01 September 2015
AN OPEN LETTER
To His Excellency Benigno Simeon Aquino III
RE: School executive, IP leader and a civilian killed
Paramilitary group massacres 3 in Lumad School in Surigao Sur
Date of incident: 01 September 2015
Place of incident: Lianga, Surigao del Sur
Mr. President,
The Canada-Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights (CPSHR) joins the Filipino human rights defenders, educators, people’s organizations and international rights groups in strongly condemning the barbaric and inhuman act of killing of Emerito Samarca, executive director of Alternative Learning Center for Agricultural and Livelihood Development (ALCADEV), a self-initiated school for the Lumad. He was found dead on September 1, with a stab wound inside one of the classrooms in the school compound in Han-ayan, Lianga, Surigao del Sur.
Also killed in Km. 16, some three kilometres from Han-ayan, were Dionel Campos, chairperson of Malahutayong Pakigbisog Alang sa Sumusunod (MAPASU) and his cousin, Bello Sinzo. The two were shot by members of the Magahat/Bagani force in the presence of their community members in Km. 16.
According to the report we received from KARAPATAN, two days prior to the killing, the Magahat/Bagani Force and elements of the 36th IB encamped at the ALCADEV school compound and occupied the function hall and parts of the school grounds. During the encampment, the Magahat group threatened the school faculty members, staff and community members that they will massacre the community if the people will not leave in two days.
On August 31, the MAGAHAT group burned down the community cooperative store of MAPASU while indiscriminately firing around the community. Emerito Samarca, according to the report was held and detained by some armed members of Magahat before he was killed. He was last seen tied around the neck, his hands and feet were also tied. He was brought to one of the classrooms.
On the evening of August 31, the ALCADEV faculty and most of the residents in Han-ayan went to Km. 16 for safety. At around 4 a.m., Magahat Forces went from house to house in Km. 16 and ordered the residents to get out of their houses and go to the center of the community. That was when Campos and Sinzo were met by a volley of gunfire from brothers Loloy and Bobby Tejero of the Magahat/Bagani Force.
Magahat members also confiscated all cellphones and cameras from the residents and ALCADEV staff and remaining visitors in the community.
According to KARAPATAN, the Bagani paramilitary and the 36th IB has long been accusing self-help Lumad school ALCADEV as NPA school, killing the teachers and organizers in the community, consequently depriving the Lumad of their education.
Mr. President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, we ask that you order an immediate pull-out of the 36th Infantry Battalion in Lumad communities in Lianga, Surigao del Sur and the dismantling of paramilitary groups in this dirty war against the Filipino people.
We further urge your administration:
1. 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 to look into these incidents of human rights violations; and, to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators.
2. To observe the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and all the major Human Rights instruments that the Philippine government is a party and signatory to.
Finally we call on your administration and all its institutions to uphold the basic human rights of the citizens whom you have sworn to serve.
The Canada Philippines Solidarity for Human Rights
Copy furnished:
1. Ret. Lt. Gen. Voltaire T. Gazmin
Secretary, Department of National Defense
Room 301 DND Building, Camp Emilio Aguinaldo,
E. de los Santos Avenue, Quezon City
Voice:+63(2) 911-9281 / 911-0488
Fax:+63(2) 911 6213
Email: osnd@philonline.com
2. Atty. Leila De Lima
Secretary, Department of Justice
Padre Faura St., Manila, Philippines
Direct Line 521-1908
Trunkline 523-84-81 loc.211/214
Fax: (+632) 523-9548
Email: lmdelima@doj.gov.ph, lmdelima.doj@gmail.com, lmdelima.doj2@gmail.com
3. Hon. Jose Luis Martin Gascon
Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights
SAAC Bldg., UP Complex
Commonwealth Avenue
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Voice: (+632) 928-5655, (+632) 926-6188
Fax: (+632) 929 0102
E-mail: comsec@chr.gov.ph
29.7.15
Les gouvernements philippin, américain violent les droits du people philippin: Tribunal
29 juillet 2015
Pour diffusion immédiate
Les gouvernements philippin, américain violent les droits du people philippin: Tribunal
Des Montréalais se rassemblent jeudi le 30 juillet 2015 afin de faire le point
Montréal —Un tribunal international à Washington, DC, a émis un jugement reconnaissant la responsabilité des gouvernements actuels des Philippines et des États-Unis dans un large éventail de violations de droits de la personne à l’encontre du peuple philippin.
La délégation montréalaise qui s’est rendue à Washington à titre d’observateurs tiendra un forum public sous forme de BBQ-potluck/levée de fonds jeudi afin de discuter des conclusions du tribunal.
Le Tribunal international des peuples, qui a siégé dans la capitale américaine du 16 au 18 juillet, a entendu les témoignages de 32 victimes, témoignages qui ont révélé toute l’étendue de la violence, des expropriations forcées et de la répression politique auxquelles font face les Philippins.
Un jury international a jugé le 18 juillet que les gouvernements des Philippines et des États-Unis sont coupables de violations graves et systématiques des droits humains, notamment les droits civils et politiques, économiques et socio-culturels et le droit du peuple philippin à l’auto-détermination. Il s’agit d’un « tribunal de conscience », et le jugement n’est donc pas juridiquement contraignant, mais les organisateurs affirment que sa force est à la fois politique et morale.
Le verdict du TIP est émis après deux jours de témoignages, dont plusieurs provenaient des victimes mêmes de ces abus. Ils ont décrit avec force détails leurs expériences de torture, d’arrestation arbitraire et du meurtre d’être chers.
Ces crimes ont été commis par l’armée et la police philippines ainsi que par des forces paramilitaires agissant sous l’égide du programme anti-insurrectionnel du gouvernement, dénommé Oplan Bayanihan, utilisé comme prétexte pour réprimer de mouvements pour la paix et la justice sociale, selon le tribunal.
Le tribunal a également conclu que les États-Unis avaient participé à ces violations par le biais de leurs subventions à l’armée philippine, des interventions directes de leurs troupes et par l’imposition de politiques accentuant la pauvreté, l’exploitation et la dégradation environnementale aux Philippines.
La délégation montréalaise comportait des étudiants, immigrants, écrivains et activistes qui feront part de leurs observations jeudi soir et discuteront des façons dont la population montréalaise peut appuyer la lutte pour le respect des droits de la personne aux Philippines.
Détails de l’évènement:
6:00-9:00 PM, le jeudi 30 juillet
4709 The Boulevard, Westmount
Page Facebook de l’évènement: https://www.facebook.com/events/1427795717550829/
Le jugement intégral du Tribunal et des informations additionnelles sont disponibles en ligne: internationalpeoplestribunal.org
Centre for Philippine Concerns
http://cap-cpc.blogspot.ca/
Contact: David Koch
+1 514-966-7604 / davidgkoch@gmail.com
Pour diffusion immédiate
Les gouvernements philippin, américain violent les droits du people philippin: Tribunal
Des Montréalais se rassemblent jeudi le 30 juillet 2015 afin de faire le point
Montréal —Un tribunal international à Washington, DC, a émis un jugement reconnaissant la responsabilité des gouvernements actuels des Philippines et des États-Unis dans un large éventail de violations de droits de la personne à l’encontre du peuple philippin.
La délégation montréalaise qui s’est rendue à Washington à titre d’observateurs tiendra un forum public sous forme de BBQ-potluck/levée de fonds jeudi afin de discuter des conclusions du tribunal.
Le Tribunal international des peuples, qui a siégé dans la capitale américaine du 16 au 18 juillet, a entendu les témoignages de 32 victimes, témoignages qui ont révélé toute l’étendue de la violence, des expropriations forcées et de la répression politique auxquelles font face les Philippins.
Un jury international a jugé le 18 juillet que les gouvernements des Philippines et des États-Unis sont coupables de violations graves et systématiques des droits humains, notamment les droits civils et politiques, économiques et socio-culturels et le droit du peuple philippin à l’auto-détermination. Il s’agit d’un « tribunal de conscience », et le jugement n’est donc pas juridiquement contraignant, mais les organisateurs affirment que sa force est à la fois politique et morale.
Le verdict du TIP est émis après deux jours de témoignages, dont plusieurs provenaient des victimes mêmes de ces abus. Ils ont décrit avec force détails leurs expériences de torture, d’arrestation arbitraire et du meurtre d’être chers.
Ces crimes ont été commis par l’armée et la police philippines ainsi que par des forces paramilitaires agissant sous l’égide du programme anti-insurrectionnel du gouvernement, dénommé Oplan Bayanihan, utilisé comme prétexte pour réprimer de mouvements pour la paix et la justice sociale, selon le tribunal.
Le tribunal a également conclu que les États-Unis avaient participé à ces violations par le biais de leurs subventions à l’armée philippine, des interventions directes de leurs troupes et par l’imposition de politiques accentuant la pauvreté, l’exploitation et la dégradation environnementale aux Philippines.
La délégation montréalaise comportait des étudiants, immigrants, écrivains et activistes qui feront part de leurs observations jeudi soir et discuteront des façons dont la population montréalaise peut appuyer la lutte pour le respect des droits de la personne aux Philippines.
Détails de l’évènement:
6:00-9:00 PM, le jeudi 30 juillet
4709 The Boulevard, Westmount
Page Facebook de l’évènement: https://www.facebook.com/events/1427795717550829/
Le jugement intégral du Tribunal et des informations additionnelles sont disponibles en ligne: internationalpeoplestribunal.org
Centre for Philippine Concerns
http://cap-cpc.blogspot.ca/
Contact: David Koch
+1 514-966-7604 / davidgkoch@gmail.com
Philippine, U.S. govts violate rights of Filipino people: Tribunal
29 July 2015
For immediate release
Philippine, U.S. govts violate rights of Filipino people: Tribunal
Montrealers to gather Thursday, July 30, 2015 for report-back
Montreal — An international tribunal in Washington, DC, has ruled that the current governments of the Philippines and the United States are responsible for a wide range of human rights violations against the Philippine people.
A delegation from Montreal that attended the tribunal as observers will be hosting a public meeting and fundraising BBQ-potluck on Thursday evening to discuss the findings.
The International Peoples’ Tribunal (IPT), which took place in the US capital from July 16–18, heard from 32 witnesses whose testimonies revealed the extent of violence, displacement and political repression being experienced by the Philippine people.
An international panel of jurors ruled on 18 July that the governments of the Philippines and the United States are guilty of gross and systematic violations of human rights, including civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and the right to national self-determination. A “tribunal of conscience,” the ruling is legally non-binding, but organizers say its force is both political and moral.
The IPT’s verdict came after two full days of testimonies, many by those who had experienced these violations directly. They described in vivid detail their experiences of torture, arbitrary arrest, and the assassination of loved ones.
These crimes were committed by Philippine military, police, and paramilitary forces that use the government’s counter-insurgency program, known as Oplan Bayanihan, to justify the suppression of movements for social justice, the tribunal found.
The tribunal also ruled that the United States has participated in these violations through its aid to the Philippine military, direct intervention in the Philippines by US troops, and the imposition of policies contributing to poverty, exploitation, and environmental destruction in the Philippines.
The Montreal delegation included students, migrants, writers and activists who will be sharing their observations Thursday evening and discussing how people in Montreal can support the struggle for human rights in the Philippines.
Event details:
6:00-9:00 PM, Thursday 30 July
4709 The Boulevard, Westmount, Québec
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1427795717550829/
The IPT’s ruling and other information can be found at: internationalpeoplestribunal.org
Centre for Philippine Concerns
http://cap-cpc.blogspot.ca/
Contact: David Koch
+1 514-966-7604 / davidgkoch@gmail.com
For immediate release
Philippine, U.S. govts violate rights of Filipino people: Tribunal
Montrealers to gather Thursday, July 30, 2015 for report-back
Montreal — An international tribunal in Washington, DC, has ruled that the current governments of the Philippines and the United States are responsible for a wide range of human rights violations against the Philippine people.
A delegation from Montreal that attended the tribunal as observers will be hosting a public meeting and fundraising BBQ-potluck on Thursday evening to discuss the findings.
The International Peoples’ Tribunal (IPT), which took place in the US capital from July 16–18, heard from 32 witnesses whose testimonies revealed the extent of violence, displacement and political repression being experienced by the Philippine people.
An international panel of jurors ruled on 18 July that the governments of the Philippines and the United States are guilty of gross and systematic violations of human rights, including civil and political rights; economic, social and cultural rights; and the right to national self-determination. A “tribunal of conscience,” the ruling is legally non-binding, but organizers say its force is both political and moral.
The IPT’s verdict came after two full days of testimonies, many by those who had experienced these violations directly. They described in vivid detail their experiences of torture, arbitrary arrest, and the assassination of loved ones.
These crimes were committed by Philippine military, police, and paramilitary forces that use the government’s counter-insurgency program, known as Oplan Bayanihan, to justify the suppression of movements for social justice, the tribunal found.
The tribunal also ruled that the United States has participated in these violations through its aid to the Philippine military, direct intervention in the Philippines by US troops, and the imposition of policies contributing to poverty, exploitation, and environmental destruction in the Philippines.
The Montreal delegation included students, migrants, writers and activists who will be sharing their observations Thursday evening and discussing how people in Montreal can support the struggle for human rights in the Philippines.
Event details:
6:00-9:00 PM, Thursday 30 July
4709 The Boulevard, Westmount, Québec
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1427795717550829/
The IPT’s ruling and other information can be found at: internationalpeoplestribunal.org
Centre for Philippine Concerns
http://cap-cpc.blogspot.ca/
Contact: David Koch
+1 514-966-7604 / davidgkoch@gmail.com
18.1.15
Desaparecidos to Pope: Disappearances destroyed our families
Press Release: January 19, 2015
"Enforced disappearances have destroyed our families, the very foundation of a society and church. Children are left motherless or fatherless," Lorena Santos, secretary general of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice said upon hearing Pope Francis' speech at Malacañang and in his meeting with representatives of Filipino families.
"The remaining members of the family had to seek refuge away from their way home to secure their lives. We live in fear and in constant threat," Santos said. "In this way, dear Pope, we feel only violence, cruelty and further inequality," Santos continued.
"Our pain and suffering in search for our disappeared loved ones have been too long. But the consequences of enforced disappearance in the communities and the society leave a deeper scar that frightens, and even silence anyone who thinks of voicing out for the poor," Santos said. "This is what our missing loved ones did, serve the poor and became their voice. This is why they were abducted and disappeared," Santos continued.
"With your call to our government leaders for “moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity' we, families of desaparecidos find in our hearts the need to enjoin you in our quest for justice," Santos asked the “People's Pope”.
"We have written you letters to ask for your help. We hope these letters will reach you," Santos said. "Our missing loved ones deserve justice. Their children and the younger generations need to be assured that crimes against humanity should not go with impunity," Santos said. "We don’t want our children and the youth to continue to live a life of injustice and inequality, " Santos added.
"We ask you dear Pope, to call on to stop enforced disappearances in the Philippines and in other countries. Again, be with us in our quest for justice to all victims of human rights violations," Santos said.
"Our missing loved ones believed and worked for a just society, free from the bondage of inequality. Like you, we believe that this is what 'heaven on earth' means. Like you, we want to build this society for our children," Santos concluded. ###
Reference: Lorena P. Santos, secretary general - Desaparecidos
"Enforced disappearances have destroyed our families, the very foundation of a society and church. Children are left motherless or fatherless," Lorena Santos, secretary general of Families of Desaparecidos for Justice said upon hearing Pope Francis' speech at Malacañang and in his meeting with representatives of Filipino families.
 |
| Lorena P. Santos, secretary general - Desaparecidos |
"Our pain and suffering in search for our disappeared loved ones have been too long. But the consequences of enforced disappearance in the communities and the society leave a deeper scar that frightens, and even silence anyone who thinks of voicing out for the poor," Santos said. "This is what our missing loved ones did, serve the poor and became their voice. This is why they were abducted and disappeared," Santos continued.
"With your call to our government leaders for “moral imperative of ensuring social justice and respect for human dignity' we, families of desaparecidos find in our hearts the need to enjoin you in our quest for justice," Santos asked the “People's Pope”.
"We have written you letters to ask for your help. We hope these letters will reach you," Santos said. "Our missing loved ones deserve justice. Their children and the younger generations need to be assured that crimes against humanity should not go with impunity," Santos said. "We don’t want our children and the youth to continue to live a life of injustice and inequality, " Santos added.
"We ask you dear Pope, to call on to stop enforced disappearances in the Philippines and in other countries. Again, be with us in our quest for justice to all victims of human rights violations," Santos said.
"Our missing loved ones believed and worked for a just society, free from the bondage of inequality. Like you, we believe that this is what 'heaven on earth' means. Like you, we want to build this society for our children," Santos concluded. ###
Reference: Lorena P. Santos, secretary general - Desaparecidos
15.1.15
Fasting in Solidarity with Political Prisoners in the Philippines
The Centre d'appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns calls on its members and supporters to join in a 24-hr fast starting at 6 pm Saturday, January 17 until 6 pm Sunday, January 18, 2015 in solidarity with political prisoners in the Philippines.
The almost 500 political prisoners in 43 jails across the Philippines started a hunger strike-fast January 15, 2015 as they also lit candles to welcome Pope Francis, who was beginning a 4-day visit to that country. The hunger strike aims to highlight the call to release all political prisoners and for Pope Francis to intercede on their behalf.
People’s cry for justice and peace
Christina Palabay, of the Philippine human rights organization Karapatan, explained that the political prisoners are among those people who, “question, challenge, or change the unjust order; those who are threatened, killed, disappeared or detained by the authorities who have guns and tanks to protect the rich, the hacienderos, and the powerful.”
The unjust order, she explained, is the unabated
violations of the“people’s rights to land, decent jobs and
living wages, shelter, accessible health and education
services.”
“No amount of posh welcome rites or overkill
security arrangements by the current administration can hide the
glaring poverty and injustice in Philippine society, especially
amid corruption scandals that rocked the nation these past
years,” she added.
Karapatan reiterated its call for the BS Aquino
government to address the roots of the armed conflict through
peace negotiations, instead of going into military campaigns of
suppression against the people. “The state of unpeace and the
narratives of oppression continue,” she said.
With His Holiness’ visit to the Philippines,
Karapatan enjoins Pope Francis to “hear the calls of political
prisoners and their kin for their freedom, and the cry for
justice of relatives of the desaparecidos and the victims of
political killings. Theirs are voices that cannot be silenced,
even by the most brutal forms of repression.”
“We ask him to stand with the poor and oppressed,
and to struggle with us for just and lasting peace in our
nation,” Palabay concluded.
Community
supper to break the fast, 6 pm, Sunday, January 18, 2015
CPC and other Philippine community groups in
Montreal, invite you to join them in a community supper Sunday
at 6:00 pm to end the fast, and to hear from family members of
political prisoners in the Philippines and other updates.
Place: St Paul's Anglican Church basement
3970
chemin de la Côte-Sainte-Catherine
Montréal, QC, Canada H3T 1E3 QC (Metro Côte-Sainte-Catherine)
Montréal, QC, Canada H3T 1E3 QC (Metro Côte-Sainte-Catherine)
Meanwhile, please
adopt this logo on your Facebook pages, and please
circulate this event information.
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