Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC)

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

2012-01-12T22:19:00.002-05:00

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

We urge you to:

(1)          Review the cases of Mr. Hilario Bantew and Mr. Edward Galao.
(2)          Ensure that they have access to proper care and medication.
(3)          Immediately release them, if there is no credible evidence of any crime committed by them or grant that they be immediately transferred to the custody of Ms. Beverly Longid, Katribu National President and Vice Mayor Robert Mendoza Harnois, Cervantes, Ilocos Sur.

We look forward to the honor of an early reply from you about this important matter.

Sincerely,

The Very Reverend Dr. Bill Phipps, Former Moderator of the United Church of Canada
The Reverend Shaun E. Fryday, Minister, Beaconsfield United Church, Montreal Presbytery
The Reverend Patricia M. Lisson, Director, St. Columba House, Montreal Presbytery
Me Guy-Lin Beaudoin, Ll.B., M.ATDR, Lawyer, Montreal Presbytery
Ms. Connie Sorio, KAIROS Canada
Mrs. Tess Tesalona, Centre for Philippine Concerns, Montreal
Mr. Honorio Guerrero, Jr., Media Artist, Vancouver, Canada-Philippine Solidarity for Human Rights
Dr. Darlene Brewer, Maritime Conference, United Church of Canada
The Reverend Marie-Claude Manga, Pastor, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu
The Reverend Bob McElhinney, retired United Church of Canada Pastor
Mrs. Dorothy McElhinney
Mr. Alain Prenoveau, Former Chief of the Confederation of the Aboriginal People of Quebec
Mrs. Ivy Prenoveau

cc:

Ms. Loretta Ann Rosales
Chairperson
Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines

Christopher Thornley
Ambassador of Canada to the Philippines

Marti Tindal
Moderator of the United Church of Canada

President Debbie Poirier
Montreal-Ottawa Conference

Rev. Dr. Phyllis Smyth
Chair
Montreal Presbytery

Ericson Acosta: writing…and singing, for his freedom

2011-12-10T22:21:00.001-05:00

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.

I cannot claim to be a close friend of Ericson but I had met him few times because we are both godparents of a daughter of a common friend. I remember him singing an activist`s love song during our friend's wedding. My personal memories of Ericson is that he is really funny, carefree and weird... based on the stories that my friend shared whenever she remembers their University days and how Ericson matched her to his friend who is now her husband.

But to people who know him, Ericson has transformed himself from a “troublesome” artist to a serious activist. His wife described him as a self-styled bohemian brimming with intellectual arrogance. As campus writer and editor of our school newspaper, his grasp of social, political and aesthetic theory relied mainly on his collection of Marxist literature and books.

Ericson wrote fiery statements, popularized songs, and coined slogans as a student-activist. He was a former cultural editor of the University of the Philippines campus newspaper and then became assistant section editor at the Manila Times.

Years under the obscenely corrupt regime of former President Gloria Arroyo led Ericson to choose to return to the countryside to live and learn with the people.

At the time when Ericson was arrested, he was a freelance journalist documenting the human rights situation in Western Samar. He was arrested in the company of various community leaders from a farmers’ organization who staunchly defended him and affirmed his work as a writer.

Now Ericson has gone from documenter of violations to human rights victim himself. Ericson Acosta is now writing…and singing, for his freedom.

Even in jail, Ericson continues to make his art and music heard despite of the most pressing circumstances. He maintains a blog site diary called Jailhouse Blog where he continues to serve the Filipino people through his poems, songs and feature articles.

With help from fellow comrades and artists, Ericson has recorded two albums worth of songs called “Prison Sessions,” all done while in detention. The songs reach their audience via Facebook and Twitter and are also downloadable to raise awareness of the situation of Ericson and other political prisoners. According to Ericson, his active engagement through his writings naturally serves to effectively amplify the campaign to free all political prisoners.

Ericson is one of the three finalists in the 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize which is one of the awards given by Freedom to Create, an international award-giving body launched in 2008 aimed to “celebrate the courage and creativity of artists and the positive influence of their work to promote social justice and inspire the human spirit”.

This Saturday and last week, artists in the Philippines sympathizing with Ericson had organized a cultural presentation on the plight of current political prisoners and the nation’s struggle for artistic and political freedom as reflected in the works of artists behind bars. This event presents the wealth of prison literature since Martial Law until the present, and hopes to make the public aware of the plight of its incarcerated authors.

Ericson`s supporters have called on authorities to immediately withdraw the fabricated illegal possession of explosive complaint lodged by the military. One of his particular demands is to pull out the highly irregular if not illegal presence of a squad of military men near his place of detention. A platoon of soldiers were placed there to “guard” Ericson and listen to his conversations with visitors. They fear that Ericson will be rescued by the New People's Army if he stays in Calbayog jail

Currently, the government denies that these prisoners are political dissenters. After having charged them with common felonies (i.e. illegal possession of firearms), the government now treats them as ordinary criminals. In the process, they deny the legitimacy and justness of the grievances of political offenders. Suspicion of being members or supporters of insurgent groups are the usual grounds for their arrest.

On December 3, Ericson Acosta begins his hunger strike as part of the campaign to free all political prisoners in the country. His hunger strike intends to expose the particular circumstances of his arrest and continued unjust detention.

Other political prisoners from various detention cells in the Philippines have also launched hunger strikes since last saturday. Families and supporters of political prisoners have also joined the hunger strike. Others have shaved their heads or had henna tattoo with the message “Free all political prisoners” in solidarity.
It’s a Filipino custom that once one family member suffers, the others suffer as well. We call on to the Philippine government to free all political prisoners so that no family will suffer anymore.

Ericson`s son, Emmanuel, is only eight years old. He may have been spared from the hunger strike now because of young age but his mind surely hungers for answers to his questions on why his daddy is in jail. His heart surely hungers too as he longs to be with his father

We call on the Philippine government to release Ericson Acosta and to grant freedom to all Political Prisoners!

References: Free Ericson Acosta. http://freeacosta.blogspot.com/
Jailhouse Blog. http://acostaprisondiary.blogspot.com/2011/04/welcome-visitors-v21.html
A Political Prisoner's Life and Struggles Inside Prison. http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/12/09/a-political-prisoners-life-and-struggles-inside-prison/
Other Ericson Acosta-related stories in www.bulatlat.com

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

2011-12-05T13:21:00.001-05:00

(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
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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

2011-11-23T17:41:00.001-05:00

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

2011-11-09T22:33:00.001-05:00

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)

++++

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!

2011-10-14T23:03:00.001-04:00

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

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

+++++

In solidarity with OccupyWall 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 coinde Square Victoria& Saint-Jacques,juste à l'extérieur de lasortie du Métro Square Victoria
-- ILPS-Bayan-CPC contingent to meet on the corner of rue SquareVictoria & Saint-Jacques, just outside the Square Victoria Metroexit

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

2011-09-16T22:35:00.002-04:00

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2011

3 pm to 7 pm

Côte-des-neigesCommunity Centre

6767 Côte-des-neiges

Room 687(Metro Côte-des-Neiges)

Montréal, QC

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

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

2. Ceremony to transfer newly arrived gongs fromindigenous people in Cordillera region of Philippines to Montrealindigenous Cordillera cultural group

3.CommemorateJamesBalao - 3^rd anniversary of enforced disappearance of thisindigenousleader from Cordillera region, Philippines.

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

*Organized by theCentre 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), InternationalWomen's Alliance (IWA) and International League of Peoples' Struggle -Canada (ILPS-Canada).

New film "Deadline - the reign of impunity" by Lamangan and Ilagan at Montreal Film Fest

2011-08-19T18:16:00.004-04:00

A new film from the Philippines by director Joel Lamangan and scriptwriter Boni Ilagan along with actor Alan Dizon will be presented at the Montreal International Film Festival this August 25-28, 2011. This is the same talented team who touched all of us with the political thriller Dukot when it was presented in Montreal last year.

The new film, Deadline - The Reign of Impunity, is inspired by the deadly Amapatuan massacre, in which dozens of journalists along with civilians were murdered in November 2009. Deadline will be presented with English subtitles.

DEADLINE - THE REIGN OF IMPUNITY
Philippines
Regards sur les cinémas du monde
2011 / Couleur / 105 min

ÉQUIPE PRODUCTION

Réalisateur : Joel Lamangan Scénariste : Bonifacio P. Llagan
Photographie : Monino S. Duque Montage : John Anthony L Wong
Interprètes : Luis Alandy, Tirso Cruz III, Allen Dizon, Ina Feleo, Lovi Poe, Tj Trinidad

Thriller politique inspiré du massacre de Maguindanao en 2009 où 32 journalistes ont péri. L'assassinat de Henry Rosales, infatigable reporter du Philippine Sentinel, s'ajoute à une longue série qui vaut aux Philippines la réputation d'être l'un des pays les plus dangereux pour les représentants des médias. Il s'avère que le gouverneur Muntazir Ghazi (Gob) a échafaudé ce plan en représailles aux enquêtes de Rosales sur les assassinats de journalistes et le règne des seigneurs de la guerre, dont Gob lui-même, qui a formé son armée privée avec le soutien du gouvernement. À la suite de cet assassinat, la conférence de presse organisée par le Syndicat se termine en véritable bain de sang.
Joel Lamangan

Joel C. Lamangan a étudié le cinéma et l'art dramatique aux Philippines et à l'étranger. Il travaille d'abord comme acteur pour la scène et la télévision, avant d'opter pour la réalisation avec un premier film, DARNA, en 1991. Parmi ses autres films, dont plusieurs ont été primés aux Philippines, mentionnons FLOR CONTEMPLACION STORY(1995), DEATH ROW (2000), DUKOT ( 2009) et SIGWA ( 2010), ces deux derniers présentés au FFM.

25 août 2011 • 19:00:00 • CINÉMA QUARTIER LATIN 16 • L16.25.4 • s.t.a.
26 août 2011 • 12:20:00 • CINÉMA QUARTIER LATIN 16 • L16.26.2 • s.t.a.
27 août 2011 • 16:30:00 • CINÉMA QUARTIER LATIN 16 • L16.27.4 • s.t.a.
28 août 2011 • 18:40:00 • CINÉMA QUARTIER LATIN 16 • L16.28.4 • s.t.a.

James Balao: on June 12, thousands of voices demand justice on 1000th day of enforced disappearance

2011-06-09T18:59:00.006-04:00

James Moy Balao is founding member of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance and a member of the Ibaloi and Kankanaey indigenous peoples in the Philippines. His works include researches on indigenous peoples’ collective right to ancestral land and self-determination. He is also the President of the Oclupan Clan in Benguet province in the Cordillera region, Philippines.

He was abducted on September 17, 2008 at La Trinidad, Benguet by State security forces under the Operation Plan Bantay Laya (Freedom Watch) of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) regime. He has not been surfaced to this day.

James’ family, colleagues, human rights groups and advocates have launched sustained campaign to search for him – in many military camps, police facilities and public institutions.

+=+=+=+

How can you help? By calling, writing, faxing, e-mailing the Philippine embassy in Ottawa to demand the surfacing of James Moy Balao:

Address: 130 Albert St. Suite 900, Ottawa ON K1P 5G4
Tel. Nos.: +1 613-2331121
Fax No.: +1 613-2334165
Email:
embassyofphilippines@rogers.com
attache@philembassy-ottawa.com

+=+=+=+

The ‘Surface James Balao Campaign’ received broad support in the Cordillera region and from the national and international communities as well. The Writ of Amparo was granted by the local court in early 2009, compelling the military and security forces to give information with regards to the abduction of James.

However, inspite of all these efforts, James has not been brought back to his family and colleagues. His parents, Arthur and Jane Balao passed away last year without seeing their son.

June 12, 2011 marks James’ 1,000th day of enforced disappearance, which also takes place under the new administration of President Benigno Aquino III. With the continuing political persecution of legal people’s organizations, the change of administration has not translated to a change of policy in human rights, as Operation Plan (Oplan) Bayanihan commenced under this new regime.

We persist in the search for James. His family, colleagues, the indigenous peoples that he serves and many human rights advocates across the globe, will mark the 1,000 days of James disappearance with thousands of postcards and signed petitions addressed to President Aquino.

The thousands of voices for justice will call on Philippine President Aquino to immediately order the military to surface James Balao and prosecute the perpetrators of his abduction. We also demand for a concrete action to surface all Desaparecidos.

Cordillera Peoples Alliance & Cordillera Human Rights Alliance

IMA Statement on the Adoption of the ILO Convention on Domestic Workers

2011-06-08T22:33:00.001-04:00

The International Migrants Alliance (IMA) congratulates domestic workers organizations, migrants groups and advocates for the rights of migrant workers who have advocated for the passing of an international instrument that can be used for the further advancement of domestic workers rights. Despite attempts by some governments, particularly of the European Union, to water down key provisions, the ILO Committee on Domestic Workers adopted the Convention on Domestic Workers that constituted a big step towards its passing.

Among migrant workers, an overwhelming number are in the domestic work sector. The frequent global crisis has pushed more and more people especially women to domestic work as socio-economic and political problems in migrant-sending countries escalate. Meanwhile, the labour market in migrant-importing countries has contracted to the point where migrant workers are relegated to the 3D jobs dirty, difficult and dangerous that include domestic work.

As domestic workers, migrants experience some of the worst kind of exploitation and abuse. Severely underpaid, overworked and discriminated in all spheres, domestic workers labour rights are routinely violated with impunity. They suffer from extreme physical, mental and sexual abuse, and even brutal deaths.

Labour laws were not made to cover domestic workers. Most are in live-in employment arrangement that keeps abuse and exploitation hidden from the public. The right to file grievances and seek redress is also denied from domestic workers not only because they are excluded from national labour laws but also due to other barriers such as insecurity of livelihood and lack of access to legal services that should be provided both by the sending and receiving governments of migrant workers.

Organizations of foreign domestic workers have been consistently struggling against policies and practices that impinge on the rights of domestic workers. National movements of migrants in different countries have worked to painstakingly build the solid strength of migrants to resist anti-migrants and anti-women laws like the wage campaign in Hong Kong, the struggle against the anti-migrant provisions of the Live-in Caregiver Program in Canada, the campaign against abuses in the Middle East, resistance against the exploitation of the au pair system in Europe, and many other issues.

In the regional level, the IMA recognizes the work of formations such as the United for Foreign Domestic Workers Rights (UFDWRs) a network of leading grassroots migrants organizations and NGOs who have been calling to have domestic work recognized as work even before the ILO started exploring the possibility of an ILO agreement on domestic work.

But the work is not yet over. Recommendations that will be included in the final instrument are now being discussed. The adopted convention with recommendations must still be passed in the plenary of the International Labour Conference one week from now. If approved, the migrants movement must utilize the ILO Convention on Domestic Work to further push the advocacy for the rights of domestic workers especially in the national level.

Agreements on migrant workers rights have been present for years but still, national governments routinely ignore provisions of these conventions and disregard their principles. National governments must be pushed to revise or create policies that will be in accordance with the convention. The convention must not suffer the fate of the implementation of previous instruments that are violated and ignored.

In this regard, the strength of the grassroots migrants' movement is, more than ever, needed.

As the grassroots movement, both of local domestic workers and foreign domestic workers, plays a crucial role in the advocacy for the convention, so will this movement play a key part in its implementation. Organizing, educating and mobilizing domestic workers must continue to genuinely change the condition of exploitation and oppression of domestic workers.

As the global formation of grassroots migrants with more than 130 member organizations in 26 countries, the IMA shall continue to struggle for the rights and wellbeing of domestic workers. The struggle will not let up for as long as commodification and modern-day slavery of migrants persists, there is every reason for migrants to fight.

Members and networks of the International Migrants Alliance are currently in Geneva, Switzerland for the 100th Session of the International Labour Conference such as the Filipino Migrant Workers Union (FMWU-HK), MIGRANTE-Canada, and CARAM-Asia.

For reference: Eni Lestari
Chairperson, International Migrants Alliance
Tel. No.: 96081475

Philippines: Human Rights Forum with Rev. Rex Reyes

2011-05-26T19:29:00.005-04:00

Dinner and public forum on human rights situation in the Philippines with Rev. Rex Reyes
first indigenous General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP)

When: Wednesday, June 1, 2011; 5 pm - 9 pm
Where: Beaconsfield United Church, 202 Woodside Road, Beaconsfield, Québec H9W 2P1 (off Sherbrooke)

The Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) invites you to meet Reverend Rex Reyes* at a dinner hosted by Beaconsfield United Church and the CAP-CPC.

The evening, which will be held at Beaconsfield United Church (202 Woodside Road, in Beaconsfield off Sherbrooke) on Wednesday, June 1st from 5:00 - 9:00pm, will include a pasta supper, cultural presentations and a public forum.

Padi Rex, as he is fondly called by his kakailian (townmates), comes to visit and update us on the human rights situation in the Philippines.

While in Canada Fr. Rex will be address the Montreal/Ottawa Annual Conference Assembly of the United Church; attend an event hosted by First United Church in Ottawa: meet with Members of Parliament; and visit local organizations such as Mine Watch Canada, as we work together to mobilize our Canadian leaders into action addressing the Human Rights Violations that continue in the Philippines.

This is our chance to hear Fr. Rex's stories and give him a warm welcome to Montreal.

For further details and to find out how you can help with this important Social Justice work, please contact
The Reverend Shaun Fryday : (514) 695-0600 or by email at bu1@bellnet.ca (BUC)
Tony DeJesus at tonyndj@hotmail.com ; Fr. Art Calaycay at frart01@sympatico.ca (CAP-CPC)

*The Reverend Father Rex Reyes is an Igorot Priest from Sagada, Mountain Province. He belongs to the Episcopal Church of the Philippines and is the first indigenous General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), a fellowship of 10 church denominations and 10 service organizations. The Episcopal Church and the Philippine Independent Church are members of the NCCP.

Celebrating Cordillera Day on an Easter Sunday in Montréal

2011-04-28T20:14:00.000-04:00

Montréal, Québec -- This year's Cordillera Day coincides with the Roman Catholic Church's Easter Sunday. Held each year on April 24th, Cordillera Day is a cultural celebration of the struggles of the indigenous people in the Cordillera region of northern Philippines.

Here in Montreal, Cordillera Day has been celebrated for decades. This year's event was organized by the Centre for Philippine Concerns (Centre d'appui aux Philippines), Migrante Quebec, and Bayan Canada. Dr. Chandu Claver, Chairperson of Bayan Canada, presented a recorded message of solidarity.

The theme of the celebration was "Live out our glorious history of struggle; fight for life, land and honour."

The occasion started with a special Easter Mass by Rev. Fr. Artemio Calaycay with the choir singing Ang Bayan Ko. In his homily, Fr. Calaycay shared his thoughts about peace. He said that the biblical concept of peace is not just the absence of war, conflict or chaos but the "lifting up" of the sorry state of an individual or of the community. He explained, "The Philippine government should continue working for lasting peace as the Filipino people are already tired or systemic corruption, or rising cost of basic commodities, and of human rights violations."

The celebration also included a Skype conference with Luis Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Jalandoni shared updates on the peace talk negotiations between the National Democratic Front (NDF) and Philippine government. Jalandoni said that the Aquino regime continue to exhibit unpeaceable attitudes and actions which has already victimized labor leaders, peasant and social activists and intensified the militarization of civilian communities in the rural areas. The NDF also celebrates its 38th founding anniversary of the revolutionary alliance on April 24.

To heighten the spirit of the Easter celebration, the native American drumming and singing group called ODAYA rendered a contemporary performance. The group is composed of women from different tribes of Canada whose mission is to share the joy and beauties of Indigenous cultures.

There were also cultural presentations by the Cordillera cultural group, PINAY and the children of Filipino Parents Support Group.

Founded in 1982, the Centre for Philippine Concerns is composed of Filipinos and non-Filipinos in Montreal, Quebec supporting the Filipino people's movement for National Democracy through advocacy and public education. The organization is also aligned with Bayan-Canada, Migrante-Canada and the International League of People's Struggles.

Migrante-Quebec is composed of different organizations. PINAY, a Filipino Women's Organization, works to empower and organize Filipino women in Quebec, particularly Filipino domestic workers. Most of its members are migrant workers under the Live-In Caregiver Program (LCP). For two decades Pinay has brought together domestic workers and their supporters together in the struggle for basic rights and welfare.

Other members are the Filipino Parents Support Group, Filipino Workers Support Group, Aklan Association of Montreal and the Cordillera Organizing Group.

And just like in many other Filipino celebrations, Pinoy foods, such as arroz caldo and pancit, were served after the Mass and cultural performances.

Contributed by Joyce Valbuena

On the occasion of James Balao's 50th birthday: Stop Enforced Disappearances!

2011-04-20T19:06:00.005-04:00

Dear friends,
We are sharing with you the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance statement on the 50th birthday of James Balao, a victim of enforced disappearance since September 17, 2008. We continue to call for his surfacing and freedom to this day.

Sincerely,

Audrey Beltran
Deputy Secretary General
Cordillera Human Rights Alliance

+=+=+

CORDILLERA HUMAN RIGHTS ALLIANCE
Statement on the 50th Birthday of James Balao:

SURFACE JAMES BALAO!
STOP ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES!

“Happy 50th birthday James. Wherever you may be, we keep the hope that you are still alive. We want you to know that we love you and we’re waiting for you to come home. You’ve turned 50 today and we, Nonette, Winston, the whole family and your friends miss you so much.
To the State, the military and its agents, stop enforced disappearances. We want our loved ones brought back to us.“

- Joni Balao, youngest sister of James Balao

Today, April 19, James Balao’s 50th birthday marks the 942nd day when he was abducted by five heavily armed members of the State security forces in Tomay, La Trinidad.

Since that day of his enforced disappearance, we have joined his family, friends and colleagues in the search for him. Not a day has passed that we do not remember him and call on the State for his surfacing and freedom.

We do so especially now that more light has been shed on the enforced disappearance of Jonas Burgos. A month ago, the Commission on Human Rights investigation led by Commissioner Jose Mamauag stated in its report that the abduction and enforced disappearance of Jonas is “not a simple case of kidnapping done by some individuals within the military, but is, in fact, a part of the entire counter-insurgency program of the past administration wherein both military and police forces played a crucial role in its enforcement.”

James like Jonas became a victim of enforced disappearance because of his political beliefs and service to the people. The Cordillera Peoples Alliance, of which James is a founding member has been unjustly labeled by the State as a sectoral front of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), New Peoples Army (NPA) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and thus has been among the targets of the State security forces in the implementation of Operation Plan Bantay Laya (Operation Plan Freedomwatch). There have been 205 cases of enforced disappearances under the Arroyo regime, all marked with impunity as no perpetrator has been held accountable to date.

The tagging of members and leaders of people’s organizations as sectoral fronts of revolutionary organizations continue to this day under President Benigno Aquino III’s Operation Plan Bayanihan which is patterned after the United States Counter-insurgency Guide. Since July, there have already been 5 cases of enforced disappearances.

We strongly assert that this policy has to be immediately abandoned by the government if it were sincere in upholding and respecting the rights of the people. Aquino has to pay heed to the call of the people for the delivery of justice.

We call on the Aquino government to surface James Balao, and other victims of enforced disappearance and see to it that the perpetrators of human rights violations, including former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo are brought to the bars of justice.

James has always been steadfast in the defense and assertion of human rights. The search for him, 942 days after his enforced disappearance is arduous but we will not cease. We owe it to him, his family and the people he served to continue the search, hold the State accountable, seek for justice and build a society where no one will be taken from one's family because of one's principles and service to the people.#

For reference:
Jude Baggo
Secretary General
Tel: +63 918 919-9007, +63 999 681-1128

-- cordillera human rights alliance
55 ferguson road, baguio city, philippines
telefax: +63. 74. 443. 7159
telephone: +63 74 304 4239cp: +63 918 919 9007
email: chra.karapatan@gmail.com

Stop the Harassment of Cordillera Health Workers

2011-04-18T13:04:00.001-04:00

Please sign the petition (see link below) to Stop the Harassment of Cordillera Health Workers in the Philippines. Petition forwarded by CAP-CPC member Rev. Shaun E. Fryday.

+ = + = +

We, the undersigned call on Philippine President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to effect an immediate, independent, transparent and thorough investigation on the harassment of staff and volunteers of Community Health Education, Services and Training in the Cordillera Region (CHESTCORE) of the Philippines. http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopharassmentofhealthworkers/

Prospects for Peace in the Philippines - an Easter mass/cultural celebration

2011-04-15T22:24:00.002-04:00

When: Sunday, April 24, 2011, 2 pm to 5 pm
Where: 6767 Cote-des-Neiges (6th floor), Montréal, Québec

An Easter event/mass featuring cultural celebrations in honour of Cordillera Day, held each year on April 24th to celebrate the struggles of the indigenous people in the Cordillera region of northern Philippines.

The event will include a SKYPE video messages from Dr Chandu Claver, Chairperson of Bayan Canada.

Keynote speakers, also via SKYPE, will be Luis J. Jalandoni and Coni Ledesma of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), which is engaged in Peace Talks with the Government of the Philippines (GPH). Jalandoni is Chairperson of the NDFP Negotiating Panel and Ledesma is a member of the NDFP Panel who has just returned from the Philippines. The NDFP will be celebrating its 38th anniversary on April 24th.

Remembering Luing this April 12, 2011

2011-04-11T23:30:00.005-04:00

April 12 is a sad day, the day an old friend, Maria Luisa Posa Dominado, Luing for short, disappeared from our lives violently, snatched from her comrades and loved ones to prevent her from doing her ongoing work for human rights and social change.

She and her companion Nilo Arado were brazenly abducted by armed men on the evening of April 12, 2007 on a public road on the outskirts of the city of Iloilo, Philippines; another companion was shot in the neck and left for dead. The perpetrators have never been found.

We saw first hand during our visits to Iloilo as documentary filmmakers how impunity works, how public officials take no responsibility for crimes like this that happen under their watch. The climate of impunity surrounding Luing’s disappearance, and that of hundreds of others, reigns to this day.

As long-time friends of the Filipino people, we join thousands around the world in demanding that this impunity end, that those responsible for the abductions of Luing, Nilo, and the disappearances and assassinations of so many others be brought to justice.

Luing was not an everyday friend. We saw her sparingly, every few years. She is among our cherished community of inspiring people, present, reliable, totally and tirelessly committed: to her people, her family, to social justice, and a better world. Luing is a person we are proud to know and even if she cannot be there in person, her daughters, friends, comrades and the countless people she touched are continuing and multiplying her efforts and her work.

April 12 is also the birthday of my own mother, Clara. She died in 1986, too young, at only 56. She lived in a different context, her commitments were closer to home, to family and friends. She is also sorely missed and continues to live through us who knew and loved her.

Marie Boti and Malcolm Guy
Montréal, Québec, April 12, 2011

Morong 43 plaintiffs unfazed by Arroyo and military reaction to civil case

2011-04-11T18:35:00.002-04:00

“Whatever it takes, we are determined to make those torturers pay for their crimes.”

With sheer determination in their faces, six of the Morong 43* who filed a civil suit against Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo**, et al said that the cases they filed last April 4, 2011 is their contribution to end the culture of impunity in the Philippines.

“My colleagues and I are utterly unfazed by what Col. Baladad and Col. Parlade are rattling in the media. They should do better than to recycle old arguments that we are members of the NPA (New People's Army, an armed opposition group -- ed.). Our message is clear and strong, human rights violators must be made accountable for their crimes,” Gary Liberal, R.N., one of the plaintiffs said.

Liberal added that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and the top military officials named in their complaint are delusional for thinking they can get away with their crimes. “We enjoin all victims of human rights violations under the Arroyo administration to file a case and pursue justice.”

He ended that Macapagal-Arroyo and her cohorts should brace themselves for more lawsuits from their victims. “This is our contribution to end impunity in this country,” Liberal said.

Reference (April 11, 2011): Carlos Montemayor, RN - +63 922 499-6237 / (+632) 929-8109

* the name given to 43 Filipino health care workers illegally arrested and imprisoned for several months by the Philippine military

** former President of the Philippines

Rallies & meetings for peace and against unjust wars, Montreal April 9, 2011

2011-04-06T23:59:00.005-04:00

1. Peace in the Middle East, Discussion with Reverend Chris Ferguson
CAP-CPC members and friends are invited by Rev. Shaun Fryday for a time of discussion and reflection on peace in the Middle East with Reverend Chris Ferguson, former representative of the United Church (UC) and the World Council of Churches at the United Nations. Exchange will involve KAIROS document inviting dialogue between all religious traditions seeking peaceful settlement in Palestine and the position of the UC of Canada on the illegal occupation of Palestinian territory.
When: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Where: Beaconsfield United Church, 201 Woodside Road (off Sherbrooke), Beaconsfield, Québec
for more information: BUC office - 514-695-0600; e-mail - bu1[at]bellnet.ca

2. Rally to protest the war in Libya and Afghanistan
When: Saturday, April 9, 2011
Time: 12:30 pm to 3:00 pm
Where: Président-Kennedy and de Bleury (Métro Place des Arts), Montréal, Québec
organized by Échec à la guerre and other organizations, join the CAP-CPC contingent

March 8 Message from Angie Ipong, political prisoner recently released

2011-03-09T10:06:00.001-05:00

Message of Angie Ipong, former political prisoner, on the occasion of the International Women’s Day 2011

Angie Ipong, a peace advocate who devoted her life to the cause of peace and human rights, was arrested in Aloran, Misamis Occidental on March 8, 2005 by armed men who identified themselves as members of the CIDG. Upon her unjustified arrest, Angie was disappeared for 14 days and further subjected to violation of the rights of an arrested person, among them unjustified detention, sexual abuse and torture. She was later incarcerated at the Pagadian City Jail and slapped with fabricated cases of arson and murder. In February 17, 2011, upon dismissal of the cases filed against her, 66-year old Angie was finally released from prison.

Below is Angie's letter written in English.

At last I am free! After 6 years of prison life, I cherish with great joy the freedom won, dismissed of all the charges.

Today, International Women's Day, the day I was abducted brings back the memory of that terrible ordeal I passed through in the hands of my captors. Illegally detained, tortured, sexually molested and landed in jail to stay for 6 years.

Now, I could not imagine how I have managed to cope up with all the fears, anguish, boredom, loneliness, and all the challenges I went through in these 6 years. I know my captors wanted me to rot in jail, get cowed and bow down but I always believe that to give ourselves for service to our people, to do what is good, what is right and just, in the end, the truth will triumph. Imprisonment becomes an integral consequence of our commitment.

Indeed in my 6 years of prison life I never felt I wasted my stay. The guiding voice I clung to which gave me the strength could be summed up in these few quotes:

"Bloom where you are planted"

"Prison walls, iron bars and barbed wires can only imprison the body but not our mind, our thoughts and what we stand for.

With these I tried to learn many things in jail and put them into practice. Whether it was creating and tending the organic vegetable garden, or sewing, making indigenous cards, cooking, sharing and bonding with inmates, making culture and arts flourish, pushing for reforms inside the jail. All these kept me busy and productive.

Of course my 6 years in jail would have been really unbearable without the help of our fellow political detainees, fellow inmates, good and understanding jail authorities and guards.

The untiring efforts of my brother and sisters, my daughter, my closest kins, my lawyers, human and women's rights advocates here and abroad have helped so much in giving us comfort through visits, hastening resolution of our cases, helping us with our needs.

All these buoyed up my spirit, gave me the strength and courage and kept me whole and intact. Thank you so much.

I wish that the ordeal I suffered in the hands of my captors would never happen again. It is demeaning to one's womanhood.

I know there are still so many political prisoners languishing in jail especially women political detainees. I hope they too would soon be freed. There is no sense and no humanity in keeping them rot in jail when their productive and reproductive capacities could be tapped and maximized and be of great service to our people as moulders of our youth and society.###

THE SLAVES OF THE SLAVES RISE UP! -- celebrate INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2011 in Montréal

2011-03-02T23:04:00.001-05:00

CONFERENCE – Saturday, March 5 UQAM, Pavillon Hubert-Aquin, room A-2885, 400 Ste Catherine east (corner St-Denis), (métro Berri-UQAM)
Simultaneous Interpretation; childcare available : Voluntary contribution $5 (no one turned away)

International Women's Day Demonstration - Tuesday, March 8, Cabot Square (Atwater metro), starts 6:00pm.

The 8th March Committee of Women of Diverse Origins [WDO] celebrates International Women’s Day with the theme “The Slaves of the Slaves Rise Up!” an historic slogan adopted by women struggling for change and equality in different parts of the world at various historic junctures. It is a call from those brave women, oppressed in their own societies, who have been at the heart of their people’s struggles against regimes and tyrants who themselves were servants to imperialist masters.

As feminists, dedicated to a world of equality in all spheres, we oppose capitalism, imperialism and patriarchy in all its manifestations, within the home and outside the home, in political, economic and religious spheres . The WDO has contributed to a new militancy and awareness in the women’s movement locally, across the country and even beyond. We have much to celebrate following the successful Montreal International Women’s Conference which we hosted in August, 2010 and in the formation at that time of a militant, anti-imperialist, anti-patriarchal and anti-racist International Women’s Alliance.

This year we are inspired by the historic revolts sweeping North Africa and the Middle East where women once again are on the frontlines, the backbone of resistance. After decades, people again around the world are throwing off the shackles of fear and oppression and rising up against authoritarian rulers and oppressive regimes that themselves are controlled by imperialist and neo-liberal powers. Their living situations with rising prices and increasing lack of human dignity have reached boiling point and are spilling over. Political and economic exploitative systems are being revealed in all their starkness.

There will be a conference on Saturday 5th March from 10am till 5pm with speakers from Tunisia, Iran, Haiti and the Philippines and presentations on Québec and Canada – welfare rights, violence against women, indigenous women, cutbacks affecting women and marginalized communities.

There will be discussion, debate and celebration, especially as this is also a year of landmark anniversaries – groups that are part of the 8th March WDO -- PINAY, the Filipino women’s group celebrating 20 years, the South Asian Women’s Community Centre, celebrating 30 years, the Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste with 35 years and the WDO itself celebrating its first decade.

And on Tuesday 8th March – International Women’s Day demo – Ste-Catherine Street, starting at Cabot Square (Atwater) at 6 pm.

All are invited to both events. Celebrating strength, advancing struggles! Info: email:wdofdo@gmail.com

LES ESCLAVES DES ESCLAVES SE LÈVENT! -- la journée internationale des femmes à Montréal

2011-03-02T22:15:00.004-05:00

CONFÉRENCE – Samedi 5 mars 10h à 17h à l’UQAM, Pavillon Hubert-Aquin, salle A-2885, 400 rue Ste Catherine Est (coin St-Denis), (métro Berri-UQAM) - Interprétation fournie; garderie disponible : contribution volontaire $5 (personne ne sera refusée)

MARCHE de la Journée des femmes - Mardi 8 mars, Carré Cabot (métro Atwater), départ 18 h

Le Comité du 8 mars des Femmes de diverses origines (FDO) célèbre la Journée internationale des Femmes, sous le thème "Les esclaves des esclaves se lèvent!", un slogan historique adopté par les femmes en lutte pour le changement et l’égalité dans différentes parties du monde à divers tournants historiques. C’est l’appel de femmes courageuses, opprimées par leurs propres sociétés et qui sont au cœur des luttes populaires contre des régimes et des tyrans qui sont eux-mêmes les esclaves des puissances impérialistes.

En tant que féministes qui œuvrent pour un monde d’égalité dans tous les domaines, nous combattons le capitalisme, l’impérialisme et le patriarcat sous toutes ses formes, à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur du foyer, dans les sphères politique, économique et religieuse. Le FDO a contribué à l’émergence d’un militantisme nouveau et à une prise de conscience dans le mouvement féministe sur la scène locale, nationale et au-delà. Nous avons de grandes réussites à célébrer, telle que le succès de la conférence internationale de Montréal que nous avons accueillie en août 2010 et la formation subséquente d’une Alliance internationale des femmes, militante, anti-impérialiste, anti-patriarcale et antiraciste.

Cette année, nous sommes inspirées par les révoltes historiques qui balayent l’Afrique du Nord et le Moyen-Orient où encore une fois les femmes sont sur les lignes de front et forment l’ossature de la résistance. Après des décennies, les peuples du monde secouent à nouveau les chaînes de la peur et de l’oppression pour se soulever contre des dirigeants autoritaires et des régimes oppresseurs qui sont eux-mêmes contrôlés par les puissances impérialistes et néolibérales. Des conditions de vie marquées par la hausse des prix et la négation croissante de la dignité humaine ont conduit à cet état d’ébullition et on assiste maintenant aux débordements. Les systèmes politiques et économiques exploiteurs sont mis à jour dans toute leur brutalité.

Il y aura une conférence le samedi 5 mars, de 10 heures à 17 heures, avec des conférencières de Tunisie, d’Iran, d’Haïti et des Philippines ainsi que des exposés sur la situation au Québec et au Canada dans les domaines suivants – les droits sociaux, la violence contre les femmes, les femmes autochtones, les coupures qui affectent les femmes et les communautés marginalisées.

Il y aura des discussions, des débats et des célébrations car c’est aussi une année d’anniversaires marquants pour les groupes qui forment le Comité du 8 mars FDO – PINAY, l’organisation des femmes philippines du Québec fête ses 20 ans; le Centre communautaire des femmes sud-asiatiques fête ses 30ans; le Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste fête ses 35 ans et le FDO lui-même fête sa première décennie.

Et mardi le 8 mars - la manif de la Journée internationale des femmes partira à 18 heures du Carré Cabot (Atwater), rue Ste Catherine Ouest à 18 heures.

Vous êtes toutes et tous invitées aux deux événements. Célébrer nos forces et faire avancer nos luttes
Info : courriel : wdofdo@gmail.com

THE SLAVES OF THE SLAVES RISE UP! -- International Women’s Day 2011 in Montréal

2011-02-28T22:53:00.002-05:00

Celebrating our strength, advancing our struggles

The people of Egypt, Tunisia and elsewhere around the world are throwing off the shackles of fear and oppression and rising up against authoritarian rulers and oppressive regimes that themselves are controlled by imperialist and neo-liberal powers. Their living situations with rising prices and increasing lack of human dignity have reached boiling point and are spilling over. Political and economic exploitative systems are being revealed in all their starkness.

In Québec, Canada, Haiti, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Mexico, Colombia, in indigenous lands near and far, women are on the front lines, always, a backbone of resistance to oppression, genocide, violence and exploitation. The women of Palestine, Tunisia and Egypt inspire us with their determination and courage fighting to gain the liberation of their people and themselves. The March 8 Committee of Women of Diverse Origins celebrates these women and sends out a call to all to join us as we mark INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, this year under the theme : The Slaves of the Slaves Rise Up !

As feminists, dedicated to a world of equality in all spheres, we oppose patriarchy in all its manifestations, within the home and outside the home, in political, economic and religious spheres . Women workers, migrants, students, indigenous… women in all their diversity in Montreal and across Canada are playing a key role in transforming society. On the picket lines, standing on the barricades, marching, organizing, rising up against exploitation, discrimination and injustice while creating a new more just, and liberated world out of the old.

We celebrate the longevity of our local women’s groups that thrive despite cuts in funding or no funding at all - groups like PINAY, the Filipino women’s group celebrating its 20th anniversary, the South Asian Women’s Community Centre, celebrating its 30th anniversary, and the Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste with its 35 years of continuing grassroots organizing and service to women. The Women of Diverse origins is also marking its first decade.

Collectively, we have contributed to a new militancy and awareness in the women’s movement locally, across the country and even beyond. We have much to celebrate following the successful Montreal International Women’s Conference which we hosted in August, 2010 and in the formation at that time of a militant, anti-imperialist, anti-patriarchal and anti-racist International Women’s Alliance.
This year’s women’s day activities in Montreal will build on that momentum with a conference and rally. On Saturday March 5 from 10 am to 5pm our forum will feature speakers at the heart of local struggles, discussion groups, cultural presentations and literature tables. It is open to everyone and childcare will be provided.
Then on Tuesday March 8, which is International Women’s Day, we will join women all over the world by marking the day with a march starting at 6 pm starting from Atwater Square. All are invited. Bring banners, slogans and noise makers as we take to the streets to announce that “the slaves of the slaves rise up!”

Info: email: wdofdo@gmail.com
http://wdofdo.wordpress.com/

LES ESCLAVES DES ESCLAVES SE LÈVENT ! -- Journée internationale des femmes 2011 à Montréal

2011-02-28T22:24:00.002-05:00

Célébrer nos forces et faire avancer nos luttes
Les peuples d'Égypte, de Tunisie et ailleurs dans le monde se soulèvent, rejettent les chaînes de la peur et de l’oppression pour se dresser contre des dirigeants autoritaires et des régimes d’oppression qui sont eux-mêmes contrôlés par les puissances impérialistes et néolibérales. Des conditions de vie, marquées par la hausse continue des prix et la négation croissante de la dignité humaine, ont conduit à cet état d’ébullition et on assiste maintenant au débordement. Les systèmes politiques et économiques exploiteurs sont mis à jour dans toute leur brutalité.

Au Québec, au Canada, en Haïti, au Sri Lanka, aux Philippines, au Mexique, en Colombie, sur les terres indigènes proches ou lointaines, des femmes sont aux premiers rangs, elles sont toujours le pilier de la résistance à l’oppression, au génocide, à la violence et à l’exploitation. Les femmes de Palestine, de Tunisie et d’Égypte nous inspirent par leur détermination et leur courage à se battre pour obtenir leur libération et celle de leurs peuples. Le Comité du 8 mars des femmes de diverses origines rend hommage à ces femmes et lance un appel à toutes pour qu’elles nous rejoignent pour célébrer la Journée internationale des femmes, placée cette année sous le thème ‘Les esclaves des esclaves se lèvent!’

En tant que féministes qui œuvrent pour un monde d’égalité dans tous les domaines, nous sommes opposées au patriarcat sous toutes ses formes, à l’intérieur et à l’extérieur des foyers, dans les sphères politique, économique et religieuse. Les travailleuses, les migrantes, les étudiantes, les femmes autochtones dans toute leur diversité, à Montréal et à travers le Canada, jouent un rôle-clé dans la transformation de la société. Elles sont présentes sur les lignes de piquetage, les barricades, dans les défilés, les campagnes de syndicalisation, de lutte contre l’exploitation, la discrimination et l’injustice pour créer un monde nouveau, plus juste et libéré de l’ancien monde.

Nous célébrons la longévité de nos groupes de femmes qui continuent à se développer au niveau local en dépit des coupures dans leur financement, ou sans financement aucun – des groupes comme PINAY, l’organisation des femmes philippines du Québec qui fête son 20e anniversaire, le Centre communautaire des femmes sud-asiatiques qui fête ses 30 ans d’existence et le Mouvement contre le viol et l’inceste, des organisations de la base qui sont au service des femmes depuis 35 ans. Le regroupement des Femmes de diverses origines célèbre aussi sa première décennie.

Ensemble, nous avons contribué à l’émergence d’un militantisme nouveau et d’une prise de conscience dans le mouvement féministe sur la scène locale, nationale et au-delà. Nous pouvons célébrer le succès de la conférence internationale de Montréal qui s’est tenue en août dernier et qui a débouché sur la formation d’une Alliance internationale des femmes, militante, anti-impérialiste, anti-patriarcale et antiraciste.

Cette année, les activités qui entourent la Journée internationale des femmes à Montréal continueront sur cet élan pour proposer une conférence et un défilé. Le samedi 5 mars, de 10 heures à 17 heures, notre forum présentera des conférencières qui sont au cœur de luttes locales, proposera des groupes de discussion, des exposés culturels et des tables de documentation. Il est ouvert à toutes et un service de garde sera offert pour les jeunes enfants.

Ensuite, le mardi 8 mars, Journée internationale des femmes, nous nous joindrons aux femmes du monde entier pour souligner la journée par un défilé qui partira du square Atwater à Montréal à 18 heures. Vous êtes toutes invitées. Apportez des bannières, des slogans, des accessoires sonores alors que nous descendrons dans les rues pour proclamer ‘Les esclaves des esclaves se lèvent!’

Info : courriel : wdofdo@gmail.com
http://wdofdo.wordpress.com/

PERSPECTIVE ON THE PEOPLES' UPRISINGS AGAINST AUTOCRATIC REGIMES IN NORTH AFRICA & MIDDLE EAST

2011-02-27T22:21:00.001-05:00

By Prof. Jose Maria Sison

Chairperson, International Coordinating Committee

International League of Peoples' Struggle

February 27, 2011

The International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS) steadfastly stands in solidarity with and supports the peoples of the North African and Middle East countries in their mass uprisings and revolutionary struggles for national liberation and democracy against the autocratic regimes long maintained by imperialist powers and local reactionary classes.

At the same time, the ILPS is keenly aware that the overthrow of a dictator by a rapid spontaneous surge of the masses does not necessarily result in the revolutionary overthrow of the ruling system. In the absence of a strong revolutionary party of the proletariat and revolutionary mass organizations, the imperialist powers and its puppets among the competing political and military factions of the local exploiting classes can arrange a new regime that pretends to be better than the previous one.

Are peoples perpetually and hopelessly trapped in ruling systems controlled and manipulated by the imperialists and their reactionary agents? No. The crisis of each ruling system and the mass uprisings can result not only in the overthrow of the autocratic regime but also in the further development of revolutionary parties, mass organizations and alliances for the continuous advance of the people's cause for national and social liberation.

The peoples' uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East are not the deliberate creation of the imperialists, their mass media and smart political agents. They are the people's resistance to the oppression and exploitation that they have long suffered. Their suffering has been made more than ever intolerable by the crisis of the world capitalist system and domestic ruling systems under the bankrupt US-imposed policy of neoliberal globalization and the US global war of terror characterized by state terrorism and aggression.

While the revolutionary strength of the people in a country is not yet sufficient to overthrow the ruling system, the US and its puppets deck themselves out as democrats by trying to forge new constitutions and instituting periodic elections and term limits for elective officials even as variable balances of political and military factions continue to make the ruling system apparently stable but really more unstable, remaining ripe for the next corrupt autocratic regime or servile to monarchies most favored by the US as in Saudi Arabia and the emirates.

The big prize for the US and its imperialist allies and its biggest local puppets in North Africa and the Middle East is the stepped-up superprofit-taking from the cheap labor of the working people, exploitation of oil and other natural resources, the huge sales of armaments to the oil producing countries and many other kinds of businesses.

The imperialist powers headed by the US are hell-bent on tightening their control over all the major sources of oil and gas and cannot tolerate the degree of national independence or anti-imperialism that Iraq and Libya exercised in extended periods in the past and that Iran is striving hard to maintain. The US is now flagrantly seeking to grab and tighten its control over the oil resources of Libya as in Iraq. It is taking the lead in applying sanctions and threatening to unleash the aggression and atrocities that it used to take over the oil resources of Iraq.

Once more, the irony of autocrats subservient or pliant to US imperialism but eventually junked by it is being demonstrated in North Africa and the Middle East. New sets of puppets are being arranged to further exploit and oppress the people. But through perseverance in revolutionary struggle in the long course of history, the people can develop their own strength to realize their national and social liberation.

On the scale of North Africa and the Middle East and particular countries, the course and outcomes of the peoples' uprisings follow the law of uneven development. Under any circumstances, the ILPS stands in solidarity with and supports the broad masses of the people and the anti-imperialist and democratic forces, and encourage them to be vigilant and militant against machinations to maintain and prolong imperialist domination and subservience by the local reactionary forces.

The International League of Peoples' Struggle looks forward to far greater revolutionary struggles now and in the future. Whatever are the temporary arrangements that can be made by the imperialists and their reactionary agents, the revolutionary energy and forces already released by the peoples' uprisings will find fertile ground to grow in strength and advance against the crisis-stricken world capitalist system and the local ruling systems.###

Freedom of the Morong 43 is fruit of the people's struggle

2010-12-19T12:24:00.003-05:00

Thirty-eight of the 43 unjustly imprisoned health workers in the Philippines have been released. The Centre d'appui des Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns in Montréal, Canada salutes the courage and determination of the Morong 43 along with their supporters in the Philippines and around the globe. Struggle can and does make a difference!

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They braved indefinable forms of human rights violations so that they may live to see the day when they will finally be reunited with their families and people they serve.? The Morong 43 are finally free!

Today (December 18, 2010), ten months of roaring cries for freedom and justice voiced in different languages from all over the world bears fruit.Judge Gina Cenit Escoto, presiding judge of the Morong Regional Trial Court Branch 78 has finally released a decision late in the afternoon today to withdraw all cases filed against all of the 43 health workers.

Thirty-eight of the health workers were detained at Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City since May 1 while five others remained in military custody since their illegal arrest at Camp Capinpin in Tanay, Rizal.

Relatives and supporters have been waiting anxiously outside the Morong RTC since Department of Justice Secretary Leila de Lima filed for a motion to withdraw the cases Monday this week. They peacefully 'picketed outside' the court building since Wednesday.

After the judge released the official decision, court staffs followed by the Morong 43 relatives and supporters proceeded to Camp Bagong Diwa, a civilian detention facility, to deliver the hard copy of the order which will facilitate the release of the detained health workers.

Registered nurse and alliance spokesperson Carlos Montemayor said that the health workers underwent a mandatory physical check-up by prison doctors for clearance, a requirement before a detainee is released from the prison camp's custody.

Nursing mothers Judielyn Oliveros and Mercy Castro were transported from the Philippine General Hospital to Camp Bagong Diwa with their newborns to undergo prison protocols before they too are finally released.

From Taguig, the health workers will proceed to Quezon City for a press conference to thank all the people, including the media for keeping the faith and not giving up on their case. Montemayor said that the Morong 43 took strength and refuge in the massive local and international support this campaign gained since day one adding the struggle to free the 43 is within the overall struggle to free all political prisoners.

"Definitely, this is not the end of their story. The international movement on the campaign for health and human rights welcomes the additional 43 people with burning fervor and inspiration," Montemayor added. ##

Reference:
Alliance to support the Morong 43
Carlos Montemayor, RN
+63 922 499 6237 / +63 2 929 8109

Free the 43! Excellent video from friends in British Columbia, Canada

2010-12-08T09:11:00.000-05:00

Excellent video production from our friends in British Columbia on the story of the 43+ health workers illegally imprisoned in the Philippines, a group known as the Morong 43. On the seventh day of their hunger strike, two have been taken to hospital and the Philippine government refuses to release the two mothers in the group who have given birth while in detention.

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43 imprisoned health workers in Philippines continue hunger strike

2010-12-08T09:03:00.002-05:00

Warm greetings from the Philippines!

Today, December 8, 2010, the Morong 43 are on the 6th day of indefinite hunger strike to demand their immediate and unconditional release, one of them was earlier rushed to the Camp Bagong Diwa Infirmary. In other parts of the country families and supporters, including other political prisoners are also staging solidarity hunger strike and fasting to demand the release of the 43 health workers and all political prisoners.

The Filipino people and people from all over the world will never get tired of calling for the Philippine government to release the Morong 43. GABRIELA Alliance of Filipino Women is calling all women and people to join us in a solidarity fasting for the Morong 43, at the Iglesia Filipino Independiente church along Taft Avenue in Manila, where some families of the Morong 43 are also staging hunger strike and fasting. A candle lighting and noise barrage along Taft Avenue, Manila's busiest street will also follow.

Once again, we are calling on you to show our untiring support to the Morong 43. We suggest that you send messages to the Philippine President NoyNoy Aquino by posting to this websites. A simple message saying "Free the Morong 43!" would do. You can also post on his Facebook page if you have one http://www.facebook.com/presidentnoy. Let us know if you send messages.

http://www.president.gov.ph
http://www.op.gov.ph

We would like to thank all of you for your continuous support in the the struggles for justice in the Philippines. Let us continue our call to free the Morong 43 and all political prisoners.

In solidarity,
Lana Linaban
Secretary General

Call to International Networks in Support of Morong 43 and All Political prisoners

2010-12-03T12:22:00.003-05:00

On Friday, December 3, 2010, the Morong 43 started their hunger strike for freedom. December 6, 2010 would be the 10th month of their illegal arrest and detention.

We demand their immediate and unconditional release. The 43 health workers, who were attending a grassroots medical training, are victims of illegal search, arrest, detention and torture. They are ridiculously charged with illegal possession of explosives. The pieces of evidence against them are either planted or inadmissible since these are, in legal jurisprudence, “fruits of the poisonous tree”.

Charges against them can be withdrawn if only President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III will heed the advice of respected legal minds including the Secretary of Justice. That he continues to pass the burden to courts can either mean ignorance of the legal process or propensity for sticking his head in the sand.

Aside from the main venue of the hunger strike at Camp Bagong Diwa, a Support the M43 Hunger Strike Center has been set up in Manila for the families, other relatives, friends and multi-sectoral networks and individuals who will be on sympathy hunger strike or fasting. Cultural groups plan to perform at the center.
Political prisoners in various detention centers and prisons in different provinces will hold their own fasting and/or sympathy act such as noise barrage and others. Their actions aim to cap the year’s campaign to free all political prisoners especially those who have long been deprived of their liberty like Angie Ipong in Misamis Occidental, Eduardo Serrano and Eduardo Sarmiento in Camp Crame and Sandino Esguerra in Camp Bagong Diwa.

Let us drum up international support for the Morong 43 and all political prisoners. You may:

-          Join the hunger strike on December 6, their 10th month anniversary in jail, and issue a statement of support;
-          Organize sympathy fasting or a few-day hunger strike;
-          Picket the Philippine Embassy and demand freedom for the Morong 43 and other political prisoners especially Ipong, Serrano, Sarmiento and Esguerra;
-          Highlight the hunger strike in your commemoration of human rights week and December 10 International HR Day;
-          Lobby with your Parliament, congress and/or senate;
-          Write your ambassadors stationed in the Philippines;
-          Encourage international organizations/institutions and those in your network to send support statements to the hunger strike (addressed to Malacanang cc Philippine Embassy in your country, Secretary of Justice Leila de Lima and Karapatan);
-          Keep those postcards coming, we want them by the thousands;
-          Circulate this and further announcements plus the hunger strike bulletins which we will issue from time to time;
-          Solicit financial and material support for the Morong 43, other political prisoners and their families;
-          Share your ideas with us and others so we can have a variety of support actions.

Free the Morong 43!
Release Angie Ipong, Eduardo Serrano, Eduardo Sarmiento and Sandino Esguerra!
Free all political prisoners!

International League of Peoples Struggle (ILPS)

Morong 43 in high spirits

2010-11-30T21:45:00.001-05:00

Manila, Philippines, November 30, 2010 – Detained community health workers collectively known as the Morong 43 are in high spirits even as they mark 10 months in jail, lawyers from the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said yesterday in a statement.

“Hindi kami pinaghihinaan ng loob dahil alam namin na nasa likod namin kayo,” Eulogio Castillo, one of the detained, told lawyers who visited on Sunday, November 28, 2010.

Castillo, who considers the group as political prisoners, said they also rely on the larger social movement to secure their release. “We know that [the outcome of] our case holds implications for other political prisoners across the country,” he said in the vernacular. He also thanked the domestic and foreign groups and personalities taking up the cause of their release.

The men and women separately entertained the lawyers with songs of hope. The women also taught the lawyers their signature four claps, three stomps and chant “Free the 43”.

The Morong 43 all support the rally of lawyers and doctors set on Thursday, December 2, 2010. The legal and medical communities plan to march from Espana to Mendiola at noon, to ask the executive to drop charges against the Morong 43, on account of the illegality of their arrest and the subsequent search.

“Those of us who are concerned that fundamental rights embodied in laws whose very purpose is to protect citizens from possible abuses by the state are disregarded in such a brazen manner, must take a stand,” said NUPL secretary-general and counsel Edre Olalia.

The Morong 43 were arrested in February this year, while undergoing a health training in Morong, Rizal. A joint police-military operation, using a defective search warrant, swooped down upon the group early in the morning. The warrant did not specify the particular place to be searched.

The search allegedly yielded guns and ammunition, so the 43 were then blindfolded, handcuffed and brought to an undisclosed place where they were continuously interrogated day and night, denied their right to counsel and tortured physically and psychologically.

Charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives were filed against the 43 health workers five days after their arrest. The law specifies a 36-hour deadline for the filing of charges against anyone arrested without a warrant.

NUPL lawyers visited the Morong 43 after its national legal consultation on extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and other human rights cases. NUPL and the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) represent the health workers in the criminal case filed at the Morong Regional Trial Court and Metropolitan Trial Court and in the petitions they have filed in the Commission of Human Rights, Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.

Meanwhile, administration ally and House Deputy Speaker Rep. Lorenzo “Erin” Tanada III reiterated his appeal to release the Morong 43.

“I think that amnesty is not what they need as they are not guilty of anything. What they need is nothing but just plain and simple respect for their basic human rights ,” Tañada emphasized in a separate statement.

Reference: Atty. Edre U. Olalia - Secretary General – 09175113373; Atty. Julius Garcia Matibag - 09279293089
National Secretariat
National Union of Peoples' Lawyers(NUPL)
3F Erythrina Bldg., Maaralin corner Matatag Sts. Central District,Quezon City, Philippines
Tel.No.920-6660,Telefax No. 927- 2812
Email addresses:nupl2007@gmail.com and nuplphilippines@yahoo.com

Visit the NUPL at http://www.nupl.net/

By calling yourselves the 'people's lawyer,' you have made a remarkable choice. You decided not to remain in the sidelines. Where human rights are assaulted, you have chosen to sacrifice the comfort of the fence for the dangers of the battlefield. But only those who choose to fight on the battlefield live beyond irrelevance." Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato S. Puno, in his message to the NUPL Founding Congress,Sept. 15, 2007

KMU condemns the killing of Caloy Rodriguez, public union leader

2010-11-14T14:35:00.000-05:00

Press Statement: 12 November 2010

We strongly condemn the killing of Caloy Rodriguez, president of the Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa ng Calamba Water District or NLM-CWD, today at 5:30 in the afternoon by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Calamba, Laguna. NLM-CWD is an affiliate of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees or Courage – which is a fellow member of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU – May First Movement) in the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan. Courage has been indefatigable in fighting corruption in government and militant in advancing its members’ rights and interests, thereby earning the wrath of successive regimes.

We point our fingers at the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the regime of President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III as the culprits behind this yet another case of extra-judicial killing in the country. The shooting and death of Caloy Rodriguez is yet another consequence of Pres. Aquino’s decision to continue implementing the murderous Oplan Bantay Laya counter-insurgency program of his predecessor and to adhere to the US Counter-insurgency Guide.

It is also a consequence of the utter failure of the Aquino regime to prosecute (former Philippine President) Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her butchers, such as former General Jovito Palparan, for the grave human-rights violations that they have committed while in power. Pres. Aquino says that carrying out extra-judicial killings is not his government’s policy, but his military’s actions speak louder than his words; his military’s gunshots speak louder than his all-too soft denial.

During the Arroyo regime, we sought help from the Commission on Human Rights under Leila de Lima in condemning and investigating cases of extra-judicial killings. The current CHR chief, Akbayan’s Etta Rosales, was appointed to her post on the basis of her supposed record in defending human rights. Her refusal to fully engage with cases of human-rights violations involving activists, however, has only emboldened the military to continue carrying out the extra-judicial killings of activists under a regime that has promised “change” to the Filipino workers and people. Her statements about focusing on “lesser-known” cases of human rights violations – as compared with, for example, the case of the Morong 43 – does not at all help in the struggle to uphold human rights in the country.

Reference: Elmer “Bong” Labog, Chairperson, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU – May First Movement), +63 908-163659

CAP-CPC supports Bayan Canada rally in front of Philippine Embassy in Ottawa

2010-11-08T14:45:00.000-05:00

Bayan Canada and supporters of the 43 illegally detained health workers held a rally in front of the Philippine Embassy on November 5, in Canada’s capital, as part of the international day of action. Representatives from the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW), Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (OCHRP), and the Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) were also present to join in the world-wide demand for the immediate release for the Morong 43.

Building security and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP – or Canada’s federal police force) tried to prevent the rally from happening directly in front of the embassy building but the demonstrators insisted on their right to hold the peaceful protest in front of the building. A delegation was also prevented by the RCMP and building security from going up to the offices of the Philippine Embassy to submit a petition signed by 145 health professionals so the groups insisted that embassy officials come out to meet the demonstrators. Finally the embassy’s Public Relations Officer came down and the petition was submitted.

BAYAN Canada
Press Statement
November 5, 2010

Reference:

Joey Calugay
+1 514-947-3662
jcalugay2@yahoo.ca

Rally at Philippine Embassy in Ottawa to demand freedom for Morong 43

2010-11-01T22:16:00.001-04:00

November 6, 2010, marks the ninth month of illegal detention for 43 Filipino health workers, a group known as the Morong 43, which includes two nursing mothers. The Council for Health and Development, National Council of Churches in the Philippines, the Health Alliance for Democracy and Bayan Philippines are calling for coordinated actions world-wide to put pressure on the Aquino government to release the 43. See their appeal statement below.

We are planning to hold actions across Canada for this event. This Friday, November 5 in the afternoon (which will already be the Nov. 6 in the Philippines) BAYAN Canada organizations along with the Centre for Philippine Concerns and other supporters will be holding a protest rally in front of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa between 4 pm and 5 pm. We will be presenting petitions calling to free the 43 signed by more than 140 health professionals. Volunteers for a delegation to present the petition to the Embassy are welcomed.

We are calling on all our member organizations, friends and solidarity groups to take half a day and to come out to support the demonstration. In Montreal, we are car pooling to Ottawa and will be leaving the city by 1 pm. For those who wish to come along please email or call me at the number below before Thursday to reserve seats or offer to drive a group with your vehicle.

We hope to see you with us on Friday, November 5, 2010.

Joey Calugay
+1 514-947-3662

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November 6, 2010 marks the ninth month in detention of the Morong 43.

On February 6, 2010, over 300 elements of the 202 Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) raided the farmhouse of Professor Emeritus of the College of Medicine of the University of the Philippines, Dr. Melecia Velmonte. The AFP and the Philippine National Police arrested 43 health workers on charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The state forces used a defective warrant and planted evidence to justify the arrest of the 43. The health workers were subjected to physical and psychological torture, denied counsel and visits and subjected to various indignities will inside a military camp. They have since been known as the “Morong 43”.

Bayan is calling for an internationally – coordinated action to press Pres. Benigno Aquino

III for the immediate and unconditional release of these community health workers who are now detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig, Rizal.

The Philippine Department of Justice has submitted its review and recommendations to the Philippine President. The Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Leila de Lima has indicated that her recommendations should lead to the release of the detainees.

Aquino himself has admitted that the search warrant was defective. Furthermore, the evidence “wrongly gotten cannot be used, and therefore ( cases ) cannot prosper”. However, he said that the release of the health workers will have to be sanctioned by the courts.

Despite his admission, Aquino has yet to act on the DOJ recommendations.

The advocates of the 43 have suggested that President Aquino direct the Department of Justice to file a motion withdrawing the criminal charges against the 43 before the Morong Regional Trial Court and the Metropolitan Trial Court . The courts would have no choice but to release the 43.

Aquino’s statements on the 43 comes in the wake of his granting of amnesty to some 300 rebel soldiers who were detained by the Arroyo regime. Many have asked why the detained health workers have not been released given that there is really no case against them and that their constitutional rights were violated.

Two women detainees have already given birth during detention. Judilyn Oliveros gave birth in July 2010 while Mercy Castro gave birth this October. Both are under hospital arrest at the Philippine General Hospital. Both mothers have fought for their right to breastfeed their babies.

Various well-known international organizations have sent letters of appeals to Aquino for the release of the 43, to cite a few: World Council of Churches, World Student Christian Federation, the International Association of Democratic Lawyers, the Japan Lawyers Intl Solidarity Association, the General Assembly of Presbyterian Church, the United Church of Canada, and many more.

Let us continue to press the Aquino regime to act to rectify the historic injustices committed by the US – Arroyo regime and to respect all the rights of the Morong 43 as well as all political prisoners in the Philippines.

On November 6, 2010, various organizations will converge at Camp Bagong Diwa where the health workers are being detained and hold a protest action, religious service and short program. Allies and supporters of the 43 health workers are expected to attend the gathering.

We appeal to friends and organizations abroad to launch actions at the Philippine embassies and consulates to press for the release of the 43 health workers. ###

Lawyers Rights Watch Canada demands release of Filipino health workers, the" Morong 43"

2010-10-29T21:28:00.002-04:00

Philippines broadcasting network ABS-CBN interviews Ms. Gail Davidson, Executive Director of the Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC), on the plight of the "Morong 43", illegally arrested volunteer community health workers.

Another Morong 43 mom gives birth; detained doctor also brought to PGH

2010-10-19T10:21:00.004-04:00

October 19, 2010 -- Ma. Mercedes Castro or Mercy Castro, one of the Morong 43 moms, gave birth October 18, 2010, to a baby girl through caesarian section at the Philippine General Hospital.

“We are happy that despite all the suffering and injustice Mercy and Morong 43 endured, she gave birth to a healthy baby girl. We hope that she and her child will no longer be threatened of being separated out of an unjust and illegal detention,” said Dr. Julie Caguiat, spokesperson, FREE THE MORONG 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE.

“We maintain our call that the Mercy Castro be immediately released not just because of humanitarian reasons but the because of the prolonged injustice against her and the Morong 43 collectively,” Caguiat said.

Mercy Castro had a delicate pregnancy because of her asthma and made worse because her pregnancy was spent mostly in jail considering that Morong 43 have been illegally detained for 8 months. During her pregnancy, she has been denied pre-natal check-up twice. Castro is the second detaineee to birth among the Morong 43. Earlier, Judilyn Oliveros also gave birth at the PGH where she now remains under hospital detention as she breastfeeds her child.

The group said they would take legal actions to allow Castro to be released in order to recover and take care of her newborn. “We expect that the Aquino administration and the court gives due recognition of this fact and alllow Castro to recover and take care of her child, just like Judilyn Oliveros and just like every mother should,” Dr. Caguiat said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Merry-Mia Clamor, 34, was brought to PGH today because of her scheduled medical check-up. The doctor has since been suffering from hypertension and diabetes. The Morong RTC court allowed the medical consultation thru a court order dated October 5. Clamor was also brought back today to Camp Bagong Diwa and is set to admitted again to PGH following recommendations of an endocrinologist and thru another order from the court.

Ultimately, the group urges the Aquino administration to immediately move to withdraw the case against the Morong 43.

Reference: Dr. Julie Caguiat
Spokesperson, FREE THE 43 HEALTH WORKERS ALLIANCE
Mobile : +63 909 113 3038 / +63 919 486 1580

Original link to above article: Another Morong 43 mom gives birth; detained doctor also brought to PGH

Primer by Free the 43 Health Workers: A Primer on the Illegal Arrest, Detention and Torture of 43 Health Workers

Clan Planned Philippine Massacre Over Dinner, Witness Says

2010-09-08T22:15:00.006-04:00

By NORIMITSU ONISHI

MANILA — The clan accused of orchestrating the Philippines’ worst political massacre — also considered the single worst killing of journalists on record — plotted the attack over a family dinner, a longtime housekeeper testified Wednesday, September 8, 2010, at the start of a long-delayed trial here.

The patriarch of the clan that has long controlled the province of Maguindanao in the southern Philippines, Andal Ampatuan Sr., gathered his sons, brothers and other guests at the dinner table six days before the killings of 57 political rivals and journalists last November, said the witness, Lakmudin Salio. (Ed. note: to date 6 witnesses to this event have been killed!)

Mr. Ampatuan asked how they could pre-empt a political rival, Esmael Mangudadatu, from challenging them for the post of governor, according to Mr. Salio, who said he was serving food at the dinner as the family hatched the plan. Mr. Salio testified that Mr. Ampatuan’s son Andal Ampatuan Jr. replied by saying: “That’s easy. If they come here, just kill them all.”

The father asked his other children if they agreed, Mr. Salio said, adding, “Everybody laughed, saying, ‘It’s O.K. for everybody to be killed.’ ”

Six days later, a convoy of Mr. Mangudadatu’s relatives and journalists traveling to the provincial capital to file his candidacy papers was ambushed on a highway by as many as 100 gunmen. The 57 victims, including Mr. Mangudadatu’s wife, Genalyn, and about 30 journalists, were driven to the top of a hill, separated into groups of men and women and then shot and buried there in mass graves. Two vehicles, one belonging to UNTV, a local television network, were buried on another side of the hill.

More at: http://nyti.ms/9DMpFn

Ka Roda, pioneer of Philippine drivers’ movement, passes away

2010-09-07T16:34:00.001-04:00

MANILA, Philippines—Pioneer of the progressive drivers' movement in the country, staunch fighter for the rights of the marginalized, and a most endeared transport leader for many drivers and poor people, Medardo “Ka Roda” Roda, passed away on September 5 due to cardiac arrest.

Ka Roda, arguably one of the most well known and undoubtedly one of the most well-loved transport leaders the country has ever had, is the Chairman Emeritus of Piston (Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide) until he died. Piston is one of the federations under Kilusang Mayo Uno and is the organization where Ka Roda concretized his struggle for nationalism and genuine democracy for more than 30 years.

More at Philippine Inquirer: http://bit.ly/aIcLzi

Alexander Martin Remollino: journalist of the people

2010-09-05T16:37:00.000-04:00

Statement of the Antonio Zumel Center For Press Freedom on the Passing of Alexander Martin Remollino 4 September 2010

The Antonio Zumel Center for Press Freedom extends its deepest condolence to the family, friends and confreres of Alexander Martin Remollino, who passedaway last September 3. Ka Alex, as he was fondly called, was a longtime writer for Bulatlat.com, a poet and an activist.

In his poetry, Ka Alex lent his fervent voice to denounce oppression.

In his activism, most recently with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, he showed a commitment to side with the Filipino masses.

In his journalism, he trumpeted the struggle of the Filipino people for genuine democracy.

Ka Alex made a real sacrifice. With his writing skills, he could have easily sought a job with mainstream media or advertising companies. But he chose to pursue alternative and progressive journalism, realizing early on that his pen can be used as a sword to fight injustice, oppression and tyranny.

He embodied the ideals that activist-journalists like Antonio Zumel had sought to live up to: to relentlessly seek the truth and to always side with the people.

He serves as an inspiration to young Filipino journalists. His legacy will remind them that serving the people is something that journalists can -- and must -- do.

We are proud of Ka Alex. We will miss him.

ANTONIO ZUMEL CENTER FOR PRESS FREEDOM www.zumel.com

Montreal International Women’s Conference concludes with the founding of the International Women’s Alliance

2010-08-19T08:21:00.001-04:00

Press Release - Montréal, Québec, August 16, 2010 -- Further momentum was generated towards a global, militant women’s movement with the establishment of an International Women’s Alliance (IWA) this afternoon following the Montreal International Women’s Conference (MIWC).

Today marked the Founding Assembly of the International Women's Alliance after an immensely successful two-day conference, uniting more than 350 participants from 32 countries, including Pakistan, India, Kyrgyzstan, the Philippines, Mali, the Czech Republic, Germany, Cuba, Guatemala, Ecuador, and Mexico.

From August 13 to 15, delegates participated in plenaries, workshops, and discussions surrounding a wide variety of themes, including indigenous struggles, developmental aggression, violence against women, racism, discrimination and genocide, as well as resistance to wars and imperialist aggression.

During a plenary session on Saturday, April 14, delegates unanimously endorsed a declaration in support of the 490 Tamils from Sri Lanka who arrived aboard the MV Sun Sea in Vancouver, Canada, decrying their ongoing detention while calling upon the Canadian government to accept them as refugees.

In addition, participants also affirmed their solidarity with the Algonquin indigenous community of Barrière Lake, Québec, while calling for the release of the 43 health workers illegally detained in the Philippines.

The Conference was followed by the founding of the International Women’s Alliance on August 16 in order to foster the creation and coordination of local, regional and international campaigns, to promote mutual support and the sharing of resistance strategies, and to mobilize women around the world in the struggle against imperialism, violence and capitalist globalization.

Discussions unfolded surrounding the Basis of Unity, as participants advanced numerous resolutions, including ones highlighting the struggles faced by women in Palestine and upholding the role of women as defenders of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

The Constitution and Basis of Unity will be adopted at the time of the first General Assembly of the International Women’s Alliance, projected to take place within a year’s time in order to carry on with the important work of the conference. An international coordinating committee has been set up to prepare the IWA General Assembly.

A list of all resolutions, along with the proposed Basis of Unity, will be available within the next few weeks. Complete speakers’ bios, conference details, the workshop program and more can be found on the conference blog at http://miwc2010.wordpress.com/.

The initiative for the MIWC and IWA came out of a resolution of the women’s commission of the International League of People’s Struggle (ILPS) which met during the 3rd International Assembly of the ILPS in Hong Kong in 2008.

For more information, to arrange interviews with conference organizers and/or international delegates, please contact:

MIWC Media Committee +1 514-961-4047

Montreal activists call on Harper to sanction the Philippines

2010-08-01T16:53:00.006-04:00

By Chloé Fedio, Montreal Gazette

"MONTREAL, QUEBEC: JULY 31, 2010 -- Holding up photos of political prisoners and an "anti-imperialist solidarity" banner, about 15 people gathered in downtown Montreal Saturday afternoon and called on the Canadian government to impose sanctions against the southeast Asian nation of the Philippines.

The Montreal activists said the new president, Benigno Aquino, is falling short of his election promise to clean up government and usher in a new era of anti-corruption. They say political prisoners remain behind bars and five activists have been killed since he was inaugerated June 30.

Read more: Montreal activists call on Harper to sanction the Philippines (Photo: John Kenney/THE GAZETTE)

Check out the slide show of photos from the vigil thanks to CAP-CPC member Sid deGuzman!

Carina Oliveros, one of Morong 43, gives birth to son, sends solidarity message

2010-07-26T14:22:00.003-04:00

Judilyn Carina Oliveros, one of the imprisoned health workers in the Philippines known as the Morong 43, gave birth last July 22, 2010, at 12 noon to a baby boy. However, her return to detention remains a great ordeal to the young mother. We received the e-mail below from Tanya Roberts-Davis, who is presently in the Philippines.

From: "Tanya Roberts-Davis"
Date: July 25, 2010 11:51:19 AM EDT
To: "Marco Luciano"

Subject: Free the 43 Solidarity Message

Hi, (you can fwd this onwards, I don't have all the lists on email)

I know this is late to post this message with you all holding an event this afternoon, but I just got back from the hospital meeting with Carina Oliveros (of the 43), who gave birth a few days ago. there are 3-5 high level security guards watching her at all times.

She is strong and determined , but also clearly there is the incredible and horrifying threat she will be back in jail.

In fact, while I was in her hospital room, a guard came rushing in to alert her to her imminent return to prison, and for her to consider who she would give permission to care for her child, as otherwise the boy may be taken by the gov. social services.

We discussed the possibility of her returning to jail with her baby, as this would open up space for the continued advocacy for their freedom on humanitarian grounds, or at least that there be special times and places reserved for her to breastfeed and see her baby.

Through tears and a smile, her message to you:

Thank you for the solidarity, this has kept us strong and reminds us of all our friends around the world who are supporting our demands for freedom. Now, I have two feelings in my heart: First, I am continuing to be strong and determined -- we will find a way to be free. I was an activist before and will continue to be active as an advocate for community health, and for justice. But I am now facing going back to jail. I want to be with my son, and don't want to be separated. I would just want for us to be together, and be free. We will try to find a way. I appeal to you all to not give up. No Justice, No peace!

:::::::::::::::::::::

I will post pics soon... Please do continue your work-I wonder about the possibility of a protest at the embassy and consulates-intl pressure is needed now. Carina also laughed about her dream that she saw her son with his fist up calling to Free the 43... and we all smiled as he woke up with his little arms in the air...

onwards in sol.

Tanya

Letter of concern to Canadian PM on latest wave of political killings in Philippines

2010-07-20T12:55:00.003-04:00

July 16, 2010

The Honourable Stephen Harper

Prime Minister of Canada

Dear Prime Minister,

On behalf of the STOP THE KILLINGS COALITION OF CANADA, we are writing to express our grave concern regarding the latest wave of political killings in the Philippines. Barely five days after the new President was sworn into office, the first extrajudicial killing of a political activist occurred. On July 5, 2010, Fernando Baldomero was shot to death in front of his 12-year-old son just metres from his home. Mr. Baldomera was the provincial coordinator for Bayan Muna and a reelected councillor of Lezo town. Since then, the killings have continued.

On July 11, peasant activist and Anak Pawis member Pascual Guevarra, 78, from Nueva Ecija was gunned down in his home while his 18 year old grandson survived. Just two days earlier, on July 9, 2010 in Masbate, Mark Francisco, 27, a member of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) partylist organization, and Edgar Fernandez, 44, a public school teacher, were shot dead. Two journalists have also been killed.

Canada has a great deal of leverage to press the Philippine Government to take action and remedy the situation. CIDA's current annual disbursement to the Philippines is approximately CAD $25 million, and there is roughly CAD $1.5 billion in annual bilateral trade between Canada and the Philippines. In this context, it is imperative that that the Canadian government condemn these killings and take action to ensure that Canadian tax dollars are not complicit in funding the political assassinations and human rights violations perpetrated by the Philippine government.

The member organizations of the Canada-wide coalition to Stop the Killings in the Philippines (STKP) call on the Canadian Government to publicly press the newly-elected Government of President Aquino to take immediate and tangible steps to end the extrajudicial killings and to take effective action to bring the perpetrators of these crimes to justice and to ensure that human rights are upheld in their country. We also call on the Government of Canada to continue diplomatic pressure on the Government of the Philippines in this regard.

The impunity enjoyed by those responsible for these attacks and the extrajudicial killings in the last few years have only aggravated the violence. We sincerely hope that the new administration in the Philippines will act immediately to stop these senseless human rights violations that frequently result in death.

We sincerely hope that the Canadian government will take action to promote the protection of the human rights of Filipino peoples. Your actions and statements will also reassure and gain the confidence of members of Canada’s large Filipino community, which numbers over 400,000.

Sincerely,

Members of the coalition to STOP THE KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES – CANADA

c.c.: Honourable Lawrence Cannon (PC), Minister of Foreign Affairs

His Excellency Jose S. Brillantes, Ambassador of the Philippines to Canada

John Cannis (L), Member of Parliament for Scarborough Centre

Don Davies (NDP), Member of Parliament for Vancouver-Kingsway

Francine Lalonde, Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

Bernard Patry, Vice-Chair, Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development

The coalition to Stop the Killings in the Philippines (STKP) is made up of the following Canadian Churches, non-governmental organizations and solidarity groups: AgroPaix, PINAY - Filipino Women's Organization in Quebec ,Anglican Church of Canada, KAIROS, Beaconsfield United Church, Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Canadian Advocacy Group on the Philippines, MiningWatch Canada, Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights, Philippine Solidarity Group-Toronto,

Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns, Primate's World Relief and Development Fund, Chaire d'études asiatiques - Université de Montréal, Victoria Philippines Solidarity Group, Development and Peace, The United Church of Canada

Justice for Fernando Baldomero and all victims of extrajudicial killings

2010-07-13T11:17:00.005-04:00

The following statement was read by Fr. Artemio Calaycay, IFI, a member of the Centre for Philippine Concerns in Montreal, at an event on the island of Panay in the Philippines today, July 13, 2010, to demand justice for Fernando Baldomero, Bayan Muna coordinator. Baldomero was killed July 5 in front of his 12-year old son.

Justice for Fernando Baldomero and all victims of extrajudicial killings

Joint Statement from Bayan Canada and ILPS Canada

July 13, 2010 -- Our thoughts and hearts go out across the miles that separate us to the family and friends of Fernando Baldomero, the first activist killed under the new Aquino administration. We were shocked when we heard that Baldomero, a Bayan Muna provincial coordinator in Aklan, had been gunned down in front of his son by motorcycle-riding men right outside his home.

Just when we hoped the spate of killings begun under the former Arroyo regime would be coming to an end, it took barely five days after the new President was sworn in for the first extrajudicial killing of a political activist to occur.

But the shock had not worn off when the news of more killings reached our shores: Anak Pawis member Pascual Guevarra, 78 years old, from Nueva Ecija was killed right in his home on July 9, the same day as Mark Francisco, 27, an ACT Teachers partylist member and Edgar Fernandez, 44, another public school teacher, both from Masbate. Another ACT member and public school teacher, Dexter Legazpi, 36, also from Masbate, fortunately survived a shooting on July 6.

When are the these killings going to stop! When will the bloody climate of impunity put into place during the Arroyo reign be ended once and for all!

It is obviously not enough that the new President instruct the military to uphold human rights in its counter-insurgency campaign. They appear not only incapable of doing that, but instead are on a killing spree.

When will the new President have the strength of character and the human decency to do what is right and scrap Arroyo’s bloody counter-insurgency program known as Oplan Bantay Laya that has targeted unarmed activists?

Fernando Baldomero, a political detainee in the 1980s, paid the ultimate price for wanting justice, true democracy and a decent standard of living for the majority of Filipinos. Despite previous threats on his life he continued as a councillor of Lezo, Aklan and as the coordinator of the party-list group Bayan Muna and an official of the Makabayan Coalition in the province.

Just last March, two men on board a motorcycle with no plate number lobbed two grenades at Baldomero’s house. This was only one of several attempts on Fernando's life in the last year.

Be assured that we in Canada, part of Bayan Canada, along with our friends in ILPS Canada and the member groups of the Stop the Killings campaign will continue to be at your side across the miles demanding justice for Fernando, Pascual, Mark, Edgar and the hundreds of victims before them

We will not stop until the perpetrators of these atrocities have been brought to justice, no matter how high up the chain of command in the military structures it is necessary to go, and until the counter-insurgency campaign Oplan Bantay Laya has been scrapped. Human decency and a respect for fundamental human rights demands no less.

Stop the Killings in the Philippines
Justice for Fernando Baldomero and all victims of extrajudicial killings

Bayan activist shot dead: Gunman kills victim in front of 12-yr-old son

2010-07-05T22:17:00.001-04:00

By Nestor P. Burgos Jr.
Inquirer Visayas
First Posted 00:36:00 07/06/2010

ILOILO CITY—It seemed like any other school day. Fernando Baldomerro was getting his motorcycle ready to bring his 12-year-old son to school just a kilometer away.

But it was a different Monday morning.

As the provincial coordinator of the party-list group Bayan Muna and his son were about to drive away, an unidentified man pointed a gun at Baldomero, who quickly covered his son and tried to parry the gun away.

The gunman was quicker. He repeatedly shot ....

More at: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100706-279398/Bayan-activist-shot-dead

CAP-CPC Philippine trip sharing / BBQ-pot luck Saturday, July 3

2010-06-29T23:29:00.000-04:00

What:
Centre for Philippine Concerns and Friends
BBQ-pot luck and stories from the Philippines

Bring your meats, vegetables to BBQ and drinks to share!

Elections, human rights, environment, youth and student organizing: While Philippine society is largely unchanged since US colonial rule and elections are held like musical chairs for the ruling elites, a vibrant people's movement shines a path to a brighter future for the Filipino people. Amidst the poverty, political corruption and human rights abuses rises hope in the people's organizations who struggle for genuine freedom and democracy in the Philippines.

Come listen to the stories, and find out how we can become part of this living history. And help plan the next steps.

When:
Saturday, July 3, 2010, at 4:00 pm - 7:30 pm

Where:
Jill Hanley's place
7027 Boyer, between Bélanger and Jean-Talon (2 streets east of St-Hubert)
Jean-Talon Metro, St-Hubert exit.
514-270-0107

Statement of Gratitude to Our International Supporters: Morong 43

2010-06-23T20:19:00.002-04:00

We, the illegally detained community health workers, say it again that we are not spared from Gloria Arroyo’s most vicious and cruel government. The Filipino people have already judged the most hated Arroyo regime. As her reign will end on June 30, 2010, we wish to inform our local and international supporters that as community health workers who are witnesses to the sufferings of the poor and marginalized people in our country that have worsened during the Arroyo regime, we will carry on our struggle for our rights, justice, and freedom.

We are witnesses to the poor and oppressed families who are deprived of the fruits of their labours because they did not own the parcel of the land they till. We are witnesses to the cries of the people who are hindered to bring their sick loved ones to the hospital or even to buy the necessary medicines because of their extreme poverty. We are witnesses to the children who are forced to work in the farms who are supposedly seen in the classrooms.

It is ironic however that because of our desire to help these poor and oppressed families by carrying out a health education on healthy treatment of symptomatic ailments, we are languishing in jail. While undergoing health skills training, combined military and police forces raided the training centre we had rented, and handcuffed, blindfolded, tortured, and illegally detained us in detention cells inside the military camp. Though, we were already transferred from the military camp to the jail administered by civilian authority, we declare that our human and constitutional rights were grossly violated.

Without a lawyer of our choice, we are falsely charged of having participated in “bomb making training” and “illegal possession of firearms.” If we possessed those firearms, we could have fought for our way out. But our blood pressure apparatuses and medical instruments have not much to their high-powered rifles and armoured tanks. We did not squarely face them because we are unarmed community health workers who just want to serve the poor and the marginalized in the communities in our country. At that time of our abduction, we had no choice but to submit ourselves and endure the cruelties inflicted to us by our tormentors.

To boast for the “good” results of the counter-insurgency program of the Arroyo regime dubbed as Oplan Bantay Laya, the state forces exhibited us in public as medical officers and staff of the New People’s Army. We vehemently deny this accusation. We are community health workers who just want to share our knowledge, skills, and talents with the poor people in the different impoverished communities in our country.

Our plight now as detained community health workers is not separated from the plight of the Filipino people. In serving the poor communities, we have seen the injustices being experienced by the poor families who could not afford to earn a living and eat full meals in a day. Our heart breaks with the poor parents who cannot send their children to school and force them to work at an early age just to augment the income of their parents. We cannot help but to be angry in witnessing people who cannot afford to buy necessary medicines for their sick loved ones or bring them to the hospital.

As of now, we stand firm with our resolve to serve the poor while demanding the jail authorities to solve the problem of the poor ventilation of our small cells. We are also coping with poorly cooked and low standard food being served to us. We share our hope to our fellow prisoners charged of common crimes that someday they will also enjoy complete freedom from their inhuman conditions. Sometimes, we cry because of our ordeal, but we are happy because our loved ones and friends are with us. With clinched fists, we are shouting for justice and call on the new regime to set free the 43 health workers and all political prisoners in our country.

In our continuous call for justice and freedom, we are elated that you work and struggle for our immediate freedom. Your continuing support in our struggle strengthens our resolve to steadfastly serve the poor communities in our country.
We are prepared to face the hardships inside the jail. We are also prepared for a long battle in the court of justice. We can do this because our families, friends, and supporters take up our struggle and the struggle of the poor and oppressed people in our country and of the people around the world. We really feel this warm and strong solidarity.

We, the 43 health workers, express our heartfelt gratitude to you, our supporters. We wish you to continue your (moral, political, material and financial) support. Again, thank you!

+++++

We have received the following request from Fr. Dionito Cabillas of SELDA (Society of Ex-Detainees for Liberation and Amnesty) and Karapatan. Fr. Dion was the head organizer of the foreigners' visit to the Morong 43 during the recent People’s International Observers Mission to the Philippines. He appeals to Canadians to help the families of the detainees with materials and money, along with continued advocacy until their Supreme Court decision.

Fr. Dion said, "They are also anxious of the sustenance of their families left at home without a breadwinner. Thus, we appeal to our friends here and abroad to continue in their gathering of financial and material support for the Morong 43."

Philippines: Free the Morong 43 Health Workers!

2010-06-20T22:27:00.004-04:00

By Émilie Fontaine, Laura Cliche and Emily Misola Richard

The maximum security jail where the health workers are being held is depressing and dirty, especially on a boiling, suffocating day with temperatures rising to 40 degrees. Our international delegation includes participants from Canada, the US, and Australia. After waiting for more than an hour beneath a leaden sky at the entrance to the prison compound, we were allowed to enter after a strict inspection including a strip-search.

The first shock was to see the age of the prisoners, most of who are between 18 and 25. Two of the women are pregnant. We came to offer solidarity and support to the prisoners, but could not restrain our tears on seeing these young women and men so unjustly deprived of their liberty.

They are all health workers and include two doctors, a nurse and a mid-wife as well as trainees and volunteer support workers. They were all participating in a weekend training session devoted to emergency care when they were arrested on February 6, 2010.

Following a typhoon in September 2009 that killed more than 300 people in the capital, Manila, many doctors were critical of the government’s slow response in providing emergency medical treatment to its citizens. Public health workers joined together to express their indignation and to organize themselves in order to be able to offer better services when such a catastrophe occurs. They never suspected that they risked being arrested and tortured for accepting their responsibility to their fellow citizens.

Besides being illegal according to both Filipino and international law, their arrest was carried out in a brutal fashion that still leaves its marks on their bodies. Doctor Mendes, an experienced surgeon who was arrested along with the others, described the arrest as humiliating and said that for three months they were confined in a military camp where they were tortured, sexually harassed, and interrogated in the middle of the night.

One man, Jigs Clamor, visibly distressed by his wife’s imprisonment, explained that the techniques used by the army resemble those of the CIA: “Electrodes or a crown of thorns were placed on their heads, which produce a sense of being dazed, and constant pain. When we complained about this treatment of our loved ones, we were told that this is standard procedure.”

One young detainee, just turned 18, told us in a trembling voice about the torture she experienced: “They would come to get me in the middle of the night , dragging me out of the cell and from the arms of my companions, to interrogate me for hours at a time. Each time another woman was taken out we were terrorized, thinking of the punishment the soldiers would inflict on her.”

Four months after their arrest, no official charges have been laid against the Morong 43, which makes their detention illegal according to Filipino law. Local human rights groups told us this is a common way to harass and silence anyone who is critical of the government.

According to local allies of Amnesty International, more than 1,100 activists have been killed or disappeared over the last ten years. The International Federation of Journalists has declared the Philippines to be the most dangerous place on earth for journalists, ahead of Iraq and Afghanistan where wars are being waged. The UN Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston, has categorically condemned the repressive practices of the Philippine authorities and military, who go unpunished for attacking those working for civil rights.

Jigs Clamor, whose wife, a doctor, is still in jail, held their four-year-old son in his arms as he told us, “The only thing we want is that these health workers be released, so that they can continue their work for the underprivileged, and we are trying by every means available to get the government to listen to us.”

In the face of such severe repression, the international community must pass on their cries for justice and insist that the political authorities in the Philippines conform to international law.

Today we are calling on the Canadian government to urge the newly-elected Filipino government, which will take over at the end of June 2010, to put an end to this reign of violence and terror. This is particularly urgent since there have been six new victims of extrajudicial killings since election day: farmers Julito Etang and Borromeo Cabilis, labour leader Edward Panganiban, human rights worker Benjamin Bayles, and radio journalists Desiderio Camangyan and Joselito Agustin.

We demand the immediate, unconditional release of the Morong 43 healthworkers!

We demand the liberation of all political prisoners in the Philippines!

We demand the immediate application of the recommendations by UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston!

= = = =
The three authors are human rights activists who were in the Philippines at the time of the elections (7-18 May, 2010) as delegates from Quebec to the non-governmental People’s International Observers Mission (PIOM).

Emilie Fontaine is a political advisor to Bloc québécois MP Serge Ménard (Marc-Aurèle Fortin), and has a degree in Political Communications from the University of Montreal.

Laura Cliche is a Master’s level graduate student in Political Science at the University of Montreal, working on human rights issues in the Philippines.

Emily Misola Richard is studying International Law at the University of Québec in Montréal (UQAM) and currently completing an internship in Manila with the National Union of Filipino Lawyers.

The Canadian campaign to “Free the Morong 43 Health Workers” was inspired by their meeting with political prisoners and their families during the PIOM.

Libérez les 43 travailleurs de la santé

2010-06-11T18:30:00.014-04:00

par Émilie Fontaine, Laura Cliche et Emily Misola Richard

La prison à sécurité maximale où sont enfermés les détenus est triste et sale et tout particulièrement en cette journée étouffante où il fait plus de 40 degrés.

Après plus d’une heure d’attente à l’entrée de la prison sous un soleil de plomb, notre délégation internationale, comprenant 18 participants du Canada, des États-Unis et de l’Australie, peut entrer, mais non sans être soumis à des contrôles stricts, incluant la fouille à nue.

Notre premier choc fut l’âge des prisonniers. Il était impossible de rester insensible devant ce groupe composé en majorité par des jeunes entre 18 et 25 ans, dont deux femmes enceintes. Nous venions partager un message de solidarité avec les détenus, mais nous n’avons pu retenir nos larmes devant ces jeunes femmes et jeunes hommes privés de leur liberté de façon terriblement injuste.

Les travailleurs de la santé, incluant deux docteurs, une infirmière, une sage-femme et de nombreux volontaires, furent arrêtés le 6 février 2010 lors d’une fin de semaine de formation.

Le séminaire portait sur les soins d’urgence ; suite à un typhon qui a tué plus de 300 personnes dans la capitale en septembre 2009, les médecins ont été très critiques à l’égard du gouvernement philippin et sa lenteur à promulguer les soins de base à ses citoyens. Les travailleurs du domaine de la santé se sont associés pour crier leur indignation et s’organiser afin d’offrir eux-mêmes des services en cas de catastrophes. Pendant tout le processus, jamais ils ne se sont doutés être arrêtés et torturés pour une telle solidarité citoyenne.

Leur arrestation, en plus d’être illégale selon les lois philippines et internationales, a été perpétrée de façon brutale, laissant encore aujourd’hui des marques sur le corps des détenus. Le Docteur Montes, chirurgien d’expérience arrêté dans la foulée, nous a décrit ces moments comme étant humiliants autant pour l’arrestation subie que pour les conditions inhumaines de détention. Pendant plus de trois mois, ils ont été confinés dans un camp militaire où ils ont été torturés, harcelés sexuellement et interrogés en plein milieu de la nuit.

Jigs Clamor, visiblement éprouvé par l’emprisonnement de sa femme, a accepté de nous rencontrer pour nous faire part de sa détresse. Il nous explique comment ces techniques utilisées par l’armée ressemblent aux méthodes de la CIA : « Des électrodes ou des couronnes d’épines sont placées sur la tête, créant une sensation d’engourdissement et des douleurs constantes. Lorsque l’on dénonce cette torture de nos proches, on nous répond qu’il s’agit de procédure standard d’opération. »

Une jeune volontaire, qui vient d’avoir 18 ans, a partagé avec nous, la voix tremblante, la torture qu’elle a vécue : « Ils venaient me chercher en plein milieu de la nuit, m’arrachant de ma cellule et des bras de mes collègues pour m’interroger pendant des heures. Chaque fois qu’une femme était prise de la sorte, nous étions terrorisées en songeant aux châtiments que les soldats lui feraient subir.»

Quatre mois plus tard, aucune accusation officielle n’a été déposée contre les 43, rendant leur détention illégale selon les lois philippines. Les organisations locales des droits humains nous ont expliqué que malheureusement, il s’agit d’une façon commune d’harceler, et surtout de faire taire, toutes critiques face au gouvernement.

Cette arrestation de masse exacerbe le climat politique déjà insoutenable des dernières années. Selon les alliés locaux d’Amnistie internationale, plus de 1 100 activistes sont morts ou disparus lors des 10 dernières années. La Fédération internationale des journalistes a déclaré les Philippines le pays le plus dangereux au monde pour les journalistes, triste premier devant l’Irak et l’Afghanistan en situation de guerre. Le rapporteur spécial de l’ONU, Philip Alston, a condamné catégoriquement ces pratiques de répression par les autorités philippines, s’attaquant avec impunité à la société civile.

Jigs Clamor, dont l’épouse médecin est détenue, nous parle en serrant leur fils de quatre ans dans ses bras : « La seule chose que nous voulons, c’est que ces travailleurs de la santé soient relâchés, qu’ils puissent continuer leur travail auprès des démunis, et nous tâchons par tous les moyens de convaincre le gouvernement de nous écouter».

Devant une telle répression, la communauté internationale doit relayer ces cris d’injustice, et exiger que les autorités philippines se plient aux normes internationales.

Aujourd’hui, nous exigeons que le Canada réclame au nouveau gouvernement philippin, qui sera en poste le 30 juin 2010, la fin de ce régime de violence et de terreur.

Nous exigeons la libération immédiate et sans condition des 43 travailleurs de la santé.

Nous exigeons la libération de tous les prisonniers politiques philippins.

Nous exigeons l’application immédiate des recommandations du rapport de Philip Alston, Rapporteur spécial de l’ONU.

===== ===== =====

Les trois auteures sont des militantes des droits humains qui ont représenté la société civile québécoise lors de la Mission d’observation internationale populaire des élections philippines, qui s’est déroulée du 7 au 18 mai 2010 aux Philippines.

Lors de la Mission, elles sont allées à la rencontre de prisonniers politiques et de leurs familles. De ce rendez-vous est née la campagne canadienne « Libérez les 43 travailleurs de la santé ».

Émilie Fontaine est conseillère politique de Serge Ménard, député de Marc-Aurèle Fortin et bachelière en communication politique de l’Université de Montréal.

Laura Cliche est une candidate à la maîtrise au département de science politique de l’Université de Montréal travaillant sur les questions de droits humains aux Philippines.

Emily Misola Richard est une étudiante en droit international à l’UQAM, qui complète présentement un stage à Manille pour l’Union nationale des avocats philippins.

Survivor speaks of human rights horrors in Philippines | AsianPacificPost

2010-06-06T21:07:00.002-04:00

The beatings one year ago have left her with a bad shoulder.

The metal handcuffs have left bracelet-like marks on her hands.

The anguish of surviving where many have died gives her harrowing nights.

But Melissa Roxas considers herself lucky.

She lived to talk about the men who abducted and tortured her, unlike the estimated 1,000 people in her country who have been victims of political killings over the past decade.

This week, Roxas, a human rights advocate, brings her story to Vancouver as part of her Canadian tour with the creators of the Filipino film Dukot! (Abduct!) to raise awareness of extra-judicial arrest, torture and execution in the Philippines."

More at: http://www.asianpacificpost.com/news/topnews/article/survivorspeakshumanrightshorrorsphilippines

Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) condemns Israeli aggression on civilians aboard Freedom Flotilla to Gaza

2010-06-01T23:21:00.002-04:00

The Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) joins with people around the globe in holding the state of Israel guilty of an act of bloody "terror" in attacking unarmed civilians aboard ships of the Freedom Flotilla, guilty only of trying to bring aid to the people of Gaza.

Israel has reach new depths of depravity and lies in trying to disguise it's military assault on these civilians under, once again, the excuse of "self defence". The Canadian government, meanwhile, refuses to take a firm stand against these acts of terror, simply content to exlaim that it "regrets" the loss of life.

This farce has gone on long enough, we demand to bringing to justice of the leaders of Israel and their military for "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity". We demand that Canada denounce this act of blatant agression in international waters as an act of piracy and demand that all those responsible, at all levels of the Israeli state and military machine, be immediately arrested and made to answer in an international court for their crimes.

Our hearts go out to all those who lost loves ones in this disgusting display of military might against a passenger ship. Our hearts also go out to the people of Gaza, who continue to suffer under an inhumane Israeli blockade after suffering from a military onslaught in 2009, the horrendous images of which we witnessed in our living rooms. Enough is enough!!

RCI interview: Stefan Christoff, Montreal member of the People's International Observers Mission

2010-06-01T22:49:00.004-04:00

Stefan Christoff, an independent journalist and activist from Montréal, is interviewed by the Radio Canada International program The Link about his participation in the People's International Observers Mission (PIOM). Christoff was one of 89 international observers for the recent May 10, 2010 Presidential elections in the Philippines.

Listen to the audio of the interview here: http://www.rcinet.ca/english/column/the-link-s-top-stories/philippines-elections/

Tour of Philippine film Dukot (Abduct) comes to Montréal

2010-05-29T09:31:00.006-04:00

Dukot press con (FAMAS - Montréal)
Originally uploaded by cap_cpc

Friday, May 28, 2010 -- The visit to Montreal by the creators of the award-winning film, Dukot (Abduct), accompanied by U.S.-based poet-artist Melissa Roxas, a survivor of torture and abduction in the Philippines, got underway with a press conference today.

A delicious lunch was graciously provided by the Federation of Filipino Canadian Associations of Quebec at the FAMAS community centre.

Pictured are the members of the tour group, scriptwriter Boni Ilagan (front, 2nd from right), Melissa (fr, 3rd from right), lead actor Allen Dizon (fr, centre) and producer Dennis Evangelista (back, 3rd from left) and press con organizers. A pot-luck meet and greet with community members was held the same evening, also at the FAMAS community centre.

Award-winning Filipino film DUKOT screens in Montreal

2010-05-27T11:47:00.003-04:00

Montréal, May 27, 2010 -- As hopes ride high in Manila, where a new President is set to replace one of the most despised governments in recent history, the hard-hitting Philippine film DUKOT (Abduct), will screen in Montréal May 29-30, 2010.

This thriller has sparked controversy across the Philippines since it dares to expose that country's hidden story of human rights abuses. DUKOT brings back the political film genre, made popular by Filipino directors like Lino Brocka and Mike De Leon.

The film, the 2010 Philippine Gawad Tanglaw Award winner for Best Story and Movie Screenplay, will be presented in Tagalog with English sub-titles.

Directed by former political prisoner and one of the country's top filmmakers, Joel C. Lamangan, DUKOT is based on true stories and is written by Bonifacio P. Ilagan, himself a former political prisoner and victim of enforced disappearances.

It had its world premier at the Montreal Film Festival where it earned positive acclaim for its “great storytelling, thematic urgency, technical competence and tour de force performance of lead actors.” Several of the Philippine's top actors and actresses, including Gina Alajar and Allen Dizon, lent their talents to make the film a reality.

Three of the films creators will be in attendance at the screenings: Allen Dizon (the lead actor), Bonifacio P. Ilagan (scriptwriter), and Dennis Evangelista (producer), along with US-based poet and artist Melissa Roxas, who last year survived her abduction and torture in the Philippines.

SCREENINGS: WHEN & WHERE:

Saturday, May 29, 5 pm
Sunday, May 30, 5 pm

Cinéma du Parc
3575 avenue du Parc (corner Prince Arthur)
Metro Place des Armes (Autobus 80)
http://www.cinemaduparc.com/english/prochainemente.php?id=dukot#top

Also on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=115927711778484&ref=ts or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=112680278769954&ref=ts

Sponsored by: Philippine Association of Montreal and Suburbs (FAMAS), PINAY Filipino Women's Organization of Quebec, Federation of Filipino Canadian Associations of Quebec, Inc., Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns

FOR Tickets and MORE INFORMATION: FAMAS Community Centre +1 514-341-7477; Joey Calugay +1 514 947-3662, e-mail: capcpc@web.ca

Funds raised from the screenings will go to support Karapatan, the Philippine human rights alliance, and Desaparecidos, the organization of the families and relatives of the disappeared in the Philippines, as well as local education and advocacy programs.

DUKOT film trailer at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmiT77pI4cI

+++

Pot-luck dinner with creators of Dukot film

Meet the film's creators at a pot-luck dinner on Friday, May 28, 6-8 pm at the FAMAS Centre, 4710 Van Horne (Metro Plamondon). All welcome!

The Philippine elections: People power rising in Payatas - rabble.ca

2010-05-25T13:30:00.002-04:00

BY STEFAN CHRISTOFF
May 25, 2010

Along the winding pathways in Payatas, a major urban-poor community on Manila's outskirts, election signs are plastered to the walls of makeshift homes, electricity wires rest in ruff hanging bundles, weaving down a steep hill, looking out towards the gleaming office towers of downtown Manila.

The thousands of urban poor in Payatas are among the most marginalized in the Philippines, a community constructed on scavenging, metal sheet shacks, one-storey brick homes and junk shops, clinging to a steep hillside, resting just beyond Manila's main trash site. Thousands of tonnes of garbage are dumped each year in Payatas, creating a trash mountain that has become the engine to the neighbourhood economy, as many locals scavenge and sort garbage, selling recyclables or scrap metals for a few coins.

As an example of life of the 13 million urban poor in the Philippines, the extreme living conditions in Payatas reflect a broader reality in a country where millions of families do not have access to safe drinking water, quality healthcare or education; these millions represent a flipside to sharp figures of economic growth in the Philippines often projected in headlines of business newspapers globally.

More at: http://rabble.ca/news/2010/05/philippine-elections-people-power-rising-payatas

Tears flow as Canadian election observers visit in jail with detained health workers, the ‘Morong 43’

2010-05-21T16:35:00.002-04:00

By Dyan Bandayrel Ruiz
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 04:26:00 05/21/2010

MANILA, Philippines—There was not a dry eye when foreigners and locals met on Tuesday with some members of the “Morong 43” detained at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.

Twelve foreigners and members of Manila-based groups gathered around a table in the visiting area with 23 women detainees. Later, they spoke with the male detainees in the hallway outside their cells.

The visitors brought messages of solidarity and were moved to tears as the women talked about their feelings and experiences in detention.

More at: Foreigners cry with ‘Morong 43’ in jail visit - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

Five-city Canadian tour of award-winning film Dukot launched in Winnipeg

2010-05-17T11:40:00.002-04:00

Lead actor Allen Dizon (2nd from left) and screenwriter Boni Ilagan with audience members after launch of Dukot film tour in Winnipeg. (Photo: Damayan Manitoba)

Sunday May 16, 2010 - for immediate release

A five-city tour of Canada by the creators of the award-winning Philippine political thriller, Dukot (Abduct!), got off to a successful start with intense media coverage and three film screenings in Winnipeg, Manitoba, this past weekend.

The tour is organized by Philippine community and solidarity organizations in Canada in conjunction with the film's Philippine producers.

A packed house at the Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall at the University of Winnipeg stayed after the film, Friday, May 14, for an animated Q&A period with screenwriter Boni Ilagan, lead actor Allen Dizon, as well a real-life torture and abduction survivor, Filipino-American Melissa Roxas.

Leading up the screening, Ilagan and Dizon were interviewed by CKFJ, CJOB and CBC radio and were guests at a reception hosted by Dr. Lloyd Axworthy at the University of Winnipeg. They are to meet with Manitoba premier, Greg Selinger, on Monday, May 17.

Dukot is based on the stories of real life desparecidos (the disappeared) as well as the first-hand experience of scriptwriter Boni Ilagan, a former political detainee who was twice forcibly abducted. The film provides a powerful filmgoing experience while revealing the reality of the forced disappearances and ongoing human rights violations in the Philippines.

The film has already won awards for Best film, Best Director (Joel Lamangan), Best Story (Ilagan) & Best Actor for Dizon at the "8th Gawad Tanglaw Awards" along with a Best Actress Award for Iza Calzado and Best Original Song, "Mahal Kita Habambuhay," (lyrics - Boni Ilagan; arrangement - Lucien Letaba) at the "Golden Screen Awards" in the Philippines.

Many people in the audience were deeply touched by the story of Melissa Roxas, who was abducted and tortured in the Philippines in 2009, but has bravely decided to reveal what happened to her so that it will not happen to others.

The film tour will now proceed to Toronto (two screenings Saturday, May 22), Ottawa (screening Thursday, May 27), Montréal (screenings Saturday, May 29 and Sunday, May 30) and concluding in Vancouver with screenings on Thursday, June 3, Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, 2010.

For more information about the film tour please check out the following Facebook connections or local contacts:

Toronto: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=115268951834310&ref=ts
Jonathan Canchela - +1 647.833.1023
Chris Sorio - +1 416.828.0441
Email: migrantecanada@gmail.com

Ottawa: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=107805302596428&ref=ts
Tickets are available at Octupus Books, Divisoria Market and at Exile Info Shop

Montréal: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=115927711778484&ref=ts or http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=513218437#!/event.php?eid=112680278769954&ref=ts

Vancouver: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=112315895472833

International observers from Canada, U.S. and Australia hide as 2-hour gunfight breaks out during Philippine elections: exclusive video footage

2010-05-16T12:01:00.005-04:00

Amazing footage from Lanao del Sur in the Philippines. A two-hour gunfight breaks out despite the presence of international observers from Canada, Australia and the U.S. They were fortunately unhurt, but in the chaos one women is killed and two others injured.

This is just one of thousands of polling centers across the Philippines as over 50 million people voted in the first ever electronic elections on May 10, 2010. What went on where there were no outside observers and cameras from Kodao Productions and Bulatlat.com... I leave that to your imagination after viewing this video!

Also, see statement from People's International Observers Mission (PIOM): http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com/2010/05/international-observers-philippine-govt.html

- Malcolm

International observers: Philippine gov’t not committed to fair, honest and peaceful elections

2010-05-15T23:54:00.004-04:00

The first automated election in the Philippines was far from being fair, honest and peaceful, is the conclusion of a major group of international observers from 11 countries, saying that it was "the sacrifices made by the public school teachers and the resilience of voters" that made the elections possible.

The People’s International Observers’ Mission (PIOM) composed of 86 delegates from Australia, Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Japan, Hongkong, New Zealand, France, Germany, Denmark and Argentina drew this conclusion from their experiences in monitoring the elections in the country’s nine regions. (Photo from Kodao.org)

The People’s IOM delegates went to Northern Luzon, Central Luzon, Southern Tagalog, Bicol, Western Visayas, Caraga, Davao and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao and monitored the pre-election preparations the day before, the voting process on May 10 and the initial canvassing on May 11.

Did the automated electoral system (AES) achieve its objectives? For the People’s IOM, the widespread intimidation, vote-buying, corruption and violence showed that automation could solve only part of the problem.

“In focusing on the machines, the Comelec [Commission on Elections] lost the people,” they said.

“The Philippine government is not committed to free and honest elections,” the People’s IOM delegates further said, noting that there was a sore lack in the preparations.

The People’s IOM delegates also noted that political dynasties and their armed militias still lord it over local politics. “The political and economic inequality creates vulnerability to intimidation and vote-buying,” the mission delegates said.

Read full statement here: http://piom2010.wordpress.com/2010/05/15/philippine-govt-not-committed-to-fair-honest-and-peaceful-elections/

Les élections automatisées: un chaos annoncé

2010-05-14T10:23:00.006-04:00

Cet article provient de Laura Cliche et Emilie Fontaine, déléguées Montréalaises à la Mission d’observation électorale aux Philippines. Cet article a été écrit avant la tenue du scrutin mais son analyse s'est avéré bien fondée. D’autres nouvelles de Laura et Émilie suivront.

Tout récemment, un représentant de la Commission des élections philippines a affirmé aux médias : « Les Philippins ne devraient pas avoir de fausses attentes; l’automatisation de l’élection va échouer». Considérant que ces élections seront déterminantes et assigneront plus de 17 000 élus à travers le pays, une telle citation est plutôt surprenante, du moins pour deux Canadiennes.

Photo by Tudla Productions - Bulatlat.com: Teachers from Cembo Elementary School in Makati City are having difficulty making the PCOS machine print a complete initialization report during testing.

Les élections automatisées, où le vote est calculé par une machine et non à la main par des scrutateurs, a pourtant fait ses preuves. 21 pays utilisent présentement ce système, dont les Etats-Unis. Toutefois, celui-ci devient de plus en plus contesté, particulièrement depuis que la Cour suprême de l’Allemagne a demandé son retrait pour des raisons de transparence.

Les Philippines ont tout de même décidé de se lancer tête première dans l’aventure, sans hésitation, comme nous l’a affirmé Bobby Tuazon du Centre de gouvernance populaire : «Aucun pays dans le monde n’oserait tester pour la première fois des élections automatisées en les soumettant à 50 millions de votants. N’importe qui aurait décidé d’y aller étapes par étapes, mais bon, pas ici.»

Cet empressement crée de grandes craintes dans la population pour le succès des élections. Nous avons découvert que celles-ci sont malheureusement fondées.

La plupart des pays entreprenant un tel projet se sont assurés d’une qualité optimale des machines pour éviter toute contrainte lors du jour du vote; l’administration Arroyo, de son côté, a choisi le plus bas soumissionnaire. Celui-ci construira les dispositifs en Chine et ceux-ci sont considérés comme étant la plus basse qualité disponible sur le marché.

Le constructeur ne s’est toutefois pas penché sur une particularité géographique importante des Philippines; le pays est constitué de 7000 îles et de peu de routes asphaltées. Les machines devront donc se rendent par cheval, par chaloupes ou même à dos de buffles capables de traverser les rivières à grands courants.

D’ailleurs, deux jours avant les élections, elles n’ont pas terminé leur grand périple vers leur destination finale. Les journalistes, impressionnés du processus de déploiement, ont demandé au coordonnateur des élections comment il pensait s’y prendre pour apporter un appareil dans l’île de Batan, particulièrement éloignée des autres. Ils furent bien surpris d’apprendre que l’homme responsable ignorait l’existence de cette dernière!

Ces dispositifs, une fois rendus sur place, ne peuvent pas assurer une automatisation complète. L’électeur doit lui-même noircir au crayon les cases sur son bulletin de vote avant de l’entrer dans la machine. Leur piètre qualité complique ce processus puisqu’elle ne peut détecter que 16 intensités de gris du crayon, comparativement à la norme habituelle de 20 000 ! Face à cette situation, des tests extensifs sur les machines devaient être conduits; selon le plan initial 1000 électeurs devaient passer aux urnes en simulation pour rassurer la population, mais finalement le tout s’est arrêté après 50 personnes.

Selon les estimations les plus conservatrices, les électeurs ne sont pas au bout de leur peine. On s’attend à ce qu’entre 30% à 50% d’eux soient incapables de voter, malgré leur volonté (ces chiffres n’incluent pas l’intimidation des électeurs ni l’enlèvement de ceux-ci pour les empêcher d’exercer leur droit de vote le 10 mai). De ceux qui y parviendront, le tiers des bulletins devraient être rejetés.

Une fois que toutes ces épreuves seront relevées, la transmission du vote sera aussi un défi. Les résultats doivent être envoyés par le web, ce qui sera relativement complexe considérant que le tiers du pays n’a aucun accès Internet, ni onde cellulaire. Un satellite est prévu pour pallier à la situation, mais lors d’un test dans la capitale, celui-ci a échoué… Inutile de dire que de grands doutes existent.

Bobby Tuazon explique que face à toutes ces confusions sur l’automatisation « on s’attend à de plus en plus d’achats de votes puisque, même ceux aux intentions malveillantes ne feront pas confiance aux machines ». Selon lui, demain, la dernière journée avant le jour du vote, on pourra voir beaucoup de «bagmen », c’est-à-dire des hommes qui se promènent, soit en hélicoptère, en avion ou en voiture, chargés de sac contenant des millions de pesos pour acheter les électeurs.

Un membre du Congrès, Neri Colmenares, nous a affirmé que la seule chose qui soit certaine le 10 mai c’est que « peu importe ce qui arrive, c’est certain que tout se fera dans la confusion la plus totale ».

Laura Cliche
Émilie Fontaine
Manille, le 8 mai 2010

L’arrestation illégale de 43 travailleurs médicaux

2010-05-14T09:47:00.001-04:00

Cet article provient de Laura Cliche et Emilie Fontaine, déléguées Montréalaises à la Mission d’observation électorale aux Philippines. D’autres nouvelles suivront.

Y a-t-il beaucoup de pays dans le monde où un enfant de quatre ans peut expliquer à la presse pourquoi sa mère est prisonnière, mais innocente? C’est pourtant le cas du petit Egoy Clamor, fils de la Docteur Merry Mia Clamor.

Suite au typhon Ketsana qui a frappé une partie de Manille et de ses environs en septembre 2009, plusieurs travailleurs du domaine de la santé sont très critiques à l’égard du gouvernement philippin. Sa lenteur à promulguer les soins de base à ses citoyens ont convaincu médecins et infirmières de s’associer pour crier leur indignation, et s’organiser eux-mêmes pour offrir leurs services en cas de catastrophes. Pendant tout le processus, jamais ils se sont doutés être arrêtés et torturés pour une telle solidarité citoyenne.

En effet, le 6 février dernier l’armée et la police philippines ont fait éruption lors d’une de leur fin de semaine de formation pour arrêter tout personnel médical, un total de 43 médecins et infirmières.

Ceux-ci furent transportés dans un terrain de basketball sur une base militaire, attachés par des cordons de plastiques et les yeux bandés, où ils resteront pendant plus de 36 heures avant d’être transférés dans des cellules. Le Docteur Montes, arrêté dans la foulée, décrit ces moments comme étant extrêmement humiliants, autant pour les conditions inhumaines dans lesquelles ils étaient et que pour l’arrestation contraire à toutes les lois philippines.

Cinq jours s’écoulèrent avant qu’ils puissent connaître la raison de leur arrestation. L’armée les accuse de construire des bombes et de posséder illégalement des armes pour aider l’insurrection communiste. Ces allégations sont considérées, selon les organisations des droits humains locales, une façon commune d’harceler et de taire les groupes progressistes et de la gauche.

Plus les semaines avancent, plus les familles des victimes que nous avons rencontrées, découvrent à quel point les autorités philippines font fit des lois. Les détenus sont torturés, harcelés sexuellement et interrogés de façon brutale en plein milieu de la nuit. Jigs Clamor, visiblement éprouvé par la détention de sa femme, nous décrit comment ces techniques utilisées par l’armée ressemblent aux méthodes de la CIA : « Des électrodes ou des couronnes d’épines sont placées sur la tête. Lorsque l’on dénonce cette torture, on nous répond qu’il s’agit des procédures standard d’opération. »

Toutefois, l’association nationale des avocats philippins nous a confirmé que les Philippines ont signé, et ratifié, il y a 22 ans la convention internationale contre la torture et traitements inhumains. Tout récemment, en octobre, une loi fut adoptée pour placer clairement ces châtiments sous les pratiques illégales. Ces mesures juridiques ne freinent pourtant pas l’armée, qui es allée jusqu’à refuser pendant plusieurs jours l’accès au camp à la Commission des droits humains, chargée d’enquêter sur la légitimité de l’arrestation.

De nombreux efforts sont déployés par les défenseurs des droits humains, comprenant des conférences de presses et des rencontres avec différents ambassadeurs. Les familles espèrent que l’attention internationale permettra la libération des détenus, et la reconnaissance de l’illégalité de l’arrestation.

L’épouse du Docteur Montes, les yeux humides, nous raconte à quel point cette expérience est douloureuse «Au début, je ne pouvais ni voir mon mari, ni lui donner de la nourriture ou des vêtements. J’ignorais pourquoi il était là, et dans quelles conditions il était.» Jigs Clamour, à ses côtés, tient son enfant de quatre ans dans ses bras : « La seule chose que nous voulons c’est qu’ils soient relâchés, et nous tâchons par tous les moyens de convaincre le gouvernement de nous écouter».

Émilie Fontaine
Laura Cliche
6 mai 2010
Manille

Follow PIOM updates on Philippine elections via new blog

2010-05-11T10:55:00.003-04:00

The People's International Observers Mission (PIOM) monitoring the Philippine elections, including 28 delegates from Canada (5 from Québec), has created a new blogspot:

http://piom2010.wordpress.com/

Please visit and subscribe to be updated on what the delegates from the areas have reported so far.

For the PIOM Secretariat,
Norma Dollaga

Climate Change in the Philippines: From Environment to Justice

2010-05-10T13:15:00.007-04:00

Oyé Oyé Vous êtes invités-invitées à rencontrer Ricarido Saturay du Center for Environmental Concerns des Philippines

Comme vous le savez peut-être, les Philippines ont tenu des élections présidentielles le 10 mai. Le climat est tendu mais aussi propice aux changements! Nous aurons la chance d’accueillir un des partenaires de Développement et Paix aux Philippines qui pourra nous parler à la fois du climat politique mais aussi environnemental du pays!

Quand: Mardi 11 mai à partir de 18h30
Où: Centre pour les travailleurs et travailleuses immigrants 4755 Van Horne, Bureau 110

Au programme: Courte présentation, discussion, échange et beaucoup de plaisir !

Nous espérons vous voir en grand nombre!

Bonne journée!

****

Development and Peace invites all to a rare opportunity of learning and discussion on the subject of Climate Change in the Philippines from Environment to Justice. Ricarido Saturay, a Philippine Geologist, will share his experience on the subject.

When: Tuesday, 11 May, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm.
Where: Immigrant Working Center, 4755 Van Horne, Suite 110

On the menu: Short presentation, exchange, discussion and fun!!!

Hope to see you there.
Maraming salamat!

Geneviève Talbot
Chargée de programmes Asie / Program Officer Asia
Développement et Paix / Development and Peace

1425 Boulevard René-Lévesque Ouest, 3e étage
Montréal (Québec) H3G 1T7
Téléphone: +1 514-257-8711 (ext 567)
Télécopieur: +1 514-257-8557

Updates from Montreal-based election observers in the Philippines

2010-05-09T19:23:00.006-04:00

Reverend Shaun E. Fryday, from the Beaconsfield United Church in west-end Montreal, is in the Philippines as part of the People’s International Observers Mission (PIOM) for the crucial May 10, 2010, elections. He is in Abra in the mountainous Cordillera region of northern Philippines and is putting up his thoughts and photos on a blog : http://web.me.com/roc9/Shaun_in_the_Philippines/Rev._Shaun_Fryday/Rev._Shaun_Fryday.html

Rev. Fryday reports from Philippines as elections get underway:
It's ten minutes to six morning of May 10th as I write this note to you. We were to have departed for our area site visits at five but the driver of the jeepney (ed --Philippine public vehicle) was threatened last evening when we were visiting the congresswoman’s home. We are making new arrangements and hope to set off in the next hour. Again, I'm not concerned and our being here is to document this type of activity.

Also, Stefan Christoff, a Montreal-based journalist, musician and community organizer who is well-known to many CAP-CPC members, is observing the elections in the huge urban poor town of Payatas on the outskirts of Manila. He is sending regular updates on the elections via Twitter : http://www.twitter.com/spirodon

Stefan’s latest addition (7:08 am, May 10) : “at payatas elementary school, some voting machines not working just as voting is to start #piom @ancalerts”

28 Canadians in Philippines to observe Presidential election on Monday, May 10

2010-05-08T12:42:00.004-04:00

                   International observers hold press conference in Manila on May 8, 2010.
                   Eighty-six foreign delegates from 11 countries will observe the conduct
                   of automated elections in the country’s nine regions.

Twenty eight Canadians, including a Member of Parliament, Don Davies (NDP-Vancouver Kingsway) are in the Philippines to take part in an international observers' mission for the country's presidential elections on Monday, May 10, 2010. (Photo by Raymund Villanueva)

Deeply fed up with massive corruption involving high level officials, government inaction on the chronic economic crisis and the escalation of violence and human rights abuses, Filipinos are looking for change at next week's election. Since 2001 when President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo assumed power, close to a thousand activists and government critics have been killed and forcibly abducted.

The Canadians and 58 other members of the People's International Observers Mission (PIOM) will monitor and investigate electoral fraud and violence. The Philippines has a long history of election fraud, manipulation and violence, exemplified by the horrific massacre near the town of Ampatuan on the island of Mindanao late last year in which 52 people were killed in cold blood, including a record 30 journalists.

The international observers will also pay particular attention to the first-time nationwide use of automation in this election. There have been warnings that a "failure of election" could be declared due to the failure of the automated machines, which will allow President Arroyo to extend her term or for the military to take power.

The May 10 election will end the term of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, whose election in 2005 was marred by allegations of her involvement in the manipulation of election results. Public fear about such eventually has been heightened this week, just days before the election, with the failure of many automated machines to read votes accurately in field tests conducted around the country.

Members of the Canadian delegation may be contacted for email and phone interviews.Please contact:

Stefan Christoff: christoff@resist.ca; Phone/text: +63 921 598-2008

Please note that the Philippines is 12 hours ahead of the Eastern Time Zone in Canada

Solidarity party for People's International Observers Mission (IOM) in the Philippines - Montréal

2010-04-28T23:33:00.002-04:00

Montreal to Manila - Bayan Muna!

FRIDAY APRIL 30th 21h00 2010
'El 606' corner St. Laurent / Mount Royal
suggested donation $5-10
24 Mount Royal west
(entrance beside Ali Baba dépanneur)
Metro Mount Royal
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=116549488374299

featuring live DJs throughout the evening...
DJ Andy Williams
DJ Andy Williams is highly-respected deejay and radio host in Montreal with a growing international recognition, spinning regularly in Europe and the Caribbean. Andy's collaborations with various deejays and musicians reaches to and from many sources globally: Andy has had the opportunity to grace the turntables with many underground music-makers & curatorial peers who have the utmost respect for obscure rarities in dancefloor tracks. It wasn't easy at first playing mediums of ethnic backgrounds such as Cumbia Paseito, Mento, Avant-Garde Jazz, Funk and hard hitting Electro sounds in North America and Europe, but it's nothing new to intelligent avid listeners since the mid-century. http://ewola.com/andy.htm

DJ Julie D
Beats and breaks, fat bass, a pulsating rythmn that demand attention. Julie D. plays Electro, Dubstep, HardTek and Breakcore Ragga Jungle. She defenelty has her own styles and a good reserve of suprises. Based in her home town of Montreal for the last 7 years, Julie has in the pass collaborated in the studio with Zimo et Ataka of HardTek/Drum'n Bass outfit Zone-33. Julie is also part of various collectives that organizes parties across Montreal. As well as keeping them on the dance floor at home, Julie has made a name for herself in Venezuela. She started her dj career in Amsterdam 15 years ago with Radical Rehousing who became Zilch and continue to this day as Input Records, now based in Barcelona. She has travelled Europe in her 40 year old German army Hanomag truck and played et many parties, overground and underground for many years. So enjoy the musik!!! http://www.myspace.com/djulied

* DJ Jacob Cino

---
Montreal to Manila - Bayan Muna! is a benefit party for the Montreal delegation to participate in the upcoming People's International Observers Mission (IOM) in the Philippines bringing together grassroots election observers from around the world in the Philippines. People's International Observers Mission is being organized within the context of a systematic campaign of political killings in the Philippines. Hundreds of progressive activists in the Philippines killed according to Amnesty International including journalists, human rights workers, union organizers and student leaders have been systematically targeted by paramilitary and government-backed armed forces.

grassroots information on the Philippines at:
* Bulatlat http://www.bulatlat.com/

* event sponsored by the Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com/

Montreal vigil for the victims of political killings in the Philippines

2010-04-26T19:49:00.005-04:00

* For Immediate Release
Sunday, April 25, 2010

In the lead-up to the much anticipated Presidential elections in the Philippines, taking place in May 2010, social justice activists gathered in front of St James United Church in downtown Montreal on Saturday, April 24, 2010, to highlight the over 1000 political killings in the Philippines occurring since 2001 under the administration of current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Today, political organizers implicated in movements for social change in the Philippines are under the gun.

Amnesty International concluded in a recent report that “over recent years reports of an increased number of killings of political activists, predominately those associated with leftist or left-orientated groups, have caused increasing concern in the Philippines and internationally.”

Human rights activists held the vigil in Montreal to highlight the systemic political killings in the Philippines just two weeks before the crucial Presidential elections.

Saturday’s vigil also featured presentations from the five-person Quebec delegation traveling to the Philippines to observe May 10 Philippine elections with the Peoples’ International Observers Mission (IOM). The vigil led by Reverend Shaun E. Fryday, Minister at the Beasonsfield United Church and Fr Art Calaycay from the Philippine Independent Church (IFI).

PIOM Quebec delegate, Laura Cliche, also gave her testimony as a participant in the 2009 fact-finding mission for the Ampatuan massacre while doing an internship with the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines. Meanwhile, a street theatre paying tribute to some of the victims of political killings and enforced disappearances was also presented, along with the song Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa (Love of native land) by Bayan Canada members in Montreal.

As April 24 is also Cordillera day, the organizers of the event included a tribute to the victims of political killings among the members of the Cordillera people and played a recorded message by Dr. “Chandu” Claver, chairperson of Bayan Canada and member of the indigenous Bontoc tribe in Northern Philippines. Also present were some members of the BIBAK (Bontoc, Ifugao, Benget, Apayao, Kalinga) community in Montreal.

The event was organized to raise broad public support and awareness for the victims of the Philippine state’s Operational Plan Bantay Laya (operation “guard freedom” – a counter insurgency plan), election related violence and the important 25-person People’s International Observers Mission (PIOM) heading from Canada to the Philippines.

Event organized by :

Stop the Killings in the Philippines Campaign

BAYAN Canada (Montreal)

Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns

Vigile pour les victimes d'assassinats politiques et les disparitions forcées aux Philippines

2010-04-18T23:41:00.001-04:00

avec
Présentations des 5 Québécois qui iront en mission d'observation des éléctions du 10 mai aux Philippines

Quand: Samedi le 24 avril, 2010, 14 h à 16 h
Ou: l'Église unie Saint-James, coin Ste-Catherine et rue City Councillors, en face du Future Shop (Métro McGill) à Montréal

Vigile mené par le Révérand Shaun Fryday, Ministre à l'Église unie de Beaconsfield et Père Art Calaycay de l'Église indépendante philippine (IFI)

Bienvenue à tous et toutes.
Deux semaines avant la date des éléctions présidentielles aux Philippines, venez manifester votre solidarité avec les victimes des violations des droits humains aux Philippines, et apprendre comment l'importante Mission internationale d'observation participera au déroulement du processus électoral.

Pour plus d'information - appeler Malcolm Guy au + 1 514 574 9906.
Cet évènement est organisé par la Campagne pour faire cesser les assassinats politiques aux Philippines.

Vigil for the victims of political killings and enforced disappearances in the Philippines

2010-04-18T23:39:00.002-04:00

including
Presentation of the 5-person Quebec delegation to observe May 10 Philippine elections

When: Saturday, April 24, 2010, 2 - 4 pm
Where: St James United Church, 1435 Rue City Councillors (front of church on Ste Catherine St, across from Future Shop), Metro McGill, in Montréal.

Vigil led by Reverend Shaun E. Fryday, Minister at the Beaconsfield United Church and Fr Art Calaycay from the Philippine Independent Church (IFI).

All are welcome. Just two weeks before the crucial Presidential elections in the Philippines, come and show your support for the victims of the human rights violations in the Philippines, and learn about the important People's International Observers Mission (PIOM) heading to the Philippines.

For more information - Malcolm Guy @ +1 514 574-9906. Event organized by the Stop the Killings in the Philippines Campaign.

Morong 43 health workers remain defiant despite military mistreatment – exclusive photos

2010-04-16T22:07:00.001-04:00

18 Apr 2010; Sat; 6:57 am

by: Edre Olalia

Please find below the first known public group pictures of the 43 Morong health workers. These were taken immediately after the hearing yesterday before the Morong Regional Trial Court on the issue of their transfer from a military camp to a civilian police jail. There is an obvious scheme to keep them in the hands and at the mercy of the military.

They have been in the military camp since their illegal arrests last February 6, 2010 and have since been subjected to various forms of physical and psychological torture, threats, coercion, harassments, intimidation, repeated and endless interrogations without the presence of counsels of their choice, among others. Their families are also being surveyed, harassed and threatened. Their private doctors are arbitrarily refused entry. They are still being subjected to psychological torture and psy-war tactics and to arbitrary restrictions. Five of them are presently segregated from the rest, kept in a military safe house and are under duress and given military lawyers who eased out their counsels of choice. The latter have not been allowed to see or confer with the five since the start of March.

In spite of all of these and what they went through, they remain steadfast, committed, now even more assertive of their rights and in a fighting, defiant yet still jolly mood as the first picture shows. It was taken at the end of the lawyers' briefing and before they were herded back to the military buses en route back to the military camp.

They shall go on fasting starting today in protest of their continued detention in the military camp and the deliberate refusal of the military to bring them to the last two hearings before the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) where they filed complaints against the military and police for atrocious human rights violations based on well-documented accounts. The military continues to defy and disrespect the CHR mandatory orders.

Please use these pictures as you deem fit. As far as we know, these are the first complete group pictures of the detainees with their lawyers. (No cameras are allowed inside the military camp, much less the taking of the detainees' pictures as a group.)

Thank you.

National Union of Peoples' Lawyers (NUPL) and
Public Interest Law Center (PILC)
Counsels for the Morong 43

Luing with us again in Aguilar interview

2010-04-11T14:34:00.001-04:00

It is April 12 again, three years to the day that our friend Luing - Luisa Posa Dominado - was abducted by armed men, along with her companion Nilo Arado, and never heard of since. The driver of their van, human rights activist Leeboy Garachico, was shot in the neck and left for dead. For three years, there has been no news of the wherabouts of Luing and Nilo, despite the continuing protests, legal proceedings, mobilisations and campaigns for justice. Family, friends and comrades have marked her birthdays and anniversaries and have spent many tears and frustrations.

But Luing was among us once again thanks to the recent book, Pagtatagpo sa Kabilang Dulo: Panitikang Testimonial ng Desaparecidos, in which an interview done with her ten years before her disappearance by Filipino-American academic and friend Delia Aguilar was published for the first time. And we would like to share this discovery with you.

Aguilar's introduction and description of Luing captured the essence of the revolutionary woman she embodied, and we would like to quote:

"Luing's life has been an extraordinary one, an exemplar of dedication to the highest ideals of a people struggling for genuine independence and a more humane social order. Luing speaks for herself here in a way that is at once starkly simple and powerfully eloquent. Even so, I want to remark on her steadfast commitment, her "durabilty", as she puts it. I asked her a rather naive question about her previous involvement in Makibaka ( a women's organization founded in 1970) suggesting how, because of this, young women might view her as a role model. But it is neither Makibaka nor the teachers' union nor any women's group she has associated with that speaks to her gendered commitment. It is, instead, the complete absence of the slightest hint of self-importance in the telling of her life story that I find most compelling, something I have countenanced only in revolutionary women. This is not to speak of self-denial, or a weak sense of self. It is the opposite: here is someone - a woman, and to me this is key - who has come to an understanding of herself and the world around her in a way that has empowered her to give, and to give with neither the demands for praise or tribute nor the claims of sacrifice."

Aguilar's interview with Luing, revealed the accuracy of her description.

Aguilar: This label "Commander Posa", you became a legend, didn't you? Do you think that had an effect on women then, especially since you were in Makibaka? Does this have an effect on women today?

Luing: (laughs) this is only my impression, and I can't really say for sure because I'm not that involved in work with women at the moment. My impression is that in U(niversity of the) P(hilippines) and in other circles around here, if they need someone brave to speak up. (...) Whenever they need to call on someone they consider "courageous" (laughs) to speak, they invite me. I have opportunities to speak to various sectors like women, the urban poor, the peasants. I'm not sure (long pause), but probably people's initial impression is what they'd heard about me. Maybe once they see me, they realize that the myth of Commander Posa is hard to believe. (Laughs).

You see, the women who up to now have remained legends in Iloilo are the combattants; for example Teresa Magbanua, Waling-waling.

Aguilar: But that was an earlier era. For the current period it's you.

Luing: But as for women like myself, maybe the people can see for themselves that we're not really capable or up to that. (Laughs). Maybe it's just a matter of durability, that I spent more years of my life inside the movement than outside.

I joined at age 16, and now I'm 44. So the greater part of my life has been in the movement. Even in my family that's the same impression. In the beginning they were just tolerating my participation in the movement because they couldn't do much else. They couldn't convince me to quit. They were simply waiting for the time that I'd tire myself out. But in time I think they began to see that since I remained resolute, maybe that drew even just empathy with the cause. My guess is that if I weakened, the effect on them would have been different.

So maybe that's the same effect on other people. It's probably not so much the "legend" they've heard about, but what they see in you, that you still keep on going."

The interview is filled with many other thoughtful insights from Luing and is a revealing reflection of the period - 1999, a period following the turmoil and change in the movement to which she devoted her life. Her interview reveals some of the lessons drawn from struggles that had rocked the movement, and the steadfastness of her own commitment.

The movement is alive and well, as this entire book shows. It is filled with testimonials, poems, tributes, stories, including the writings of Luing's two wonderful daughters, MayWan and Tamara, along with those of the families and relatives of so many others - Leo Velasco, James Balao, Jonas Burgos, Karen Empeno - men, women who had such an important impact on those around them whose 'life blood is trickling into people's consciousness', as Bebing, another friend of Luing says.

Another good friend, Aya Santos, a spokesperson for Desaparecidos, writes to her father thus: "Along the way, while searching for you, I have encountered others who are also searching for their son, daughter, brother, sister, mother, father or even both parents.... We understand each other's feelings: we know how painful it is to long for missing parents. We share the same rage against your abductors and their bosses and this repressive system. (...) We are the children of the Desaparecidos. We are also the chidren whose parents have fought for their principles and have served the oppressed."

Rose Arado, the wife of Nilo Arado, who was abducted at the same time as Luing, writes on their wedding anniversary: "I cannot light a dinner candle for two and embrace you tightly. This night will be cold, but I will just keep the flame of courage burning in my heart to give me the strength each day as I wait eagerly for your safe return. (...) When you opted to live a life with the oppressed, just like Luisa, you knew the consequence of being tagged a communist, terrorist, a destabiliser, a threat to the society. This is the price of being faithful to the cause of building a just and humane society. This is truly a nobel endeavour. And I have never regretted that we are together in this cause. And until that night of April 12, when some unidentified armed men forcibly abducted you and Luisa, I almost couldn't believe that we are now starting to face the fascist attacks of this regime. (...) My love, on this day, I will make a vow to myself. I am reaffirming my love to you as my husband, as the father of DM, and as my comrade in the service of the people."

The testimonials, most in Tagalog and a few in English, are an inspirational read and leave one filled with hope, and the conviction that the truth cannot be snuffed out by killing those that dare to say it, that on the contrary, it spreads all the more like fire or a virus. Fan the fire! Catch the truth!

Published by the group Desaparecidos and the Amado V. Hernandez Resource Center, the book, Pagtatagpo sa Kabilang Dulo: Panitikang Testimonial ng Desaparecidos, is available from those organizations and in Canada from the Centre for Philippine Concerns in Montreal.

Marie Boti and Malcolm Guy
Montréal, April 12, 2010

See our short film about Luing and the disappeared:
Philippines: Democracy that kills
envoyé par Productions_Multi-Monde. - Regardez les dernières vidéos d'actu.

Michelle Smith defends her thesis successfully

2010-04-09T21:32:00.001-04:00

Congratulations go out to our dear colleague and friend and long-time CAP-CPC member and supporter, Michelle Smith, who successfully defended her Master of Communications Thesis at Concordia University on Tuesday, April 6, 2010.

Her thesis, "I'm Métis because I say that I am: Constructing Collaborative Autoethnographies" was the result of over two years research and work, and part of Michelle's own exploration of her Métis roots. The multi-disciplinary thesis, which included an experimental film, a written dissertation, and a youth video creation workshop resulting in a series of short films by Métis students, is groundbreaking in both form and content. Her thesis committee was enthusiastic in accepting it.

Hearty congratulations to Michelle from your friends at the Centre for Philippine Concerns!

+++++

Michelle Smith réussi sa défense de mémoire

Félicitations à notre chère collègue et amie Michelle Smith, qui vient de réussir la défense de son mémoire pour la Maitrise en Communications à l'Université Concordia le mardi, le 6 avril 2010!

Son mémoire, intitulé "I'm Métis because I say that I am: Constructing Collaborative Autoethnographies"(Je suis Métis parce que je le dit: La construction d'une autoenthnographie collaborative) est le résultat de deux années de recherche et de travail. Il est aussi le résultat d'une démarche personnelle de Michelle pour explorer ses propres racines de Métis. Le mémoire multi-disciplinaire incluait un court métrage vidéo expérimental, une dissertation écrite, et un atelier de formation video donné par Michelle à un groupe de jeunes Métis de Winnipeg, aboutissant en une collection de courts métrages.

Son mémoire est innovateur tant dans sa forme que dans son contenue. Le Comité d'examen l'a accueilli avec enthousiasme.

Toutes nos félicitations à Michelle de tes ami-e-s au Centre d’appui aux Philippines!

Canada to send 22 observers for Philippine elections in May

2010-04-08T10:36:00.007-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, April 8, 2010

Twenty-two Canadian citizens, including representatives from churches, labour unions, academics, lawyers and a sitting Member of Parliament, Don Davies, are preparing to head to the Philippines as part of an international observers mission during that country's upcoming Presidential elections.

On election day, scheduled for May 10, 2010, more than 17,000 offices will be contested across the country including the key posts of President, Vice President along with representatives to the House of Representatives, the Senate, and a range of provincial, municipal, and local offices.

The election will mark the end of the Presidency of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, whose nine years in power have been marked by hundreds of politically motivated killings and enforced disappearances, along with a climate of impunity for those guilty of the crimes, as revealed by Philip Alston in his April 2008 Report of the United Nations-Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The People's International Observers Mission (PIOM), to take place May 7 to 15, 2010, will monitor and investigate electoral fraud and violence, particularly since this is the first nationwide automated election in the Philippines. The goal is to assure that voters are protected and free to vote according to their conscience and that democratic processes are fully respected.

The Mission is organized by civil society groups in the Philippines, including churches, human rights advocates, lawyers and other non-governmental organizations.

Randall Garrison, an elected City Councillor from Esquimalt, B.C. and Mission member said, "The way Canadians have answered the call for this mission shows our strong concern for the deterioration of democracy and human rights in the Philippines.”

“The Philippines has a long history of election fraud, manipulation and violence, exemplified by the horrific massacre near the town of Ampatuan on the island of Mindanao late last year in which 52 people were killed in cold blood, including a record 30 journalists,” he said.

Garrison concluded, "The role of the Mission is to help ensure and to assess whether the conditions exist for the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in which Philippine citizens fully exercise their right to vote."

The eight-member delegation from British Columbia also includes Professor Valerie Raoul and health worker Ron Jeffries. Six delegates from five provinces are active with the United Church of Canada (UCC), including Omega Bula, Executive Minister of the UCC-Justice, Global and Ecumenical Relations Unit and Shaun E. Fryday, ordained Minister at Beaconsfield United Church in Quebec. Priscillia Lefebvre will attend as a member of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, local 4600 in Ottawa.

For further information and interviews contact Beth Dollaga in Vancouver at +1 604 320-0285

Pour plus d'informations et entrevues in français contacter Malcolm Guy à Montreal au +1 514 574-9906.

-- 30 --

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines statement on the continued detention of the Morong 43

2010-04-08T10:01:00.003-04:00

The illegal arrest and continued detention of the “Morong 43” in a military facility represent serious threat to the civil liberties of the Filipino people. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) follows with grave concern the shifting accusations of the military against the health workers, the conflicting positions of government authorities on the legitimacy of the arrest and detention, and the seeming lack of regard of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for human rights and the rule of law.

We are deeply worried about the wellbeing of the health workers in Camp Capinpin. We share the sentiments of other human rights groups that the presence of the detainees in a military camp makes them vulnerable to further abuses, psychological tortures, threats, and intimidation. Sustained exposure to psychosomatic strains may eventually break the fortitude and resistance of the Morong 43 into admitting under duress the accusations made against them.

The fact that the necessary defense against torture and human rights abuses has been rendered null by Court of Appeals (CA) elevates the concerns of the Church on the delivery of justice for the accused. Even assuming the legal correctness of the “Ilagan Doctrine” invoked by CA in denying the writ of habeas corpus to the detainees, we are still troubled by the reality that the Court has just, in effect, sanitized and legitimized the violations committed by the military against the health workers.
However, CA’s decision in itself does not remove the taint of an unlawful arrest and detention. The three ruling justices failed to recognize the nature of the arrest, which is deemed illegal because of a defective search warrant and the glaring contradictions in the military officers’ statements.

Similarly, the credibility of the inquest proceedings and the subsequent filing of charges are in doubt because the accused were denied counsel during interrogation, and the fact that statements or confession obtained during an illegal arrest are not admissible.

The issue is no longer about the Morong 43’s involvement or noninvolvement with the NPA nor about the veracity of torture claims of the detainees. The issue is a fundamental one about the importance of government institutions maintaining an objective distance and observing the rule of law in its operations.

Instead of calling for an end to CHR’s inquiry on human rights violations committed against the Morong 43, the AFP should support the initiative as concerned groups are only trying to shed light on the unlawful activities taking place in military operations.

The Church acknowledges the armed forces’ efforts and difficulties in putting an end to communist resistance, but under no circumstances can state agencies deal with citizens in any manner as they please.

Most of the Church’s development programs and ministries are community-based. Our clergy and laity work in rural areas and empower far-flung communities. Now, we could not help but fear that one day our efforts to help the poor and the marginalized will be perceived as threats, and that we may also be branded as insurgents.

This is the moment to press for answers and to demonstrate that there is a growing public demand, including from the Church, to restore the integrity of the government institutions—the military, the police, the civil courts, and the Department of Justice—and remind them of their mandate and fundamental principle, which is to impartially protect and defend the human rights.

For the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines,
+NEREO P. ODCHIMAR, D.D.
Bishop of Tandag
CBCP President
7 April, 2010

Résistance: an evening of art and poetry!

2010-03-04T16:21:00.006-05:00

You are invited to an evening of art and poetry.

Resistance / La résistance!

featuring the paintings of CAP-CPC member Eileen Young,
and poems of resistance by Montreal poets, Ehab Lotayef, Claudia Morrison, and James Joyce.

Thursday, March 11, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cafe Frejus
Verdun, Québec

5810 rue de Verdun, corner Manning (Verdun metro, take 107 bus west)
Tel: +1514-768-2134 (Cafe Frejus)

Eileen Young is a Montreal activist and artist, whose paintings are concerned with social, environmental, and political issues, and people's resistance to oppression. Ehab Lotayef (www.lotayef.com) is a poet, songwriter, photographer and engineer) whose poetry reflects his work in support of social and political justice. Ehab's poetry book "To Love a Palestinian Woman" is due in April 2010. Claudia Morrison is the author of a novel, a collection of short stories, and a memoir. Her collected poems will be appearing shortly. James Joyce has published poems in various journals over the years. He recently retired from John Abbott College.

Please join us for an evening celebrating resistance to political and social oppression!

Eileen Young
tel # +1 514-768-1868

Philippines: Les aventures d'Émile

2010-02-27T23:48:00.006-05:00

Les aventures d'Émile, un Montréalais de 20 ans, nous tiennent en haleine depuis qu'il est parti en voyage de solidarité internationale aux Philippines au début de février 2010. Faites de surprises, de découvertes du pays et de ses habitants, et de découverte de soi, ses lettres éloquentes nous font revivre nos propres expériences et renouvellent nos attaches à ce pays du sud-est asiatique. Le Centre d'appui aux Philippines a facilité son séjour.

LETTRE NO. 1
Bye-bye "confort occidental"

Le 14 février 2010

Lettre à mon père,

J'ai eu une première journée à Manille assez "rock'n roll"! En arrivant à l'aéroport, je disposais d'une feuille avec une adresse écrite dessus, celle du "Bayan office". Bayan est une organisation progressiste qui s'occupe de coordonner les efforts et actions de plusieurs groupes d'activistes, c'est "the umbrella organisation" comme ils disent ici. J'étais supposé m'y rendre pour rencontrer Rita, la femme qui s'occupe des relations internationales. J'ai donc pris un taxi pour m'y rendre. En chemin, j'ai pu constater le chaos absolu qui règne dans cette ville de Manille. Evidemment, comme bien des pays en Asie, la circulation se fait de manière un peu aléatoire, les voies de circulations ont l'air d'être là pour décorer.

Cliquez ici pour lire la suite des Aventures d'Émile

Philippines: the adventures of Emile

2010-02-27T23:03:00.002-05:00

We look forward to reading the latest letters from Emile, 20, a Montrealer on his first visit to the Philippines. He has kept us smiling and occasionally in stitches since he left for Manila in early February 2010 and we asked if we could share his letters with you, which he has gladly accepted to do. His "exposure" to the realities of the country and its inhabitants are filled with surprises, discoveries... and plenty of self-discovery, as you will see. They allow us to relive some of our own past experiences as first time visitors to this amazing country, and to renew our ties to its wonderful people. We hope you enjoy reading them as much as we have. The Centre for Philippine Concerns facilitated Emile's trip to this South East Asian country.

For short excerpts in English of the original letters in French click here

To read the letters in the original French please click here

On-line petition to request permanent residence status for Prof. Jose Maria Sison

2010-02-21T23:58:00.002-05:00

To the International Coordinating Committee and Member-Organizations of the International League of Peoples' Struggle

Dear Friends,

We, the International Committee DEFEND, are requesting you to sign the online petition addressed to the Dutch government for the granting of permanent residence to Prof. Jose Maria Sison, chairperson of the ILPS.

We also request you to urge your friends and allies who are respected individuals or officers and members of other organizations to sign the petition.

For the purpose of signing the petition, please visit either the following websites/url:

http://www.josemariasison.org/ (this carries articles related to the petition) http://www.petitiononline.com/JSdefens/petition.html

Thank you for your cooperation.

Yours in solidarity,

Ruth de Leon

International Coordinator

International Committee DEFEND

Feature radio interview: on movements in Manila

2010-02-21T16:04:00.002-05:00

by Stefan Christoff

Hope that you are all doing well, thank you for all your support and interest towards the 'on movements in Manila' photo exhibition at Kaza Maza throughout February, still there is opportunity to view the exhibition until the end of February at Kaza Maza, 4629 avenue du Parc, Montréal.

Also wanted to let people know that there is going to be a feature radio interview produced by Liz Pieries about 'on movements in Manila' broadcasting, Monday, February 22, 2010 on the Monday Morning After on CKUT radio at 7:30 am, tune-in in Montreal at 90.3fm or globally at http://www.ckut.ca/

Additionally in case you missed the opening for the exhibition at Kaza Maza, CKUT radio has uploaded the presentations by human rights observer Laura Cliche on the massacre of journalists in Mindanao, Philippines last fall and the reading from celebrated Filipino author Miguel Syjuco, author of the forthcoming book Illustrado...

* CKUT | Montreal Launch: Movements in Manila Photo Exhibition
http://tinyurl.com/ykv2j9j
---
* Kaza Maza
http://www.kazamaza.ca/
* Stefan Christoff is posting to the world wide web at
http://www.twitter.com/spirodon

Demand the Immediate and Unconditional Release of the 43 Healthcare Workers!

2010-02-17T13:51:00.001-05:00

Feb 16th, 2010

Dear Friends,

I want to urge you to help us in the effort to demand that the Philippine military release the 43 healthcare workers that were illegally arrested and detained on February 6, 2010 in Morong, Rizal, Philippines.

This issue is close to my heart because I know what it feels like to be held incommunicado, in solitary confinement, denied of my right to legal counsel, and denied access to my family and loved ones. I know what it feels like to be blindfolded and handcuffed, threatened, and not knowing what will happen next. I also know what it means to be tortured. It is as harrowing of an experience as it is traumatic.

Just a few weeks ago I was in New York City to talk about my experience of abduction and torture perpetrated by the Philippine military and to condemn the continuing human rights violations in the Philippines. Now there is news again of the arrest of the 43 healthcare workers, amongst them doctors and nurses. This just shows that the Arroyo government has every intention on escalating the violence against the people and committing gross human rights violations.

These doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers are the ones that go to poor and underserved communities and volunteer their time to provide much needed healthcare services and have saved lives. They are health workers affiliated with the Community Medicine Development Foundation (COMMED) and Council for Health and Development (CHD). They help train healthcare workers and they work with Community Based Health Programs (CBHPs) that have been present in most parts of the rural communities all over the Philippines since the 1970’s. CBHPs are present in areas where government services lack or are simply nonexistent. They provide primary healthcare and train and organize communities to set-up alternative healthcare systems that are people-managed and self reliant.

The Philippine government has paid back their thanks to these doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers by arresting, detaining, and torturing them. To justify their acts—despite the invalid search warrant and pretense used to raid the farmhouse of Dr. Melecia Velmonte where the health training was held—the military has accused the healthcare workers of being NPA rebels. It seems that every time the Philippine military is caught committing human rights violations they label anyone “NPAs” and plant evidence and witnesses against them to file false criminal cases. As if this would justify the torture and the violation of their rights, but the fact is that regardless, they are still protected under the Geneva conventions and International Human Rights Laws.

The military is getting caught in its web of lies and deceit in their attempt to justify the illegal arrest, detention, and torture of the 43 healthcare workers. This allows them to continue to act with impunity and to target civilians and anybody that is critical of the government. This incident further shows the arrogance, brutality, and ruthlessness of the Arroyo government.

It is reported that some of the 43 healthcare workers, 26 of whom are women, have experienced sexual abuse while detained. Also, when the Philippine military finally presented the 43 healthcare workers before the Court of Appeals on February 15, 2010 due to the petition of habeas corpus filed by the families of the 43 and the mounting public pressure, Dr. Alex Montes gave his testimony. He described the inhumane conditions he endured, about being handcuffed and blindfolded for 36 hours, held in solitary confinement, and not being able to utter another word after being asked how this experience has affected him, witnesses said he returned to his seat seemingly broken.

I am afraid for what Dr. Montes was unable to say, and about the other torture he and others probably endured. After all, he still has to go back to the military camp after his testimony and he is still at the mercy of his captors. Let us prevent any further violation of his rights, let us demand the end to the torture of the 43 healthcare workers and demand their immediate release.

No one has been prosecuted for human rights violations and the Philippine government continues its brutal policy unabated even as international condemnation of the Philippines for its gross human rights record has been expressed by the United Nations Human Rights Council, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and other international bodies. What is especially disturbing to me is that our taxpayer dollars here in the United States are being used to fund and train the Philippine military who is guilty of committing these human rights violations. We can say “no to more human rights violations in the Philippines” by saying “no to more military aid” and urging our government to cut military funding to the Philippines. We can also bring these human rights violations and the case of the 43 healthcare workers to the attention of our local representatives and Senators by writing to them and signing petitions like the one below.

The 43 healthcare workers include doctors like Dr. Montes and Dr. Merry Mia Clamor who chose to stay in the Philippines instead of going abroad. In a country where 7 out of 10 Filipinos do not even see a doctor before they die, and where the majority of the people lack access to public health services and facilities, these doctors and healthcare workers that have dedicated their time and skills to serve the poor and marginalized communities of the Philippines are doing their heroic duty and sworn mandate to serve and attend to the medical needs of the poor and the most vulnerable in society. They deserve not only our praises, but they need our continued support and our outcry for justice.

FREE THE 43 HEALTHCARE WORKERS NOW!
NO TO IMPUNITY IN THE PHILIPPINES!
STOP HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES!
STOP TORTURE NOW!
STOP MILITARY AID TO THE PHILIPPINES!

Sincerely,
Melissa Roxas

RE-POSTED FROM: http://justiceformelissa.org/

Please sign the petition:
http://www.petitiononline.com/Free43

For more information and to find out what you can do please visit:
www.karapatan.org
www.bulatlat.com

43 health workers enter court handcuffed to soldiers

2010-02-15T23:38:00.004-05:00

Update in fight to free the 43: first-hand report on Court of Appeals hearing held February 15, 2010

by Renato Reyes

When the 43 arrested health workers were brought to the auditorium of the Court of Appeals, each was handcuffed to a soldier. If they were going to the rest room, they would be accompanied by the soldier assigned to them. Only when they enter the rest room would their handcuffs be removed. This went on for some time, before lawyers asserted that the handcuffs be removed and the detainees allowed to confer with their lawyers and family members.

It was almost 3pm when the hearing started. Atty. Romeo Capulong raised his objection to the handcuffs on the detainees even while inside the court room and the inability of the lawyers to properly confer with their clients. He asked the justices not to allow Martial Law to be imposed inside the court.

As they entered, some detainees managed to smile and raise their clenched fists to the family members and supporters inside the court room. I saw one detainee try to hug his wife, even while he was seated and handcuffed to a soldier. As they hugged, the soldier was right there beside them.

Atty. Capulong also moved that the detainees be transferred from Camp Capinpin to Camp Crame because of the many cases of ill-treatment and difficulty of lawyers to access their clients. The Court said it would deliberate on the motion at the appropriate time.

Thus the hearing for the petition of the writ of habeas corpus began. The presiding justice asked if the 43 were present inside the court room. Another justice asked that all detainees stand so that they may be counted. The 43 stood, all of them accounted for.

Atty. Capulong then asked the court if he can begin the presentation of evidence and witnesses. This was objected to by the Assistant Solicitor General who said that the habeas corpus hearing was not the proper venue to hear evidence pertaining to the conditions of confinement or if there were improprieties in the arrest.

The judge eventually ruled in favor of the petitioners and allowed the presentation of one witness, upon the request of Atty . Capulong. The 43 were also allowed to submit their affidavits detailing their arrest and detention.

The Assistant Sol-Gen asked for a “concession” from the court by asking the media to leave the room and to hold the hearing under executive session. The presiding judge ruled that the hearing was a public hearing and that the media is allowed to cover the event, minus cameras.

Dr. Alex Montes takes witness stand

Dr. Alex Montes, 62-year old surgeon and one of the trainers in the health seminar was called to the witness stand. He gave an account of his arrest and the events since he was brought to Camp Capinpin.

He said that at around 6am, an undetermined number of soldiers barged into the resort owned by Dr. Melecia Velmonte. They were taken by the armed men but were not informed of their offense. The armed men proceeded to the conference room, he said. He described the situation as disorganized, with people running all over the resort. He was later handcuffed and blindfolded and led to vehicle. The arresting officers did not inform his of why he was being taken or where we was being taken. He said they traveled for an hour and a half.

Atty. Capulong asked him what the effects of the handcuffs and blindfolds were on Dr. Montes. He said that he could not walk alone, and had to suffer the indignity of having someone else lower his pants and underwear for him to be able to pee.

Among other things, Dr. Montes related that he was handcuffed and blindfolded until early evening of February 7 (nearly 36 hours) when he and the others were subjected to inquest proceedings. The inquest appeared to be a farce since they were only called out one by one, informed that they were being charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives and afterwards, the prosecutor from the Department of Justice left.

Dr. Montes said during interrogation, he was brought outdoors to what appeared to be some cliff or inclined plane. He was repeatedly asked questions about his alleged affiliation with the NPA. During several sessions, he was asked if he knew Tirso Alcantara or Ka Bart. His interrogators said they saw him in Luneta, meeting with two other people, talking about military strategy. They said he was part of the Military Commission of the NPA.

Dr. Montes did not eat from the time he was arrested (Feb.6), up to the time his blindfold and handcuffs were removed (Feb.7) . He believed that the drinks given to him were laced with some substance because he could feel them around the mouth of the cup.

When Atty. Capulong asked him of his current detention status, Dr. Montes said that he remains under solitary confinement, only getting some 15 minutes of sun the past two days. He does not get news from the outside world, and visits have certain restrictions.

Finally, Atty. Capulong asked Dr. Montes how this whole ordeal has affected him. It was at this point that Dr. Montes looked up and appeared unable to continue, almost on the brink of crying. He was assisted back to his seat.

The counsels for petitioners and respondents were given 48 hours to file their respective memorandums and then the case is considered submitted for decision within a week.

Protestors great 43 with noise barrage

At the hearing, most of the 43 were in high spirits. When they left the room, some of them waved goodbye then raised their clenched fists, a sign of their continuing defiance. As they left the CA compound, they were greeted by a noise barrage from the protesters outside. The grounds of the CA was turned into a virtual garrison with troops carrying long firearms scattered all over the place.

The police had to push back the rushing mob who wanted to get a glimpse of the 43 health workers. It took some time for the buses to be able to leave the CA compound as protesters were gathered outside.

We ended the rally outside after I gave some updates on what transpired inside the court room. Right now, our lawyers have their work cut out for them. The next 48 hours will be very important for the case. In the next nine days or so, we will know if the petitioners will get the relief that they petitioned for.

We call on our friends here and abroad to intensify the calls for the release of the 43. We hope that the CA will issue a favorable ruling so that in the near future, the 43 will regain their freedom, be reunited with their families and continue with their work.

P.S.
In a statement to the media, General Jorge Segovia of the 2nd Infantry Division now says that the 43 are indeed health workers, but that they belonged to the NPA and are part of the “health bureau”. He described this as a “superbody” that is the equivalent of the Department of Health in the revolutionary movement. This after the AFP insisted that the 43 were being trained to build bombs instead of undergoing a health seminar.

The AFP is now caught up in its own lies.

Renato Reyes is the secretary general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance.

CAP-CPC condemns abduction and torture of 43 health workers in the Philippines; demands their immediate release

2010-02-09T16:05:00.002-05:00

The Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns in Montreal joins with the member organizations of the Philippine Solidarity Network - Canada and BAYAN Canada to denounce the abduction and torture of 43 health workers and doctors in Rizal, Philippines.

This appears a repetition, on a massive scale, of the 2009 abduction and torture of Melissa Roxas, a health worker from the U.S. who was released only after widespread public pressure. It also comes in the wake of the bloody massacre late last year of 57 people - including 30 journalists - in Ampatuan, Mindanao, where the police, military and private paramilitary have been implicated.

In the lead up to the May Presidential elections it seems that the military, police and the private death squads have received a green light to attack, harrass, abduct, torture and even kill members of the progressive, pro-people forces in the Philippines, or anyone who dares to question the authority of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her cohorts.

This is clearly President Arroyo’s bloody counter-insurgency program Operation Plan Bantay Laya 2 in action. And it is all carried out in a climate of almost total impunity - the torturers and killers knowing they can literally "get away with murder". Only now, over two months after the Ampatuan slaughter, have murder charges finally been laid against 197 people, including policemen, soldiers and government-financed paramilitaries. The big question, given the Philippine government's record, is: "will justice truly be served"!

The depths to which the regime of Madame Arroyo will dip to stay in power seem to have no limits. It is becoming difficult to believe the Philippine government is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and a party to all the major Human Rights instruments. It seems Malacanang believes they are not worth the paper on which they are written.

The CAP-CPC joins with other forces in demanding :
1. The immediate release of the health workers who are illegally arrested and illegally detained at Camp Capinpin, Tanay, Rizal.
2. The Philippine government ensure the safety of the victims and that they are not harmed; their belongings be returned immediately to them and those involved in their torture should be arrested and face criminal charges.
3. The immediate formation of an independent fact-finding and investigation team composed of representatives from human rights groups, the Church, local government, and the Commission on Human Rights that will look into raid, illegal arrest and reported torture of the health workers conducting health skills training in Morong, Rizal.
4. A stop to labeling and targeting of human rights defenders by the military as “members of front organizations of the communists” and “enemies of the state.”

Vancouver Health workers condemn abduction and torture of 43 health workers in Philippines

2010-02-09T15:11:00.001-05:00

Organizing Centre for Social and Economic Justice
672 E. Broadway
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V5T 1X6

February 8, 2010

Ambassador Brilliantes
130 Albert Street, Suite 606
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
K1P 5G4

Dear Ambassador Brillantes,

I am writing on behalf of the Organizing Centre for Social and Economic Justice, an alliance of grassroots community organizations with hundreds of members in Vancouver, Canada, to convey our strong condemnation of the abduction of 43 health workers by the Philippine Army and Philippine National Police on February 6 in Rizal, Philippines.

This criminal abduction, and the baseless and slanderous accusation that these health workers are ‘enemies of the state’ or involved in some kind of criminal activity, are an affront to people everywhere concerned with peace and social justice. The health training which was being conducted in Rizal is part of the ongoing work of legal and legitimate health organizations in the Philippines who work tirelessly to improve the health of poor and marginalized communities throughout the country.

As health workers, community organizers, union members, students, and concerned community members we join the call for the AFP and PNP to immediately and unconditionally release the abducted health care workers and cease and desist the labelling, harassment and intimidation of progressive organizations and individuals engaged in grassroots health work and advocating for social justice in the Philippines.

We ask you to convey our concerns to the appropriate authorities in the Philippines.

Sincerely,

Beth Grayer
Zailda Chan
Aiyanas Ormond
Martha Roberts
Dave Hendry
Erika Fuchs
Azar Mehrabadi
Rocio Vasquez
Yuly Chan

++++++

Background information:

Media Release

09 February 2010

“AFP Tortured Detained Doctors and Health Workers” - HEAD

Health Alliance for Democracy (HEAD) strongly condemned the torture perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines on 43 doctors and health workers illegally arrested and detained since Saturday.

“Based on accounts by the detainees, the AFP has subjected them to various forms of torture and sexual harassment,” said Dr. Geneve E. Rivera, HEAD Secretary-General. She was among those who accompanied Commission on Human Rights Chair, Atty. Leila de Lima, who visited the detainees yesterday.

The illegally detained health personnel were handcuffed and blindfolded for more than 36 hours after being forcibly brought to Camp Capinpin, headquarters of the 202nd Infantry Brigade. They were also denied food and even bathroom privileges.

“They were not allowed to go to the bathrooms on their own, and their custodians were the ones who removed their underwear every time they had to urinate,” added Dr. Rivera. “A female health worker complained that a female custodian was even the one who washed her genitals after she used the bathroom.”

Family members cried openly when they were finally able to see their loved ones. Yet Colonel Aurelio Baladad did not even let this pass and taunted them by calling them “paid actors who are not really relatives of the detained”.

According to accounts by the relatives, the detainees were subjected to hours of interrogation despite their demands for legal counsel. The pregnant women were not spared.

Confined in dark cells and forced to listen to sounds of gunfire, the detainees were also forced to admit that they were members of the New People’s Army. They were not allowed to speak to each other and every night, they were slapped several times.

“One of the detained men already had sore arms and wrists from being tied down for so long,” added Dr. Rivera. Some had their pictures taken without their consent.

Dr. Alex Montes, who is already 60 years old, was electrocuted and repeatedly hit on the chest while being questioned. The pain was so much that after several hours, he was willing to admit to anything if only to end the brutal punishment he was receiving.

“The mental and physical torture inflicted by the AFP is inhumane and criminal. That they can do this to the very people who care for our lives and well-being speaks volumes as to the kind of soldiers and officers the military establishment employs,” added Dr. Rivera.

“We live in a time when civilian authorities under its chief executive, Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, provide the military and police implicit consent to conduct the worst forms of abuses on the people.”

“This is worse than the Marcos dictatorship. This is Oplan Bantay Laya, Mrs. Arroyo’s legacy of counter-insurgency aimed at civilians, especially those who serve the poor and those who are critical of her regime.” ####

References:

Dr. Geneve E. Rivera
Secretary-General, +63920 460 3712

Dr. Darby S. Santiago
Chair, +63927 473 7700

Exposition de photos - Mouvements à Manille - au Café Kaza Maza à Montréal

2010-02-03T18:28:00.005-05:00

-- avec conférence par Miguel Syjuco, auteur philippin primé

-- et présentation par Laura Cliche, de retour d'une mission d'enquête autour du massacre à Ampatuan aux Philippines.

Mouvements à Manille
exposition de photos par Stefan Christoff au Kaza Maza
Lancement:
jeudi, le 4 février, 2010 18h - 20h
Kaza Maza, 4629 Avenue du Parc
(au nord de la rue Mont-Royal)
Montréal, Québec

* Miguel Syjuco, originaire de Manille réside à Montréal depuis trois ans. En 2008, son premier roman, Ilustrado, a gagné le prix le plus prestigieux de l'Asie, le Man Asian Literary Prize. Ilustrado sortira en mai 2010 dans 16 pays et 12 langues. http://www.syjuco.com/

* Laura Cliche, étudiante en maîtrise à l' Université de Montréal, revient d'un séjour de cinq mois aux Philippines. Elle y a été stagiaire avec la National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP). Elle a eu l'occasion de participer à une mission international d'enquête et de solidarité suivant le massacre d'Ampatuan, ou 57 personnes ont ét brutalement assassinées, inclant 32 journalistes. Elle a pu rencontré les survivants et les familles des victimes, des membres du gouvernement et des journalistes locaux. De retour à Montréal, elle travaille avec les militants d'ici pour exiger que justice soit faite pour les victimes, et pour réclamer une fin aux assassinats politiques aux Philippines.

En même temps, vous aurez l'occasion de visiter l'exposition de photos de Stefan Christoff, prises lors de son voyage aux Philippines en 2007 pour participer à la Mission internationale d'observation.

KMU invites you to its 26th International Solidarity Affair

2010-02-03T14:59:00.001-05:00

01 February 2010

Dear comrades and friends:

Warmest solidarity greetings from Kilusang Mayo Uno!

We would like to invite you to participate in the 26th KMU International Solidarity Affair (ISA) to be held in Manila, Philippines from 29 April 7 May 2010. The ISA is an annual gathering of workers, trade unions, labor rights advocates, and friends and supporters of the working class in Asia and the Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North and Latin America.

The theme for this year is Jobs for All, Not Jobs for Profit: The Crisis of Imperialist Globalization and the Continuing War on Terror.

The 26th ISA takes place in an era of continuing struggle for decent wages, jobs, rights and social justice amid the impacts of the global financial and economic crisis on the workers. Governments and capitalists sing in unison that the worst is over and that the global economy is on the way to recovery. Yet, the crisis continues to take its toll on the people and there are no real signs that the situation is going to get better in the next few years.

This time, more than ever, there is a need to discuss imperialist globalization and its destructive effects on labor.

By destruction, we mean the destruction of jobs and labor rights the right to decent wages, the right to assembly, the right to collective bargaining, the right to unionize. Destruction also means the violent attack on workers - the overt and covert intimidation of unionists, organizers and trade union rights defenders, the presence of police and military in our workplaces and communities, and the abduction and killings of trade unionists and workers.

Locally, the 26th ISA also occurs in one of the exciting but dirtiest times in the country - the election season. The national elections takes place on May 10. A Peoples International Observers Mission (PIOM) has been formed to monitor election fraud, help thwart violence and protect the Filipino peoples votes. KMU supports this initiative and we encourage our ISA delegates to also join us in this endeavor.

As the imperialists consolidate their ranks to protect their profits amid the global financial crisis, we the workers must likewise heighten our solidarity and struggle. By leaps and bounds, we must grow in strength and advance our struggle for national liberation, genuine democracy and socialism.

Last year, delegates from 18 countries gathered at the 25th ISA to celebrate 25 years of working class solidarity. Delegates passed a resolution to build a broad anti-imperialist labor solidarity that aims to gather trade unionists, workers and labor advocates in common actions against imperialist crisis, plunder and war. This year, we hope to come up with concrete plans on how to move forward in establishing such solidarity.

Please join us in this important affair. Thank you and we hope to hear a favorable response from you.

Yours in working class unity,

Elmer Labog
Chairperson

Tess Dioquino
International Department Secretary

Photo exhibit opening to feature prize-winning author Miguel Syjuco and Laura Cliche, just back from mission to Ampatuan

2010-01-26T09:27:00.007-05:00

The opening of a photo exhibit - On movements in Manila - at the Kaza Maza cafe in Montreal will feature a presentation by prize-winning Filipino author Miguel Syjuco as well as Montrealer Laura Cliche, who has just returned from a mission to investigate the Ampatuan massacre in the Philippines.

On movements in Manila
photo exposition by Stefan Christoff at Kaza Maza

Exposition opening
Thursday, February 4, 2010 18h - 20h
Kaza Maza, 4629 Avenue du Parc
(north of Mont-Royal St.)
Montréal Québec

* Miguel Syjuco is from Manila and has lived in Montreal for almost three years. In 2008, the manuscript for his debut novel, Ilustrado, won Asia's biggest literary award, the Man Asian Literary Prize. Ilustrado will be published in May in 16 countries and 12 languages. http://www.syjuco.com/

* Laura Cliche is a Masters student at the Université de Montréal who lived in the Philippines for the last five months. As an intern at the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), she had the opportunity to join the International Solidarity and Fact-Finding Mission following the Ampatuan Massacre, where 57 people were brutally murdered, including 32 journalists. She met with the families of the victims, a survivor of the massacre, government officials and local journalists. Back in Montreal, she is working in close relationship with Filipino activists to demand justice for the victims and to put an end to the killings in the Philippines.

+++++
On Facebook

A photo exhibition presenting portraits and visual mediations from Manila, Philippines captured by Stefan Christoff showing throughout the month of February 2010 at Kaza Maza.

In striking colors Christoff's photos portray moments, symbols and faces from the Philippines, focusing particularly on grassroots social movements.

Present in the photographs is the human impacts of an economic crisis in the Philippines, fueled by corporate globalization and free trade policies.

Today the majority of people in the Philippines live below the poverty line, according to the U.N. more than 15 million people survive on less than one U.S. dollar a day.

In the Philippines extreme economic disparity is leading to increasing political unrest, channeling grassroots support towards revolutionary political parties in the cities and guerrilla movements in the countryside.

In photographs this exhibition offers images that attempt to capture the mood of a country struggling against intense poverty, state corruption and for national liberation.

* on twitter:
http://twitter.com/spirodon

Ampatuan, Copenhagen, India... human rights in 2009

2009-12-12T19:27:00.000-05:00

CAP-CPC invites you to Filipino-style coffee house / Kapihan

When: Thursday, December 10, 2009 from 6 pm - 8:30 pm
Where: Café Hubert-Aquin
UQAM - Pavillon Hubert-Aquin
400, Sainte-Catherine East, Montréal
local A-2030 - 2nd floor (Metro Berri-UQAM)

Please join us for a "Kapihan" at Café Hubert-Aquin in Montréal on Thursday, December 17, 2009, from 6 pm - 8:30 pm. It's an evening of coffee, art and politics - Filipino-style with sharing about the human rights situation in the Philippines and elsewhere. We have a thought-provoking lineup of subjects and speakers.

1. Impact of recent Ampatuan massacre on regime of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo with Malcolm Guy
2. Discussion on eco-socialism in the wake of Copenhagen with Roger Rashi of Masse Critique
3. Rana Bose - India : Tribal Insurgency and anti-Globalization Struggles

At the same time, you can catch Stefan Christoff's photo exhibit, based on his trip to the Philippines for the International Observers Mission in 2007, which is featured until the end of the year at the very friendly Café Hubert-Aquin.

Malcolm Guy
info: 514 574-9906 (cell)

Ampatuan, Copenhague, l'Inde... et les droits humains

2009-12-12T19:24:00.001-05:00

CAP-CPC vous invite au Kapihan, une soirée café-échanges

Quand: jeudi le 17 décembre 18h à 20h
Où: Café Hubert-Aquin
UQAM - Pavillon Hubert-Aquin
400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal
local A-2030 - 2e étage (Métro Berri-UQAM)

Vous êtes invité à une soirée "Kapihan" au Café Hubert-Aquin à Montréal le jeudi 17 décembre de 18h00 à 20h30. C'est une soirée de café, art et politique incluant des échanges sur la situation des droits de la personne aux Philippines et ailleurs dans le monde.
1. La situation aux Philippines suite au massacre d'Ampatuan with Malcolm Guy
2. discussion sur l'éco-socialisme et les résultats de Copenhague avec Roger Rashi de Masse Critique
3. Rana Bose - Inde: la lutte des indigènes et l'anti-mondialisation

En même temps, vous aurez l'occasion de visiter l'exposition de photos de Stefan Christoff, prises lors de son voyage aux Philippines en 2007 pour participer à la Mission internationale d'observation.

Malcolm Guy
info: 514 574-9906 (cell)

Coalition of media groups calls for independent probe into massacre of journalists in Ampatuan

2009-12-11T10:49:00.005-05:00

(CMFR/SEAPA/IFEX) - 9 December 2009 - The November 23 Movement, a coalition of media groups, including SEAPA, has issued a statement "calling for justice for fellow journalists and other innocent civilians who were abducted, slaughtered and hastily buried in mass graves in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on November 23, 2009."

A CHALLENGE OF CONSCIENCE
A Joint Media Statement

The brutal, indiscriminate mass murder on Monday (November 23, 2009) in Ampatuan town, in Maguindanao province, raises the ultimate challenge of conscience. It carries the culture of impunity at work in this country to such levels of horror that, if it remains unpunished for long, can send the nation into an inexorable descent into absolute dehumanization.

The crime thus calls for swift justice, which can only be achieved through a credible and independent process, which in turn can only be achieved without the hand of this government - a government justly mistrusted generally and openly friendly precisely to the very members of the clan accused in the massacre.

We, ourselves colleagues of the more than a score journalists who were killed, demand the following:

One, the creation of a commission outside the government to investigate the crime;

Two, the arrest and prosecution of all the people involved in it in any way, as murderers themselves or their protectors;

Three, the formation of a special court to try the case;

Four, fully guaranteed protection for the witnesses;

Five, the disarming and dismantling of all private armies, such as those evidently employed in the massacre.

Six, the enlistment of persons of unquestioned probity in the whole process;

And finally, the resignation of the government if it fails to deliver such basic satisfaction - indeed, the very same government that has encouraged, by partisanship and conspiracy, the culture of impunity of which the massacre has been the most abominable manifestation.

* The November 23 Movement is a loose coalition of media organizations calling for justice for fellow journalists and other innocent civilians who were abducted, slaughtered and hastily buried in mass graves in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on November 23, 2009. It has been calling for an independent investigation of the crime that killed 30 journalists in a single attack, suddenly catapulting the Philippines to the position of the world's deadliest place for journalists.

http://www.ifex.org/philippines/2009/12/09/media_groups_coalition/

For more information:
Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility
2/F Ateneo Professional Schools - Salcedo
130 H.V. dela Costa St., Salcedo Village
Makati City 1227
Philippines
staff (@) cmfr-phil.org
Phone: +632 8400903
Fax: +632 8400889
http://www.cmfr-phil.org

Southeast Asian Press Alliance
Unit 3B, Thakolsuk Place
No. 115 Tetdumri Road
Dusit, Bangkok 10300
Thailand
seapa (@) seapa.org
Phone: +66 2 243 5579
Fax: +66 2 244 8749
http://www.seapa.org

Bulatlat.com
Business World
Center for Community Journalism and Development (CCJD)
College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)
Davao Today Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ)
MindaNews
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)
Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ)
Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI)
Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project (PHRRP)
Philippine Press Institute (PPI)
Pinoy Weekly People's Journal
______________________________________________________
DISTRIBUTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
EXCHANGE (IFEX) CLEARING HOUSE
555 Richmond St. West, # 1101, PO Box 407
Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5V 3B1
tel: +1 416 515 9622 fax: +1 416 515 7879
alerts e-mail: alerts(@)ifex.org general e-mail: ifex(@)ifex.org
Internet site: http://www.ifex.org/
______________________________________________________

On-line petition to demand justice for victims of Ampatuan massacre and end to impunity in the Philippines

2009-12-03T19:02:00.002-05:00

Sign the on-line petition entitled: Strike against Impunity, Strike for Peace and Democracy at the following link:

http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?Ampatuan

Vigile pour condamner le massacre d'Ampatuan aux Philippines

2009-11-30T23:03:00.001-05:00

Quand: mercredi le 2 décembre 2009 de 10h00 à 11h30
Ou: l'Église unie St-James, 463 Rue Ste-Catherine Ouest, Montréal, Qc
Organisé par le Centre d'appui aux Philippines, le Réseau de solidarité avec les Philippines - Canada, la Compagne pour faire cesser les assassinats politiques aux Philippines (STKP) et La ligue internationale de luttes des peuples - Canada

Vigil to demand justice for victims of Ampatuan Massacre in the Philippines

2009-11-30T23:02:00.001-05:00

When: Wednesday, December 2, 2009, 10 am - 11:30 am
Where: St. James United Church, 463 Ste-Catherine Street West, Montreal, Qc
Organized by Centre d'appui aux Philippines - Centre for Philippine Concerns, Philippine Solidarity Network - Canada, Stop the Killings in the Philippines, International League of People's Struggle - Canada

The Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) condemns the Ampatuan Massacre in the Philippines and demands justice for all victims

2009-11-30T22:26:00.004-05:00

Montréal, Québec, Canada - November 28, 2009

The Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) vehemently condemns the barbaric massacre of at least 57 people, including many women and children, 29 journalists, and human rights lawyers on November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan, Maguindanao on the island of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.

The victims were abducted and executed by approximately 100 gunmen while en route to file election papers for Ismael Mangudadatu as a candidate for governor of Maguindanao in the May 2010 elections. The candidate was not with the entourage as he had received death threats.

The 29 journalist victims constitute the largest group of media personnel killed in a single incident in the world. Twenty-four of the victims were women including the candidate’s wife and sisters and two lawyers, Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo. Many of the victims were beheaded and mutilated; some of the women were raped.

It signals the opening round of what we fear to be an extremely bloody lead up to the Presidential elections in May 2010 in which entrenched forces will use any means to maintain control behind a facade of democracy.

Police have named as the chief suspect, Andal Amputuan Jr., son of the three-term governor of Maguindanao province and a powerful supporter of the Lakas Kampi colation led by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. Andal Ampatuan Jr. was being groomed to take over his father’s position as Governor. He was assisted by senior police officials, local police and paramilitary forces who function as a private army of the Ampatuan clan. An earth digger registered to the provincial government was even on hand to bury the victims in common graves prepared in advance.

The Ampatuans are governors of both Maguindanao and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) and the family includes a cabinet undersecretary, congressmen and several town mayors . These warlords delivered large numbers of questionable votes to the ruling coalition of President Arroyo in the 2004 and 2007 elections. The town nearest the massacre site carries the family's name.

The Ampatuan warlords apparently consider themselves untouchable because of their loyal ties to the Arroyo government. A climate of impunity reigns for human rights violators and mass murderers in the Philippines.

Since 2001 over 800 people have been killed in the Philippines, all of them in some way seen as opponents or critics of the regime led by President Arroyo. The dead include peasants, lawyers (22), judges (15), opposition politicians, journalists and other members of civil society as well as 51 incidents of massacres victimizing 255 persons.

These extra-judicial killings are perceived to be a result of the U.S.- initiated counter-insurgency plan to eliminate the New People’s Army - Operation Plan Freedom Watch (Oplan Bantay Laya - OBL). The OBL was first ceated by the Arroyo regime in 2002 as a 5-year plan and extended in 2007 with the support and encouragement of the U.S. Government under its “global war on terror” policies. There have been no proper investigations of these extrajudicial killings and only one prosecution and conviction.

In the case of the Ampatuan massacre, it took four days before the principal suspect was taken into custody and only after intense public outcry for justice. The Arroyo government’s initial response was to declare a state of emergency in the province which would be enforced, of course, by the local state apparatus controlled by the Ampatuans.

Over the past few years, the Arroyo government has given the Ampatuan clan the authority to recruit and arm civilians to assist in fighting “insurgents” in the region. As a result, the Ampatuans now have a 500-strong army, which includes entire regular military and police units assigned to ensure the security of the clan members, as well as 200 special armed civilian auxiliary forces. These paramilitary forces of the Civilian Volunteer Organization (CVO) and Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) are officially designated and financed by Manila as auxiliaries of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in line with Oplan Bantay Laya.

Through its continuing support for OBL, Washington bears responsibility for this crime against humanity. The US military considers Mindanao strategic for its forces in this part of the world. It maintains military facilities on the island in direct violation of the Philippine Constitution. It has conducted at least seven military exercises in Mindanao since 2001, poured in millions of dollars of military aid and has trained local security forces to enhance “interoperability” with US troops.

Ottawa also shares responsibility. Canadian mining companies are active in several islands of the Philippines including mineral-rich Mindanao and are known to use local private security forces as well as the AFP and PNP to protect their interests.

In a statement, the Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) and Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) pointed out that in 2007, Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur for extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, made a number of recommendations to prevent further and punish past extrajudicial killings.

Their statement reads: (Alston's) recommendation that, “(C)onvictions in a significant number of extrajudicial executions must be achieved” has not been implemented. His recommendation that, “IALAG [Inter-active Legal Agency Group] should be abolished, and the criminal justice system should refocus on investigating and prosecuting those committing extrajudicial executions and other serious crimes” has not been implemented. His recommendation that “(H)uman rights should be safeguarded within the peace movement” has not been implemented.

The statement concludes: “The Philippine government failed to take effective steps to prevent or punish those extrajudicial killings, in spite of the careful recommendations of Professor Alston. That failure violated the Philippine government’s primary legal duty to protect the right to life and to ensure adequate criminal and civil remedies when that right is violated. It also created the climate of impunity that encouraged and allowed the November 23 2009 massacre. For a period of over eight years, the Philippine government has on the one hand refused, and on the other, demonstrated a lack of capacity, to carry out the investigations required by both international law (binding on the Philippines) and domestic law.”

The Stop the Killings in the Philippines Network and the Philippine Solidarity Network - Canada calls on all justice-loving people to denounce the Ampatuan Massacre and all other extra-judicial killings in the Philippines, demand an independent international probe of these killings, and condemn the Arroyo government for coddling mass murderers and human rights violators as well as its direct implication in the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

We demand the dismantling of the private armies of the warlords in Maguindanao Province as well as other parts of the Philippines and the immediate rescinding of Executive Order 546 created by the Philippine government in July, 2006 which allows local politicians to convert and fund their private armies as legal entities in the counter-insurgency program.

We demand that those responsible for this attack as well as those involved in the more than 1,000 extrajudicial killings perpetrated with impunity, be they hired thugs or ranking officials in the government and its police and armed forces, be immediately investigated and made to face prosecution and such further actions as required by local and international law.

Too many people have died, the bloodbath and the climate of impunity must stop now.

JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF AMPATUAN MASSACRE!
JUSTICE TO ALL VICTIMS OF EXTRAJUDICIAL KILLINGS!
STOP THE KILLINGS IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Annex:

Given the intimate ties of the Ampatuans and other forces in the Philippines with the U.S.-backed Arroyo government, there is no reason to expect that any fact-finding body or investigation initiated by the present Philippine government will be credible or will bring justice to the victims of massacres and other human rights violations in the Philippines.

To this end we join with other lawyers and human rights organizations around the globe in demanding:

1. The appointment of a team of professional investigators from outside the Philippines;
a) qualified in the various necessary aspects of criminal investigations,
b) absolutely independent of the Arroyo regime; and
c) authorized to compel production of evidence and examine witnesses; and
d) mandated to conduct a thorough, transparent and accountable inquiry into the 57 murders that occurred on November 23, 2009; as well as put into place the mechanisms for uncovering the facts and responsibility behind the other political killings and forced disappearances, and
e) mandated to make recommendations for the prosecution of the suspected perpetrators identified by the inquiry and to make recommendations of alternatives in the event that the Philippine courts are unable or unwilling to proceed with the prosecutions recommended.
2. Monitor and assure the safety of others likely to be under attack, including the witnesses.

On movements in Manila: photo exhibit by Stefan Christoff at UQAM

2009-11-19T12:16:00.005-05:00

for the months of November/December 2009 at UQAM

Exhibit opening
Tuesday, December 1, 6 pm - 8 pm
Café Hubert-Aquin
UQAM - Pavillon Hubert-Aquin
400, Sainte-Catherine East, Montréal
local A-2030

A photo exhibition presenting portraits and visual mediations from Manila, Philippines captured by Stefan Christoff showing throughout the month of November and December 2009 at Café Hubert-Aquin at UQAM (University of Quebec in Montreal).

In striking colours Christoff's photos portray moments, symbols and faces from the Philippines, focusing particularly on grassroots social movements.

Present in the photographs is the human impacts of an economic crisis in the Philippines, fueled by corporate globalization and free trade policies.

Today the majority of people in the Philippines live below the poverty line, according to the U.N. more than 15 million people survive on less than one U.S. dollar a day.

In the Philippines extreme economic disparity is leading to increasing political unrest, channeling grassroots support towards revolutionary political parties in the cities and guerrilla movements in the countryside.

In photographs this exhibition offers images that attempt to capture the mood of a country struggling against intense poverty, state corruption and for national liberation.

* on Facebook/Twitter:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181852641249
http://twitter.com/spirodon

* co-presented by the Center for Philippine Concerns

Mouvements à Manille: exposition photographique de Stefan Christoff à UQAM

2009-11-10T22:40:00.004-05:00

Novembre/Décembre 2009 à UQAM

Vernissage de l'exposition
Mardi le 1 décembre 18h - 20h
Café Hubert-Aquin
UQAM - Pavillon Hubert-Aquin
400, rue Sainte-Catherine Est, Montréal
local A-2030

Une exposition photographique présentant des portraits et des méditations visuelles de Manille, aux Philippines, captées par Stefan Christoff sera présentée tout le mois de Novembre et Décembre 2009 au café Hubert-Aquin à UQAM.

Avec des couleurs vives, les photos de Christoff dépeignent des moments, des symboles et des figures des Philippines, se concentrant en particulier sur les mouvements sociaux populaires.

L'impact humain de la crise économique aux Philippines, causé par la mondialisation et les politiques de libre échange, est visible sur les photographies. Aujourd'hui, la majorité de la population aux Philippines vit sous le seuil de pauvreté. D'après l'ONU, plus de 15 millions de personnes survivent avec moins d'un dollar US par jour. L'extrême inégalité économique est un facteur d'instabilité politique grandissante qui accroît le soutien envers les partis politiques révolutionnaires dans les villes et envers les mouvements de guérilla dans les campagnes.

Par la photographie, cette exposition présente des images qui tentent de capturer l'atmosphère d'un pays qui se bat contre une pauvreté extrême, la corruption de l'Etat et pour la libération nationale.

* co-présentée par le Centre d'Appui aux Philippines

* sur twitter et facebook
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=181852641249
http://twitter.com/spirodon

Book launch in Montreal featuring Philippine revolutionary Jose Maria Sison on November 7

2009-10-25T12:52:00.006-04:00

Featuring author live from The Netherlands

When: Saturday, November 7, 2009; 2 pm - 4 pm
Where: Maison Norman Bethune Bookstore, 1918 Frontenac Street in Montreal, right next to the Frontenac Metro
Free admission

The Norman Bethune Bookstore, with the Centre for Philippine Concerns and BAYAN Canada, invites you to the Quebec launch of the first two books in the Selected Works of Philippine revolutionary, Professor Jose Maria Sison. This special event will be held Saturday, November 7, 2009 at the Bookstore located at 1918 Frontenac Street in Montreal, right next to the Frontenac Metro. The author, who lives as a political refugee in The Netherlands, will be present via videoconference. It is to be noted that November 7 marks the 92nd anniversary of the October Revolution which led to the founding of the Soviet Union.

Founder of the new Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in 1968, Jose Maria Sison, or Joma for short, is one of the most important political personalities in this South-East Asian archipelago of 7000 islands. Arrested during the time of the Marcos dictatorship, Sison spent nine years behind bars before his release in 1986. But repeated threats on his life from the military and the Philippine regime eventually forced him to leave his homeland. Jose Maria Sison is presently the chief negotiator in the peace talks with the Philippine government for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). He also heads the International League of People's Struggles, a global anti-imperialist organization.

After having been persecuted for more than seven years by the Council of the European Union and included on a “black list” of international terrorists, Sison recently won an important victory when all Council decisions were annulled by the European Court of First Instance, which also ordered that his name be removed from the terrorist listing.

Admired by millions of Filipinos who consider him an outstanding patriot, Sison is also respected internationally by groups and organizations struggling for national liberation, democracy and socialism. In 1986, Robert A. Gorman's Biographical Dictionary of Marxism lists Prof. Sison as one of the 200 most important Marxist thinkers since the Manifesto of the Communist Party was published. Sison is the author of many works including the well-known Philippine Society and Revolution, which was published in 1971 under the nom de guerre Amado Guerrero and has been republished four times.

The first two books in Sison's Selected Works were published in the spring of 2009 by the Philippine publishing house, Aklat ng Bayan (www.askatngbayan.org). The first, For Socialism, Justice and Peace, covers the period of 1991-1995. The second, For Democracy and Socialism against Imperialist Globalization, covers the following period until 2000. In both works are writings on the economic, political and social situation in the Philippines, as well as essays on crucial issues on the international scene (imperialist war, economic crisis, globalization). The two works reveal the importance of Prof. Sison as a revolutionary thinker and activist as well as the depth of the national democratic movement in the Philippines.

The Norman Bethune Bookstore and distribution centre was set up in March 2009 by the Revolutionary Communist Party. It focuses on historical and contemporary works which promote the struggle against the capitalist system and the pertinence of socialist revolution in the 21st Century.

The November 7 event is presented in collaboration with the Centre d'appui aux Philippines – Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) and BAYAN Canada. Founded in 1982, the CAP-CPC http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com is made up of Filipinos and non-Filipinos in Quebec who support the movement for National Democracy in the Philippines. BAYAN Canada http://byncan.wordpress.com is an initiative of over 20 Philippine groups across Canada and was founded in Toronto in September, 2008.

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For more information
514 563-1487
info@maisonnormanbethune.ca
www.maisonnormanbethune.ca

Lancement des deux premiers tomes des œuvres choisies de Jose Maria Sison le 7 novembre

2009-10-25T12:30:00.004-04:00

Avec la participation de l'auteur, directement des Pays-Bas

La Maison Norman Bethune vous invite à un événement très spécial où l’on procédera au lancement québécois des deux premiers tomes des oeuvres choisies du professeur Jose Maria Sison. L’événement aura lieu le samedi 7 novembre 2009 à compter de 14h à la librairie, située au 1918, rue Frontenac, à Montréal (à deux pas de la station de métro éponyme). L’auteur, qui vit actuellement aux Pays-Bas avec le statut de réfugié politique, s’adressera au public par vidéoconférence et en profitera pour souligner le 92e anniversaire de la Révolution d’octobre, qui aura lieu le même jour. (La traduction simultanée sera offerte sur place.)

Fondateur du Parti communiste des Philippines en 1968, Jose Maria Sison est l’une des personnalités politiques les plus importantes de cet archipel d’Asie du Sud-est. Arrêté à l’époque de la dictature de Marcos, il a passé près de neuf ans en prison avant d’être finalement libéré en 1986. Les menaces proférées contre lui par les militaires et le régime ayant succédé à celui du dictateur l’ont finalement contraint à l’exil. Jose Maria Sison agit désormais comme consultant auprès de l’équipe de négociation du Front national démocratique des Philippines. Il préside également un important regroupement anti-impérialiste, la Ligue internationale des luttes des peuples (International League of People’s Struggle).

Après avoir été persécuté pendant plus de sept ans par le Conseil de l’union européenne qui l’avait placé sur sa « liste noire » des terroristes internationaux, Jose Maria Sison vient tout juste de remporter une importante victoire alors qu’il a été blanchi par le Tribunal de première instance des communautés européennes, qui a ordonné que son nom soit retiré de cette liste inique.

Admiré par des millions de gens aux Philippines qui le considèrent comme un grand patriote, Jose Maria Sison est aussi un militant internationaliste connu et respecté parmi les groupes et les organisations qui luttent pour la libération nationale, la démocratie et le socialisme ailleurs dans le monde. En 1986, le Dictionnaire biographique du marxisme (Biographical Dictionary of Marxism) de Robert A. Gorman a inclus le professeur Sison dans la liste des 200 plus importants penseurs marxistes depuis la parution du Manifeste du parti communiste. Il est l’auteur de nombreux ouvrages dont le plus connu est Philippine Society and Revolution, publié en 1971 sous le pseudonyme d’Amado Guerrero et qui a depuis été réédité à quatre reprises.

Les deux premiers tomes de ses oeuvres choisies ont été publiés au printemps dernier par un éditeur philippin, Aklat ng Bayan (www.aklatngbayan.org). Le premier, For Socialism, Justice and Peace, couvre la période allant de 1991 à 1995. Le deuxième, For Democracy and Socialism against Imperialist Globalization, court jusqu’à l’an 2000. Dans les deux cas, on y retrouve des écrits sur la situation économique, politique et sociale qui prévaut aux Philippines, ainsi que d’autres qui abordent de front les questions les plus brûlantes sur la scène internationale (guerre impérialiste, crise économique, mondialisation, etc.). Les deux ouvrages témoignent à la fois de l’importance du professeur Sison comme militant et penseur révolutionnaire et de la profondeur du mouvement national démocratique des Philippines.

La Maison Norman Bethune, qui organise l’événement, est une librairie et un centre de diffusion mis sur pied en mars dernier à l’initiative du Parti communiste révolutionnaire. Elle met à la disposition des intéresséEs des documents historiques et actuels susceptibles de favoriser la réflexion sur la lutte contre le capitalisme et la pertinence de la révolution socialiste dans le contexte du 21e siècle.

L’événement du 7 novembre prochain est présenté en collaboration avec le Centre d’appui aux Philippines et l’organisation BAYAN Canada. Fondé en 1982, le Centre d’appui aux Philippines (http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com) regroupe des PhilippineEs et des CanadienNEs d’origine à Montréal qui soutiennent le mouvement national démocratique philippin. L’organisation BAYAN Canada (http://byncan.wordpress.com) a quant à elle été fondée en septembre 2008 à Toronto, à l’initiative d’une vingtaine d’organisations patriotiques de la communauté philippine.

Quand: le samedi 7 novembre 2009 à compter de 14h
Lieu: Maison Norman Bethune, 1918, rue Frontenac, Montréal (Qc) H2K 2Z1
Entrée libre
La traduction simultanée sera offerte sur place

- 30 -

Pour information :
514 563-1487
info@maisonnormanbethune.ca
www.maisonnormanbethune.ca

On October 11 we honour the memory of Bishop Alberto Ramento

2009-10-07T22:33:00.008-04:00

Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI) was assassinated three years ago this October. I remember it well since we were in the Philippines at that time and our Tagalog teacher received a text messsage which caused her to stare at her cell phone screen in disbelief. An active member of the IFI who knew the Bishop well, she was naturally very upset by the news of his brutal killing. She told us how Bishop Ramento had been on the front lines to support workers' rights and was a staunch advocate of basic human rights for the Filipino people. But instead of being honoured, he had been stabbed to death. Over the next few days thousands came out to pay their respects... and today back in Montreal we continue to honour his memory. MG

Commemoration for Bishop Alberto Ramento
and other vicitims of human rights violations in the Philippines

When: Sunday, October 11, 2009, from 5 pm to 8 pm
Where: St Paul's Church, 3970 chemin Sainte-Catherine, Montréal QC H3T 1E3 (near Metro Côte Ste-Catherine)
Ecumencial Service led by Fr. Art Calaycay: 5 pm - 6 pm
Community pot luck supper and program (film and cultural presentations): 6pm - 8 pm

Bishop Alberto Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI) was brutally murdered on October 3, 2006 in his parish in San Sebastian, Tarlac City, Philippines. Before his murder he was categorized as an "enemy of the state" and listed in the "order of battle" of the military and that he received death threats by text messages for opposing the charter change campaign of the Arroyo regime condemning the extrajudicial killings and supporting the workers and peasants flighting for their labor rights in Hacienda Luisita.

Bishop Ramento is one of many church people who have died during the ongoing wave of politically motivated killings and forced abductions in the Philippines.

Fr. Dionisio Gingging of the Philippine Independent Church (IFI) was killed in Surigao del Sur.

Fr. William Tadena was shot and killed in the morning of March 3 2005a victim of 93state persecution94 and was killed because of his support to the workers of Hacienda Luisita and for discharging the church's mission to the poor and the oppressed.

Roman Catholic priest Father Cecilio Lucero of the diocese of Catarman parish priest of Catubig Northern Samar was a member of the Promotion of Church People's Response (PCPR) and also chaired the Committee on Human Rights and the Task Force Peace and Order of the Diocese of Catarman. He was gunned down by some 30 men in San Jose Northern Samar last Sept. 6 2009.

In May last year three of the priests suffered direct attacks from suspected military agents. Fr. Quince was waylaid by gun-wielding men as he arrived home at his church in Paniqui Tarlac but he managed to evade his assailants.

Armed men knocked on the door of the home of Fr. Lacanera in Pangasinan in the dead of the night. Also in May, 2008, the chapel of Fr. Garcia in Gerona town was surrounded by soldiers as they slept. Only the presence of family and parishioners prevented what the priests described as clear attempts on their lives.

Karapatan the human-rights group has documented 1093 victims of extrajudicial killings 209 victims of enforced disappearances and more than a thousand victims of torture under the present government of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

Come and join us in commemorating Bishop Ramento, while at the same time honouring the heroism and dedication of these church people who opted to be with the people they serve and stand with them in their struggle for justice and as well the men, women and youth, journalists, medical personnel and community leaders of peasants and workers who have perished at the hands of the current regime.

An ecumenical service will be held at the St Paul's Church, 3970 chemin Sainte-Catherine, Montréal QC H3T 1E3 on Sunday, 11 October, 2009 at 17h00 to be followed by pot-luck supper and program from 18h00-20h00. All welcome.

We Commemorate their untimely and senseless deaths
We Condemn the Regime and hold it responsible for these killings
We Cry for justice and say Stop the Killings in the Philippines

Montrealers hold town hall for victims of flood in the Philippines

2009-10-03T15:31:00.005-04:00

Media Advisory
October 3, 2009

What: The Centre for Philippine Concerns and Filipino community groups will gather on Sunday, October 4 at 6pm in a town hall meeting to assess their relief efforts for victims of Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines. The Town hall meeting to be held at 6767 Cotes-des-Neiges Community Centre will provide participants with all the information needed to assure that their donations reach the victims of the relief effort.

This comes just after Manila averted another potential disaster when Typhoon Parma switched course and hit the northern parts of Luzon Island (especially in the province of Cagayan). Organizers will attempt a live internet link with Philippine relief workers so that the audience can ask questions directly and get immediate answers.

When: Sunday, October 4, 2009 - between 6pm to 8pm

Where: Cote-des-Neiges Community Centre
6767 Cotes-des-Neiges, 6th floor
Montreal, Qc

Organized by: Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns with BAYAN Canada and Migrante Canada groups in Montreal
Tel (cell): +1 514 574-9906
Email: capcpc@web.ca

Célébrons une importante victoire! Jose Maria Sison, leader du mouvement de libération des Philippines, retiré de la liste des "terroristes"

2009-10-01T18:54:00.001-04:00

Communiqué de presse
1er octobre 2009

La Cour européenne de première instance a annulé hier toutes les décisions et un règlement du Conseil de l’Union européenne qui avaient maintenu le nom du professeur Jose Maria Sison inscrit sur la soi-disant «liste noire de terroristes».

Le retrait du nom du professeur Sison de la liste noire est le point principal du jugement de la Cour européenne de première instance sur le Cas T-341/07 du professeur Sison.

Les avoirs de Sison a été immédiatement dégelé et il peut maintenant utiliser son maigre compte de banque effectué des transactions comme toute personne ordinaire.

Pour annuler les mesures adoptées par le Conseil telles que la mise du prof. Sison sur la liste noire et que la congélation de son compte de banque, la Cour européenne de première instance a statué que les décisions nationales prises par les Pays-Bas et observées par le Conseil ne correspondaient pas à l’enquête ou aux enquêtes ou à l’accusation ou à la condamnation pour activité terroriste, contrevenant à la Loi de la Communauté européenne.

En plus de dégeler les avoir du professeur Sison, la Cour européenne de première instance permet à celui-ci d’affirmer et de se prévaloir de tous les droits qui lui ont été réduits ou enlevés en raison des fausses accusations de terrorisme. Il peut profiter du jugement de la façon suivante :

1) Il recevra les prestations sociales de vie, de logement, d’assurance sociale et de pension de vieillesse qui lui ont été refusées depuis 2002.

2) Il pourra trouver du travail ou offrir des services professionnels contre rémunération;

3) Il sera accepté légalement au pays en tant que réfugié et obtiendra un permis de résidence’

4) Il pourra voyager librement sans restrictions;

5) Il ne sera plus étiqueté et accusé d’être un terroriste; et

6) Il pourra réclamer une compensation pour les dommages matériels pour ce qu’il a souffert depuis 2002.

Le Comité international DEFEND invite tous ses membres, ses sympathisantes/ants et ses amis à célébrer la victoire judiciaire remportée par le professeur Jose Maria Sison à la cour européenne et, en même temps, à lutter avec encore plus de détermination opur exiger que le gouvernement hollandais et le Conseil de l’Union européenne modifient leur politiques d’hostilité contre lui.

Le gouvernement des Pays-Bas et le Conseil de l’Europe doivent cesser de servir d’outil aux gouvernements des États-Unis et des Philippines en lançant de fausses accusations et en persécutant le professeur Jose Maria Sison. On doit lui permettre et l’encourager de jouer librement et de façon efficace de consultant politique principal du Front national démocratique des Philippines dans les négociations de paix avec le gouvernement de la République des Philippines.###

Pour de plus amples information contactez :
Ruth de Leon
Coordinatrice internationale de DEFEND
Téléphone: 00-31-30-8895306
Courriel : defenddemrights@yahoo.com

(Merci à Antonio Artuso pour la traduction!)

European court removes Joma Sison from European Union terrorist blacklist

2009-09-30T21:10:00.003-04:00

Press Release
1 October 2009

The European Court of First Instance (ECFI) annulled September 30, 2009, all decisions and a regulation of the Council of the European Union (EU) that had maintained Prof. Jose Maria Sison in its so-called terrorist blacklist.

The removal of the name of Prof. Sison from the blacklist is the essence or main point of the ECFI judgment on Case T-341/07 of Prof. Sison against the Council of EU. It directly unfreezes Sison's funds in his small bank account and allows him to engage in financial dealings like any ordinary person.

To annul the acts of the Council in blacklisting Prof. Sison and freezing his account, the ECFI ruled that the national decisions done in The Netherlands and relied upon by the Council did not relate to the instigation of investigations or prosecution or to a conviction for terrorist activity, contrary to the requirements of European Community Law.

Aside from unfreezing the funds of Prof. Sison, the ECFI judgment opens the way for him to assert and enjoy all his rights that have been restricted or suppressed due to the false charge of terrorism. He can benefit from the judgment in the following ways:

1. To claim back the social payments for living allowance, housing, health insurance and old age pension which have been withdrawn from him since 2002;
2. To seek gainful employment or render professional services with remuneration;
3. To secure legal admission as a refugee and a residence permit;
4. To travel freely without restrictions;
5. To be free from being labelled and stigmatized as a terrorist; and
6. To claim moral and material damages for what he has suffered since 2002.

The International DEFEND Committee is calling on all its adherents, supporters and friends to celebrate the legal victory of Prof. Jose Maria Sison in the European Court and at the same time to become more determined than ever before in demanding that the Dutch government and Council of the EU change their hostile policy towards him.

The Dutch government and the Council of the EU must cease and desist from being the vehicles of false charges and tools of persecution of the US and Philippine governments against Prof. Jose Maria Sison. He must be allowed and encouraged to act freely and fruitfully as the chief political consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines in peace negotiations with the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.###

For reference please contact:
Ruth de Leon
International Coordinator-Committee DEFEND
Telephone: 00-31-30-8895306
Email: defenddemrights@yahoo.com

CAP-CPC supports BAYAN Canada call to help Typhoon Ondoy victims

2009-09-28T19:52:00.018-04:00

You have undoubtedly seen the amazing images of the destruction and death in the Philippines that has resulted from Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana). The Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns (CAP-CPC) deplores the deaths and offers its condoleances to the families of the victims. We join with our friends at BAYAN Canada and Migrante organizations in Montreal and across the country to request your help for the victims, who have been abandoned by their own government. (Photo taken in Marikina by King Catoy: Bulatlat)

As a member of the Philippine Solidarity Network in Canada (PSNC), CAP-CPC has been a long-time partner of the National Council of the Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) and other Philippine organizations, which are mobilizing relief activities for the victims.

Where to give help

You can connect your local church effort with the churches in the Philippines, particularly through the National Council of Churches of the Philippines who have been consistent in ensuring that help gets to those who need it the most.

People can get in touch with the following BAYAN Canada and Migrante organizations through the following contacts:

BAYAN Canada at e-mail: bayan.canada.noc[at]gmail[dot]com

Migarante International Canada chapter at e-mail: migrantecanada[at]gmail[dot]com

Migrante Sectoral Party coordinator in Canada, Jonathan Canchela at +1 647 833-1023 or email migrantepartylist.toronto[at]gmail[dot]com

BAYAN Canada contacts :
Montreal – Joey Calugay, cell +1 514 947-3662
Ottawa – Yasmeen Maryam, cell +1 613 558-1625
Toronto – Diwa Marcelino, cell +1 416 809-3492
Winnipeg – Jomay Amora-Mercado, cell +1 204 509-2491
Red Deer – Aubrey Makilan, +1 403 392-7178
Vancouver – Beth Dollaga, +1 604 320-0285

For more information please read the press communique from BAYAN Canada:
http://byncan.wordpress.com/2009/09/28/bayan-canada-appeals-for-help-for-typhoon-ondoy-victims/

Also see: Various groups in Philippines launch Ondoy relief operations: BULATLAT

If you have suggestions or questions, please contact the PSNC national coordinator, Malcolm Guy, in Montreal at +1 514 574-9906 or email him at capcpc[at]web[dot]ca

Update: Tropical Storm Ondoy (Ketsana) affects almost 2 million Filipinos