Category: Human Rights

Arroyo’s peace adviser merely watched his son’s mauling spree

Published by Ellen on December 28, 2008

Update: ABS-CBN reported that today Secretary Pangandaman was seen golfing with Mikey Arroyo, congressman son of Gloria Arroyo in Baguio Country Club.Was it to show off that they are that close to the powers-that- be. May reklamo kayo?

Inquirer update: Golf club suspends DAR chief over brawl

Three days after Gloria Arroyo announced the appointment of Nasser Pangandaman, as member of the reconstituted government peace panel to negotiate with Muslim rebels, the agrarian reform secretary watched as his mayor-son mauled a 56-year old golfer and his 14-year old son at the Valley Country Golf and Country Club in Antipolo City.

While mainstream media was taking a holiday break, the blogging community was in a furious state over the brutality of Arroyo’s adviser and his son as recounted by Bambee de la Paz in her blog (http://vicissitude-decidido.blogspot.com/2008/12/world-is-fucked-up.html) last Dec. 26.

Here’s excerpts from de la Paz’s blog entry on Dec. 26, 2008:

Hinto na ang parada ng suspek

Published by Ellen on October 1, 2008

Mabuti naman at pinagpatuloy ng bagong chief ng Philippine National Police na si Police Director Jesus Verzosa ang sinimulan ni dating PNP Chief Avelino Razon na pag-ban sa pagparada ng mga suspek sa krime sa media. Tinututulan ito ng Commission on Human Rights.

Hindi naman nakakatulong yan sa pagsugpo ng krimen.Ang trabaho ng pulis ay ang pigilan ang krimen, hindi yung magpasikat kapag nangyari na ang krimen ngunit hindi pa nakumpleto ang proseso ng hustisya.Kung palpak pa na katulad ng ginawa ni Gloria Arroyo kay Acza Ramirez, malaking paglabag pa yan sa karapatan pangtao. Krimen rin maparusahan ka ng wala kang kasalanan. At dapat parusahan din ang may kagagawan nun.

Nabuhayan ng pag-asa

Published by Ellen on September 29, 2008

Kung kailan parang wala na tayong maasahan na hustisya sa ating mga korte dumating itong desisyon ng 7th division ng Court of Appeals na laban sa petisyon ni Mike Arroyo na i-dismiss ang kaso ng mga journalist na kanyang pinirwisyo sa pamamagitan ng pag-file ng libel suits kaliwa’t-kanan.

Mabuti naman. Parang sinag ng araw pagkatapos ng madilim na ulap. Sana tuluy-tuluy na.

Noong isang buwan, nagmistulang bulag at bingi ang Court of Appeals sa kanilang desisyon ng idinismis ang petisyon ni NBN/ZTE star witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada laban sa mga tauhan ng Philippine National Police na nagtangkang kumidnap sa kanya sa airport nang dumating siya galing Hongkong.Pagkatapos lumabas ang eskandalo tungkol sa Meralco at GSIS, hindi nakapagtataka ang ganoong desisyon.

CA to AFP: Produce 2 abducted UP studes

Published by Ellen on September 18, 2008

by Evangeline de Vera

Reversing its decision, the Court of Appeals yesterday ruled there is sufficient evidence to prove that the Army’s 7th Infantry Division abducted and continues to have custody of the two University of the Philippines students and a farmer who have all been missing since June 2006.

The CA’s Special Former 11th Division, in a 33-page decision, ordered the Armed Forces to release Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno, as well as farmer Manuel Merino, who were abducted allegedly by military men on June 26, 2006 in Hagonoy, Bulacan on the ground they are members of the New Peoples’ Army.

The ruling, penned by Associate Justice Jose Catral Mendoza, reversed the CA’s June 2007 decision dismissing the writ of habeas corpus petition filed by the families of the three missing persons based on the testimony of witness Raymond Manalo, who said he was a victim of military abduction and torture, along with his brother Reynaldo.

Small blessings

Published by Ellen on September 2, 2008

Maybe I should thank the Commission on Human Rights for saying that the arrest of journalists who covered Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV and Brig. Gen. Danilo Lim at the Manila Pen on Nov. 29, 2007 “constitutes arbitrary arrest/detention in violation of human rights standards.”

It’s definitely better than the dismissal of our class suit by NBI- agent- turned-judge Reynaldo Laigo of the Makati RTC who said that our arrest, handcuffing, and detention was “justified’ and even added that we were “so lucky” that the police didn’t initiate criminal charges against us.

With a leader who has no respect for the Constitution and disdains truth, CHR chair Leila de Lima gives me some hope. Maybe I should thank her for making the Commission say that “there have been violations of the human rights of liberty, security of person and freedom from arbitrary arrest of the complainants in the Manila Peninsula Siege.”

Wives of ‘Tanay Boys’ hit limits on conjugal visits

Published by Ellen on March 7, 2008

by Victor Reyes

Wives of military officers implicated in the alleged attempt to grab power in February 2007 are complaining against the lack of conjugal visits to their husbands who are detained at a facility at the Intelligence Service of the AFP inside Camp Aguinaldo.

The complaints were relayed to the media by Gina de Venecia, wife of former House Speaker Jose de Venecia, who had a dialogue with the accused officers inside Isafp. She was with a group of Commission on Human Rights officials led by Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano.

She said her visit, timed for Women’s Day, was prompted by the soldiers’ wives asking for her help.

Arroyo heckled in Laguna; cops nab protesters

Published by Ellen on March 3, 2008

Hecklers greeted President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Monday when she attended the celebration of Women’s Month in Calamba City in Laguna province, radio dzBB reported.

The radio report said Mrs Arroyo, together with local city officials, were about to release pink balloons during the launch of the Women’s Month celebration when several in the audience shouted “Patalsikin si Gloria” a couple of times.

Members of the Calamba police immediately approached the hecklers. A separate radio report said that seven of the hecklers were arrested and brought to the police station.

Jan. 22 plot?

Published by Ellen on January 12, 2008

Take note of this news item from the Philippine News Agency, the government’s news agency. Gonzalez is talking about a Jan. 22 plot.

On Jan. 22, 2001, Gloria Arroyo was installed into the presidency without election by a military-backed group of civil society members.

Take this news item in consideration with the other reports that have been coming out in the past few days: the ‘floats’ of Teodoro, Esperon, and Razon on a new destabilization plot involving Magdalo officers, revival of national ID, charter change,the report about plan to assassinate Erap, the tension in Tanay last Friday,Gonzalez’ warning to media….

Let’s be alert.

Update: Wala naman pala e. Military, police say “plot” unconfirmed.

Deparment of Justice (DOJ) secretary Raul Gonzalez warned the alleged brains behind the attempt to topple goverment this Jan. 22 not to belittle the Arroyo government’s staying power.

Raul Gonzalez’ unlawful order

Published by Ellen on January 11, 2008

Update: Lacson to Gonzalez: Review Constitution

New York-based Committee for the Protection of Journalists asks Arroyo government to withdraw warning to media

Media is answerable only to the public it serves- media guru Vergel Santos

Secretary of Justice Raul Gonzalez issued the following advisory today:

To: All chief executives (CEOs) of media networks, media companies and press groups and entities:

Please be reminded that your respective companies, networks or organizations may incur criminal liabilities under the law, if anyone of your field reporters, news gatherers, photographers, cameramen and other media practitioners will disobey lawful orders from duly authorized government officers and personnel during emergencies which may lead to collateral damage to properties and civilian casualties in case of authorized police or military operation.

Statement of Capt. Nick Faeldon

Published by Ellen on January 10, 2008

Statement of Atty Trixie Angeles, lawyer of Capt. Nick Faeldon:

Today marks the 44th day of the disappearance of Capt. Nicanor Faeldon. By the end of this day, he will have been missing for a longer period than the time when he left detention on 14 December 2005 and was returned to detention on 27 January 2006.

His family, friends and associates hope and pray that he is alive and well. Nevertheless, present or not, he has served and continues to serve as an inspiration to all to continue the fight for a credible government. The organization that he founded, Pilipino.org is doing well, it celebrated its second anniversary and membership continues to grow. Its success is due in no small part to the universality of Capt. Faeldon’s vision for a just Philippines.

Continue readingStatement of Capt. Nick Faeldon