Secretary Leila de Lima told a forum.
“You have our commitment to drive this practice to extinction,” de Lima said.
The international convention for the protection of people from enforced disappearances came into force in December 2010, four years after it was adopted by the United Nations.
Eighty-eight states have signed the treaty, but only 25 have ratified it. The Philippines had yet to sign because of resistance under the previous administration, de Lima said.
“I will talk to the president and ask him to sign the convention at the soonest,” de Lima said, adding there had been a shift in the military’s orientation in respecting human rights under the new government.
She said an army captain implicated in the 2007 disappearance of Jonas Burgos, a leader of a left-wing farmers’ group and son of a journalist and freedom fighter, had been taken into “protective custody” while charges against him were being prepared in the Justice department.
Renato Reyes, spokesman for the left-wing New Patriotic Alliance, said his group welcomed the commitment. “We are calling on the president to make a stand on the issue and show his political will,” Reyes said, adding the security forces would probably oppose any action that could hold soldiers accountable for rights abuses.
Reyes said his group had also met de Lima.
“She appeared sincere in assuring us the killings and the disappearance will stop, but we’re more interested in punishing those who have been identified to have been involved in the killings and disappearances.”
REUTERS
Friday, May 06, 2011
More human rights cases vs Arroyo regime: group
More human rights cases vs Arroyo regime: group
Thursday, May 5, 2011-05-08
Source: SUN STAR MANILA
EXPECT more cases to be filed against top civilian, military and police officials allegedly involved in human rights violations in the past decade, a militant lawyers group said Thursday.
Ephraim Cortez of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) told Sun.Star it will continue to pursue all avenues to prosecute human rights violators, especially those who have committed murder, rape and other crimes.
In the drawing board are criminal cases concerning the disappearance of agriculturist Jonas Burgos in 2007 and the illegal arrest and detention of the so-called "Morong 43" health workers last year, Cortez said.
Respondents would likely include former President now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and other military officials.
"We will file it in the next few weeks," Cortez said.
Burgos, who taught organic farming among peasants in Bulacan, was allegedly abducted by suspected military men on April 28, 2007 in a mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
The "Morong 43", meanwhile, were suspected communist rebels after they were allegedly caught making explosives at a farm house in Morong, Rizal in February 2010. They were released in December that year.
Mothers of missing University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño filed a criminal complaint on Wednesday against retired General Jovito Palparan Jr. for rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, among other offenses.
Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, alleging conspiracy within the military unit, filed the cases at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Attached to the complaint were eight detailed affidavits that established Sherlyn and Karen were in military custody. Both were missing since June 2006.
NUPL also cited violations of international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
Thursday, May 5, 2011-05-08
Source: SUN STAR MANILA
EXPECT more cases to be filed against top civilian, military and police officials allegedly involved in human rights violations in the past decade, a militant lawyers group said Thursday.
Ephraim Cortez of the National Union of People's Lawyers (NUPL) told Sun.Star it will continue to pursue all avenues to prosecute human rights violators, especially those who have committed murder, rape and other crimes.
In the drawing board are criminal cases concerning the disappearance of agriculturist Jonas Burgos in 2007 and the illegal arrest and detention of the so-called "Morong 43" health workers last year, Cortez said.
Respondents would likely include former President now Pampanga Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, former executive secretary Eduardo Ermita and other military officials.
"We will file it in the next few weeks," Cortez said.
Burgos, who taught organic farming among peasants in Bulacan, was allegedly abducted by suspected military men on April 28, 2007 in a mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City.
The "Morong 43", meanwhile, were suspected communist rebels after they were allegedly caught making explosives at a farm house in Morong, Rizal in February 2010. They were released in December that year.
Mothers of missing University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño filed a criminal complaint on Wednesday against retired General Jovito Palparan Jr. for rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, among other offenses.
Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeño, alleging conspiracy within the military unit, filed the cases at the Department of Justice (DOJ).
Attached to the complaint were eight detailed affidavits that established Sherlyn and Karen were in military custody. Both were missing since June 2006.
NUPL also cited violations of international treaties, such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention against Torture. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)
Thursday, May 05, 2011
Palparan kinasuhan kaugnay ng pagkawala ng dalawang estudyante ng University of the Philippines
Raps filed vs Palparan for enforced disappearances
By Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 05/04/2011 12:30 PM | Updated as of 05/04/2011 7:05 PM
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The mothers of missing University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño filed criminal charges today against retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. and 6 others before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the enforced disappearance of the two students in June, 2006.
Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeno filed a joint complaint affidavit against Palparan, Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, 2Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, Arnel Enriquez, Master Sergeant Donald Caigas, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, and several "John Does" and "Jane Does."
Respondents are being charged for the following offenses:
-rape;
-serious physical injuries;
-arbitrary detention;
-maltreatment of prisoners;
-grave threats;
-grave coercion;
-violation of Republic Act(RA) 7438, also known as "An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers, and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof; and
-violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Cadapan and Empeño were reportedly forcibly taken by armed men wearing bonnets on June 26, 2006 from the house of a certain Raquel Halili in Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Cadapan is a senior Bachelor of Sports Science student at UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics and a tri-athlete.
Empeño is a senior BA Sociology student of UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.
The complaint alleged Cadapan and Empeño were forcibly taken on suspicion of being New People's Army (NPA) Rebels.
Witnesses tag Palparan's men
Their abductors were identified by witnesses as elements of the Philippine Army based in the 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Iba, Hagonoy, Bulacan under the command of then Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr.
Some of these witnesses were allegedly detained in the same military detachments/camps where Cadapan and Empeño were held, and allegedly saw how both were tortured and maltreated.
"The allegations stated in this Joint Complaint Affidavit clearly established conspiracy, i.e. not only the individual liability of those who carried out the focible taking, torture and rape, but also the criminal liability of the military officers who are impleaded in this case... SHERYLN AND KAREN’S disappearance was planned and carried out, and their torture and rape inflicted by and under the orders, knowledge and acquiescence of Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, then commanding officer of the 56th Infantry Battalion and Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, then commanding officer of the 24th Infantry Battalion, both under the direct command, order, and supervision of Maj. General Jovito Palparan Jr., commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army who in turn himself directly participated as well as instigated, induced, cooperated or otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation, execution or cover-up of these crimes," the complaint read.
"We included Maj. Gen. Palparan as one of the respondents in this case on the basis of the eyewitnesses and the testimonies of our witnesses who are willing to testify before the courts that (Maj. Gen.) Palparan has direct participation and even induced the military under his command to commit (a) series of human rights violations against Karen and Sherlyn. We have strong evidence against him as can be shown in the testimonies of our witnesses that's why we are charging him for rape and also arbitrary detention, grave coercion and other criminal law violations," said Atty. Cris Yambot, complainants' lawyer.
DOJ to give due importance
The DOJ assured the case will be given due importance considering that it is a case of alleged human rights violations being monitored by the international human rights community.
"With the filing of this joint complaint affidavit, you can expect that the department(of justice) will thoroughly study this and will properly handle the case because... as you know, the accountability that the Filipino people are trying to exact from the previous administration,from the previous officials - both civilian and military - are not only in the area of graft and corruption, but also, equally important, in the area of human rights violations -gross, grave and serious human rights violations," Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said upon receipt of the complaint.
"Malaki ang pag-asa po namin na maso-solve ang aming problema sa pamumuno ng ating madam Leila de Lima kasi po, naniniwala kami, na (sa) kanyang pagiging human rights advocate at defender, malaki po pag-asa namin," complainant Empeno said.
"Sa araw pong ito kami ay naghahain dine sa DOJ ng isang legal remedy pa na, we believe, dapat po namin gagawin hanggang po namin makakamtan ang tagumpay ng paghahanap namin sa aming mga anak na ang pagkakaalam po namin, yung may kasalanan po nito ay security state forces ng ating bansa," complainant Cadapan said.
Burgos, HR groups back victims
Outside the DOJ, human rights groups, among them, Karapatan, picketed in support of complainants.
Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of Jonas Burgos, allegedly also forcibly taken by the military, was also present to give her support to Mrs. Cadapan and Mrs. Empeño.
The case will be assigned to a panel of prosecutors or to a handling prosecutor who will conduct the preliminary investigation to determine whether there is probable cause to file the informations in court.
Palparan has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
By Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
Posted at 05/04/2011 12:30 PM | Updated as of 05/04/2011 7:05 PM
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) - The mothers of missing University of the Philippines (UP) students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño filed criminal charges today against retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr. and 6 others before the Department of Justice (DOJ) for the enforced disappearance of the two students in June, 2006.
Erlinda Cadapan and Concepcion Empeno filed a joint complaint affidavit against Palparan, Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, 2Lt. Francis Mirabelle Samson, Arnel Enriquez, Master Sergeant Donald Caigas, Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, and several "John Does" and "Jane Does."
Respondents are being charged for the following offenses:
-rape;
-serious physical injuries;
-arbitrary detention;
-maltreatment of prisoners;
-grave threats;
-grave coercion;
-violation of Republic Act(RA) 7438, also known as "An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation as well as the Duties of the Arresting, Detaining and Investigating Officers, and Providing Penalties for Violations thereof; and
-violations of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Convention Against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.
Cadapan and Empeño were reportedly forcibly taken by armed men wearing bonnets on June 26, 2006 from the house of a certain Raquel Halili in Barangay San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan.
Cadapan is a senior Bachelor of Sports Science student at UP Diliman College of Human Kinetics and a tri-athlete.
Empeño is a senior BA Sociology student of UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy.
The complaint alleged Cadapan and Empeño were forcibly taken on suspicion of being New People's Army (NPA) Rebels.
Witnesses tag Palparan's men
Their abductors were identified by witnesses as elements of the Philippine Army based in the 56th Infantry Battalion headquarters in Barangay Iba, Hagonoy, Bulacan under the command of then Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, Jr.
Some of these witnesses were allegedly detained in the same military detachments/camps where Cadapan and Empeño were held, and allegedly saw how both were tortured and maltreated.
"The allegations stated in this Joint Complaint Affidavit clearly established conspiracy, i.e. not only the individual liability of those who carried out the focible taking, torture and rape, but also the criminal liability of the military officers who are impleaded in this case... SHERYLN AND KAREN’S disappearance was planned and carried out, and their torture and rape inflicted by and under the orders, knowledge and acquiescence of Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, then commanding officer of the 56th Infantry Battalion and Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, then commanding officer of the 24th Infantry Battalion, both under the direct command, order, and supervision of Maj. General Jovito Palparan Jr., commanding general of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army who in turn himself directly participated as well as instigated, induced, cooperated or otherwise aided and abetted in the planning, preparation, execution or cover-up of these crimes," the complaint read.
"We included Maj. Gen. Palparan as one of the respondents in this case on the basis of the eyewitnesses and the testimonies of our witnesses who are willing to testify before the courts that (Maj. Gen.) Palparan has direct participation and even induced the military under his command to commit (a) series of human rights violations against Karen and Sherlyn. We have strong evidence against him as can be shown in the testimonies of our witnesses that's why we are charging him for rape and also arbitrary detention, grave coercion and other criminal law violations," said Atty. Cris Yambot, complainants' lawyer.
DOJ to give due importance
The DOJ assured the case will be given due importance considering that it is a case of alleged human rights violations being monitored by the international human rights community.
"With the filing of this joint complaint affidavit, you can expect that the department(of justice) will thoroughly study this and will properly handle the case because... as you know, the accountability that the Filipino people are trying to exact from the previous administration,from the previous officials - both civilian and military - are not only in the area of graft and corruption, but also, equally important, in the area of human rights violations -gross, grave and serious human rights violations," Justice Secretary Leila de Lima said upon receipt of the complaint.
"Malaki ang pag-asa po namin na maso-solve ang aming problema sa pamumuno ng ating madam Leila de Lima kasi po, naniniwala kami, na (sa) kanyang pagiging human rights advocate at defender, malaki po pag-asa namin," complainant Empeno said.
"Sa araw pong ito kami ay naghahain dine sa DOJ ng isang legal remedy pa na, we believe, dapat po namin gagawin hanggang po namin makakamtan ang tagumpay ng paghahanap namin sa aming mga anak na ang pagkakaalam po namin, yung may kasalanan po nito ay security state forces ng ating bansa," complainant Cadapan said.
Burgos, HR groups back victims
Outside the DOJ, human rights groups, among them, Karapatan, picketed in support of complainants.
Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of Jonas Burgos, allegedly also forcibly taken by the military, was also present to give her support to Mrs. Cadapan and Mrs. Empeño.
The case will be assigned to a panel of prosecutors or to a handling prosecutor who will conduct the preliminary investigation to determine whether there is probable cause to file the informations in court.
Palparan has yet to receive a copy of the complaint.
Pinagsamang tubo ng Big Three kumpanya ng langis mas malaki pa sa pinagsamang kita ng pinakamahihirap na pamilya
IBON News / 5 May 2011
IBON Foundation, Inc., IBON Center 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City Philippines
Phone: (632) 927-6986/927-7060 to 62|Fax: 929-2496| E-mail:
media@ibon.org | http://www.ibon.org
BIG THREE'S PROFITS MORE THAN COMBINED INCOME OF COUNTRY'S POOREST FAMILIES
The profits of the Big Three oil firms are rising as rapidly as the increasing oil prices, with a record of at least Php141.7 billion in profits in the last decade. This is more than the combined income of the country's poorest 2.36 million families-- amounting to Php114.3 billion in 2009, research group IBON said.
The figures debunk the Big Three's claims that local price hikes are needed so that they can recover losses from the global oil price movements. With this IBON said the call for real transparency in the domestic oil industry remains urgent to make sure that the Big Three is not profiting at the public's expense.
The local price of diesel increased from Php13.96 per liter in 2001 to peak at Php44.31 in 2008 before falling slightly to Php41.26 in 2010. The price of regular gasoline meanwhile increased from Php16.58 in 2001 to Php45.92 in 2008 and then further to Php48.73 in 2010.
At the same time, the net income of Pilipinas Shell increased six-fold from Php3.1 billion in 2001 to Php19 billion in 2008 and then Php16 billion in 2009 with total net income over the 9-year period reaching Php73.0 billion. The net income of Chevron increased eleven-fold from Php1 billion in 2001 to Php10.7 billion in 2007 then Php8.6 billion in 2008, before dipping to Php8.3 billion in 2009. Its total net income over the period 2001-2009 reached Php40.2 billion.
Profit data for Petron is incomplete but its profits increased from Php1.2 billion in 2001 to Php6.1 billion in 2007, totaling Php28.6 billion over the 7-year period. It has reportedly booked Php1.9 billion in profits in the first quarter of 2010 alone.
Globally, mother companies of the Big Three firms are also raking in superprofits with the oil price hikes. The price of Dubai crude increased from an annual average of US$22.70 per barrel in 2001 then peaked at US$ 94.80 in 2008 before falling to US$78.10 in 2010. The price of Dubai crude has again begun to rise rapidly and is already at some US$120 per barrel.
The profits of Royal Dutch Shell more than doubled from US$10.9 billion in 2001 to US$26.3 billion in 2008 and fell slightly to US$20.1 billion in 2010. Its total profits over the decade 2001-2010 reached US$192 billion -- or more than the value of the Philippine economy, measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in 2010 of US$189.0 billion.
The profits of Chevron in turn increased over seven-fold from US$3.3 billion in 2001 to US$23.9 billion in 2008 before dipping to US$19 billion in 2010. Its total profits in the last decade reached US$128.3 billion.
These figures show that the global and local oil price increases have benefited the oil monopoly tremendously. Locally the deregulation and its principle of automatic price adjustments have allowed the Big Three to amass huge profits while further strengthening the industry cartel. IBON reiterates its position against the oil deregulation policy, which encourages such gross profiteering at the expense of Filipino consumers.
/IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution
established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications,
information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues./
IBON Foundation, Inc., IBON Center 114 Timog Avenue, Quezon City Philippines
Phone: (632) 927-6986/927-7060 to 62|Fax: 929-2496| E-mail:
media@ibon.org
BIG THREE'S PROFITS MORE THAN COMBINED INCOME OF COUNTRY'S POOREST FAMILIES
The profits of the Big Three oil firms are rising as rapidly as the increasing oil prices, with a record of at least Php141.7 billion in profits in the last decade. This is more than the combined income of the country's poorest 2.36 million families-- amounting to Php114.3 billion in 2009, research group IBON said.
The figures debunk the Big Three's claims that local price hikes are needed so that they can recover losses from the global oil price movements. With this IBON said the call for real transparency in the domestic oil industry remains urgent to make sure that the Big Three is not profiting at the public's expense.
The local price of diesel increased from Php13.96 per liter in 2001 to peak at Php44.31 in 2008 before falling slightly to Php41.26 in 2010. The price of regular gasoline meanwhile increased from Php16.58 in 2001 to Php45.92 in 2008 and then further to Php48.73 in 2010.
At the same time, the net income of Pilipinas Shell increased six-fold from Php3.1 billion in 2001 to Php19 billion in 2008 and then Php16 billion in 2009 with total net income over the 9-year period reaching Php73.0 billion. The net income of Chevron increased eleven-fold from Php1 billion in 2001 to Php10.7 billion in 2007 then Php8.6 billion in 2008, before dipping to Php8.3 billion in 2009. Its total net income over the period 2001-2009 reached Php40.2 billion.
Profit data for Petron is incomplete but its profits increased from Php1.2 billion in 2001 to Php6.1 billion in 2007, totaling Php28.6 billion over the 7-year period. It has reportedly booked Php1.9 billion in profits in the first quarter of 2010 alone.
Globally, mother companies of the Big Three firms are also raking in superprofits with the oil price hikes. The price of Dubai crude increased from an annual average of US$22.70 per barrel in 2001 then peaked at US$ 94.80 in 2008 before falling to US$78.10 in 2010. The price of Dubai crude has again begun to rise rapidly and is already at some US$120 per barrel.
The profits of Royal Dutch Shell more than doubled from US$10.9 billion in 2001 to US$26.3 billion in 2008 and fell slightly to US$20.1 billion in 2010. Its total profits over the decade 2001-2010 reached US$192 billion -- or more than the value of the Philippine economy, measured by gross domestic product (GDP), in 2010 of US$189.0 billion.
The profits of Chevron in turn increased over seven-fold from US$3.3 billion in 2001 to US$23.9 billion in 2008 before dipping to US$19 billion in 2010. Its total profits in the last decade reached US$128.3 billion.
These figures show that the global and local oil price increases have benefited the oil monopoly tremendously. Locally the deregulation and its principle of automatic price adjustments have allowed the Big Three to amass huge profits while further strengthening the industry cartel. IBON reiterates its position against the oil deregulation policy, which encourages such gross profiteering at the expense of Filipino consumers.
/IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution
established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications,
information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues./
Wednesday, May 04, 2011
Pambansang industriyalisasyon para sa malawakang empleyo
Ito ang isa sa mga tanong na nasasagot ng inihahapag na programang pang-ekonimiya ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), sa pag-uusap hinggil sa mga repormang sosyo-ekonomiko sa pagpapatuloy ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan nito at gobyerno ng Pilipinas (GPH).
“Ang sosyo-ekonomikong mga repormang iminumungkahi ng NDFP ay kaugnay ng pagsasakatuparan ng pambansa at demokratikong mga interes ng sambayanan,” ani Fidel Agcaoili, pangalawang tagapangulo at tagapagsalita ng NDFP Peace Panel. “(Laman nito) ang mga pangangailangan para umunlad ang lipunang Pilipino.”
Dalawa ang pangunahing laman ng inihahaing sosyo-ekonomikong mga reporma ng NDFP, ayon kay Agcaoili. Una, ang tunay na reporma sa lupa, para mapalaya ang 75% ng populasyon mula sa piyudalismo.
“Kasabay ng pagpapatupad ng tunay na reporma sa lupa, iyung tinatawag nating pambansang industriyalisasyon. Iyun kasi ang patutunguhan ng pagkakaroon ng tunay na reporma sa lupa – ang magkaroon ng sariling industriya ang lipunang Pilipino. Kumbaga, ang dumaan sa stage ng kapitalismo, patungong sosyalismo,” paliwanag ni Agcaoili.
Basahin ang buong balita dito.
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