Canadian Church mission looks at impact of Canadian mining projects in Philippines: Letter to President

H.E. Benigno Aquino III
President of the Philippines
1000 Jose P. Laurel St, Manila

Your Excellency :   

We are members of the United Church of Canada, visiting your country in an activity we call the Beaconsfield Initiative.

The Beaconsfield Initiative is an exposure mission to the Cordilleras in the Northern Philippines between January 2nd -12th, 2012. The trip is in conjunction with the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), The National Council of Church’s in the Philippines (NCCP), the Cordillera Peoples Alliance (CPA), the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), the Regional Ecumenical Council of the Cordillera (RECCORD) - all of which are long time partners of the United Church of Canada. Some of these church organizations are also members of the Ecumenical Voice for Peace and Human Rights in the Philippines, and a KAIROS partner in the Philippines.

For more on the Beaconsfield Initiative visit: http://beaconsfieldinitiative.tumblr.com/

Lepanto mine tailings dam is cracking (Mission photo)

The purpose of the trip is two fold: First to establish long term covenants for life with church congregations in the Cordillera Region and congregations and ministry sites in Canada. These ongoing relationships will help us better understand the issues that confront our brothers and sisters in the Cordilleras and also allow us to learn from them what it is to be church in our own day and time. The second purpose is to evaluate the impact of Canadian mining practices in the Cordilleras. Specifically, we are looking at how the lives of indigenous peoples are affected: the militarization of the region; the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances; the resistance to Canadian mining practices and the environmental destruction of the region.

In our journey, we have met with two citizens that seem to be detained without charges, in total disrespect of the principle of the constitutionally mandated right not to be detained without charges. We are concerned about Mr. Edward “Kiwet” Galao, 30 years old, single, farmer and resident of Brgy. Concepcion, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, and Mr. Hilario Bantew, 42 years old, resident of Mankayan, Benguet, both belonging to the indigenous people now in prison in Cervantes, detained without charges by the PNP, since September 23rd, 2011.

It appears that they have both been illegally arrested by elements of 50th Infantry Battallion of the Philippine Army and turned over to the Philippine National Police, Cervantes, under PSI Simplicio Rabago. The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) filed a complaint of illegal possession of firearms against them, accusing them also to be members of the New Peoples Army (NPA). However, the Prosecutor has not acted on any of these and no formal charges have been filed.

Both are in need of medical help. One of the two prisoners has documented schizophrenia and has no access to proper medication and care. The other has to undergo mental health assessment and medical attention as well.

Beaconsfield Initiative delegates with Philippine friends

Ericson Acosta: writing…and singing, for his freedom

The following speech was part of an event attended by 70 people to mark International Human Rights Day on Saturday, December 10, in Montréal, Québec. Participants shared stories of the struggle of political prisoners from Palestine, Egypt, Palestine, the U.S., Philippines and beyond. Entitled Freedom for All Political Prisoners! Stop Criminalization of Dissent! the presentations and candlelight vigil that followed were organized and endorsed by the Centre for Philippine Concerns, PINAY, Women of Diverse Origins Network, Immigrant Workers Center, Certain Days Political Prisoners Calendar, Tadamon, and PASC.
  
by Joyce Valbuena
member of the Centre d’appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns

In the Philippines, we have no political prisoners… that is according to a statement by the Presidential spokesperson in my country. Because what the government is doing is criminalizing political actions.

But as far as human rights activists are concerned, there are about 360 political prisoners in the Philippines, 77 of whom, were arrested and detained under the administration of President Noynoy Aquino. Human rights violations have continued unabated. Between July 2010 and October 2011 there have already been 64 extrajudicial killings and 9 enforced disappearances. Human rights groups have monitored thousands and thousands of victims of demolitions, forced evacuations, threats, harassment, intimidation and physical assaults, and other military abuses in the communities since Aquino was elected as President 18 months ago.
Interesting to say, President Aquino’s famous father, Ninoy, was martyred during the Marcos dictatorship as an exiled political prisoner in the 1970s and 80s.

Today I am going to share the story of a political prisoner who happened to be my schoolmate in the University of the Philippines.

His name is Ericson Acosta, an artist, journalist and cultural worker illegally arrested by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on February 13, 2011 in Samar province which is in the South of the Philippines. He faces trumped-up charges of illegal possession of explosives and is currently detained at the Calbayog City sub-provincial jail.

He was interrogated for at least eight hours non-stop. Up to this day, he is being detained without any formal charges issued by the court.

Ericson's counsel filed a Petition for Review of his case before the Philippine government's Department of Justice last September 1. It stated several irregularities and human rights violations in Ericson's arrest and detention including arrest without warrant. He was not informed of the reason for his arrest at the time of his arrest. He was denied the right to counsel and make phone call or contact his family or his lawyer. He was subjected to prolonged interrogation for 44 hours. He was physically and psychologically tortured during tactical interrogation. He was deprived of sleep, threatened, intimidated, coerced and forced to admit membership in the New People's Army (the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines). The grenade that was "confiscated" from him was planted. He was detained in a military camp, which is not of civilian jurisdiction.

Saturday Dec. 10: Liberté pour prisonniers politiques / Free all Political prisoners - Montréal

(voir français en dessous)
Freedom for All Political Prisoners!
Stop Criminalization of Dissent!
Marking International Human Rights Day Saturday December 10, 2011
On Saturday, December 10, join us to share stories of struggle of political prisoners
from Palestine to the Philippines and beyond.
Also : Enjoy a new political satire skit from Pinay and friends
PNoyed : A Filipino Christmas Carol
Where:  St James United Church, 463 St Catherine West
                (metro McGill) entrance 1440 St-Alexandre St.
When:    1pm –3 :30pm for panel and skit
                3 :30pm – 4 :30pm vigil and march ending at the U.S. consulate
Speakers on the Philippines, Egypt, Palestine, Latin America, and the United States.
Whisper translation will be provided.
Coffee will be served.
Organized/Endorsed: by Centre for Philippine Concerns, Pinay, Women of Diverse Origins Network,
Immigrant Workers Centre, Certain Days Political Prisoners Calendar, Tadamon, PASC
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Liberté pour les prisonnier-ières politiques!
Fin à la criminalisation de la contestation!
Pour marquer la Journée internationale des Droits humains
Samedi, le 10 décembre, 2011.
Samedi le 10 décembre, venez nous joindre pour partager des histoires de résistance
des prisonnierEs politiques, de Palestine aux Philippines et ailleurs.
Aussi, le nouveau sketch satirique :
PNoyed : A Filipino Christmas Carol par le group Pinay et ses ami-e-s
Où:         St James United Church, 463 Ste-Catherine Ouest
                (métro McGill)entrée 1440 St-Alexandre
Quand: 1pm – 3h30pm panel et sketch;
                3h30pm – 4h30pm vigile et marche au Consulat américain

Les panélistes parleront des Philippines, d'Égypte, de Palestine, d'Amérique Latine et des États-Unis.
Traduction chuchotée sera disponible.
Café sera servi.

Organisé/Appuyé par le Centre d’appui aux Philippines, Pinay, Réseau des Femmes de Diverses Origines, Centre des Travailleurs-euses ImmigrantEs, Calendrier des Prisonniers Politiques Certain Days, Tadamon, PASC

Delegates deliver letter demanding end to impunity to Philippine Embassy

Ottawa, Canada (Tuesday, November 22, 2011) -- A delegation of solidarity and human rights activists from Montreal and Ottawa delivered a letter demanding an end to impunity to the Philippine Embassy today addressed to President Benigno Aquino III.

November 23 is the second anniversary of the infamous Ampatuan massacre during which 58 people, including 32 journalists, were killed on the island of Mindanao while on their way to register a candidate for the Philippine election. To date the major perpetrators of the crime have managed to avoid their day in court and impunity reigns.

The delegation represented various organizations under Bayan Canada, the Stop the Killings network, independent journalists, human rights activists, unions and church groups. Delegates met with First Secretary and Consul, Flerida Ann Camille P. Mayo, to hand in the letter and to discuss their concerns, namely to ensure that former President Gloria Arroyo is also brought to justice concerning with her role in the various political killings and enforced disappearances that occurred during Arroyo's administration.

The delegation raised the fact that the political killings continue unabated under the current administration of President Aquino, with Fr Fausto Tentorio being among the latest victims. The group also raised issue with the formation of mining militias to protect destructive mining operations, including Canadian mining companies. They said that they will not accept any human rights violations perpetrated against the Filipino people in the name of protecting Canadian or other foreign mining companies operating in the Philippines.

For their part, Consul Mayo attempted to assure us that all legal avenues were being made to ensure that Arroyo was brought to justice and defended the actions of the Aquino administration to arrest her before she fled the country as a risk undertaken in "contempt of the Supreme Court". The delegation countered that although the arrest of Arroyo was a step in the right direction, the international community continues to stay vigilant and wants to ensure that Arroyo and other human rights violators do not evade justice by using their political influence.

David Koch, an independent journalist, raised his concern that the Philippines is one of the most dangerous places in the world for journalists, citing the 32 journalists who were killed in the "Ampatuan massacre".

When Consul Mayo challenged the delegates to come out with any recent journalists who have been victims of political killings and they raised the fact that one of the latest victims is an Italian priest who was also an indigenous rights and anti-mining activist in Mindanao.

The delegates also cited the more than 55 political killings and eightenforced disappearances under the present government. Consul Mayo ensured us that they will make sure that our message and the letter will be delivered to the President.

The consul then opened a discussion about the registrations for the Overseas Absentee Voting and the conditions of Filipino migrant workers in Canada, positively citing several Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between Manila and various provinces in Canada (including Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).

The consul proudly announced that the Philippines is now the number one supplier of migrant workers to Canada's Temporary Foreign Worker Program. Migrante Canada members including PINAY and the Philippine Migrant Society of Canada responded by raising issues about the treatment of Filipino migrants in Canada and asked about the efforts of the Embassy and the consulates to ensure that migrant rights are protected.

The Consul asked the group to send her some points of concern so that she can discuss it with the Embassy and in discussion with Minister Jason Kenny when they meet for consultations around migrant workers. Consul Mayo then invited the Consul responsible for migrants to join the end of the discussion.

Joey Calugay

Philippine Study and Research (PSR) for Solidarity Action on Friday, Nov 11

Le CAP/CPC est heureux d'annoncer la première d'une une série régulière de conférences/discussions en vue de nous informer et nous rappeler des questions contemporaines et de l'histoire des Philippines qui influencent nos luttes et notre travail de solidarité.

Nous invitons tous les membres du CAP/CPC et des organisations affiliées à nous joindre pour la première séance, qui portera sur la Guerre Hispano-Américaine de 1898. M. Antonio Artuso présentera cet événement historique de l'impérialisme.

Soyez des nôtres
vendredi, le 11 novembre de 18h30 à 20h30
au CTI, 4755 av. Van Horne, Suite 110, Montréal. (Métro Plamondon)

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We are glad to announce that CPC will start to have a regular discussion meeting in order for us all to be refreshed and be updated about certain past and present issues concerning the Philippines that have impact on our ongoing struggles and solidarity work.

We are inviting members of CPC and allied organisations to join the first session which will focus on the Spanish-American war of 1898. Mr. Antonio Artuso will be the resource speaker as we go back to this important history event of imperialism.

This will be held on
Friday,November 11 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm
at the IWC Centre, 4755 Van Horne Ave., Suite 110, Montreal, H3W 1J1. (Plamondon Metro).

Occupy Montréal... Occupy the Philippines... take back the world!

En solidarité avec les actions d'Occupy Wall Street aux Philippines et partout dans le monde

SAMEDI, 15 Octobre
MIDI
Au SQUARE VICTORIA  - Près du métro Square Victoria, Montréal, Québec, Canada

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In solidarity with Occupy Wall Street actions in the Philippines and worldwide

SATURDAY, October 15
NOON
SQUARE VICTORIA  - Near métro Square Victoria, Montreal, Quebec, Canada


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En solidaridad con "Occupy Wall Street " acciones en el mundo entero
 
SABADO 15 de octubre
La manifestación empieza al MEDIO DIA
en el SQUARE VICTORIA - cerca de la estación de metro Square Victoria, Montreal, Quebec, Canadá

Invitation: ILPS-Canada, CAP-CPC, Bayan-Canada
-- ILPS-Bayan-CAP contingent à rencontrer au coin de Square Victoria & Saint-Jacques, juste à l'extérieur de la sortie du Métro Square Victoria
-- ILPS-Bayan-CPC contingent to meet on the corner of rue Square Victoria & Saint-Jacques, just outside the Square Victoria Metro exit

Celebrate Peoples' Resistance: International Festival of People's Rights and Struggles in Montréal

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

3 pm to 7 pm

Côte-des-neiges Community Centre

6767 Côte-des-neiges

Room 687 (Metro Côte-des-Neiges)

Montréal, QC

Join us for an afternoon of cultural events, ceremonies, information-sharing, celebration and food.

1. Report-back by Montreal and Ottawa delegates to the International Conferences held July 2011 in the Philippines: IMA, IWA, People's Art and ILPS 4th International Assembly*

2. Ceremony to transfer newly arrived gongs from indigenous people in Cordillera region of Philippines to Montreal indigenous Cordillera cultural group

3. Commemorate James Balao - 3^rd anniversary of enforced disappearance of this indigenous leader from Cordillera region, Philippines.

Enjoy the food for thought with a delicious Lechon dinner (vegetarian dishes also served)

*Organized by the Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC), Pinay (Quebec Philippine Women's Group), Filipino Workers’ Support Group, International Migrant's Alliance (IMA), International Women's Alliance (IWA) and International League of Peoples' Struggle - Canada (ILPS-Canada).