[SOLIDAGRO] Statement of Condemnation & Solidarity

JUSTICE FOR EMERITO, DIONEL AND AURELIO, VICTIMS OF THE SEPTEMBER 1 MASSACRE IN SURIGAO DEL SUR!

We at SOLIDAGRO vehemently condemn the murder of EMERITO “Emuk” SAMARCA, Executive Director of Alternative Learning Center for Agriculture and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), DIONEL CAMPOS, Chairperson of MAPASU, and his cousin AURELIO SINZO. They have been killed by the paramilitary group MAGAHAT/BAGANI, which has been organized by the regular AFP, around 4AM, September 1, 2015.

ALCADEV has been providing assistance to the Lumad in the Caraga region through high school education and enhancing sustainable agriculture practices with the Lumad communities. Emerito Samarca served as Executive Director with much vigor and sincerity to reach the goals and mission of ALCADEV. He has amply contributed to ALCADEV’s topping the regional (CARAGA) level of the National Literacy Award in the outstanding literacy program category and subsequently placed fifth in the national level last year.
But despite the meaningful output of ALCADEV in educating and assisting the Lumad people, they experience regular threats and obnoxious vilification from the government through the armed forces assigned in the area.

Their partner-PO MAPASU (Persevering Struggle for the Next Generation) chaired by Mr. Dionel Campos was instrumental in the building of the school in 2004. MAPASU takes its pride in defending their ancestral domain and preserving their customs and tradition and at the same time, improving their lives with secondary education provided by ALCADEV.

Mr. Samarca and Mr. Campos are staunch advocates of the rights of the indigenous peoples, and of the “Save our School” campaign. Their recent activities were to seek audience with the local government of Surigao del Sur to assist them with the Lumad’s predicament of their schools being harassed, and threat of being closed.

We are outraged by this event whereby development workers are being subject to targets of paramilitary and armed forces of the government. The right to development of the people is being curtailed through violence, and through arbitrarily pointing at our partner NGOs who are assisting communities which are poor and deprived of government services. Development programs in other regions have experienced the same as what ALCADEV has experienced: trump-up charges have been pressed on development workers, and are threatened and harassed in the communities that they serve.

We join all our partners, other international and local NGOs, and others who work for genuine development in the call for justice. Harassing communities and those who assist them is absolute injustice to the people.

Justice for EMERICO SAMARTA!
Justice for DIONEL CAMPOS!
Justice for AURELIO SINZO!
Justice for all development workers threatened by government repression!
Justice for the lumad communities, and other communities that struggle for their land and resources!
End Impunity!

GEN. PALPARAN’S ARREST, HOPEFULLY NOT JUST ANOTHER POLITICA-NOVELA TO SALVAGE PRES. AQUINO’S DWINDLING RATINGS

the butcher

The news of Gen. Jovito Palparan’s arrest elicited a cautious rejoicing among women’s rights activists in GABRIELA. While recognizing that the arrest is a first step towards justice, the women’s group is also wary that this is all for show.

“For the sake of his victims and their kin, we hope that Gen. Jovito Palparan’s arrest is not just another scripted politico-novela designed to save Aquino’s dwindling popularity. The Butcher Gen. Palparan should be made to truly answer for his horrible crimes against the people,” said Joms Salvador, Secretary General of GABRIELA. Palparan is responsible for killing many women activists, especially Eden Marcellana, Manuela Albarillo and UP students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Salvador observed that the arrest conveniently came at a time when Aquino’s net satisfaction rating is at its all-time low, several impeachment complaints have been filed against him and a brewing military restiveness was disclosed by his allies. “What better way to pacify the activists and the military than show strength and resolve in getting “the butcher” of activists and prove that to the military that the government has political will to arrest erring military men?”

She also scored the government for allowing Palparan to be interviewed by the media after his arrest. “Palparan is in the Top 5 Most Wanted list and yet he was given time to be interviewed live by the media, while arrested activists like Benito and Wilma Tiamzon are hurriedly taken and even prevented from raising their fists in front of the camera,” she said. “For sure he would want to be given special treatment in detention like the plunderer Napoles. We hope that he would be detained in Bicutan like ordinary detainees and face detained activists whom he had tormented in his time.”  ###

People’s SONA organizations file complaint to CHR, Ombudsman

“Those who exercised the right to express the people’s grievances to the Aquino administration were met with repression,” Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general said as the group, along with leaders of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other progressive organizations, today filed complaints at the Commission on Human Rights against the Philippine National Police (PNP) for the garrison-style containment, use of water cannons and physical injury against the protesters during BS Aquino’s 2014 State of the Nation Address (SONA) last week.

On July 18, 2014, Bayan applied for a permit to hold the annual People’s SONA at the IBP Road in front of the Batasang Pambansa grounds before the Office of the City Mayor of Quezon City under the provisions of Batas Pambansa 880. The application was not acted upon within the two working day period as mandated by Section 6 (b) of the said law. As such, the rally permit application was deemed approved as of the end of business hour on July 22, 2014.

“Instead of honoring the rally application permit, the PNP has violated the rights of the people to free expression, peaceful assembly and redress of grievances during the SONA through the use of water cannon, concrete barriers, concertina wires, and containers vans. The barriers used to contain protesters are signs that the BS Aquino government does not want the true state of the nation to be heard. The use of water cannon was even unnecessary. It was already impossible for the protestors to physically go beyond the barriers, container vans and barb wires, let alone the layers of police with shields and truncheons,” Palabay said.

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In the complaint, the petitioners asserted that “the harassment, checkpoints, illegal barricades, violent dispersal with water cannons, were draconian measures and criminal acts perpetrated by the respondents in violation of the constitutionally protected rights of the complainants. It is also a violation of the UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and international human rights conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory.”

The petitioners in the said complaint are Renato Reyes Jr. of Bayan, Antonio Flores of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Nenita Gonzaga of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Cristina Palabay of Karapatan, Pastor Guillermo Sediarin of Karapatan Southern Tagalog, Gertrudes Libang of Gabriela, Carlito Badion of Kadamay, George San Mateo of Piston, Paraluman Catuira of Migrante, Gloria Bongon of Kilusang Mayo Uno Metro Manila.

A separate complaint was also filed by members of Migrante International at the Office of the Ombudsman against P/Supt. Victor Pagulayan who used a stun gun on jeepney driver Rodel Tortola, 33 years old, and his daughter Rochel Ann ,who is only 12 years old, during the rally. This same complaint was also filed at the CHR. Migrante hired Rodel Tortola and the jeep he is using on the day of SONA to fetch other members and bring them to the rally. During the commotion between the police and demonstrators, Tortola was forced by the police to give up the jeepney’s keys.

“This is the image of a coward dictator tainted with issues of criminal negligence, corruption and violation of the constitution. While BS Aquino is harping on his false achievements, it is at the same time whipping its stick on the people who are expressing discontent amid poverty, corruption, unemployment and injustices,” Palabay concluded.

PNP and BS Aquino are the real violators of children’s rights – Salinlahi

NEWS RELEASE

29 JULY 2014

 

A child-focused NGO lambasted the Philippine National Police (PNP) and BS Aquino over human rights violations committed against the protesters during yesterday’s SONA ng Mamamayan along Commonwealth Avenue.

According to the group,the PNP’s pronouncement that they observed “maximum tolerance” in handling thousands of protesters was a big fat lie. “The protest was peaceful and no violent actions were initiated by the protesters. However,the PNP used brute force by dispersing the people using water cannon,” said Kharlo Manano, secretary-general of SALINLAHI, an alliance of various children’s organizations in the Philippines.

Manano also cited a case documented by Children’s Rehabilitation Center (CRC), a member-organization of SALINLAHI. A certain Police Superintendent Pagulayan together with other QCPD policemen arrived at the protest area in Brgy. Batasan Hills and dispersed the protesters who were massing up in preparation for yesterday’s action. Nene (not her real name), a 12-year old girl who joined the protest action, was sitting inside their jeepney together with her father, when Pagulayan approached her father and forcibly got his car key. Pagulayan even used a stun gun to attack Nene and her father, who were later forcibly dragged down from the jeepney.

SALINLAHI was further enraged with the callous response of the QCPD Station 6 when Nene’s father was about to file a blotter. A certain PO2 Mary Jane Casinao of QCPD women’s desk even threatened to incarcerate him because he brought his daughter to the SONA rally.

The PNP further reiterated this line of reasoning when they accused militants of violating human rights for bringing women and children in the SONA rally.

Manano pointed out that the PNP is continually hitting the issue of children’s participation in various civic actions such as rallies in order to mislead the public and cover up their abuses and infringement of people’s rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of speech. The PNP’s lies is tantamount to the lies spawned out by their boss, BS Aquino during his SONA speech regarding the Philippine situation.

“The declaration made by the PNP that women and children are being “used” in protest actions clearly belittles their right to meaningful participation and reflects the PNP’s ignorance of women and children’s rights,” Manano continued.

More so, Salinlahi encourages not just women and children but the Filipino people to voice out their disgust of the Aquino government who is the biggest violator of children’s rights, and people’s rights and welfare. “BS Aquino cannot deny thefact that the “changes” and “transformation” he stated in his SONA yesterday wasnever felt by millions of impoverished Filipino families and this is the reasonwhy the Filipino people including children clamor for genuine change and hisouster!” Manano ended.

click the link for video coverage of TV5: JEEPNEY DRIVER AT ANAK NA ‘DI KASAMA SA RALLY, KINURYENTE RAW NG PULIS

PAGPAPAHAYAG NG MARIING PAG KONDENA SA GOBYERNONG AQUINO SA PAGKAMATAY NI BABY DIONA ANDREA

photo courtesy Rappler

Walang salita ang makakapagsalarawan ng aking lubos na lungkot at pagdadalamhati sa pagkamatay ng aking panganay na si Diona Andrea habang ako ay naka piit at nagdudusa sa isang kasalanang hindi ko ginawa. Nagpupuyos ang aking damdamin sa galit sa hindi makataong pagtrato sa amin ng aking anak at sa pagsasamapa sa akin ng mga gawa-gawang kaso. Mariin kong kinokondena ang iligal na pag-aresto sa akin ng mga elemento ng NBI at ISAFP noong March 27 habang ako ay papunta sa aking check-up.

Gayundin, kinukundena ko ang BJMP na namamahala sa Camp Bagong Diwa (CBD) female dorm sa di-makataong pagtrato sa aking kalagayan. Una na akong binigyan ng tarima ng BJMP sa ikatlong deck ngunit hindi pantay ang higaan na napakahirap para sa isang walong-buwang buntis kaya’t napilitan akong humiga sa sahig. Napakainit at walang sapat na bentilasyon sa loob ng CBD female dorm. Humingi ako ng permiso na makapagpasok ng electric fan ngunit hindi ito pinayagan ng BJMP-SICA. Wala ring regular na doktor na maaaring tumingin sa maselan kong kalagayan. Maging sa pagkain ay naoobliga akong bumili ng sariling ulam dahil bawal sa akin ang mga pagkaing kanilang inirarasyon ayon na rin sa aking doktor

Noong May 16 ng madaling araw, sa kabila ng paglalabas ng order ng korte para sa aking agarang pagpapaospital ay ibinyahe nila ako sa PGH nang walang paabiso sa aking doktor. Dahil dito, pinabalik kami ng mga doktor na naka duty sa emergency room nang hindi napapaabisuhan ang aking attending doctor. Noong May 16 ng gabi, muli akong ibinalik sa PGH pero humihingi ng mga rekisito ang BJMP na hind naman nakalagay at naaayon sa inilabas na court order. Ang mga proseso at mga hindi kailangang rekisito bago ako madala sa PGH ay higit na nagpahirap sa aking kalagayan.

Wala na sigurong mas sasakit pa sa isang ina ang yakapin sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ang malamig at wala ng buhay niyang anak. Kahapon, habang nagdadalamhati ako ay hindi man lang ako binigyan ng aking pribadong espasyo ng mga bantay mula sa BJMP na nasa loob ng aking kwarto.

Walang ibang dapat sisihin at managot sa mga pangyayaring ito kundi ang gobyerno ni Aquino na patuloy na humuhuli at nagsasampa ng mga gawa-gawang kaso sa mga inosenteng sibilyan.

Ngayon ay hinihiling ko na makasama ko ang aking anak sa kanyang burol hanggang sa siya ay mailibing.Nagpapasalamat ako sa mga patuloy na sumusuporta sa aking laban. Hinihiling ko ang inyong patuloy na suporta para manawagan ng hustisya at mapanagot ang mga pumatay sa aking bagong silang na anak.

Hustisya para sa aking anak na si Baby Diona Andrea!
Palayain lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal!

Andrea Rosal
Political Detainee
BJMP-Camp Bagong Diwa Female Dorm

Manipesto ng Suporta para sa mga Biktima ng Superbagyong Yolanda

Para sa tunay na programa para sa rehabilitasyon at kagyat na ayuda

Kami, ang mga tagasuporta at sumisimpatya sa mga biktima ng superbagyong Yolanda, ay nagkakaisa na dapat papanagutin ang gobyerno sa kanyang responsibilidad sa mamamayan at tugunan nito ang giit ng mga biktima para sa sapat na tulong,

Apat na buwan na ang nakalilipas pagkatapos manalasa ang bagyo, kakarampot lamang ang natatanggap na relief packs mula sa gobyerno. Marami pang mga barangay ang hindi nakakatanggap ng relief packs, at kung mayroon man, ay nabigyan lamang ng dalawang kilong bigas, dalawang latang sardinas at isang pakete ng noodles.

Apat na buwan na ang nakalilipas, nakatanggap lamang ang isang pamilya ng pangkaraniwang 11.32 kilo mula sa Department of Social Work and Development sa ilalim ng pamumuno ni Sec. Dinky Soliman – napakaliit na ayuda para mabuhay sa tatlong buwan ang mga magsasakang biktima na ang pankonsumo at pambentang produkto ay lubusang nawasak ng bagyo, ang mga mangingisdang biktima na pinalalayas sa mga gilid dagat at wasak ang gamit sa pangisda, mga manggagawang biktima na nawalan ng trabaho dahil sa pagkawasak ng mga pabrika, at kung mayroon mang trabaho ngayon, ay hindi sapat ang sweldo,

Yayamang, apat na buwan na ang nakalilipas ngunit wala pang malinaw na plano ng rehabilitasyon ang gobyerno na tunay na makakatulong sa mga biktima at makatataguyod sa kanilang interes,

Yayamang, patuloy na dumarami ang mga nagkakasakit sa mga evacuation centers; kahit ang atensyong medikal mula sa gobyerno para sa mga biktima ay hindi napagtutuunan ng pansin at kung mayroon man,  ay hindi sapat,

Yayamang, walang tiyak na plano ang gobyerno para sa pagpapanumbalik ng kabuhayan at tirahan ng mga biktima – sa halip, permanenteng pinalalayas ang mga biktima sa kanilang mga tirahan, laluna ang mga mangingisda at iba pang sektor na nakaasa sa kabuhayang malapit sa dagat,

Yayamang, ipinagbabawal ng gobyernong Aquino ang muling pagtatayo ng bahay ng mga residente na sakop ng 40-metrong palugit mula sa dalampasigan,

Kung kaya, nagkakaisa kami sa pamamagitan ng aming mga pirma, na mahigpit na manawagan ng kagyat na pagtugon ng gobyerno sa sumusunod na mga kahilingan ng mga biktima:

1.     Tunay na rehabilitasyon para sa mga biktima na naisasaalang-alang ang kanilang tunay na kalagayan; magbigay ng kagyat na tulong sa kabuhayan, sa partikular, mga binhi at gamit sa produksyon para sa mga magsasaka, gamit sa pangisda para sa mga mangingisda, gamit sa pagkukumpuni at muling pagtatayo ng bahay, sustenableng suporta sa sektor ng agrikultura, istableng trabaho at disenteng pasahod para sa mga manggagawa at empleyado.
2.     Bigyan ng P40,000 cash relief ang bawat pamilyang biktima, sa kalagayang nagugutom na ang mga biktima dahil salat ang tulong mula sa gobyerno sa nakaraang apat na buwan mula nang nanalasa ang bagyo. Batay ito sa pamantayan ng disenteng pamumuhay sa Eastern Visayas bago pa man ang bagyo, sasapat lamang ito sa dalawang buwang pangangailangan ng pamilya para sa batayang pangangailangan sa pagkain, transportasyon, mga bayarin at iba pa. Ngunit kung ibabatay sa labis na pagsirit ng presyo ng mga bilihin pagkatapos ng bagyo, lampas isang buwan lamang ang kayang tugunan nito.
3.     Kilalanin ang karapatang muling magtayo ng bahay sa malapit sa dagat at ibasura ang kontra-mamamayan at maka-negosyanteng “no-build zone” na palisiya ng gobyernong Aquino na walang ibig sabihin kundi lantarang demolisyon sa mga residente mula sa kanilang tirahan at pagyurak sa karapatan nila sa kabuhayan.
4.     Isustine ang distribusyon ng relief ng pagkain at tubig sa mga biktima sa rural at urban na mga komunidad hanggang manumbalik at maging relatibong istable ang kanilang kabuhayan.

Click to download: MANIFESTO OF SUPPORT (Tagalog)

Bata man ay mulat din [Children’s point of view]

Let’s hear the children’s views on different socioeconomic issues burning nowadays which include price hikes, corruption and government’s criminal neglect on Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) victims.

On price hikes

[Vincent, a member of  Samahan ng mga Batang Lumalaban sa Kahirapan (SBLK)]

On Corruption

[Kaira Cabaron, is a member of Salinlahi Children’s Collective (CC)]

On government’s neglect on the Typhoon Yolanda victims

[Princess Balaba, 14-year old girl survivor of Super Typhoon Yolanda in Tacloban and a member of Salinlahi Children’s Collective (CC)]

Video courtesy: SALINLAHI Alliance for Children’s Concerns

 

Kids hit Aquino’s criminal neglect, demand govt to help typhoon victims

Manila- Around 150 children and child rights advocates under the banner of Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns demonstrated their strong discontent over President Aquino’s neglect of issues faced by Filipino children, especially the recent devastation brought by Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).

The group called the activity “Arangkadang-kadang: Habulin ang Disaster President sa Malacañang”. Using modified kadang-kadangs or tiyakad bearing calls about Aquino’s criminal neglect to Yolanda victims, escalating prices of basic commodities and utilities, and rampant corruption in government; children chased after someone dressed as B.S.Aquino symbolizing their rage. By the end, the children encircled Aquino and called for his removal as president.

Children angrily encircled Noynoy Aquino and asked him to leave his post as President

” We conducted a series of workshops and discussions in different communities prior to today’s activity where children expressed their thoughts and insights on the issues of disaster, high prices and corruption. The children affirmed that the Aquino must be held accountable for his criminal neglect. Aquino must go away for betraying children and Filipino people,” Salinlahi Secretary General Kharlo Manano said.

Salinlahi Secretary General Kharlo Manano delivered a speech regarding the socio-economic effects of the Typhoon Yolanda to children and their families

Aside from children from different urban poor communities in Metro Manila, the activity was also participated by victims of super typhoon Yolanda from Eastern Visayas.

“Waray kami umabathin maski ano nga bulig tikang ha gubyerno. An amon mga balay ug eskwelahan nagkaruruba, nawad-an trabaho an amon mga kag-anak ngan namatayan kami mga kapamilya ug kasangkayan. [We never felt any support from the government after the typhoon hit us. Our homes and schools were ruined, our parents lost their livelihood and we’ve lost family and friends. It’s been almost four months now since Yolanda, but we are still suffering.],” said Princess, 14, a victim of super typhoon Yolanda from Tacloban.

On the other hand, children from Metro Manila also expressed their opinions on some burning issues affecting children.

“Apektado kaming mga batang maralita sa patuloy na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga bilihin at yutilidad tulad ng Meralco. Maliit na nga ang sahod ng amingmga magulang, hirap makabili ng aming mga pangangailangan pero nagtataas pa rin ang presyo. Tapos yung mga nasa gubyerno nakaw lang nang nakaw sa pera ng bayan,” said Vincent, 13, a boy from Bagong Silangan, Quezon City and the current Child Representative to the Salinlahi National Council.

Representatives from People Surge (Alliance of Yolanda[Haiyan] Victims) also participated in the event. Dr. Efleda Bautista, Executive Vice Chairperson of People Surge, opined that the people of Eastern Visayas are still desperate for help and that the government was inutile and unable to respond even to their immediate needs. “We are still demanding for continued relief operations as people have lost their livelihood. We are demanding the P40,000.00 immediate cash relief for the victims and for genuine rehabilitation programs. We are opposing the “no-build zone” policy that is preventing the people from returning to their homes and livelihood but providing incentive and leeway to big businesses for their exploitative operations,” said Bautista.

Through dance, song and acting, members Cultural groups for children also presented a cultural number depicting their deprived situation in their community.The activity ended at noon but street plays were conducted in the afternoon by the Salinlahi Children’s Collective depicting the effects of Aquino’s criminal neglect to disaster, corruption and escalating prices of commodities and utilities. The mobile street plays were conducted in Philcoa and Arayat Market.

Salinlahi Children’s Collective performed a cultural presentation during the program

“Pres. Aquino is culpable for its criminal neglect to Yolanda victims, subservience to business interests on the issue of escalating prices of basic commodities and utilities, and condonation and involvement in corruption! We must run after the disaster president in Malacañang! On the occasion of the International Women’s Day in March 8, children and child rights advocates will join their mothers and other women and other sectors in holding Aquino liable for his betrayal to children’s interests and for his disastrous presidency!” ended Manano. ###

Watch Live: One Billion Rising for Justice 2014

One Billion Rising is a global campaign to end violence against women and girls. It was initiated by the award winning playwright, Ms. Eve Ensler and now with the renowned international theatre actress and activist Ms. Monique Wilson as the Global Coordinator.

This year’s One billion Rising campaign is a call to Rise for Justice which will be a globally-coordinated event by one billion people from 207 countries; featured and streamed live on the One Billion Rising’s Website where risers from all over the world will be able to unite to the call for justice.

Here are some of the live streaming websites featuring different risings around the globe. Join us in One Billion Rising for Justice 2014!

Watch live and be part of it! Rise, Release and Dance!

ASIA

• PHILIPPINES

CLICK THIS LINK: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/one-billion-rising-philippines

• INDIA

AFRICA

• CAPE TOWN

• CONGO

EUROPE

• HUNGARY

• ITALY

NORTH AMERICA

• GUATEMALA

• HAWAII

• LOS ANGELES, USA

• MIAMI, USA

• NEW YORK, USA

• STA. FE, USA

• WEST HOLLYWOOD, USA

SOUTH AMERICA

• GUYANA

• PERU

PASKO NG PAGBANGON

PASKO NG PAGBANGON

PASKO NG PAGBANGON [Download Lyrics]

Isang makabuluhang awitin na tiyak na pagkukunan ng higit pang inspirasyon at determinasyon para sa muling pagbangon ng ating mga kababayang nasalanta sa hagupit nagdaang Bagyong Yolanda at matinding kapabayaan ng Pamahalaan ni Aquino.

Mabuhay ka Tatay Karl at sa lahat nang taong nasa likod ng pagbubuo ng kantang ito. 🙂

Favorite part:

Sama-sama sa pagbangon,

Tulong-tulong sa Pagsulong,

Isang ating haharapin,

tanikala ng kaapiha’y lagutin!!