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.
29.10.10
19.10.10
Another Morong 43 mom gives birth; detained doctor also brought to PGH
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
“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
8.9.10
Clan Planned Philippine Massacre Over Dinner, Witness Says
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
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
7.9.10
Ka Roda, pioneer of Philippine drivers’ movement, passes away
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
5.9.10
Alexander Martin Remollino: journalist of the people
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
19.8.10
Montreal International Women’s Conference concludes with the founding of the International Women’s Alliance
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).
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
1.8.10
Montreal activists call on Harper to sanction the Philippines
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.
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