Si Ka Ric
Amoy bakal at apoy ang dugong natutuyo. Parang pinturang malagkit at hindi na kayang palabnawin ng thinner o tubig. Parang malungkot na panaginip na sumabog at kumalat, at hindi na maaring buuin pang muli.
Sumama ako kanina sa fact-finding mission sa Barangay Mapalaksiaw, Tarlac upang alamin ang mga detalye ng malupit na pagpaslang kay Ka Ricardo 'Ric' Ramos, kapitang baranggay ng Mapalaksiaw, enhinyero, at tagapangulo ng Central Azucarera de Tarlac Labor Union (CATLU) sa Hacienda Luisita ng mga Cojuangco.
Pinatay kagabi si Ka Ric bandang alas-9 ng gabi habang sya'y nakikipagkwentuhan sa kanyang mga kasamang baranggay tanod at kamanggagawa sa isang kubo malapit sa kanyang bahay. Dalawang bala ng M14 ang kumitil sa kanyang buhay: inasinta sya at tinamaan sa mukha at sa ulo: sumabog ang tuktok ng bao ng kanyang ulo, napingas ang kanyang kaliwang tenga at sumambulat ang kanyang dugo at piraso ng kanyang utak sa bubong, papag at pinto ng maliit na kubong naging saksi sa kanyang mga huling ngiti at halakhak.
Mahusay ang bumaril. Sa gitna ng kalat na dilim, nagawa nyang sipatin si Ka Ric at tiyaking sya ang tatamaan. Singbilis at singlinis ng kidlat na sumuot sa siwang ng kawayan at pawid na bakuran at gilid ng kubo ang mga bala, at inutas ang buhay ni Ka Ric. Humandusay ang kanyang patay na katawan sa alikabok at lupa, habang tumulo naman ang dugong tumagas mula sa kanyang ulong nabutas ng punglo.
Sino pa ba ang maaring gumawa ng gayung ka-eksperto at kalinis na pagpatay kundi ang militar? At sino ba ang may pinakamalaking pakinabang sa pagkawala ni Ka Ric kundi ang management ng Hacienda Luisita -- ang mga sakim at ganid na Cojuangco?
May 300 metro ang layo mula sa pinangyarihan ng krimen, naroon ang detachment ng Philippine Army at ng CAFGU. Ayaw nilang magsalita, silang mga mukhang banggag at lasing na mga lalaking inabutan namin sa kampo. Bagamat mga naka-tsinelas at nakapambahay, bitbit nila ang mga mahahabang armas na M16 at M14. Nakapulupot na parang mga maamong sawa sa kanilang mga braso ang bandolier na puno ng mga bala.
Asan sila kagabi nang umalingawngaw ang mga putok? Wala daw silang narinig. Nanood kasi sila ng tv.
Wala ba silang alam tungkol sa kaguluhan kagabi? Wala. Maari bang magtanong na lang sa kanilang superyor, at sana wag nang magsama ng camera crew?
Bakit sila naglalagi sa gitna ng isang komunidad ng mga sibilyan?
Hindi nila alam. Dineploy lang daw sila dun. Nasisilaw daw sila sa ilaw ng kamera. Wala silang alam. Hindi nila alam kung anong gulo ang nangyari. Wala silang alam.
Isang araw bago pinatay si Ka Ric at nabutas ang kanyang ulo at tumalsik ang kanyang dugo at utak sa kisame, dingding, pinto at papag ng kubo na naging saksi sa kanyang mga huling ngiti at halakhak, may dalawang miyembro ng Philippine Army na pumunta sa kanyang bahay.
May listahan silang gustong ikunsulta kay Ka Ric.
Listahan ng mga pinaghihinalaang mga miyembro ng New People's Army (NPA).
Wala noon sa bahay si Ka Ric. Nasa piketlayn. Mga kasama nya sa bahay (asawa? kapatid? pamangkin?) ang tumanggap sa iniwang listahan. Nang dumating si Ka Ric, lubos ang kanyang galit.
"Hindi ninyo dapat tinanggap yan! Pinagbibintangan ang mga welgista at simpatisador sa welga bilang NPA! Hindi ako papayag na kasangkapanin ako sa pagpapahamak sa aking mga kasama at kapitbahay!"
Hindi nakuha si Ka Ric sa pananakot at panunuhol. Hindi sya natinag sa pamumuno laban ng mga manggagawa ng Hacienda. Hindi nya ipinagkanulo sa mga Cojuangco ang kanyang mga opisyales at miyembro, ang kanyang mga kapitbahay at kamanggagawa.
Hindi sya nagawang takutin o bilhin, kaya't siya'y pinatay na lang. Kung di madala sa pakiusap, patahimikin ang kausap.
Si Ka Fedie
Hindi pa kami tapos sa pagsisiyasat nang pumasok ang isa pang text. Pinatay 5:30 ng hapon si Ka Fedie de Leon, tagapangulo ng Anakpawis-Bulacan, at tagapangulo din ng PISTON sa naturang probinsya. Binaril din sya, at patay na daw bago pa man sya bumagsak sa lupa.
Personal kong nakilala ko si Ka Fedie. Isang maliit, payat at masayahing Kasama. Siguro may 50 na taong gulang na sya, pero mahirap malaman ang edad nya sa tingin lang dahil makulit sya at magiliw. Palabiro, mahilig magpatawa.
Naging estudyante ko sya sa isang speakers/propaganda-media training nung ako'y nasa KMU pa. Sya ang naging pinakapaborito kong estudyante dahil mahusay syang magpahayag : pagkaliit-liit na mama, ang tapang at talim magsalita! May ngiti palagi ang kanyang mga pilyong mata. Para syang dwende na naging taga-lupa, at pag nasa entablado na sya tuwing transport strike o noise barrage ang PISTON, ayun si Ka Fedie - nagpupuyos ang damdamin sa gobyernong walang kwenta!
Tuwing nakikita ko si Ka Fedie, lagi nya akong binibiro at tinatawag na "ma'am."
Wala na akong maisulat. Tumutulo na ang sipon ko at luha. Parang pinipisil ang puso ko at gusto kong sumuka sa lungkot at galit. Mula kagabi hanggang kaninang alas-6, TATLONG aktibista at dalawang alyado at masa ang pinatay ng berdugong gobyerno, ng berdugong militar. Walang halaga, walang kwenta ang buhay para sa gobyernong ito. Gloria, Impyerno ang ngalan mo. Kahit isang salita nang kondemnasyon sa pamamaslang sa mga sibilyan, wala kang binitiwan. Kung may kagyat na silbi at epekto ang mga
panalangin, nananalangin kaming lamunin ka na ng kadilimang hatid at sumpa mo sa buhay ng mamamayang Pilipino. Magdusa ka nawa nang matindi -- lampas sa isang libong beses ang hapdi ng mga sugat ng masang hinahagupit ng mga patakaran mo at polisiya. Santa patrona ka ng mga demonyo. Hipokritang sumasamba sa itim na altar, diyosa ng kaswapangan sa kapangyarihan.Ibabalik ka din sa impyernong iyong pinagmulan.#
Friday, October 28, 2005
Tuesday, October 25, 2005
guide to the lost souls?
For those who still cannot make any sense of what is going on or do not yet know what to do, these guidelines downloaded form the Ateneo website maybe of some help.
The following article summary was taken from: http://www.admu.edu.ph/
In "Guidelines in a Time of Crisis" the Province Commission on the Social Apostolate (PCSA) states these nine guidelines:
1. The struggle to bring out the truth must go on. To dismiss the concern for truth in the name of stability is to condone the culture of impunity, by which those in power have long been able to commit crimes unpunished, and our people have become cynical accepting corruption and deceit as normal in our public life.
2. Those who claim that the "rule of law" was triumphant in the recent impeachment proceedings confuse proceduralism with law.
3. The legislature, especially the Senate, must not be remiss in its oversight functions, to ensure the system of checks and balances set in place by the Constitution.
4. We respect the decision of those, who in conscience have reached a judgment that the President should not remain in office.
5. It is necessary to listen to, reflect seriously on, and address the concerns of a large majority of people who seem apathetic or whose dissatisfaction does not seem to translate into political action.
6. The real and urgent concerns of the poor should be given highest priority amid all efforts to search for truth. Indeed, the search for the truth is integrally linked to the fate of the poor. Corruption and dishonesty have made the lot of the poor worse.
7. Programs and initiatives from both government and the private sector to address the urgent needs of the poor, in fields such as education, health, housing, livelihood, and the like, should continue to be supported, and indeed intensified.
8. Charter change, as a diversionary tactic in times of political conflict, or as a means of perpetuating elite democracy, should be rejected. Thus, the rush to change the Constitution, especially through a Constituent Assembly, should be resisted.
9. There may be no clear solutions or exit strategies to our present state. But the following courses of action should be pursued:
a. Our educational institutions, parishes and other institutions should become centers for conscientization.
b. Conscientization that leads to organizing and reorganizing base groups and forming community or sectoral organizations should be given priority.
c. These and other groups should be mobilized toward vigilance, monitoring:
* first, the continued effectiveness of government programs for the poor;
* second, appointment to public offices;
* third, acts of apparent retribution;
* fourth, the actual use of "pork barrel" by legislators;
* fifth, the preparations for forthcoming electoral exercises, through advocacy for automation, and the continuing task of voters education;
* sixth, the use of funds in the event of a peace agreement in Mindanao.
d. Deeper study and reflection on institutional alternatives (such as parliamentarism, federalism, etc.) should be conducted at various levels, from university think tanks to grassroots groups.
The following article summary was taken from: http://www.admu.edu.ph/
In "Guidelines in a Time of Crisis" the Province Commission on the Social Apostolate (PCSA) states these nine guidelines:
1. The struggle to bring out the truth must go on. To dismiss the concern for truth in the name of stability is to condone the culture of impunity, by which those in power have long been able to commit crimes unpunished, and our people have become cynical accepting corruption and deceit as normal in our public life.
2. Those who claim that the "rule of law" was triumphant in the recent impeachment proceedings confuse proceduralism with law.
3. The legislature, especially the Senate, must not be remiss in its oversight functions, to ensure the system of checks and balances set in place by the Constitution.
4. We respect the decision of those, who in conscience have reached a judgment that the President should not remain in office.
5. It is necessary to listen to, reflect seriously on, and address the concerns of a large majority of people who seem apathetic or whose dissatisfaction does not seem to translate into political action.
6. The real and urgent concerns of the poor should be given highest priority amid all efforts to search for truth. Indeed, the search for the truth is integrally linked to the fate of the poor. Corruption and dishonesty have made the lot of the poor worse.
7. Programs and initiatives from both government and the private sector to address the urgent needs of the poor, in fields such as education, health, housing, livelihood, and the like, should continue to be supported, and indeed intensified.
8. Charter change, as a diversionary tactic in times of political conflict, or as a means of perpetuating elite democracy, should be rejected. Thus, the rush to change the Constitution, especially through a Constituent Assembly, should be resisted.
9. There may be no clear solutions or exit strategies to our present state. But the following courses of action should be pursued:
a. Our educational institutions, parishes and other institutions should become centers for conscientization.
b. Conscientization that leads to organizing and reorganizing base groups and forming community or sectoral organizations should be given priority.
c. These and other groups should be mobilized toward vigilance, monitoring:
* first, the continued effectiveness of government programs for the poor;
* second, appointment to public offices;
* third, acts of apparent retribution;
* fourth, the actual use of "pork barrel" by legislators;
* fifth, the preparations for forthcoming electoral exercises, through advocacy for automation, and the continuing task of voters education;
* sixth, the use of funds in the event of a peace agreement in Mindanao.
d. Deeper study and reflection on institutional alternatives (such as parliamentarism, federalism, etc.) should be conducted at various levels, from university think tanks to grassroots groups.
Sunday, October 23, 2005
once a week
October 22, 2005
Reference: Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer 09228107169
ONE ACTIVIST KILLED EVERY WEEK IN THE PAST ONE AND A HALF MONTHS, KARAPATAN DOCUMENTATION SHOWS
A fresh wave of summary execution of political dissenters occurred in the past one and a half months, amid a rise in curtailment of and threats to civil liberties occurred in the wake of the "calibrated preemptive response" policy of the Arroyo administration, a gag order on government and military officials from attending legislative inquiries and talks about securing emergency powers for Mrs. Arroyo.
One activist is killed every week*, as documented by the human rights alliance KARAPATAN. Ten political activists were killed in the span of September 1 to October 15, 2005.
KARAPATAN said the victims of extra-judicial killings belonged to progressive organizations and labor unions. One of the victims, Atty. Norman Bocar is a local government official in Eastern Samar. Two are women. Six were killed in Central Luzon, and three others in Quezon, Laguna and CARAGA, respectively.
Aside from political activists, KARAPATAN also reported that 5 other civilians were summarily executed by alleged military elements.
The incidents were reported and documented by field workers of KARAPATAN in the abovementioned regions.
The human rights alliance was likewise able to record an attempt on the life of a labor leader in Cebu. Antonio Cuizon, union president of Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Atlas (Unity of Atlas Workers), sustained gunshot wounds from an M-16 rifle. Cuizon survived the attack.
KARAPATAN said the extra-judicial killings of civilians by suspected state security forces continue unabated despite the UNHRC's directive in 2003 for the Philippine government to adopt and enforce measures to prevent such violations as extrajudicial killings *(in keeping with articles 6 and 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)* and to conduct prompt and impartial investigations, and prosecute and punish the perpetrators.
Below is the list of political activists killed from September 1 to October 15, 2005, based on initial reports of KARAPATAN regional officers.
Name
Age, Affiliation, Date of Incident, Place of Incident, Suspected Perpetrators
Atty. Norman Bocar
57, BAYAN-Eastern Visayas, September 1, 2005, Borongan, Unidentified armed men on board a motorcycle
Renier Cusio
33, UMAGPAS-KMP, Sept 12 (abducted), Sept 16 (found dead), Guimba, Nueva Eccija, 5 elements of the 71st Infantry Battalion Philippine Army under Lt. Viterbo and a certain Paul Serrano
Leodegario Punzal
41, Anakpawis Party List, September 13, 2005, Norzagaray, Bulacan, Elements of the 56th IBPA
Diosdado Fortuna
50, Union of Filipino Employees, Nestlé workers' union, September 22, 2005, Calamba, Laguna, still unidentified assailants
Victoria P. Samonte
51, KMU CARAGA, September 30, 2005, Bislig City, Unidentified man
Armando Javier
36, Anakpawis Party List, October 2, 2005, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Elements of the 71st IBPA
Priscilla "Celia" Esteban
56, Bayan Muna, Oct. 2 (abducted), Oct 5 (found dead and mutilated), Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Elements of the 71st IBPA under command of Col. Cayetano and Lt. Madrid of the Charlie Company
Rolando Mariano
53, TARELCO Employees Union, October 7, 2005, Gerona, Tarlac, Unidentified assailants
Ponciano Silva
54, Anakpawis Party List, October 11, 2005, Unisan, Quezon, Unidentified motorcycle-riding men
Florante Collantes
54, Bayan Muna, October 15, 2005, Tarlac, (verifying information)
Source: KARAPATAN Documentation Desk
Reference: Ruth Cervantes, Public Information Officer 09228107169
ONE ACTIVIST KILLED EVERY WEEK IN THE PAST ONE AND A HALF MONTHS, KARAPATAN DOCUMENTATION SHOWS
A fresh wave of summary execution of political dissenters occurred in the past one and a half months, amid a rise in curtailment of and threats to civil liberties occurred in the wake of the "calibrated preemptive response" policy of the Arroyo administration, a gag order on government and military officials from attending legislative inquiries and talks about securing emergency powers for Mrs. Arroyo.
One activist is killed every week*, as documented by the human rights alliance KARAPATAN. Ten political activists were killed in the span of September 1 to October 15, 2005.
KARAPATAN said the victims of extra-judicial killings belonged to progressive organizations and labor unions. One of the victims, Atty. Norman Bocar is a local government official in Eastern Samar. Two are women. Six were killed in Central Luzon, and three others in Quezon, Laguna and CARAGA, respectively.
Aside from political activists, KARAPATAN also reported that 5 other civilians were summarily executed by alleged military elements.
The incidents were reported and documented by field workers of KARAPATAN in the abovementioned regions.
The human rights alliance was likewise able to record an attempt on the life of a labor leader in Cebu. Antonio Cuizon, union president of Panaghiusa sa Mamumuo sa Atlas (Unity of Atlas Workers), sustained gunshot wounds from an M-16 rifle. Cuizon survived the attack.
KARAPATAN said the extra-judicial killings of civilians by suspected state security forces continue unabated despite the UNHRC's directive in 2003 for the Philippine government to adopt and enforce measures to prevent such violations as extrajudicial killings *(in keeping with articles 6 and 9 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights)* and to conduct prompt and impartial investigations, and prosecute and punish the perpetrators.
Below is the list of political activists killed from September 1 to October 15, 2005, based on initial reports of KARAPATAN regional officers.
Name
Age, Affiliation, Date of Incident, Place of Incident, Suspected Perpetrators
Atty. Norman Bocar
57, BAYAN-Eastern Visayas, September 1, 2005, Borongan, Unidentified armed men on board a motorcycle
Renier Cusio
33, UMAGPAS-KMP, Sept 12 (abducted), Sept 16 (found dead), Guimba, Nueva Eccija, 5 elements of the 71st Infantry Battalion Philippine Army under Lt. Viterbo and a certain Paul Serrano
Leodegario Punzal
41, Anakpawis Party List, September 13, 2005, Norzagaray, Bulacan, Elements of the 56th IBPA
Diosdado Fortuna
50, Union of Filipino Employees, Nestlé workers' union, September 22, 2005, Calamba, Laguna, still unidentified assailants
Victoria P. Samonte
51, KMU CARAGA, September 30, 2005, Bislig City, Unidentified man
Armando Javier
36, Anakpawis Party List, October 2, 2005, Cuyapo, Nueva Ecija, Elements of the 71st IBPA
Priscilla "Celia" Esteban
56, Bayan Muna, Oct. 2 (abducted), Oct 5 (found dead and mutilated), Guimba, Nueva Ecija, Elements of the 71st IBPA under command of Col. Cayetano and Lt. Madrid of the Charlie Company
Rolando Mariano
53, TARELCO Employees Union, October 7, 2005, Gerona, Tarlac, Unidentified assailants
Ponciano Silva
54, Anakpawis Party List, October 11, 2005, Unisan, Quezon, Unidentified motorcycle-riding men
Florante Collantes
54, Bayan Muna, October 15, 2005, Tarlac, (verifying information)
Source: KARAPATAN Documentation Desk
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Let's Force A Gasoline Price War!
The oil companies just laughed at that because they knew we couldn't continue to "hurt" ourselves by refusing to buy gas. It was more of an inconvenience to us than it was a problem for them. BUT, whoever thought of this idea, has come up with a plan that can really work.
Please read on and join us!
Currently, unleaded gasoline is over P33.00 and it is still going up (sometimes unnoticed). Despite the fact that a barrel of oil has gone down to US$62 from US$70 (when Superstorm Katrina hit New Orleans), gasoline prices are still going up instead of a downward trend.
Worst, the big oil players such as Caltex, Shell and Petron claim that they are still losing money. It is time we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace....not sellers. The only way we are going to see the price of gas go down is if we hit them back by not purchasing their gas!
And we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How?
Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON"T PURCHASE ANY GASOLINE FROM the two biggest foreign oil companies such as SHELL and CALTEX. For now, let us buy gas only from Petron and/or small players such as SeaOil, Total, etc. If CALTEX and SHELL are not selling any gas, they will be forced to reduce
their prices and if they reduce their prices, other companies will have no choice but to follow suit. Thus, the start of a price war. In this way, the buying public wins.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Shell and Caltex gas buyers. I am sending this note to about thirty people. If you send it to at least ten more, e.g., 30 x 10 = 300 and those 300 send it to at least ten more, e.g., 300 x 10 = 3,000 and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth level of people (granting all will cooperate), we will have reached over THREE MILLION car owners!
Again, all you have to do is just send this to 10 people and DON"T purchase ANY gasoline from Shell and Caltex. Remember, the main idea is to FORCE A PRICE WAR and not hurt ourselves or the economy. That's all.
How long would all that take before we can feel the effect? If each of us sends this email out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 3 MLLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!! Acting together can make a big difference.
If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on.
PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE P20.00/LITER RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK.!!!
Please read on and join us!
Currently, unleaded gasoline is over P33.00 and it is still going up (sometimes unnoticed). Despite the fact that a barrel of oil has gone down to US$62 from US$70 (when Superstorm Katrina hit New Orleans), gasoline prices are still going up instead of a downward trend.
Worst, the big oil players such as Caltex, Shell and Petron claim that they are still losing money. It is time we need to take aggressive action to teach them that BUYERS control the marketplace....not sellers. The only way we are going to see the price of gas go down is if we hit them back by not purchasing their gas!
And we can do that WITHOUT hurting ourselves. How?
Since we all rely on our cars, we can't just stop buying gas. But we CAN have an impact on gas prices if we all act together to force a price war.
Here's the idea:
For the rest of this year, DON"T PURCHASE ANY GASOLINE FROM the two biggest foreign oil companies such as SHELL and CALTEX. For now, let us buy gas only from Petron and/or small players such as SeaOil, Total, etc. If CALTEX and SHELL are not selling any gas, they will be forced to reduce
their prices and if they reduce their prices, other companies will have no choice but to follow suit. Thus, the start of a price war. In this way, the buying public wins.
But to have an impact, we need to reach literally millions of Shell and Caltex gas buyers. I am sending this note to about thirty people. If you send it to at least ten more, e.g., 30 x 10 = 300 and those 300 send it to at least ten more, e.g., 300 x 10 = 3,000 and so on, by the time the message reaches the sixth level of people (granting all will cooperate), we will have reached over THREE MILLION car owners!
Again, all you have to do is just send this to 10 people and DON"T purchase ANY gasoline from Shell and Caltex. Remember, the main idea is to FORCE A PRICE WAR and not hurt ourselves or the economy. That's all.
How long would all that take before we can feel the effect? If each of us sends this email out to ten more people within one day of receipt, all 3 MLLION people could conceivably be contacted within the next 8 days!!! Acting together can make a big difference.
If this makes sense to you, please pass this message on.
PLEASE HOLD OUT UNTIL THEY LOWER THEIR PRICES TO THE P20.00/LITER RANGE AND KEEP THEM DOWN. THIS CAN REALLY WORK.!!!
Resistance
Resistance
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo
When we stepped into the pedestrian lane to cross over to Mendiola Bridge, none of us thought the police would be so dumb as to block a dozen protesters, in the process threatening a violent confrontation and creating a traffic gridlock, the very things they claimed to be preventing with such zealousness.
In fact, when I agreed to go to Mendiola with RC Constantino, a senior citizen who is also a civil libertarian and staunch nationalist, his wife and whoever else would be willing to assert their inalienable rights to free expression and assembly, I worried about simply being ignored by the police.
After all, Mr. Constantino announced his intentions on national television the night before in the presence of PNP General Querol. Presumably not only the police top guns but Malacañang crisis managers had more than enough lead time to study the situation. They knew their options in dealing with this motley band of protesters and what would obviously be a peaceful and largely symbolic protest action.
Almost all those I asked had some other commitment and couldn’t join the protest that day. Someone observed that anything less than 50 people couldn’t be interpreted, even by the police, as a “rally” and would therefore just be tolerated.
“At least bring some placards,” said a veteran street parliamentarian, “so you don’t look like ordinary pedestrians.” My group consisted of six individuals including former Labor Undersecretary Amado “Gat” Inciong, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chairman Antonio Tinio and three others who had been arrested and roughed up in previous demonstrations. We had four placards in a plastic grocery bag to share among us.
We were met by the spectacle of more than a hundred police, about one fourth women, their shields in front of them, lined up in a phalanx several rows deep, at the foot of Mendiola Bridge. Mr. and Mrs. Constantino were waiting for us with Princess Nemenzo, fellow Business World columnist Atty. Argee Guevarra and three others in tow.
Thus did we start our “march” on the pedestrian lanes of Legarda and Claro M. Recto. Immediately the police moved to stop us. Colonel Quirante, the PNP ground commander, barked into a small bullhorn and demanded that we produce our permit.
Mr. Constantino bristled us the women police prevented us from proceeding to the Chino Roces monument. He retorted, “Do we need a permit to cross the pedestrian lane?” Col. Quirante relented and told his people to hold their line but they occupied more than one half of the lane so that Mr. Constantino stepped forward and forced those in front of him to move back.
At this point a policewoman complained that Mr. Constantino had touched her breast to which he responded by pointing to his chest and saying that they had been pushing him all along with their shields. The sight was ludicrous as scores of them rushed to block his path as he moved from side to side, forwards and backwards.
It wasn’t long before Mr. Constantino was separated from the rest of us surrounded by anti-riot police. Meanwhile Ms. Nemenzo and her daughter-in-law had somehow slipped unnoticed to reach the Chino Roces monument. We could see her behind the rows of police struggling with an improvised cartolina placard that a policeman was trying to grab from her. It said, “Freedom is as freedom does!” The placard ended up in tatters.
Col. Quirante must have been so mortified by the thought that the rest of us might decide to rush Malacañang Palace that he ordered his troops to disperse us by pushing and shoving us away, back across Legarda street. About twenty policewomen and some policemen handily did just that. There were only about six of us left with only one reinforcement from the party list Bayan Muna.
Another ludicrous photo opportunity presented itself as Mr. Tinio landed on the front page of a broadsheet the following day resisting a formation of helmeted, shield-wielding female members of Manila’s Finest.
We stopped to catch our breath as did the police. We took the opportunity to try to reason with the so-called defenders of the “rule of law”. We appealed to them to stop pushing and hurting us since we could not by any stretch of the imagination be a threat to peace and order and could not even constitute an obstruction to traffic.
Seeing as how we had been separated from each other, we decided to try to go back towards the bridge and reach our companions. Accompanied by a swarm of photo journalists and TV crews, we slowly made our way back to Mendiola.
Some of the police by this time appeared to relent or hesitate so that we were able to reach the monument after some more jostling and scuffling. Unknown to us, individual protesters who had belatedly arrived were being harassed and overpowered by police on the sidelines.
Col. Quirante apparently imagined some kind of extreme danger being posed by a handful of protesters who had gotten several feet closer to the hallowed grounds of the Presidential Palace. He again ordered that we be pushed away until we ended up on the sidewalk at the other side of the bridge.
We staged a sit-in on the sidewalk and dared the police to carry us bodily away. By then we were joined by about a dozen more people from the human rights group Karapatan, martial law era ex-political prisoners from the group SELDA as well as Wilson Fortaleza of Sanlakas. A streamer that said, “Ipaglaban ang demokrasya!” (Fight for democracy!) was unfurled.
The group sang the patriotic song “Bayan Ko”, a staple of anti-dictatorship rallies during martial law. Mr. Constantino read the statement of protest of the group.
When things had quieted down, I took the opportunity to talk to a group of policewomen. I asked them if they realized they were following illegal orders by employing physical violence and disproportionate force on a handful of protesters. Would they shoot unarmed people if given the orders?
And where did the orders come from? It is reasonable to conclude that Malacañang itself was "hands on" and can be held directly accountable for the brutality and intolerance executed by the police.
This brief incident on historic Mendiola Bridge, lasting no more than an hour, clearly exposes the Arroyo government’s policy towards peaceful assemblies of citizens as nothing short of fascist. It has no place in a so-called democratic society and is clearly a harbinger of de facto martial rule.
All freedom-loving Filipinos must condemn and resist the Arroyo regime’s authoritarian mind set and strong-arm tactics or risk another dark period in our nation’s benighted existence.#
By Carol Pagaduan-Araullo
When we stepped into the pedestrian lane to cross over to Mendiola Bridge, none of us thought the police would be so dumb as to block a dozen protesters, in the process threatening a violent confrontation and creating a traffic gridlock, the very things they claimed to be preventing with such zealousness.
In fact, when I agreed to go to Mendiola with RC Constantino, a senior citizen who is also a civil libertarian and staunch nationalist, his wife and whoever else would be willing to assert their inalienable rights to free expression and assembly, I worried about simply being ignored by the police.
After all, Mr. Constantino announced his intentions on national television the night before in the presence of PNP General Querol. Presumably not only the police top guns but Malacañang crisis managers had more than enough lead time to study the situation. They knew their options in dealing with this motley band of protesters and what would obviously be a peaceful and largely symbolic protest action.
Almost all those I asked had some other commitment and couldn’t join the protest that day. Someone observed that anything less than 50 people couldn’t be interpreted, even by the police, as a “rally” and would therefore just be tolerated.
“At least bring some placards,” said a veteran street parliamentarian, “so you don’t look like ordinary pedestrians.” My group consisted of six individuals including former Labor Undersecretary Amado “Gat” Inciong, Alliance of Concerned Teachers Chairman Antonio Tinio and three others who had been arrested and roughed up in previous demonstrations. We had four placards in a plastic grocery bag to share among us.
We were met by the spectacle of more than a hundred police, about one fourth women, their shields in front of them, lined up in a phalanx several rows deep, at the foot of Mendiola Bridge. Mr. and Mrs. Constantino were waiting for us with Princess Nemenzo, fellow Business World columnist Atty. Argee Guevarra and three others in tow.
Thus did we start our “march” on the pedestrian lanes of Legarda and Claro M. Recto. Immediately the police moved to stop us. Colonel Quirante, the PNP ground commander, barked into a small bullhorn and demanded that we produce our permit.
Mr. Constantino bristled us the women police prevented us from proceeding to the Chino Roces monument. He retorted, “Do we need a permit to cross the pedestrian lane?” Col. Quirante relented and told his people to hold their line but they occupied more than one half of the lane so that Mr. Constantino stepped forward and forced those in front of him to move back.
At this point a policewoman complained that Mr. Constantino had touched her breast to which he responded by pointing to his chest and saying that they had been pushing him all along with their shields. The sight was ludicrous as scores of them rushed to block his path as he moved from side to side, forwards and backwards.
It wasn’t long before Mr. Constantino was separated from the rest of us surrounded by anti-riot police. Meanwhile Ms. Nemenzo and her daughter-in-law had somehow slipped unnoticed to reach the Chino Roces monument. We could see her behind the rows of police struggling with an improvised cartolina placard that a policeman was trying to grab from her. It said, “Freedom is as freedom does!” The placard ended up in tatters.
Col. Quirante must have been so mortified by the thought that the rest of us might decide to rush Malacañang Palace that he ordered his troops to disperse us by pushing and shoving us away, back across Legarda street. About twenty policewomen and some policemen handily did just that. There were only about six of us left with only one reinforcement from the party list Bayan Muna.
Another ludicrous photo opportunity presented itself as Mr. Tinio landed on the front page of a broadsheet the following day resisting a formation of helmeted, shield-wielding female members of Manila’s Finest.
We stopped to catch our breath as did the police. We took the opportunity to try to reason with the so-called defenders of the “rule of law”. We appealed to them to stop pushing and hurting us since we could not by any stretch of the imagination be a threat to peace and order and could not even constitute an obstruction to traffic.
Seeing as how we had been separated from each other, we decided to try to go back towards the bridge and reach our companions. Accompanied by a swarm of photo journalists and TV crews, we slowly made our way back to Mendiola.
Some of the police by this time appeared to relent or hesitate so that we were able to reach the monument after some more jostling and scuffling. Unknown to us, individual protesters who had belatedly arrived were being harassed and overpowered by police on the sidelines.
Col. Quirante apparently imagined some kind of extreme danger being posed by a handful of protesters who had gotten several feet closer to the hallowed grounds of the Presidential Palace. He again ordered that we be pushed away until we ended up on the sidewalk at the other side of the bridge.
We staged a sit-in on the sidewalk and dared the police to carry us bodily away. By then we were joined by about a dozen more people from the human rights group Karapatan, martial law era ex-political prisoners from the group SELDA as well as Wilson Fortaleza of Sanlakas. A streamer that said, “Ipaglaban ang demokrasya!” (Fight for democracy!) was unfurled.
The group sang the patriotic song “Bayan Ko”, a staple of anti-dictatorship rallies during martial law. Mr. Constantino read the statement of protest of the group.
When things had quieted down, I took the opportunity to talk to a group of policewomen. I asked them if they realized they were following illegal orders by employing physical violence and disproportionate force on a handful of protesters. Would they shoot unarmed people if given the orders?
And where did the orders come from? It is reasonable to conclude that Malacañang itself was "hands on" and can be held directly accountable for the brutality and intolerance executed by the police.
This brief incident on historic Mendiola Bridge, lasting no more than an hour, clearly exposes the Arroyo government’s policy towards peaceful assemblies of citizens as nothing short of fascist. It has no place in a so-called democratic society and is clearly a harbinger of de facto martial rule.
All freedom-loving Filipinos must condemn and resist the Arroyo regime’s authoritarian mind set and strong-arm tactics or risk another dark period in our nation’s benighted existence.#
Stop killings of activists, clergy!
Oct. 11, 2005
Groups urge Philippines president to probe killings of activists, clergy
by Maurice Malanes
Ecumenical News International
MANILA - Church and development groups from around the world are calling on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the killings of more than 30 human-rights activists, including clergy members, since the first of the year.
"We are deeply concerned at the killings of 34 activists in the Philippines so far in the year 2005," the groups said in Oct. 7 letters to President Arroyo and to the Philippine army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Generoso S. Senga. The letters were released by the Geneva-based group, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
More than 30 people signed the letters, including representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Franciscans International and the Young Women's Christian Association. They demanded "immediate and impartial investigations into all recent extra-judicial executions."
The signatories cited three recent killings alleged to have been committed by agents of the military: Diosdado Fortuna was shot in the back on Sept. 22 in Laguna Province, south of Manila; the Rev. Raul Domingo of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines died on Sept. 4, two weeks after being shot in Puerto Princesa in the island of Palawan; and Norman Bocar was shot in the head on Sept. 1 in Borongan, Eastern Samar, in central Philippines.
"We mourn each of those killed and we deplore the ongoing violence and killing," the signatories said. "We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Filipino people to achieve their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
The letter referred to the report of a delegation sent to the Philippines in July by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia. That report observed that increasing numbers of activists, including church workers, were being murdered, and spoke of intimidation, illegal detention and torture of peasants working for rich landlords.
The Oct. 7 letter urges the Arroyo government to promote agrarian reforms and give rural people greater access to the country's natural resources. It also calls for the repeal of legislation, including the Mining Act of 1995, that it claims "puts corporate profit before the interests of people and the environment."
Sarah Ford of U.S.-based Lutheran World Relief said: "We are concerned with the increasing threats to religious leaders and civil society representatives struggling for their land, property, and cultural rights. We call upon the government of the Philippines to work with churches and NGO leaders to bring an end to the violence."
Groups urge Philippines president to probe killings of activists, clergy
by Maurice Malanes
Ecumenical News International
MANILA - Church and development groups from around the world are calling on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the killings of more than 30 human-rights activists, including clergy members, since the first of the year.
"We are deeply concerned at the killings of 34 activists in the Philippines so far in the year 2005," the groups said in Oct. 7 letters to President Arroyo and to the Philippine army chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Generoso S. Senga. The letters were released by the Geneva-based group, Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
More than 30 people signed the letters, including representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Franciscans International and the Young Women's Christian Association. They demanded "immediate and impartial investigations into all recent extra-judicial executions."
The signatories cited three recent killings alleged to have been committed by agents of the military: Diosdado Fortuna was shot in the back on Sept. 22 in Laguna Province, south of Manila; the Rev. Raul Domingo of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines died on Sept. 4, two weeks after being shot in Puerto Princesa in the island of Palawan; and Norman Bocar was shot in the head on Sept. 1 in Borongan, Eastern Samar, in central Philippines.
"We mourn each of those killed and we deplore the ongoing violence and killing," the signatories said. "We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Filipino people to achieve their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
The letter referred to the report of a delegation sent to the Philippines in July by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia. That report observed that increasing numbers of activists, including church workers, were being murdered, and spoke of intimidation, illegal detention and torture of peasants working for rich landlords.
The Oct. 7 letter urges the Arroyo government to promote agrarian reforms and give rural people greater access to the country's natural resources. It also calls for the repeal of legislation, including the Mining Act of 1995, that it claims "puts corporate profit before the interests of people and the environment."
Sarah Ford of U.S.-based Lutheran World Relief said: "We are concerned with the increasing threats to religious leaders and civil society representatives struggling for their land, property, and cultural rights. We call upon the government of the Philippines to work with churches and NGO leaders to bring an end to the violence."
Wednesday, October 12, 2005
PROTESTERS BROUGHT OWN SHIELDS
October 11, 2005
PROTESTERS BROUGHT OWN SHIELDS TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AND NATIONAL PATRIMONY
It is shield against shield. Without any permit to hold a rally, about 500 environmental activists, indigenous peoples, and advocates from the church trooped to Makati City on Tuesday to denounce the government's mining liberalization policy. Their leaders carried wooden shields and placards against the metal ones of the police as they marched toward Shangri-la Hotel, venue of the Asia Pacific Mining Conference.
"We brought our own shields to assert our right to protest in defense of our patrimony," said Trixie Concepcion, spokesperson of the alliance Defend Patrimony!
"The people condemn the continuous sale of the country's mineral and natural resources by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government. They remain steadfast in their opposition to the liberalization of the minerals industry and the unabated plunder and destruction of the resources."
Clemente Bautista, National Coordinator of Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment warned that "the people will make Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her administration accountable for this, just as she will be made accountable for usurping the highest political position of the land."
"This is a stern warning to all the executives of transnational mining corporations attending the 'Asia-Pacific Conference on Mining' on October 11-13, 2005 at the Makati Shangrila. They are dealing with a beleaguered and illegitimate government which will soon be ousted and tried by the people whose rights she has outrightly and willfully violated."
Meanwhile, the protesters also sought the review of all the Executive and Administrative Orders, and laws that have been passed by the Arroyo Administration including the controversial reversal of the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Mining Act of 1995's unconstitutionality.
According to Himpad Mangulmaas, spokesperson of Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamayan sa Pilipinas (KAMP), "these laws which the GMA Administration in connivance with the ASEAN Federation of Mining Associations (AFMA) is brandishing have caused untold destruction and sufferings on our people."
"The entry of large-scale mining projects in local communities has led to the dislocation, loss of livelihood and violation of human rights of thousands of indigenous people, peasants and small-scale miners."
Five indigenous people, environmental activists and leaders opposing government-mining projects were reported killed this year.
"The liberalization of the mining industry is one of the main reasons that the Arroyo administration has become extremely isolated," said Concepcion.
"The political crisis is worsening and her capacity to govern has been diminishing. More and more people are uniting for her ouster. No amount of repressive laws can stifle the people's right to seek for a government that is just and representing their will."
Mr. Bautista said "Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be replaced soon and we shall immediately ensure that a government that truly earns the people's mandate will be installed."
"We will then see to it that justice will be served, contracts violating people's rights, national sovereignty and environmental laws will be revoked, and their proponents will be punished," Bautista added.
Reference: kpne@edsamail.com.ph
PROTESTERS BROUGHT OWN SHIELDS TO DEFEND THEIR RIGHTS AND NATIONAL PATRIMONY
It is shield against shield. Without any permit to hold a rally, about 500 environmental activists, indigenous peoples, and advocates from the church trooped to Makati City on Tuesday to denounce the government's mining liberalization policy. Their leaders carried wooden shields and placards against the metal ones of the police as they marched toward Shangri-la Hotel, venue of the Asia Pacific Mining Conference.
"We brought our own shields to assert our right to protest in defense of our patrimony," said Trixie Concepcion, spokesperson of the alliance Defend Patrimony!
"The people condemn the continuous sale of the country's mineral and natural resources by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's government. They remain steadfast in their opposition to the liberalization of the minerals industry and the unabated plunder and destruction of the resources."
Clemente Bautista, National Coordinator of Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment warned that "the people will make Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her administration accountable for this, just as she will be made accountable for usurping the highest political position of the land."
"This is a stern warning to all the executives of transnational mining corporations attending the 'Asia-Pacific Conference on Mining' on October 11-13, 2005 at the Makati Shangrila. They are dealing with a beleaguered and illegitimate government which will soon be ousted and tried by the people whose rights she has outrightly and willfully violated."
Meanwhile, the protesters also sought the review of all the Executive and Administrative Orders, and laws that have been passed by the Arroyo Administration including the controversial reversal of the ruling of the Supreme Court on the Mining Act of 1995's unconstitutionality.
According to Himpad Mangulmaas, spokesperson of Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamayan sa Pilipinas (KAMP), "these laws which the GMA Administration in connivance with the ASEAN Federation of Mining Associations (AFMA) is brandishing have caused untold destruction and sufferings on our people."
"The entry of large-scale mining projects in local communities has led to the dislocation, loss of livelihood and violation of human rights of thousands of indigenous people, peasants and small-scale miners."
Five indigenous people, environmental activists and leaders opposing government-mining projects were reported killed this year.
"The liberalization of the mining industry is one of the main reasons that the Arroyo administration has become extremely isolated," said Concepcion.
"The political crisis is worsening and her capacity to govern has been diminishing. More and more people are uniting for her ouster. No amount of repressive laws can stifle the people's right to seek for a government that is just and representing their will."
Mr. Bautista said "Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will be replaced soon and we shall immediately ensure that a government that truly earns the people's mandate will be installed."
"We will then see to it that justice will be served, contracts violating people's rights, national sovereignty and environmental laws will be revoked, and their proponents will be punished," Bautista added.
Reference: kpne@edsamail.com.ph
Churches call for investigation into Philippines killings
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_051011phil.shtml
Churches call for investigation into Philippines killings -11/10/05
Church and development groups from around the world are calling on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the killings of more than 30 human rights activists, including clergy members, in the course of this year, reports Maurice Malanes for Ecumenical News International.
"We are deeply concerned at the killings of 34 activists in the Philippines so far in the year 2005," the groups said in letters last week to President Arroyo and to army chief of staff Lt Gen Generoso S. Senga, released by the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
The more than 30 signatories included the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Franciscans International and the Young Women's Christian Association. They demanded "immediate and impartial investigations into all recent extrajudicial executions".
The signatories cited three recent killings by suspected military agents: Diosdado Fortuna was shot in the back on 22 September in Laguna Province, south of Manila; this followed the death on 4 September of the Rev Raul Domingo of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, two weeks after being shot in Puerto Princesa in the island of Palawan; Norman Bocar was shot in the head on 1 September in Borongan, Eastern Samar in central Philippines.
"We mourn each of those killed and we deplore the ongoing violence and killing," the signatories said. "We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Filipino people to achieve their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
They referred to the report of a delegation sent in July 2005 to the Philippines by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia. This had noted increasing numbers of activists, including church workers, being murdered, and the intimidation, illegal detention and torture of peasants working on farms for rich landlords.
The WCC wrote at the end of March 2005 to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, calling on her to set up an independent investigation into the atrocities being committed and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. The CCA wrote to the President on 23 May raising similar concerns.
The October letter urges the Arroyo government to promote agrarian and land rights reform to enable rural people to have more access to their natural resources. It also calls for the repeal of legislation, including the Mining Act of 1995, which "puts corporate profit before the interests of people and the environment".
Sarah Ford of US-based Lutheran World Relief, one of the signatories to the letter, said: "We are concerned with the increasing threats to religious leaders and civil society representatives struggling for their land, property, and cultural rights. We call upon the Government of the Philippines to work with churches and NGO leaders to bring an end to the violence."
In February 2005, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP), Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, asked for prayer, solidarity and understanding from Christians in Britain and Ireland towards the churches in her country. She highlighted the struggle for justice, the quest for authentic witness and the plight of national minorities as among the major concerns of NCCP.
[Adapted from an ENI article. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]
Churches call for investigation into Philippines killings -11/10/05
Church and development groups from around the world are calling on Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to investigate the killings of more than 30 human rights activists, including clergy members, in the course of this year, reports Maurice Malanes for Ecumenical News International.
"We are deeply concerned at the killings of 34 activists in the Philippines so far in the year 2005," the groups said in letters last week to President Arroyo and to army chief of staff Lt Gen Generoso S. Senga, released by the Geneva-based Ecumenical Advocacy Alliance.
The more than 30 signatories included the World Council of Churches (WCC), the Lutheran World Federation, World Alliance of Reformed Churches, Franciscans International and the Young Women's Christian Association. They demanded "immediate and impartial investigations into all recent extrajudicial executions".
The signatories cited three recent killings by suspected military agents: Diosdado Fortuna was shot in the back on 22 September in Laguna Province, south of Manila; this followed the death on 4 September of the Rev Raul Domingo of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, two weeks after being shot in Puerto Princesa in the island of Palawan; Norman Bocar was shot in the head on 1 September in Borongan, Eastern Samar in central Philippines.
"We mourn each of those killed and we deplore the ongoing violence and killing," the signatories said. "We stand in solidarity with the struggle of the Filipino people to achieve their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
They referred to the report of a delegation sent in July 2005 to the Philippines by the WCC and the Christian Conference of Asia. This had noted increasing numbers of activists, including church workers, being murdered, and the intimidation, illegal detention and torture of peasants working on farms for rich landlords.
The WCC wrote at the end of March 2005 to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, calling on her to set up an independent investigation into the atrocities being committed and to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice. The CCA wrote to the President on 23 May raising similar concerns.
The October letter urges the Arroyo government to promote agrarian and land rights reform to enable rural people to have more access to their natural resources. It also calls for the repeal of legislation, including the Mining Act of 1995, which "puts corporate profit before the interests of people and the environment".
Sarah Ford of US-based Lutheran World Relief, one of the signatories to the letter, said: "We are concerned with the increasing threats to religious leaders and civil society representatives struggling for their land, property, and cultural rights. We call upon the Government of the Philippines to work with churches and NGO leaders to bring an end to the violence."
In February 2005, the general secretary of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP), Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes, asked for prayer, solidarity and understanding from Christians in Britain and Ireland towards the churches in her country. She highlighted the struggle for justice, the quest for authentic witness and the plight of national minorities as among the major concerns of NCCP.
[Adapted from an ENI article. Ecumenical News International is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]
Monday, October 10, 2005
An Illegitimate Government Has No Right to Deal on Matters Involving National Patrimony
October 10, 2005
An Illegitimate Government Has No Right to Deal on Matters Involving National Patrimony
The Philippines has an illegitimate government and it is poised to sell the remaining mineral and natural resources in the coming Asia Pacific Conference on Mining on October 11-13, 2005. Beaming at the controversial reversal of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality question of the Mining Act of 1995, the Arroyo administration has been shamelessly dangling the right of foreign mining TNCs to fully-own the mineral resources in this country.
Absolutely disregarding the nationwide opposition of indigenous people, peasants, and even local government units, the Arroyo administration has sold off shares and equities in mining projects throughout the land. This illegitimate government, in association with the Philippine Chamber of Mines, is now priding itself for facilitating the forceful entry of mining TNCs in the communities, in spite the rampant violation of human rights and even the distortion of existing laws.
The Arroyo administration has already put four hundred eighty six thousand (486,000) hectares of our mineral lands under mineral agreement. Most of these are controlled by foreign mining TNCs and their local partners.
While aggressively seeking new mining investors, the government has remained oblivious to the issues of abandoned mines. There are 857 abandoned mines which continue to cause havoc, endangering the peoples' health and lives in the mining communities. Among these are the Hixbar Open Pit Mine (Rapu-rapu, Albay), Marcopper-Placer Dome Mine (Marinduque), Basay Copper Mine (Negros Oriental), Thanksgiving Gold Mine (Benguet), Black Mountain Copper Mine (Benguet), Boneng-Lobo Copper Mine
(Benguet), and Palawan Quick Silver Mine (Puerto Princesa City). For years, owners of these mines have run from their responsibility of remediating the impacts on the people and the environment. Worst, the Arroyo administration's solution to these problems is to offer these mines to new investors.
We warn the foreign investors and mining TNCs not to enter into any business deals with this illegitimate government. President Arroyo's claim to power is eroding by the day. Mass actions have become more frequent and bigger. Revolutionary groups, like the New People's Army vow to intensify their armed actions against the illegal government. Bickering and factionalism within the Arroyo administration and its military intensify and have become more confrontational.
With President Arroyo's ouster, your mining agreement, under this bogus administration, will not be acknowledged nor honored by the Filipino people.
Scrap Mining Act of 1995.
Junk the Mining Revitalization Program!
Oust the fake President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo!
###
Reference: Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment
An Illegitimate Government Has No Right to Deal on Matters Involving National Patrimony
The Philippines has an illegitimate government and it is poised to sell the remaining mineral and natural resources in the coming Asia Pacific Conference on Mining on October 11-13, 2005. Beaming at the controversial reversal of the Supreme Court on the constitutionality question of the Mining Act of 1995, the Arroyo administration has been shamelessly dangling the right of foreign mining TNCs to fully-own the mineral resources in this country.
Absolutely disregarding the nationwide opposition of indigenous people, peasants, and even local government units, the Arroyo administration has sold off shares and equities in mining projects throughout the land. This illegitimate government, in association with the Philippine Chamber of Mines, is now priding itself for facilitating the forceful entry of mining TNCs in the communities, in spite the rampant violation of human rights and even the distortion of existing laws.
The Arroyo administration has already put four hundred eighty six thousand (486,000) hectares of our mineral lands under mineral agreement. Most of these are controlled by foreign mining TNCs and their local partners.
While aggressively seeking new mining investors, the government has remained oblivious to the issues of abandoned mines. There are 857 abandoned mines which continue to cause havoc, endangering the peoples' health and lives in the mining communities. Among these are the Hixbar Open Pit Mine (Rapu-rapu, Albay), Marcopper-Placer Dome Mine (Marinduque), Basay Copper Mine (Negros Oriental), Thanksgiving Gold Mine (Benguet), Black Mountain Copper Mine (Benguet), Boneng-Lobo Copper Mine
(Benguet), and Palawan Quick Silver Mine (Puerto Princesa City). For years, owners of these mines have run from their responsibility of remediating the impacts on the people and the environment. Worst, the Arroyo administration's solution to these problems is to offer these mines to new investors.
We warn the foreign investors and mining TNCs not to enter into any business deals with this illegitimate government. President Arroyo's claim to power is eroding by the day. Mass actions have become more frequent and bigger. Revolutionary groups, like the New People's Army vow to intensify their armed actions against the illegal government. Bickering and factionalism within the Arroyo administration and its military intensify and have become more confrontational.
With President Arroyo's ouster, your mining agreement, under this bogus administration, will not be acknowledged nor honored by the Filipino people.
Scrap Mining Act of 1995.
Junk the Mining Revitalization Program!
Oust the fake President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo!
###
Reference: Kalikasan-People's Network for the Environment
Sunday, October 09, 2005
A threat to blogosphere?
Sedition law's use stirs up Singapore blogging community
SINGAPORE--Singapore, wary of alienating its Muslim Malay minority, has cracked down hard on two men who posted racist remarks on the Internet, but the move caused concern in the growing community of bloggers.
In a landmark ruling Friday, two ethnic Chinese men became the first persons in multi-racial Singapore to be punished under the Sedition Act, which dates back to British colonial rule and was last used in 1966.
Benjamin Koh, 28, was given two concurrent one-month jail terms while Nicholas Lim, 25, was jailed for one day and fined 5,000 Singapore dollars after they pleaded guilty to making strong anti-Muslim remarks.
The case was triggered by a letter to the Straits Times newspaper from a Malay Muslim Singaporean woman, Zuraimah Mohammed, who in a query to taxi firms said uncaged dogs may drool on seats or dirty them with their paws.
Under the Syafie school of thought to which most members of the local Muslim community belong, contact with dog saliva is prohibited.
The two men, who attacked Islam and its believers in reaction to the letter, issued public apologies after pleading guilty.
Koh, an animal shelter assistant, admitted he was "behaving exactly and no better" than a "fanatic" while Lim, an assistant marketing manager, said the episode showed the forgiving nature of Islam and other religions.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had told a foreign media forum Thursday that Singapore wants to ensure that no disaffection takes root among people who might feel excluded in society.
"And so, racial harmony and religious harmony are of utmost importance in Singapore, which is why when somebody went and published some racist blogs recently, we came down very hard," he said.
"All you need is one crazy guy and a disaster takes place and an enormous rent happens, a tear in the fabric of society."
Judge Richard Magnus, who handed out the sentences, said the Internet postings threatened to disrupt racial harmony, a bedrock social principle in Singapore.
Magnus recalled the 1964 racial riots and reminded young Singaporeans that "callous and reckless remarks on racial or religious subjects" can spark social disorder.
The judge also told bloggers who have made similar offending remarks to remove such postings, warning that the court will not hesitate to impose stiffer penalties in the future.
With a growing number of Singaporeans taking to the Internet to express their views in order to bypass the pro-government mainstream media, some fear the ruling could have wider implications.
"People will become more cautious," said Sinapan Samydorai, executive director of Think Centre, a group pushing for greater political freedoms in the tightly-governed city-state.
"People are already cautious in Singapore, but they would become more cautious. Blogging is one of the areas where people thought they could express themselves, but now I think they would have to exercise more caution."
Samydorai, who made it clear he was against making racial remarks, described the one-month sentence on one of the bloggers and the use of the Sedition Act as harsh.
"I don't think the bloggers had any intention to disturb the security of Singapore and create racial violence," Samydorai told Agence France-Presse.
He said Think Centre's work would continue despite the ruling but the group "will keep within the law."
Bloggers were divided, with some saying they would tone down their comments, while others maintained they would not be affected.
"I wouldn't feel censored because I would not post such remarks anyway," a university student who has her own blog told Agence France-Presse.
"I wouldn't be too worried. There are blogs out there that comment openly on government policies. I think there is room for this expression as long as your views are rational and you can substantiate them."
Another blogger said, however, that he would be more careful.
"Yes, I will tone down. The government has a lot of things up its sleeves they can use against me," he said.
Both bloggers spoke on condition they are not identified.
Ethnic Chinese make up 76 percent of Singapore's resident population of 3.4 million with Malay Muslims accounting for 13.7 percent followed by ethnic Indians, Eurasians and other racial groups.
While ensuring that anti-Muslim feelings are kept in check following September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Singapore also bars Muslim schoolgirls from wearing veils in government schools, saying the institutions must remain secular.
(1 US dollar = 1.683 Singapore dollars)
Source: http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=7&story_id=52782
SINGAPORE--Singapore, wary of alienating its Muslim Malay minority, has cracked down hard on two men who posted racist remarks on the Internet, but the move caused concern in the growing community of bloggers.
In a landmark ruling Friday, two ethnic Chinese men became the first persons in multi-racial Singapore to be punished under the Sedition Act, which dates back to British colonial rule and was last used in 1966.
Benjamin Koh, 28, was given two concurrent one-month jail terms while Nicholas Lim, 25, was jailed for one day and fined 5,000 Singapore dollars after they pleaded guilty to making strong anti-Muslim remarks.
The case was triggered by a letter to the Straits Times newspaper from a Malay Muslim Singaporean woman, Zuraimah Mohammed, who in a query to taxi firms said uncaged dogs may drool on seats or dirty them with their paws.
Under the Syafie school of thought to which most members of the local Muslim community belong, contact with dog saliva is prohibited.
The two men, who attacked Islam and its believers in reaction to the letter, issued public apologies after pleading guilty.
Koh, an animal shelter assistant, admitted he was "behaving exactly and no better" than a "fanatic" while Lim, an assistant marketing manager, said the episode showed the forgiving nature of Islam and other religions.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had told a foreign media forum Thursday that Singapore wants to ensure that no disaffection takes root among people who might feel excluded in society.
"And so, racial harmony and religious harmony are of utmost importance in Singapore, which is why when somebody went and published some racist blogs recently, we came down very hard," he said.
"All you need is one crazy guy and a disaster takes place and an enormous rent happens, a tear in the fabric of society."
Judge Richard Magnus, who handed out the sentences, said the Internet postings threatened to disrupt racial harmony, a bedrock social principle in Singapore.
Magnus recalled the 1964 racial riots and reminded young Singaporeans that "callous and reckless remarks on racial or religious subjects" can spark social disorder.
The judge also told bloggers who have made similar offending remarks to remove such postings, warning that the court will not hesitate to impose stiffer penalties in the future.
With a growing number of Singaporeans taking to the Internet to express their views in order to bypass the pro-government mainstream media, some fear the ruling could have wider implications.
"People will become more cautious," said Sinapan Samydorai, executive director of Think Centre, a group pushing for greater political freedoms in the tightly-governed city-state.
"People are already cautious in Singapore, but they would become more cautious. Blogging is one of the areas where people thought they could express themselves, but now I think they would have to exercise more caution."
Samydorai, who made it clear he was against making racial remarks, described the one-month sentence on one of the bloggers and the use of the Sedition Act as harsh.
"I don't think the bloggers had any intention to disturb the security of Singapore and create racial violence," Samydorai told Agence France-Presse.
He said Think Centre's work would continue despite the ruling but the group "will keep within the law."
Bloggers were divided, with some saying they would tone down their comments, while others maintained they would not be affected.
"I wouldn't feel censored because I would not post such remarks anyway," a university student who has her own blog told Agence France-Presse.
"I wouldn't be too worried. There are blogs out there that comment openly on government policies. I think there is room for this expression as long as your views are rational and you can substantiate them."
Another blogger said, however, that he would be more careful.
"Yes, I will tone down. The government has a lot of things up its sleeves they can use against me," he said.
Both bloggers spoke on condition they are not identified.
Ethnic Chinese make up 76 percent of Singapore's resident population of 3.4 million with Malay Muslims accounting for 13.7 percent followed by ethnic Indians, Eurasians and other racial groups.
While ensuring that anti-Muslim feelings are kept in check following September 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, Singapore also bars Muslim schoolgirls from wearing veils in government schools, saying the institutions must remain secular.
(1 US dollar = 1.683 Singapore dollars)
Source: http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=7&story_id=52782
Thursday, October 06, 2005
Preempting people power?
The Malacañang pronouncement of a shift in policy from “maximum tolerance” to “the rule of calibrated preemptive response” or “CPR” in dealing with demonstrations and other mass protest actions is a clear case of doublespeak; that is, of saying one thing and doing the exact opposite.
The latest concoction of Mrs. Arroyo’s bright boys, the “CPR”, is really nothing new. Even under the so-called policy of “maximum tolerance” the Macapagal-Arroyo regime has blatantly curtailed civil liberties with impunity.
The Arroyo administration wants to give the impression that it has been exercising “maximum tolerance”; that is, demonstrators are allowed to rally in the streets even without a permit, they are not dispersed even when they allegedly tie up traffic, deliver speeches bordering on the seditious and utter invectives against the President.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Protesters, especially those from nationalist and progressive organizations, have continually been on the receiving end of police brutality and other evidences of state fascism under whatever legal guise. The activist organizations and even the political opposition have simply learned to defy perennial government threats and the actual use of police and military coercive force in order to assert their democratic rights.
Even when the demonstrators produce their rally permits from the respective city mayors, police may or may not honor them depending on “orders from higher ups”.
In many instances, it is the police and the military who cause the huge traffic build up when they arbitrarily set up barricades on thoroughfares that the rallyists use and do not even make any prior announcements regarding the orderly rerouting of traffic.
Worse, it is they who have unlawfully initiated the violent dispersals, evidently premeditated as shown by the absence of nameplates on most if not all of the police in the phalanx barricading the demonstrators' path.
Protesting priests, nuns, human rights workers and peace advocates have been hosed down by water cannon, tear gassed, clubbed, manhandled and illegally arrested even when the protest actions have been peaceful, orderly and not at all constituting any threat to public safety much less national security.
When government appears to be implementing a policy of “maximum tolerance” and the police and military actually exhibit greater willingness to allow a protest action to proceed unimpeded, it is because of certain circumstances that tie their hands from ordering violent dispersals. These are: the presence of personalities, large numbers of protesters, the attention of the international media, or the presence of international observers or participants, etc.
In the absence of these circumstances, the police have unleashed naked brutal force, emboldened by their superiors’ prior approval and confident of subsequent official backing should demonstrators decide to lodge complaints.
“CPR” is Malacañang euphemism for shifting to the policy of the greater use of the state’s coercive force against demonstrators to prevent them from mounting protest rallies that could suddenly grow in size and breadth given the favorable conditions -- GMA’s extreme unpopularity, the worsening economic crisis, cracks in the pillars of the ruling regime such as the military, church hierarchy, Congress and local government units -- enough to threaten the rule of GMA up to her being ousted from power.
“CPR” denies or restricts rights purportedly to avert unlawful or illegal acts from being committed; in truth, rights are denied even as no illegal or unlawful act has even been committed.
Mrs. Arroyo’s “CPR” policy mimics the policy of “preemptive strike” that the big, white brother – rather, master -- US President George W. Bush, has unleashed against sovereign countries and peoples in the name of the “war on terror” . Just as the Bush notion of “preemptive strike” clearly violates international humanitarian law and the United Nations charter, Mrs. Arroyo’s invention, the “calibrated preemptive response”, grossly violates the peoples’ civil, political and human rights.
The most recent events have shown, however, that “CPR” is more than just about how the Arroyo regime deals with street protests. It applies to all possible sources of so-called “destabilization” against the detested regime of Mrs. Arroyo.
This pronouncement is all the more ominous because it is made in the midst of relentless political killings under the Arroyo administration. In August, Karapatan-Palawan Chairperson Rev. Raul Domingo and Anakpawis-Mindoro Coordinator Boker Tagumpay were killed. On Sept. 1, 2005, human rights lawyer Norman Bocar and Bayan Muna leader in Eastern Visayas and, on Sept. 22, 2005, Nestle Union President Ding Fortuna were also treacherously murdered.
On the heels of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales’s ludicrous testimony at the Senate hearing regarding the highly questionable government contract with US lobby firm, Venable, is the explosive testimony of two high ranking military officers who defied a Malacañang order to desist from appearing in a Senate public hearing. Philippine Military Academy (PMA) assistant superintendent Brigadier General Francisco Gudani and assistant commandant of the PMA corps of cadets Colonel Alexander Balutan testified on fraud committed during the May 2004 presidential elections.
The punishment was swift: the two officers were immediately relieved of their posts and now face court-martial. Gudani stands to lose his retirement benefits after more then 30 years of service with only a week left before he retires from the military.
Malacañang has issued Executive Order 464 that disallows people in government to testify before the Congress without the express approval of the Chief Executive. The directive was issued as the Senate Committee on Defense and National Security started its own inquiry into the wiretap tapes allegedly involving President Arroyo and former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Now Malacañang is poised to suspend the United Opposition President, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, in a clear case of political harassment and in order to deny the Makati business district as a venue for the big rallies calling on Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation or ouster.
The suspicious appointment by the UP Board of Regents of a new College of Law dean identified with Malacañang despite the overwhelming choice of the faculty, incumbent Dean Raul Pangalangan, and the sacking of Education Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz, brother of Makati Business Club’s Bill Luz, the business association that called on Mrs. Arroyo to resign, augurs more preemptive moves that are also highly punitive.
The Hyatt 10 are targets of judicial slaps on the wrist, vicious character assassination in newspaper columns and the threat of criminal and civil liabilities should they agree to inform the public of what they know regarding the Arroyo government’s irregularities or worse. Mrs. Cory Aquino is suddenly being hit by known Malacañang paid hacks at her most vulnerable point, the Hacienda Luisita issue.
Emergency rule (a variant of martial law unencumbered by legal, constitutional restraints) probably constitutes the apex of “CPR”. Despite Malacañang denials, it remains an option – a bigger and more deadly weapon with which to bludgeon this administrations’ political enemies misrepresented as the enemies of the people, the enemies of the “rule of law”.
If this administration is good at anything, learning the lessons of history is not it. “CPR” and emergency rule can only stoke and inflame people power, not preempt it.#
The latest concoction of Mrs. Arroyo’s bright boys, the “CPR”, is really nothing new. Even under the so-called policy of “maximum tolerance” the Macapagal-Arroyo regime has blatantly curtailed civil liberties with impunity.
The Arroyo administration wants to give the impression that it has been exercising “maximum tolerance”; that is, demonstrators are allowed to rally in the streets even without a permit, they are not dispersed even when they allegedly tie up traffic, deliver speeches bordering on the seditious and utter invectives against the President.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. Protesters, especially those from nationalist and progressive organizations, have continually been on the receiving end of police brutality and other evidences of state fascism under whatever legal guise. The activist organizations and even the political opposition have simply learned to defy perennial government threats and the actual use of police and military coercive force in order to assert their democratic rights.
Even when the demonstrators produce their rally permits from the respective city mayors, police may or may not honor them depending on “orders from higher ups”.
In many instances, it is the police and the military who cause the huge traffic build up when they arbitrarily set up barricades on thoroughfares that the rallyists use and do not even make any prior announcements regarding the orderly rerouting of traffic.
Worse, it is they who have unlawfully initiated the violent dispersals, evidently premeditated as shown by the absence of nameplates on most if not all of the police in the phalanx barricading the demonstrators' path.
Protesting priests, nuns, human rights workers and peace advocates have been hosed down by water cannon, tear gassed, clubbed, manhandled and illegally arrested even when the protest actions have been peaceful, orderly and not at all constituting any threat to public safety much less national security.
When government appears to be implementing a policy of “maximum tolerance” and the police and military actually exhibit greater willingness to allow a protest action to proceed unimpeded, it is because of certain circumstances that tie their hands from ordering violent dispersals. These are: the presence of personalities, large numbers of protesters, the attention of the international media, or the presence of international observers or participants, etc.
In the absence of these circumstances, the police have unleashed naked brutal force, emboldened by their superiors’ prior approval and confident of subsequent official backing should demonstrators decide to lodge complaints.
“CPR” is Malacañang euphemism for shifting to the policy of the greater use of the state’s coercive force against demonstrators to prevent them from mounting protest rallies that could suddenly grow in size and breadth given the favorable conditions -- GMA’s extreme unpopularity, the worsening economic crisis, cracks in the pillars of the ruling regime such as the military, church hierarchy, Congress and local government units -- enough to threaten the rule of GMA up to her being ousted from power.
“CPR” denies or restricts rights purportedly to avert unlawful or illegal acts from being committed; in truth, rights are denied even as no illegal or unlawful act has even been committed.
Mrs. Arroyo’s “CPR” policy mimics the policy of “preemptive strike” that the big, white brother – rather, master -- US President George W. Bush, has unleashed against sovereign countries and peoples in the name of the “war on terror” . Just as the Bush notion of “preemptive strike” clearly violates international humanitarian law and the United Nations charter, Mrs. Arroyo’s invention, the “calibrated preemptive response”, grossly violates the peoples’ civil, political and human rights.
The most recent events have shown, however, that “CPR” is more than just about how the Arroyo regime deals with street protests. It applies to all possible sources of so-called “destabilization” against the detested regime of Mrs. Arroyo.
This pronouncement is all the more ominous because it is made in the midst of relentless political killings under the Arroyo administration. In August, Karapatan-Palawan Chairperson Rev. Raul Domingo and Anakpawis-Mindoro Coordinator Boker Tagumpay were killed. On Sept. 1, 2005, human rights lawyer Norman Bocar and Bayan Muna leader in Eastern Visayas and, on Sept. 22, 2005, Nestle Union President Ding Fortuna were also treacherously murdered.
On the heels of National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales’s ludicrous testimony at the Senate hearing regarding the highly questionable government contract with US lobby firm, Venable, is the explosive testimony of two high ranking military officers who defied a Malacañang order to desist from appearing in a Senate public hearing. Philippine Military Academy (PMA) assistant superintendent Brigadier General Francisco Gudani and assistant commandant of the PMA corps of cadets Colonel Alexander Balutan testified on fraud committed during the May 2004 presidential elections.
The punishment was swift: the two officers were immediately relieved of their posts and now face court-martial. Gudani stands to lose his retirement benefits after more then 30 years of service with only a week left before he retires from the military.
Malacañang has issued Executive Order 464 that disallows people in government to testify before the Congress without the express approval of the Chief Executive. The directive was issued as the Senate Committee on Defense and National Security started its own inquiry into the wiretap tapes allegedly involving President Arroyo and former elections commissioner Virgilio Garcillano.
Now Malacañang is poised to suspend the United Opposition President, Makati Mayor Jojo Binay, in a clear case of political harassment and in order to deny the Makati business district as a venue for the big rallies calling on Mrs. Arroyo’s resignation or ouster.
The suspicious appointment by the UP Board of Regents of a new College of Law dean identified with Malacañang despite the overwhelming choice of the faculty, incumbent Dean Raul Pangalangan, and the sacking of Education Undersecretary Juan Miguel Luz, brother of Makati Business Club’s Bill Luz, the business association that called on Mrs. Arroyo to resign, augurs more preemptive moves that are also highly punitive.
The Hyatt 10 are targets of judicial slaps on the wrist, vicious character assassination in newspaper columns and the threat of criminal and civil liabilities should they agree to inform the public of what they know regarding the Arroyo government’s irregularities or worse. Mrs. Cory Aquino is suddenly being hit by known Malacañang paid hacks at her most vulnerable point, the Hacienda Luisita issue.
Emergency rule (a variant of martial law unencumbered by legal, constitutional restraints) probably constitutes the apex of “CPR”. Despite Malacañang denials, it remains an option – a bigger and more deadly weapon with which to bludgeon this administrations’ political enemies misrepresented as the enemies of the people, the enemies of the “rule of law”.
If this administration is good at anything, learning the lessons of history is not it. “CPR” and emergency rule can only stoke and inflame people power, not preempt it.#