In the Bicol Region: Three days of camp-out, caravan, marches and rallies against OPLAN BAYANIHAN, Oct. 17-19, 2011

In the Bicol Region:

Three days of camp-out, caravan, marches and rallies

against OPLAN BAYANIHAN

October 17-18, 2011

■ Manila: Salubungan ■ Manila: Kampuhan ■ Manila: March and rally in Mendiola

■ Bohol ■ Davao ■ Central Luzon ■ Southern Tagalog ■ Bukidnon ■ Bikol

October 17 to 21, 2011




Stop-over in Guinobatan, Albay

Photos courtesy of KARAPATAN - Bikol



▲ Press Conference of the Kilusan Laban sa Militarisasyon sa Kabikolan at the launching the caravan and march vs Oplan Bayanihan October 17, 2011 ▼

x News Release October 17, 2011 References: Tessa Lopez, Bayan-Bikol Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol Fred Mansos, Albay People’s Organization Felix Paz, KMP-Bikol Three days camp out and caravan vs OPB launch. Bicolanoes urges LGUs to investigate cases of human rights violations. 12, 000 Bicolanoes storm major cities of the Bicol Region to ventilate increasing number of human rights violations under President Benigno Aquino III’s watch. The group under Kilusan Laban sa Militarisasyon sa Kabikolan slump the Aquino administration for failing to render justice to the victims of human rights violations of the previous administration. “It seems that PNOY is trying to surpass the human rights violations record of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. His 1 year and 5 months as president recorded 24 cases of extrajudicial killings, 39 threat, harassment and intimidation cases, 18 unlawful arrests, 17 violation of domicile and 20 cases of abduction as of August 2011 in Bicol alone.” – lamented Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol. “The civil suits filed against former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo should not be credited to PNOY administration for it is the victims and their relatives who initiated and pursued the cases. The government must walk its talk of “righteous path” by seriously looking into these cases and bring justice to the victims.”- added Casilihan. Menwhile, Fred Mansos of Albay People’s Organization commended the 14 barangay captains of Guinobatan, Albay who stood firm with their people calling for the withdrawal of military presence under 901st Brigade in their barangays. Said barangay captains attended the committee hearing initiated by the municipal government of Guinobatan and Commission of Human Rights. Among the issues raised were the cases of intimidation, harassment, forcing the residents to join the Barangay Defense System (BDS) and military scouting. “The peasant sector is affected by Oplan Bayanihan and continuing military operations. Peasants are afraid to go farming for fear that they might be mistaken to NPAs which usually happens. The military is also being use to implement the government’s program on land conversion, mining operations, and large haciendas.”- said Felix Paz, Kilusang Mayo Uno-Bikol. The peasant leader emphasized that the continuing large scale mining operations in Rapu-Rapu, Albay, Camarines Norte, Aroroy Masbate, and Matnog, Sorsogon are attributed to the loyalty of military to the mining companies. “Oplan Bayanihan is PNOY’s formula for peace characterized with blatant deception and intensified militarization. Coupled with bogus development program for the poor Bicolanoes, the government hope that OPB will end triumphant. However, just like Arroyo’s Oplan Bantay Laya, Aquino administration will suffer defeat.”- said Tessa Lopez, Bayan-Bikol. Lastly, the group appeal to local government units of the six provinces of the Bicol region to follow the courageous effort displayed by the barangay captains of Guinobatan, Albay who fought and will continue fighting side by side with their people against human rights violations. The Kilusan Laban sa Militarisasyon call on the human rights lover out there to join and support their cause.











Naga City to Guinobatan ▼

			x Press Statement October 16, 2011 References: Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol Tessa Lopez, Bayan-Bikol Carpio Baraquel, Albay People’s Organization Felix Paz, KMP-Bikol Bicol militants’ launch caravan and camp out vs militarization and corporate greed. More than 12,000 Bicolanos say “No to Cha-cha!” Demonstrators rallied Saturday on the global "day of rage" across the world to accuse bankers and politicians of wrecking economies, while in the Philippines hundreds participated in the solidarity protest in Manila. The Bicol region on the other hand launched a caravan and camp out that would last a few days to respond to the call and stop militarization and the moves for Charter change. Bicol as it is, is still reeling from effects of typhoons and poverty, yet devastation brought about by intensified human rights violations committed by the military are added burden to already suffering Bicolanos. More than 12,000 are participating tomorrow in the caravan. In Bicol alone as of August 2011, there were 24 cases of extrajudicial killings, 39 threat, harassment and intimidation cases, 18 unlawful arrest, 17 violation of domicile and 20 cases of abduction. The 2nd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army on July 21, 2011 using Oplan Bayanihan’s Community Peace and Development Team conducted house to house supposedly to gather poverty data in eleven (11) barangays of Guinobatan, Albay. Eventually, the activity resulted to massive human rights violations. Residents were forced to join the barangay defense system and military scouting. Noticeably were the cases of torture, harassment and intimidation among the Guinobatan residents. OPB is being used to clear the way for Charter change, where Bicol is one of the primary targets considering that there are many mineral deposits in the region, from gold, nickel, copper and what have you. Big foreign corporations are not only salivating of extracting our minerals but in owning land in the region as well. To date all of the provinces of the region have big mining operations since time immemorial but the lives of Bicolanos did not improve, in fact we were mired to deeper poverty and our environment was destroyed. Cases in point are mining operations in the Rapu-Rapu island, Camarines Norte and Masbate. Foreign mining corporations and local businessmen are toying the country’s laws applying small scale mining operations where in fact actual operations are large scale like in the cases of Matnog, Sorsogon and Catanduanes. Oplan Bayanihan (OPB) is Pres. Benigno Aquino III’s new version of GMA’s Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) masquerading as the counterinsurgency program of his government. Winning the heart and mind of the impoverished Bicolanos through Community Peace and Development Operation Program is the centrepiece of Oplan Bayanihan. This program’s primary purpose has long been exposed as just a tool to terrorize and stop the people fighting against the oppressive policies of the administration. # # #









x Press Statement October 14, 2011 References: Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol Tessa Lopez, Bayan-Bikol Policarpio Baraquiel, Albay Peoples Organization Felix Paz, KMP- Bikol Bicol Militants’ caravan and camp out vs Oplan Bayanihan. Call for end to military human rights violations. Bicol is still reeling from effects of typhoons, yet devastation brought about by intensified human rights violations committed by the military are added burden to already suffering Bicolanos. Oplan Bayanihan (OPB) is P-Noy’s new version of GMA’s Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) masquerading as the counterinsurgency program of his government. Winning the heart and mind of the impoverished Bicolanos through Community Peace and Development Operation Program is the centerpiece of Oplan Bayanihan. This program’s primary purpose has long been exposed as just a tool to terrorize and stop the people fighting against the oppressive policies of the administration. Data gathered by KARAPATAN revealed the growing list of human rights violation under P-Noy’s watch. His government battle cry of “matuwid na daan” is stained with blood and tears of victims including their relative and friends. In his more than a year as president, Karapatan national office recorded 48 extra judicial killings, five disappearances, 29 torture cases, 151 illegal arrest and 3,010 victims of forcible evacuation from rural villages. In Bicol alone as of August 2011, there were 24 cases of extrajudicial killings, 39 threat, harassment and intimidation cases, 18 unlawful arrest, 17 violation of domicile and 20 cases of abduction. The 2nd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army on July 21, 2011 using Oplan Bayanihan’s Community peace and Development Team conducted house to house supposedly to gather data on eleven (11) barangays of Guinobatan, Albay. Eventually, the activity resultedto massive human rights violation. Residents were forced to join the barangay defense system and military scouting. Noticeably were the cases of torture, Harassment and intimidation among the Guinobatan residents. Bonifacio Nunez, a resident of Pioduran, Albay went to Karapatan-Bikol office yesterday morning. He suffered mauling that resulted for him to vomit blood and to have severe fatigue. Karapatan Staff even saw the victim vomit blood. We fear that Oplan Bayanihan will intensify and strengthen its human rights violations in the Bicol Region. We call on the local government units, and human rights lover to join us in putting an end to military atrocities and state sponsored terrorisms among civilians. We cannot just sit down and watch amid human rights violation. The three (3) day camp out and caravan which will be participated by 12 thousands Bicolanos all over the region is our urgent response.







Dialogue and picket rally at the CHR office in Legazpi City ▼

			x AFP’s insistence on SCAA to protect mining corporations negates Oplan Bayanihan’s “people-centered” slogan—Karapatan Submitted on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 00:00 Karapatan National Press release The AFP’s refusal to stop using Special Civilian Armed Auxilliary (SCAA) to protect the interests of mining corporations demonstrates the AFP’s connivance with corporations that plunder the country’s mineral resources,” said Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General of Karapatan, reacting to the statement of Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP public affairs chief that SCAA “would enhance security in the area and would prevent a similar incident to happen.” Col. Burgos was referring to the NPA attack in the mining sites in Claveria, Surigao del Norte. Pres. Noynoy Aquino endorsed the use of SCAA, a move that indicates that he reneged on his campaign promise that he will dismantle paramilitary forces and private armed groups. Col. Burgos’ claims that “human rights protection” is part of the government militiaman training Yet, on June 30, 2011, SCAA members were implicated in the killing of the 40-year old Lumad leader Arpe “Datu Lapugotan” Belayong and Sulte San-ogan, 21, both residents of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. The mountain area of Esperanza is marked for mining operations. Fr. Fausto Tentorio, an Italian priest of the PIME congregation, who was killed by still unidentified men last last October 17, worked for decades among the indigenous peoples in the Cotabato area, especially in Arakan Valley. He was known for advocating indigenous people’s land rights against the incursions of big business especially by mining corporations. Fr. Tentorio was already a target by a paramilitary group called Bagani since 2003 when he almost lost his life. Arakan Valley is also target of mining operations. The recent move of the Aquino government to allow mining companies to hire AFP-trained Special Civilian Armed Auxilliary (SCAA) may embolden similar paramilitary groups to attack those who oppose big mining corporations that plunder the country’s resources. SCAA also served as security force for the DMCI Mining Corporation (DMCIMC) in Zambales, in TVI Mining in Zamboanga del Sur, and even in the sugar plantations in Negros. They were instrumental for a string of human rights violations against those oppose the mining operations in the communities. Former Pres. Cory Aquino created the CAFGU (Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit) and SCAA and were maintained as “force multipliers” and as an “embedded security system in all economic endeavors” by the past governments. With the massive deployment of AFP and paramilitary and private armed groups in communities where there is mining operation, Karapatan warns of the resulting escalation of human rights violations in the communities. The people’s opposition to mining will surely be met with force and repression. Clamor said, “The government claims that Oplan Bayanihan, its new counter-insurgency program, focuses on peace and development. Yet, this kind of development obviously puts primacy on the protection of the interests of mining corporations despite the environmental destruction and economic dislocation and displacement of the people in the mining areas.” “This government should stop hiding from catch-phrases like “peace and development”, “people-centered”, “human rights” when obviously it is doing the opposite. If it wants to be true to these slogans, Pres. Aquino should immediately dismantle all paramilitary groups and stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan,” concluded Clamor. ###









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March: Daraga to Peñaranda Park in Legazpii City ▼

x POSITION STATEMENT (HR Campaign Position statement during the Sangguniang Panlalawigan ng Albay sessio) We, the Kilusan Laban sa Militarisasyon sa Kabikolan consisting of different sectors like peasant, women, workers, students, professionals, church people, and human rights advocates believe that the struggle of Bicolanos for national democracy, freedom and progress is our responsibility to the overall welfare of the country. Yet, we have become the primary target of military surveillance, violation and repression. In Albay Province alone, 95 human rights violation cases were documented as of August 2011. 7 cases of extrajudicial killings, threat, harassment, and intimidation, frustrated killings cases, and cases of torture. Among the controversial cases were the intensified military operations in the 14 barangays of Guinobatan, Albay when 2nd Infantry Battalion of Philippine Army conducted house to house interview allegedly to investigate poverty incidence and relief operation. However, after the house to house interview, residents were subjected to interrogation, military fabricated tag names and aliases for people they have photographed and residents were forced to sign in a blank paper. Those who refused to be photographed were mandated to report 3 times a day in the military camp. Military were forcing some of the residents to admit that they are members of NPA. Noticeably were human rights violation cases like torture, harassment and intimidation. Livelihood activities of the residents especially the peasants were affected due to fear. The military operations of 2nd IB PA is now extended to the municipalities of Pioduran, Jovellar and Camalig, Albay. The same situation is happening in other parts of the region part particularly in the municipalities of Bula and Goa, Camarines Sur, and Gubat and Casiguran in Sorsosogon. Hence, we call on the local government units; 1. To investigate the increasing number of human rights violations in their respective areas; 2. To file resolutions calling for a stop to human rights violations; 3. To conduct committee hearings, dialogues, and consultations among the victims; 4. To participate and help in bringing justice to the victim; 5. Furthemore, we fear that government units like DILG, DSWD, DPWH, and DOH are being use by the military for the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan through Civil Military Operation and Community Peace and Development Program so that OPB will be acceptable to the impoverished Bicolanos. 6. Lastly, we encourage all local government units to deliver social services not the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Social services should not be used by the AFP as psy-war weapon vs Bicolanos. We hope and appeal to Governor Joey Salceda and the provincial government of Albay to take the lead in putting an end to Oplan Bayanihan and human rights violations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ APELA UPANG ITIGIL ANG MILITARISASYON SA KABIKOLAN, MAGSAGAWA NG IMBESTIGASYON SA MGA KASO NG PAGLABAG SA KARAPATANG PANTAO AT HUSTISYA PARA SA MGA BIKTIMA NG HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS KAUGNAY NG PAGPAPATUPAD SA OPLAN BAYANIHAN SA BIKOL, ITIGIL ANG PAGGAMIT PARA SA KONTRA-INSURHENSYANG PROGRAMA NG GOBYERNO SA MGA PROYEKTO AT SERBISYONG PANLIPUNAN NA LAAN PARA SA MGA MAHIHIRAP, AT KAGYAT NA PULL-OUT SA MILITARY DEPLOYMENT SA KANAYUNAN Pagpasok ng taon 2011 sinimulang ipatupad ang Oplan Bayanihan (OPB), ang panibagong counter-insurgency program ng Gobyernong Aquino bilang pamalit sa Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL) ng nakaraang rehimeng Arroyo. Ang OPB ay alinsunod sa US Counter Insurgency (COIN) Guide of 2009, ang counter-insurgency program ng Estados Unidos para sa buong daigdig. Sa ilalim ng OPB, pinatatampok ang Civil Military Operations (CMO) upang ikubli ang pasistang dahas ng operasyong militar. Ipinalit sa RSOT ng OBL ang Community Peace and Development Team (CPDT) ng OPB upang ang AFP ay magposturang tagapagtaguyod ng mga proyektong peace and development at human rights. Ginagamit ng CMO ang triad operation- intelligence,, psywar and civil- military relations sa paglulunsad ng malakihan at masinsing operasyong militar. Ang OPB ay maihahalintulad sa mabangis na lobo na nakamaskarang sa maamong tupa. Unti-unti nang nahuhubaran ng maskara ang OPB at nalalantad ang totoo nitong anyo. Ginawang pilot areas ng 2nd IB PA sa pagpapatupad ng OPB ang labing-isang (11) barangay sa Guinobatan, Albay. Sinimulan ito noong Hulyo 22, 2011 at nagtutuloy-tuloy hanggang sa ngayon. Ang mga barangay na ito ay kinabibilangan ng Batbat, Cabaloaon, Ongo, Pood, Bololo, Balete, Palanas, Sinungtan, Malipo, Malobago, at Doña Mercedes. Pumunta sa mga nasambit na barangay ang mga elemento ng Alpha Coy, 2nd IB PA at nagpakilala na sila ay CPDT. Ayon sa pahayag ng mga residente, nagsagawa ng pagcensus ang CPDT at ginamit ang Department of Agriculture upang diumano ay malaman ang pinakamahihirap na pamilya na bibigyan ng relief. Pagkatapos ng pagcensus, isa-isang ipinatawag ang mga residente at ipinasailalim sa taktikal na interosasyon. Kinunan sila ng larawan na may nakalagay na tagname at alyas na militay mismo ang naglagay, at pinapirma sa blankong papel. Yung mga ayaw magpakuha ng larawan ay pipapagreport sa kampuhan ng mga militar tatlong (3) beses sa isang araw. Mayroon ding pinagdala ng mga materyales para sa pagtayo ng kubol-kubol ng militar at pinagtrabaho ng walang bayad. Mayroon ding pilit na isinama ng mga militar sa kanilang pagpapatrulya o lakad. Ang mga tanod ay pinagroronda sa barangay at ang ibang residente ay pinagpapaduty mula umaga hanggang gabi sa Barangay Defense System o BDS sentry na binuo ng mga militar. Ginamit ding pansamantalang himpilan ng mga militar ang mga barangay hall, barangay chapel, at doon mismo sa mataong lugar nagkakampo. Umabot na sa 77 kaso ng human rights violations ang naiulat sa Karapatan-Bikol at 85 indibidwal na ang naging biktima mula sa 11 barangays na ginawang pilot areas ng OPB. Sa karanasan ng mga residente ng 11 barangay sa Guinobatan, Albay hindi kaunlaran at kapayapaan ang hatid ng OPB sa kanila, bagkus ay perhuwisyo sa kabuhayan, takot at paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Ang OPB ay sabay-sabay na ipinapatupad sa Kabikolan at sa buong kapuluan ng gating bansa. Sa rehiyong Bikol, umabot na sa 137 ang naitalang kaso ng paglapag sa karapatang pantao, 1,312 ang bilang ng nagigng biktima sa panahon ng Gobyernong P-Noy Aquino. At hanggang sa ngayon ay di pa sila nabibigyang katarungan. Sa lalawigan ng Sorsogon, kinakasangkapan ng CMO sa pagpapatupad ng OPB ang mga proyektong pang eko-turismo, farm-to market roads (FMR), inter-baranggay roads (IBRs), at enterprise development sa ilalim ng proyektong “Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PaMaNa) na nasa ilalim naman ng Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP). Ang PaMana projects na ito ay nakatalaga sa mga tinatawag na conflict affected areas (CAA) sa mga bayan ng Barcelona, Gubat, Juban, Irosin, Caseguran, Magallanes, at Prieto Diaz at may laang pondo na P30M sa taong 2011. Ang mga proyektong ito ay nagsisilbing panabing sa pasistang dahas ng operasyong militar sa ilalin ng OPB. Sa Camarines Norte naman, isinasagawa ng militar ang Civil Military Operations (CMO) Caravan sa pakikipagtulungan ni Gov. Edgar Tallada, ang Chairman ng Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) sa BIkol. Sa mga lalawigan ng Camarines Sur, Masbate, at Catanduanes ay ipinapatupad din ang OPB sa pamamagitan ng paggamit ng CMO sa mga peace and development projects at human rights bilang kaagapay sa mga inilulunsad na operasyong militar. Kagaya ng mga naunang counter-insurgency program ng mga nagdaang rehimen, hindi magdadala ng kapayapaan at pag-unlad sa kanayunan ang OPB, bagkus ay lalo lamang papatindihin nito ang operasyong militar na nagdudulot ng malaking perhuwisyo sa kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka, takot at ligalig sa mga mamamayan, at malawakang paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Sa mga kadahelan at kaganapang nabanggit na sa itaas, nagkakaisang lakas na ipinapaabot namin sa inyo mabunying Gobernador Joey Sarte Salceda ang aming apela at kahilingan bilang kayo po ang punong opisyal ng Albay at Chairman ng Regional Development Council (RDC) sa Bikol. Heto po ang apela at mga kahilingan: 1. Kagyat na pagsasagawa ng nararapat, makatwiran at bukas sa publikong imbestigasyon sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa labing-isa (11) barangay sa Guinobatan, Albay at sa mga kanognog barangay ng mga kalapit-bayan ng Guinobatan kaugnay ng pagpapatupad ng militar sa Oplan Bayanihan. 2. Papanagutin ang mga militar na sangkot sa paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa mga nasambit na lugar . 3. Mabigyan ng hustisya ang mga biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao. 4. Agarang pagpapaalis sa military deployment sa kanayunan at ibalik sila sa kanilang kinauukulang yunit at kampo. 5. Bilang Chairman ng Regional Development Council (RDC) ng Bikol, umaapela kami na huwag nyong pahintulutan na gamitin sa counter-insurgency program at operasyong militar sa Bikol ang kakarampot na nga serbisyong panlipunan at proyektong pang-impraestraktura at pang-ekonomiya sa kanayunan. Lalo lamang masasadlak na labis na kahirapan, ligalig at perhuwisyo sa kabuhayan at paglabag sa karapatang pantao ang paggamit ng militar sa mga proyektong ito sa counter- insurgency program. Bilang patunay, nilalagdaan namin ang apelang ito ngayong ika-18 ng Oktubre, taon 2011 sa Lungsod ng Legazpi Pangalan. Organisasyong Kinabibilangan Lagda



















			x Bayan ng SIPOCOT at Problemang kinakaharap nito . .ang DAM by Vince Casilihan October 14, 2011 ANG BAYAN NG SIPOCOT Sipocot, Camarines Sur ay isang 1st Class Municipality , at may estimate na popolasyong 57,861 noong 2007 ayon sa census. Bago pa man maging isang ganap na maging Bayan ito noong 1801, sakop ito ng Bayan ng Lupi na isa sa Barrio nito. Nang maging ganap na Bayan ito, doon na nagsimula ng ma establisa ang Parokya ng San Juan Bautista, ang patron ng bayan ng Sipocot at ang piyesta ay isinasagawa tuwing Hunyo 24. Ayon sa ibang mga local na residente, nagsimula ang pagiging pangalan ng Sipocot, noon pa man panahon ng kastila na nakarating sa Pilipinas particular sa bikol. May isang nag ngangalang Captain Aguire ng Lupi na karaniwang inilalaan ang oras sa pamamagitan ng pangingisda sa Ilog ng Vigaan sa umaga at pagdating naman ng hapon ay magbabangka naman pabalik sa Bicol River. Nakakakuha siya ng maraming huling isda na sobra sa pangangailangan ng kanyang pamilya. Subalit ang kanyang pangingisda ay di kaligtas sa mga mata ng mga espanyol kung kaya pinatawag siya ng mga ito para sa interogasyon. Habang tinatanong si Captain Aguire ng mga espanyol at hindi nya ito maintindihan, itinuro nya ang Bicol River bilang kanyang pinapangisdaan.Kina umagahan, kasama ang iba pang mga residentes at mga espanyol pumunta sila sa ilog dala ang kanilang mga gamit para mangisda rin. Bago pa man makarating sa dulo ng ilog ay nakita na nila ang fishing net o “pocot” ni Captain Aguire. At marami pa silang nadiskobreng ibat ibang klase ng isda sa ilog, natuwa ang mga kastila sa kanilang nasaksihan at tinanong na ng mga kastila ang mga residentes kung ano ang pangalan ng lugar na iyon. Sa pag aakala ng mga residentes na ang tinatanong ng mga kastila ay kung ano ang tawag sa kanyang hawak hawak na fishing net ang sagot nila ay “si pocot”. At simula noon, nagtayo na ang mga kastila ng pamayanan malapit sa Ilog ng Vigaan na ito sa ngayon ang tinatawag na SIPOCOT. KALAGAYAN Ang bayan ng Sipocot ay mayroong 46 na Barangay, at lahat ng barangay ay mayroong paaralang pang elementary. Mayroong pitong paaralang pang sekondarya at ganun din ang dalawang paaralang pangkolihiyo ito ang CENTRAL BICOL STATE UNIVERSITY – SIPOCOT Campus at FELIX O. ALFELOR SR FOUNDATION COLLEGES na matatagpuan pareho sa centro ng bayan. May limang banko na nakatayo sa bayan ng Sipocot at ang isa dito ay ang Land Bank of the Philippines. May dalawang Hospital na nakaka tulong sa mga kababayang may sakit. Ang Sipocot ay centro ng komersiyo ng Unang Distrito ng Camarines Sur, halos lahat ng mga bayan sa unang distrito ay doon nagdadala ng mga kanikanilang mga paninda mula sa ibat ibang bayan na nakapalibot dito. PROBLEMANG KINAKAHARAP SIPOCOT noong panahon ng bagyong Rosing taong 1995, sa aking pananaliksik ito na ang pinaka matinding pagbabaha na naranasan ng bayan ng Sipocot ng ang mga kahoy ay napahambalang sa ilog sa Brgy Manangle na nagresulta sa pagkalubog ng palengke at maging ang nasa mataas na parte ng bayan ay nalubog ng mahigit 3 metro ang taas. Maraming mga tindahan ang nalubog sa baha, maging mga kabahayan ay hindi rin nakaligtas at ang mga pananim ay nasakripisyo na din dahil sa di inaasahan na paglaki ng tubig galling bicol river. Ito ang pinapangambahan ngayon ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Sipocot at lalong lalo na ang mga mamamayan na nakatira malapit sa gagawing dam. Hindi lang nakaamba ang malubog ang mga pananiman kundi kabuhayan at buong kasaysayan ng pamilya ng mga may lupain na malulubog ang mawawala sa mapa ng Pilipinas. Napakaraming kabalintunaan ang pinagsasabi ng NIA sa mga tao upang ito ay pumabor sa pagtatatyo ng dam dahil malaking tulong diumano ito sa irigasyon upang mapalago ang pagsasaka ng palayan ng 4,000 hanggang 4,800 hektaryang lupang sakahan sa mga bayan ng Libmanan at Cabusao. Papaano naman ang kahihinatnan ng mga brgy sa Sipocot at lupi na sila ang inderektang tatamaan ng delubyong may kagagawan ang pamahalaan? Hindi naman sinasabi ng NIA sa mamamayan ang malaking impact sa kabuhayan, pananim at iba ng dam na ito. Di ko lamang matandaan ang pangalan ng dam na hindi natapos sa bayan ng Libamanan, bakit hindi ito ang kanilang ayusin kung talagang gusto nilang mapabuti at pamaayos ang patubig sa mga sakahan? At sa Sipocot pa ito ilalagay samantalang alam na nila na malalagay sa peligro at balag ng alanganin ang mga mamamayan dito? Noong 2010 ay nagkaroon na ng lakbayan ang mga mamamayan laban sa Dam na ito, kinalampag na ang NIA na nakabase Diyan sa Naga ng mahigit 10,000 bikolano na naglakad mula sa libmanan at ang isang grupo naman ay mula sa iriga city ang nagsama sama upang iharap sa NIA na hindi sagot sa problema ng magsasaka ang pagtatayo sa dam. Napakaraming pwedeng alternatibong solusyon ang problema sa patubig sa Libmanan at Cabusao ang problema ng NIA ibinubulsa ang dapat sanang naitatayong mga patubig patungo sa pananiman. SAKRIPISYO ANG DULOT DAM isa ito sa mainit na isyu sa Bayan ng Sipocot at hindi lang sa bayan na ito kundi maging sa mga bayan ng Lupi, Libmanan at Cabusao. Ang Libmanan-Cabusao Dam o tinatawag pa na CASILI DAM ay multibilyong pisong proyekto na inaprubahan noong administrasyon ni GMA para sa distrito ni Dato Arroyo na anak ni GMA noong 2008. Ang konstruksyon ng dam ay naiaward sa A.M. Oreta Construction, na pag-aari ng pamilya ng dating Senador Tessie Aquino Oreta na tiyahin ni NoyNoy Aquino. Dahil sa matinding pagtutol ng mga mamamayan ng Sipocot at karatig bayan nito kasama na ang lokal pamahalaan ng Sipocot, ganun din ng gobernador ng Camarines Sur nito na si L-ray Villafuerte, sinuspende ng NIA ang implementasyon ng proyekto noong 2010. Sa panahon ng pagpapatigil ng konstruksyon ng dam halos gumastos na diumano ng P300 milyon para sa istruktura nito ayon sa inhenyero ng NIA na si Democrito Grana. At ayon mismo sa NIA na kapag natuloy ang pagbuo ng dam ay malulubog pa din ng 8.5 meters ang ibang barangay ng Lupi at Sipocot pero di raw ito katulad noon na 11.3 ang ilulubog sa tubig ng ilang palayan, niyogan at kabahayan ng mga barangay na maaapektuhan ng dam. Sa malawak na pagtutol ng mamamayan at sa tulong ng mga lokal na opisyal ng bayan ng Sipocot (sana ay magtuloy tuloy ang laban para sa kagalingan ng mamamayan) pilit paring gusting ipagpatuloy ng NIA ang dam na ito, may mga moro morong konsultasyon ang isinasagawa upang matuloy ang proyektong sisira sa kabuhayan ng mga tao. Hamon ito sa mamamayan na magkaisa tutulan ang pagtatayo ng dam sa Sipocot, dito maipapakita ang pagkakaisa ng mga tao para sa kabutihan ng bawat isa. Maging sana ang lahat na pwedeng maapektuhan ng dam na ito ay maabot maging ang hindi direktang apektado ay sumoporta din. Bilang isang Human Rights Advocate, ang karapatan ng mamamayan kung ito ay nasasagkaan at di makabubuti sa nakarrami ay di dapat ipagpatuloy ng pamahalaan. Ang karapatan na umayaw sa pagtatayo ng dam ay kailangang kilalanin ng NIA at ng nasyunal na pamahalaan dahil alam ng mga taumbayan na sila ay direktang apektado ng gagawing dam na ito. Huwag nating hayaang malubog sa tubig ng dahil lang sa dam ang ilang barangay ng Sipocot maging ang nakararaming baranggay ng Lupi na dating pingangalingang bayan ng Sipocot. Sumasaludo din ako sa ibang mga lokal na opisyal ng bayan ng Sipocot sa pagtindig at paninindigan para sa kagalingan at kabutihan ng kanilang mga kababayan, sana'y tuloy tuloy na ipaglaban at huwag matuloy ang pakanang dam na ito sa ating bayang sinilangan. Biling isang taga Sipocot at botante nito , sumusuporta ako sa laban at paninindigan ng mamamayan ng Sipocot upang labanan ang pagtatayo ng Cabusao-Libmanan Dam! Vince Casilihan Spokesperson Karapatan-Bikol
Plangking against OPLAN BAYANINAH
















x OPLAN by Vince Casilihan Oplan oplan bayanihan hindi namin kailangan ito’y isang patakaran laban sa mamamayan. Paglabag sa karapatan mamamayan pinahihirapan anyo mo’y nahuhubaran kawangis din ng nakaraang oplan. Huwag tayong palilinlang Sa repormang pamamaraan susupilin ang mamamayan ng Pinalawig na nakaraang oplan. Engrandeng operasyon Sa kanayunan at kalunsuran Upang panatilihin Kasalukuyang patakaran. Gagamitin lahat ng paraan Upang magapi ang mamamayan Kanilang nasimulan Noon pa man. habang tumitindi ang pagsasamantala lalakas ang pagaalsa ng mamamayan inalipusta para sa demokrasya. Tiyak na mabibigo Ang oplan na ito Lalaban tayo Di tayo susuko. Kaya’t mamamayan Sabay sabay na tanganan Ilantad sa taumbayan Pakana ng pamahalaan.
			Camp General Ola in Legazpi City








			x Oras Vince Casilihan kung may oras ang pagpatay kailanma'y di ko ito hinintay sa dami ng napapatay nitong gobyernong may sungay! oplan na ginagamit doon silay kumakapit alumpihit sa pagmamadali sa deadline na dosmil desi sais oplan mamamayan oplan kadena de amor oplan katatagan 1-4 oplan balangai oplan makabayan oplan bantay laya1 at 2 at oplan bayanihan na ito ngayon. sobrang dami ng kontra-insurhensyang programa puro nabibiktima ay mga masa, gustong patahimikin sa mabilisang ratsada ang problema, lagi't lagi bigo sila. di matatawaran ang lakas ng masa sa paglaban sa garapal na militarista kala mo'y maamong tupa yun pala sungay nya'y lima lima. sampung taon ni gloria arroyo 205 na buhay sa bikol ay kinitil di mabigyang hustisya ni pnoy ang daing ng pamilyang matagal ng hustisya ang hiling. noynoy kung ikay tawagin 25 na sa bikol ang inilibing wala pang dalawang taon sa iyong piling paglabag sa karapatang pantao kay rami na din. oras may hindi matantya kung kelan papatahimikin mga masa, hindi papadaig ang taumbayan sapagkat lakas ay naririyan. oras ay darating galit sa isip ay magwawakas din sapagkat itoy mangangalit dahil sa walang humpay mong pasakit.











x UNGOL MO AY HIYAW Vince Casilihan Sinaklot man ang buhay Ng pasistang berdugo Kasabwat ang estado At mga ahente nito. Isip ng mamamayan at puso’y naririyan di pagagapi diwang palaban lilikha ito ng kasaysayan. Kaylan ma’y di huhupa Palabang diwa ng mamamayan Mas lalong magaalimpuyo Ang poot sa dibdib para sa pagbabago. Habang nagluluksa sa inyong pagkawala Mas lalo lamang naghuhumiyaw puso at diwa Hahanap ng paraan upang katarungan ay makamtan May kagagawan mananagot sa taumbayan. Katawang nalugmok Simbolo ng iyong palabang diwa Nakitil man nila ang inyong buhay Subalit di naman ang diwang taglay. Ungol mo ay hiyaw Sa aming mga mamamayan Ipagpapatuloy ang laban Na inyong nasimulan. Ito’y magsisilbing hudyat Sa daluyong ng paglaban Laban sa Oplan Bayanihan Na delubyo sa sambayanan. * Ang OPLAN BAYANIHAN ay isang konta-insurhensyang patakaran ng rehimeng US-Aquino na ang nabibiktima ay ang mga sibilyan. Ginagamit nito ang Human Rights, Risk Reduction at Relief Operation upang mas mapalapit sa mga tao gamit ang ibat ibang ahensya ng gobyerno tulad ng DAR,LGU,DSWD at iba pa.











			x KARAPATANG TAO Vince Casilihan karapatang tao dapat ito ay regalo sa mamamamayan ng pamahalaan. ngunit pano yan? kung mismong komisyon ng karapatang pantao sinabihan mamamayan pasensyahan nalang sundalo na may kasalanan? walastik, walangdiyo itong komisyon na ito imbes na turuan ang mamamayan sila pa ang nangunguna na humadlang. bwisit na komisyon sa karapatan walang alam di nila naranasan sakit sa katawan na mga nilabag ang karapatan ng taumbayan. gamit gamit ng mga sundalo baranggay hall maging kapilya sila' naroroon, di nakaiwas day care center pundasyon ng kabataan nababalahura. anong aasahan sa pamahalaan kung ang kanilang ahensya di pala natin maaasahan kawawa naman mga mamamayan. sayang ang buwis ng mamamayan kung ito ay di kayang panindigan ng komisyong hunghang. pagpasensyahan nyo po wala pang badyet sa ngayon tugon ng komisyon sa biktima na ang layon papanagutin sa bayolasyon. ako'y napatunghay pati mga biktima nanglumo sa nakita. komisyon walang kwenta.











x MARTIR Vince Casilihan Hagulgol ng isang ina Hikbi ng isang ama Sa nawalang anak nila Na gawa ng mga pasista. Ilang taon man ang lumipas Hapding nadarama Kirot sa puso at isipan Damdaming puno ng kaba. Hanggang sa ngayon ay di nawawala Tanong sa mga isip nila “bakit nyo ginawa” Sa aming anak na kay bata pa. Cris at Ambo kayo ay martir Di lang isang huwaran kundi bayani Ambag nyo sa kabataan na mapabuti Buhay ng mamamayan at kapwa estudyante. Mananatiling buhay inyong naiambag Sa laban ng mamamayan ay naririyan Tiyak at sigurado yan Tayo ay magtatagumpay. Di nyo na nga lang makikita Mga taong nakikisimpatya Sa inyong pagkawala Bumuhos mga luha. Sa bawat taung lumilipas Dumarami na ang naititirik na mga kandila Mga bulaklak na iniaalay Sa puntod nyong dalawa. Ngunit di magsasawa Kahit ilang taon pa Kami ay bibisita Sa inyong himlayan.









			x Ikatlong taon ng kamatayan ni CRIS HUGO Vince Casilihan March 19, 2009 Ilang araw bago ang ikatlong anibersaryo ni cris, nagpaabot na ng imbitasyon ang kanyang inang si tita weng, kung maari daw ay pumunta sa kanila ngayong Marso 19, magkakaroon daaw ng misa at salo salo para kay Cris. Agad naman akong nagreply sa kanyang mensahe na ako ay pupunta sa kanila. kahapon ang mga kasamahan sa sorsogon ay nagpaabot na may bago na namang biktima ng pamamaslang kaya pinuntahan muna namin ang pamilya nito, nasabi ko nga kay tita ung na may pinatay na naman, bigla tuloy nyang naisip ang nangyari sa kanyang anak na si cris, nanlumo at nangilid ang luha. Pero habang nasa proseso kami ng usapan, sabi nya napakabilis naman ng panahon, 3 taon ng patay si cris, pero parang napakahirap mag move on, ganun din ang sabi ng magulang ng bestfriend ni cris na si ambo, silang mga pamilya ng mga biktima ay nahihirapan talagang tanggapin ang realidad na wala na ang kanilang mga mahal na anak. Ganun pa man, mas napapatunayan nila ngayon ang kahalagahan ng pinaglalaban ni cris at ni ambo, na noong una medyo mahirap nilang tanggapin. katarungan sa mga biktima ng pamamaslang Click here to visit a webpage on Cris Hugo







x MILITIA SA MINAHAN Vince Casilihan Masugid si Noynoy Na protektor ng minahan Akalain pa nating armasan mga sibilyan. Sa halip na pag-aralan Dahilan ng pangyayari Sa minahang pinarusahan Ayun! At kinanlong at pinababantayan. Nakakapangalit ganitong kaisipan Ng pangulong walang pagaalinlangan Upang suportahan mga dayuhan Sa mapanirang minahan. Imbes na repasuhin Batas na di pantay upang Pagusapan di man lang maihanay Sa mamamamyan nagbubuwis ng buhay. Mas lalong darami Magiging biktima nitong sibilyan Kapag itinuloy na armasan Militia sa minahan. Cafgu sa kanayunan Kaso ay inam Dahil di naman nila alam Karapatan ng mamamayan. Halos pareho Kung ating titingnan Ang kahahatungan ng Cafgu at militia kapag ito’y naarmasan. Kung sabagay Mas madaling disarmahan CAFGU o militia na inarmasan Sa mga minahan.









			TATA Vince Casilihan matanda na si tata naguulaod pa di alintana hirap na nadarama. isip ay magtanim kahit di na kaya utay utay na lamang kung siya'y magbungkal. kapag nakikita tuwing may programa nakangiti lagi kahit ngipi'y wala na. mahina na ang mata subalit patuloy pa sa pagsisilbi sa malawak na masa. sa paglipas ng panahon gustuhin man gawin lahat mga ginagawa nya noon simbilis ng palos. maglakad may hingal pilit ang katawang pagal sa katandaa'y isip di lumipas. sabi nga niya katawan lamang ang tumatanda hindi isip at palabang diwa. *TATA Felix Paz, 77 taong gulang pangrehiyong tagapagugnay ng KMP bikol.
















x More killings feared in wake of Aquino’s support for paramilitary deployment in mining areas “The government remains blind to everything except the money that it gets from the mining firms – but this money is tainted with our blood; and no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of our slain tribal leaders who fought for our rights to our own lands.” By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/20/more-killings-feared-in-wake-of-aquino%E2%80%99s-support-for-paramilitary-deployment-in-mining-areas/ MANILA – In the immediate aftermath of President Benigno Aquino III’s decision to support the call of the military to deploy paramilitary groups in mining areas, leaders and members of indigenous groups have sounded the alarm over the worsening militarization in their communities. Last October 11, six leading members of the indigenous people’s organization Linundigan in Agusan del Sur went into hiding after feeling extremely threatened by members of paramilitary forces. The six individuals said they have strong reasons to believe that their lives are in danger and that they are targets of a possible attack by the paramilitary group Salakawan (“enforcer of all laws” in the local dialect). Their group has chapters in the villages of Sinakongan, Agsabo, Kinamaybay, Bakingking, Maasin and San Jose, all within the municipality of Esperanza in Agusan del Sur. Earlier in August, some 23 other individuals from the area, including their families, were also forced to go into hiding because of threats from the paramilitary group. According to Linundigan, its officials and members are being targeted by Salakawan. Only last June 30, the group’s director Arpe Belayong and his nephew Solte San-ogan, a 21-year old deaf mute, were killed by elements of Salakawan. Belayong was reportedly killed because of his refusal to sign a document on ancestral domain. His signature was needed so loggers could start operations within their ancestral domain. Belayong’s children, Michelle Belayong, 14, and Adeb Belayong, four years old, were also injured in the attack, sustaining gunshot wounds in the back. Belayong’s widow Maysee and her children were forced to leave their former home. In a report by human rights group Karapatan, the Salakawan members involved in the attack were armed with a garand M1, M14 and carbine rifles. Seen among them was a man known to be a member of the security detail of Mayor Nida Manpatilan, wife of former Mayor Deo Manpatilan. Belayong also supported Linundigan’s initiative to build a school run by the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) in the community. He himself was a member of the Parent-Teacher-Community Organization of their community school in Lawan-Lawan, Las Nieves where he and his family used to live before military operations forced them to leave. Based on Karapatan’s reports, the former mayor Manpatilan repeatedly warned community leader Datu Man-altuwan’s against their decision to allow the RMP to start a school in Semontanan, saying that the children would be taught anti-government and subversive songs. Manpatilan also reportedly warned the local leaders that should anything happen to the community because of the RMP’s school, the local government unit authorities will not be held responsible and will not intervene. Manpatilan said the local leaders should allow a logging firm to build the school instead. Despite the threats, RMP was able to build the school. Paramilitary targets civilians opposed to mining According to the region-based human rights group Front Line, the attacks, threats and harassment against Linundigan members and their families by the Salakawan paramilitary group are related to their continuing work in defense of community and ancestral land rights. Linundigan is also active in its campaign against government-supported logging and mining operations in the area. “We have grounds to say that Linundigan is also a target of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) itself and not just paramilitary groups. In 2003, the AFP and Salakawan forced some 60 families to evacuate. In 2009, Datu Mampaagi Belavong, an elderly member of the community and Linundigan’s founding chairman was murdered by the Task Force Gantangan, another paramilitary group operating in the area, said Front Line in a statement. According to another report, Mampaagi was gunned down after he vocally opposed the entry of mining in the Higaonon ancestral domain in Agusan del Sur. The human rights group called on allies and supporters in the human rights community to back its calls for the conduct of an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the recent threats and harassment against members of Linundigan and their families. It said that investigations should also be done to expose the extrajudicial killing of the two Linundigan officials. “President Aquino’s approval of the AFP’s proposal to have private companies fund military-organized militias will only increase the culture of violence in the already war-torn Lumad communities in Mindanao,” Front Line said. Front Line or the International Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders is an international non-government organization exclusively dedicated to the support and protection of human rights defenders. Front Line was founded in 2001, under the leadership of the former officials of the Irish section of Amnesty International. Residents decry Aquino’s support for AFP militias Bae Adelfa Belayong, widow of Datu Maampagi and chairperson of Madagway and the widow of Datu Mampaagi, also slammed the president’s support for increasing privately-paid militias in mining areas. “Arming more civilians – more Lumads – would only encourage these mining companies to increase their exploitative and destructive operations as well as their violations against the rights of indigenous peoples,” Bae Adelfa said. ” Why is there so much violence? Instead of militarizing ancestral domains, the Aquino government should look into the operations of the mining firms and whether they are really welcome in communities. The government should ask residents if they support the mining operations. The government remains blind to everything except the money that it gets from the firms – but this money is tainted with our blood; and no amount of money can ever compensate for the loss of our slain tribal leaders who fought for our rights to our own lands,” she said. According to Bae Adelfa, mining firms in Agusan de Sur bribe community residents with money and other promises of wealth. “ And this is the worst impact of these mining operations. We, who have been one in culture and traditions for centuries, are now divided. One group standing for our lands, the other for money and power, willing to kill their own kin,” she said, referring to the fact that paramilitary groups recruit indigenous peoples and send them to attack communities who resist mining operations. Bae Adelfa said residents and environment al groups in Agusan del Sur are staunchly opposed to proposals to lifting of the mining permit moratorium in the region. She said lifting the ban will serve as a go signal for more military operations against communities of indigenous peoples and farmers. Worsening militarization in Bukidnon In the meantime, two other organizations of indigenous peoples have also spoken out against worsening militarization in the communities. Katribu and Kasilo, in San Fernando, Bukidnon affiliated with Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization said the military is escalating operations against indigenous peoples. They said the AFP recently bombed the mountain of Butay near the Pantaron Range where there are many civilian residents in the villages of Bunacao, Namnam and Magkalungay. The military has also reportedly closed off areas in the range, causing residents innumerable difficulties in sustaining their economic activities. Katribu and Kasilo said the military is behind many human rights violations in their communities in Bukidnon. “Residents are forbidden to join political rallies. The military, together with Mayor Laurencia S. Edma organized the Triom Force, which is being used to monitor the tribal leaders and spread fear among the villagers,” they said. According to the two groups, the Triom is led by a certain Angi Dal-anay who also goes by the alias “Commander Taruk”, and by a certain Urot Dal-anay who also goes by the alias Bongkabong. The two are allegedly behind the October 11 killing of Jimmy Arion, a former barangay captain of Kibungkog. Arion was said to be vocal against the Triom and its activities. The Triom is also allegedly responsible for the murder of Nicomedes de la Peña, Sr. and Nicomedes de la Peña, Jr., farmers from Barangay Mabuhay, last April 27, 2011. Katribu and Kasilo also cited other alleged victims of the Triom group: Ruben Gatong, a youth from Kibungkog who refused to join Triom; and Itik Awisan, a resident of Namnam. The Triom group reportedly admitted responsibility for Awisan’s murder in the radio program Impronto in DXDB Radyo Bandillo. Members of the paramilitary group were also accused of illegally confiscating the cellular phones of Kasilo and Katribu members Tata Oda, Annie Repdos, Toto Borres and Rolly Tumbalang to prevent them from organizing villagers and joining rallies. They threatened to kill those who will not support their group. “The military also holds community meetings in the villages where they show films depicting peaceful protest actions . The military say these democratic protests are led by the Communist Party of the Philippines when they’re not. AFP and paramilitary forces continue to make the rounds in the communities, recruiting members and threatening residents against joining rallies. They list the names of residents and force them to declare personal information,” Kasilo and Katribu said. The two groups also decried how the AFP built a detachment in Namnam village where the military has since stored various weapons. Armored tanks have also been reportedly stationed right in front of the local elementary school. “We demand that the AFP stop terrorizing and threatening our communities and for the Aquino government to stop the militarization of our villages. Their accusations against us and our leaders are baseless. We do not want military detachments to be constructed in or near our communities. We want the Triom Force to be disarmed and disbanded, and their leaders and members punished for the violence and killings they have committed,” they said. Katribu and Kasilo also said investigations should also be conducted to determine the culpability of Mayor Edma.





















			x There are political prisoners in the country up to now – Rights groups PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 17, 2011 “Branding political prisoners as criminals and heaping upon them common crime charges conveniently hide the political nature of their acts; allow the government to shamelessly declare them as common criminals not motivated by a higher goal, thereby violating these prisoners’ rights even more.” – Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/17/there-are-political-prisoners-in-the-country-up-to-now-%E2%80%93-rights-groups/ MANILA – Rights groups have taken offense with the statement of Malacañang and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) that there are no political prisoners in the country. On the anniversary of the declaration of martial law, Presidential Spokesman Edwin Lacierda said :“To our knowledge, we have no political prisoners…” On Wednesday, Brig.Gen. Eduardo Del Rosario, AFP-Civil Relations Service (CRS) chief also denied the existence of political prisoners, saying only convicted criminals or those charged with criminal offenses are locked up in various state detention facilities. Del Rosario’s statement was issued in response to calls made by several organizations and some lawmakers belonging to the Makabayan bloc urging President Benigno S. Aquino III to free all political prisoners. The Samahan ng mga Ex-detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) said the AFP’s statement shows the “total disregard for human rights and the violation of the military and the GPH of standing agreements and jurisprudence prohibiting the criminalization of political offenses.” Selda cited the Comprehensive Agreement on Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) signed by both the government and the National Democratic Front and the Hernandez doctrine prohibiting the criminalization of political offenses. In the case People of the Philippines vs. Hernandez, the Supreme Court ruled that rebellion could not be complexed with other crimes such as murder and arson. The act of rebellion itself includes and absorbs such crimes. Karapatan records show that out of the 360 political prisoners as of August this year, at least 303 (84 percent) have been charged with common crimes and 15 (14 percent) have been charged with rebellion. Twenty others have been charged with common crimes in addition to rebellion, two were charged with “terrorism” while there is no sufficient available data for the rest of the twenty. “Branding political prisoners as criminals and heaping upon them common crime charges conveniently hide the political nature of their acts; allow the government to shamelessly declare them as common criminals not motivated by a higher goal, thereby violating these prisoners’ rights even more,” Angie Ipong, Selda secretary general, said. Ipong herself was detained for six years for trumped up charges of double murder, double attempted murder and arson which were all dismissed due to lack of evidence. What the government is doing in criminalizing political actions is no different from what the US colonial powers did a century ago to patriotic Filipinos fighting for independence. The American colonizers branded as ‘bandits, brigands and robbers’ such nationalists as Macario Sakay and his men who were resisting imperial domination. We hope that this government learns from history and stop the practice of discrediting patriots as ordinary criminals,” Ipong said. In another statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said the existence of political prisoners in several parts of the country is an obvious matter of fact that Malacañang will be hard put to deny. The group recently held an audience with Justice Secretary Leila De Lima and Undersecretary Francisco Baraan III where they pointed out two dirty tricks — charging political prisoners with common crimes and the improvident use of “John/Jane Does” in criminal informations filed in court. “Political activists are the usual victims of the improvident use of John/Jane Does. Whenever an information involving “John/Jane Does” is hastily filed in court, spurious witnesses belatedly spring up to identify activists and members of political organizations supposedly as the unknown suspects, by fabricating affidavits naming certain persons to be the John/Jane Does in the charge sheet,” Edre Olalia, secretary general of NUPL, said. “After the political activists are identified in bad faith as the John/Jane Does, arrest warrants are issued and they are arrested without any preliminary investigation in violation of their right to due process,” Olalia added. In a related development, Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares and other partylist lawmakers filed House Resolution, Oct. 13, urging the House Committee on Human Rights and the Committee on Justice to investigate the continuous and rampant filing of false and trumped up criminal charges against persons who are politically critical of the government. Proponents of the resolution noted that despite the new administration’s widespread call for a transparent government and ‘matuwid na daan’ (straight path), the filing of fabricated charges against political activists continues, notably non-bailable criminal offenses designed to keep political prisoners in jail. Colmenares and other partylist representatives cited the cases of 72 activists in Southern Tagalog, artist Ericson Acosta, University of the Philippines student Maricon Montajes and National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Alan Jazmines. The lawmakers called for a review and speedy resolution of the cases filed against political prisoners.













x Police investigators overlook military as suspects in Burgos abduction PUBLISHED ON OCTOBER 12, 2011 “Are technical matters more important than the life of a person?” – Mrs. Edita Burgos said after the Court of Appeals denied the request to show the photograph of a female soldier linked to the abduction of her son Jonas By RONALYN V. OLEA Bulatlat.com http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/10/12/police-investigators-overlook-military-as-suspects-in-burgos-abduction/ MANILA –Mrs. Edita Burgos, mother of missing activist Jonas, was not able to control her tears. The mother who has been looking for her son for more than four years could not hide her frustration at the Court of Appeals (CA) hearing today. The CA Special 7th Division is again hearing the habeas corpus petition filed by Mrs. Burgos after the Supreme Court, in a decision issued in July, reverted back the case to the CA. The same division of the appellate court dismissed the habeas corpus petition in June 2008, saying the prosecution failed to prove that the military was behind the abduction. In today’s hearing, October 12, lawyer Ricardo Fernandez, counsel of the petitioner, called on the CA justices to enjoin the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) to show the photograph of a certain Lt. Fernando who has been identified by a witness, through a cartographic sketch, as one of those who took Jonas. Jonas was abducted on April 28, 2007 at a restaurant inside a mall in Quezon City. Fernandez said the identification of the female suspect “could establish the link between the abductors and the military.” Before the start of the hearing, Assistant Solicitor General Amparo Tang, counsel of the public respondents, showed a copy of the summary of information of 1st Lt. Rachel Fernando-Facunda, formerly assigned to the 56th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army, to Fernandez. When Fernandez insisted that Tang show the photograph of the female soldier to the justices and to Senior Supt. Joel Napoleon Coronel, former regional director of the National Capital Region (NCR) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), Tang objected. Tang said the SC resolution clearly states that the summary of information and the other documents were submitted by the OSG exclusively to the high court. “The SC will be the one to determine the relevance and the advisability of public disclosure of these documents. To show this summary of information would be preempting the SC,” Tang argued. “This is a chance for the petitioners to establish the direct link [of the military to the abduction]. That photo could be the female in the [cartographic] sketch,” Fernandez pointed out. According to one of the memoranda issued by NCR CIDG on the case of Jonas in 2007, the Quezon City Police District made seven sketches of suspects based on the descriptions of witnesses. Only two – one male and a female – however, were attached to the documents submitted by authorities to the courts. When asked about this, Coronel said the other five were not subscribed to by the witnesses and he never had the chance to see the sketches. Justice Rosario Vicente asked Coronel, then chief of the NCR-CIDG and who was at the witness stand, if cartographic sketches are reliable in identifying suspects. Coronel answered yes. “It baffles us why you have not attempted to identify the female composite sketch.” Coronel said they asked for a roster of the 56th IB but the Army refused, citing security reasons. “Had the Army given us the roster, we would be able to see the photographs and show them to the witnesses,” Coronel said. “The police itself asked for these photos and they were denied. How possible is it for the petitioner herself to get this information? It is impossible. This information is available right now,” Fernandez said. “Given the testimony of the witness [Coronel], it has become material and relevant. In 2007, he was not able to compare the photo to the sketch. We’re not making this up. This name cropped up in the CHR [Commission on Human Rights] report. We’re just following up on that report,” Fernandez said. The lawyer of the petitioner was referring to the CHR report issued in March. Based on that report, the CHR interviewed a rebel returnee named as Maria Vita Lozada who, upon being shown the sketch of the female suspect, identified Fernando. Lozada said she worked with Fernando in counterinsurgency operations when she was still in the custody of the 56th IBPA from March 2006 until she left the 56th IB headquarters in October 2007. Jeffrey Cabintoy, a former busboy at Hapag Kainan restaurant, a key witness, provided the description of the female abductor. “It leads us to the possibility of being able to identify the female in the sketch,” Fernandez said. Tang said the summary of information contains information about the soldier’s family and could endanger her safety. She reiterated that the documents are “for the eyes of the SC only.” “We are not asking for a copy of the summary of information. We only want to show the photo to the justices and to the police investigator. We don’t want to miss the opportunity to establish that there is a possibility of direct link between the abductors and the military,” Fernandez said. “I do not agree with the interpretation of Assistant Solicitor General Tang. It is too narrow and limited. We’re looking for a missing person here. It has been four years and we’re still looking for him. This is a chance to get close to find that person,” Fernandez said. “The reason why the SC ordered us to come back here is to find out more facts, more truth. Otherwise, it would have upheld the dismissal of the petition,” Fernandez said. Vicente said the CA just has to abide by the SC instruction. “There is no reason for us to still show the photo to Senior Supt. Coronel because he is no longer part of the investigation. There is still an ongoing investigation by the CIDG. It’s incumbent upon the CIDG to complete their investigation,” Vicente said. After hearing this, Mrs. Burgos wiped her tears. She held her novena prayer in another hand. “Are technical matters more important than the life of a person?” Mrs. Burgos said after the hearing. Military not considered as suspects Fernandez categorically asked Coronel if the Philippine National Police (PNP)-CIDG ever considered the military as suspect in the abduction of Jonas. “We have not included the military yet as suspect,” Coronel said, but added that they have requested for a roster of 56th IB personnel to establish a possible connection. “You did not consider them as suspects notwithstanding that the plate number used in the getaway vehicle was traced to the 56th IB?” Fernandez asked. “They [investigators] found the vehicle [at the 56th IB camp] but the plate number was no longer attached to the said vehicle,” Coronel said. Fernandez also asked Coronel why the latter omitted the information on the vehicle’s plate number when he sent a letter to State Prosecutor Jovencito Zuno regarding the case on July 31, 2008. “At that time, I did not consider the information relevant. Col. Feliciano told us that TAB 194 (plate number) was already missing,” Coronel replied. Col. Melquiades Feliciano was the commander of the 56th IB at the time of the incident. Coronel said with the appearance of Emerito Lipio, the CIDG considered the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army responsible for the abduction. Coronel said Lipio, an alleged member of the CPP, told them that it was Jonas’s comrades in the movement who took him. “Did you come to know that Lipio was abducted by the 56th IB?” Fernandez asked Coronel. Lipio was reportedly taken by soldiers on July 3, 2006 and was only surfaced when he was presented as a witness of the CIDG to the abduction of Jonas. Coronel submitted a complaint against a certain Delfin de Guzman, the alleged CPP provincial chairman in Bulacan, for the abduction of Jonas. The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed the complaint on April 23, 2007, citing judicial courtesy as the CA was then conducting hearings on the case. Asked what had been done by the PNP since the dismissal of the case before the DOJ, Coronel said the CIDG is assisting the CHR in its investigation pursuant to the order of the high court. In yesterday’s hearing, Gen. Nicanor Bartolome, PNP chief, said, “The PNP has not stopped its investigation,” saying that the suspects were Delfin de Guzman and other alleged NPA members. It was only during yesterday’s hearing, Oct. 11, that the PNP submitted a compliance report to the CA. In its earlier decision dismissing the habeas corpus petition, the CA instructed then National Police chief Dir. Gen. Avelino Razon to pursue its investigation and file appropriate charges against those who will be found involved in the abduction. Bartolome said they still consider the case of Jonas Burgos an active case and there is still an ongoing investigation. Fernandez also asked Bartolome if the PNP considers suspects from the military. Bartolome replied, “This is a continuing investigation. If in the process, names will come out, we will include them.” Asked who would be in charge of the investigation, Bartolome said it is the CIDG. CIDG Director Samuel Pagdilao was sent a subpoena to appear at the court but he was out of the country. CIDG deputy director Senior Supt. Benito Estipona attended the hearing on Pagdilao’s behalf. When Fernandez asked Estipona about the progress of the investigation, Estipona said their records show that the Criminal Investigation and Detection Division (CIDD) of the PNP referred the case to the DOJ.











			Program at Peñaranda Park, Legazpi City ▼











			x AFP’s insistence on SCAA to protect mining corporations negates Oplan Bayanihan’s “people-centered” slogan—Karapatan Submitted on Wed, 10/19/2011 - 00:00 Karapatan National Press release The AFP’s refusal to stop using Special Civilian Armed Auxilliary (SCAA) to protect the interests of mining corporations demonstrates the AFP’s connivance with corporations that plunder the country’s mineral resources,” said Jigs Clamor, Deputy Secretary General of Karapatan, reacting to the statement of Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos, AFP public affairs chief that SCAA “would enhance security in the area and would prevent a similar incident to happen.” Col. Burgos was referring to the NPA attack in the mining sites in Claveria, Surigao del Norte. Pres. Noynoy Aquino endorsed the use of SCAA, a move that indicates that he reneged on his campaign promise that he will dismantle paramilitary forces and private armed groups. Col. Burgos’ claims that “human rights protection” is part of the government militiaman training Yet, on June 30, 2011, SCAA members were implicated in the killing of the 40-year old Lumad leader Arpe “Datu Lapugotan” Belayong and Sulte San-ogan, 21, both residents of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. The mountain area of Esperanza is marked for mining operations. Fr. Fausto Tentorio, an Italian priest of the PIME congregation, who was killed by still unidentified men last last October 17, worked for decades among the indigenous peoples in the Cotabato area, especially in Arakan Valley. He was known for advocating indigenous people’s land rights against the incursions of big business especially by mining corporations. Fr. Tentorio was already a target by a paramilitary group called Bagani since 2003 when he almost lost his life. Arakan Valley is also target of mining operations. The recent move of the Aquino government to allow mining companies to hire AFP-trained Special Civilian Armed Auxilliary (SCAA) may embolden similar paramilitary groups to attack those who oppose big mining corporations that plunder the country’s resources. SCAA also served as security force for the DMCI Mining Corporation (DMCIMC) in Zambales, in TVI Mining in Zamboanga del Sur, and even in the sugar plantations in Negros. They were instrumental for a string of human rights violations against those oppose the mining operations in the communities. Former Pres. Cory Aquino created the CAFGU (Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit) and SCAA and were maintained as “force multipliers” and as an “embedded security system in all economic endeavors” by the past governments. With the massive deployment of AFP and paramilitary and private armed groups in communities where there is mining operation, Karapatan warns of the resulting escalation of human rights violations in the communities. The people’s opposition to mining will surely be met with force and repression. Clamor said, “The government claims that Oplan Bayanihan, its new counter-insurgency program, focuses on peace and development. Yet, this kind of development obviously puts primacy on the protection of the interests of mining corporations despite the environmental destruction and economic dislocation and displacement of the people in the mining areas.” “This government should stop hiding from catch-phrases like “peace and development”, “people-centered”, “human rights” when obviously it is doing the opposite. If it wants to be true to these slogans, Pres. Aquino should immediately dismantle all paramilitary groups and stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan,” concluded Clamor. ### ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Protecting Big Mining Corporations, Oplan Bayanihan's Style of Development Submitted on Thu, 10/13/2011 - 12:00 Karapatan National Press statement Jigs Clamor, Karapatan’s Deputy Secretary General said that, “The recent move by the military and the big mining companies to finance military-trained units of SCAA (Special Civilian Active Auxilliary) shows the AFP’s connivance with corporations that plunder the country’s mineral resources.” “The government claims that Oplan Bayanihan, its new counter-insurgency program, focuses on peace and development. Yet, this kind of development obviously puts primacy on the protection of the interests of mining corporations despite the environmental destruction and economic dislocation and displacement of the people in the mining areas,” added Clamor. With the massive deployment of AFP and paramilitary and private armed groups in communities where there is mining operation, Karapatan warns of the resulting escalation of human rights violations in the communities. The people’s opposition to mining will surely be met with force and repression. In the past, SCAA served as security force for the DMCI Mining Corporation (DMCIMC) in Zambales, in TVI Mining in Zamboanga del Sur, and even in the sugar plantations in Negros. They were instrumental for a string of human rights violations against those who oppose the mining operations in the communities. On June 30, 2011, SCAA members were implicated in the killing of 40-year old Lumad leader Arpe “Datu Lapugotan” Belayong and Sulte San-ogan, 21, both residents of Esperanza, Agusan del Sur. The mountain area of Esperanza is marked for mining operations. Clamor added that, “The use of the AFP and its paramilitary forces to protect mining companies contradicts Oplan Bayanihan’s claim that it is “people-centered.” Former Pres. Cory Aquino created the CAFGU (Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit) and SCAA and were maintained by the AFP as “force multipliers” and as an “embedded security system in all economic endeavors” by the past and the current governments. Pres. Noynoy Aquino reneged on his campaign promise that he will dismantle paramilitary forces and private armed groups. “This government should stop hiding from catch-phrases like “peace and development”, “people-centered”, “human rights” when obviously it is doing the opposite. If it wants to be true to these slogans, Pres. Aquino should immediately stop the implementation of Oplan Bayanihan. It should scrap the Mining Act of 1995 that plunders the country’s mineral resources, destroys our environment and further drives the people to poverty,” said Clamor. ###













x Tie AFP budget to human rights record, says ACT solon PUBLISHED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2011 By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO Bulatlat.com http://bulatlat.com/main/2011/09/26/tie-afp-budget-to-its-human-rights-record-says-act-lawmaker/ A progressive lawmaker in the House of Representatives continue to fight for a pro-poor 2012 national budget by submitting amendments. Earlier this week, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) Representative Antonio L. Tinio submitted proposed amendments to House Bill 5023 or the General Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2012 to the House Committee on Appropriations. His proposed amendments focused on the budgets of the Department of Education (DepEd), State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), Department of National Defense (DND), Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP), and General Provisions. When it came to the budget of the defense department,Tinio suggested tying the release of funds of military units to their human rights record. “The national budget should also be used as a tool to promote respect for human rights and address the problem of impunity, particularly within the ranks of the military. This proposed amendment to the DND budget aims to ensure that all units of the military down to the smallest level will be effective partners in enforcing and respecting human rights,” he said. The lawmaker said the ‘no impunity’ provision will make the budget a powerful tool in ensuring that AFP units respect human rights at all times in the discharge of their duties, especially during counterinsurgency operations. He said it will also encourage AFP commanders to promptly identify perpetrators and make sure that the proper charges are filed. Tinio noted that of the hundreds of cases of extrajudicial killings, involuntary disappearances, torture, and other serious violations of human rights linked to state security forces and primarily targeting activists, from the Arroyo administration to the present, only 26 cases have been filed in court. “More importantly, there has not been a single conviction of military personnel. Impunity continues to prevail.” Tinio explained that the climate of impunity encourages continued violations of human rights. “Since President Aquino assumed office last year, there have been at least 45 cases of extrajudicial killings of activists, many of them linked to the military. As numerous human rights organizations here and abroad have pointed out, such gross abuses will only stop if the government makes it clear to perpetrators that their careers in the military will be over and that they will go to jail.” During last night’s week’s plenary debate on the DND’ proposed budget, Tinio asked his colleagues in the House to support a provision that would authorize the withholding of the operational funds of an AFP unit if the Commission on Human Rights finds “credible evidence” of its involvement in a gross human rights violation. The funds will only be released when the CHR reports to the President that the Secretary of the DND and law enforcement authorities have taken effective measures to identify the responsible members of the unit and ensure that the appropriate charges are filed against them. “The provision is intended to make commanders in the field to adhere to human rights and humanitarian laws, and to underscore the responsibility of the DND secretary to ensure that charges are filed against individual perpetrators. The CHR is given the role of vetting complaints and weeding out spurious allegations,” explained Tinio. He acknowledged that the proposed “no impunity” provision drew some inspiration from the Leahy Law in the United States. “That’s a provision in US foreign aid appropriations legislation, introduced by Senator Patrick Leahy that prohibits the granting of US military aid to foreign security forces units with a known track record of gross human rights violations.” Tinio noted that the approval of the proposed provision would mark this administration’s commitment to effectively addressing the problem of impunity, using all means at the government’s disposal. “The release or non-release of funds has always been a powerful tool for pushing reforms and modifying behavior in government. Why not use it to promote human rights?” The text of the proposed special provision is as follows: Withholding of operational funds of AFP units involved in gross human rights violations. Upon a determination, by the Commission on Human Rights, of credible evidence that a unit of the Armed Forces of the Philippines has committed a gross violation of human rights, the MOOE, including combat expenses, of the unit concerned shall be withheld until the CHR determines and reports to the President that the Secretary of the Department of National Defense and law enforcement authorities have taken effective measures to identify the responsible member/s of the unit and ensure that the appropriate charges are filed. Tinio also proposed to remove the funding of Payapa at Masaganang Pamayanan (PAMANA) program from the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) budget, arguing that Opapp is not an implementing agency but only a policy-making and coordinative body. He pointed out that it is highly anomalous for an essentially armless agency to be given charge of a project P329,343,000 (US$ 812,425) when the Staffing Summary of Opapp does not record a single permanent item. “During the plenary deliberations for the budget of Oppap, it was revealed that this office does not have the absorptive capacity to implement the Pamana program,” he said. Higher budget for education For the DepEd budget, Tinio proposed for the following amendments: additional P650 million (US$ 151,162.79) for the augmentation of cash allowances (widely known as “chalk allowance”) for teachers; the deletion of the special provision allowing National Elementary and Secondary Schools to augment their budgets through collection of fees; the creation of 38,593 additional permanent teacher items to address the teacher shortage; the deletion of the provision for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) School Building Projects; the regularization of 68,593 kindergarten and locally funded teachers; and the inclusion of funds for the construction of 6,250 additional classrooms. Tinio earlier argued against PPPs in social infrastructure, citing reports proving they are costlier for taxpayers. If approved, the additional funding requirements for the proposed amendments in the DepEd budget shall be taken from the funds of the Pamana program, the Conditional Cash Transfers-Pantawid Pamilya Pilipino Program (4Ps), and the PPP scheme. For SUCs, Tinio recommended a provision prioritizing the regularization of 14,425 precariously employed part-time faculty and the creation of 8,000 new teaching items to effectively address the lack of qualified regular faculty in the SUCs. Provision for persons with disabilities The lawmaker is also batting for the inclusion of a debt cap provision and the allocation of funds for programs and services for persons with disabilities. “In our proposed amendment, the total indebtedness of the National Government and any of its agencies, offices, government owned and controlled corporations must not exceed 55 percent of the latest Gross Domestic Product,” said Tinio. Based on latest reports, government debt has surpassed the supposedly ideal and manageable levels, even reaching 378.7 percent of the GDP in 2004. The Philippines had also been paying interests double than what other countries pay (8.7 percent as opposed to only four or five percent for other countries), without the congress knowing the details of the payments. “Last year, the consolidated debt obligation of the national government was 57 percent of the GDP. It comprised P2.537 trillion ($59 billion) in internal debt, and P1.921 trillion ($44 billion) in external debt),” Tinio explained. “Ordinary citizens are carrying the burden of paying the ballooning amount of government debt!” Finally, lawmaker proposed amending Section 28 concerning programs and/or projects related to senior citizens and differently-abled: “All departments, bureaus, offices, agencies,commissions, and government owned and controlled corporations including state colleges and universities shall set aside at least one percent of their total FY 2012 budget appropriations for programs, services, and activities for senior citizens. They shall also set aside at least one percent (for programs, services, and activities for persons with disabilities. Local government units shall set aside at least five percent of their total FY 2012 budget appropriations for programs, services, and activities for persons with disabilities.” “This provision includes an obligation upon all government buildings and structures to have facilities or features that would ensure the mobility, safety, and welfare of persons with disabilities,” he said. Rechannel military and dole-out funds to SUCs and social services The Anakbayan group of militant students and youth has also issued proposals for amendments in the 20112 budget. It said that congress should increase allocations for State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), education and social services and take the funds from other concerns. Vencer Crisostomo, Anakbayan chairman, said congress should rechannel the intelligence and “confidential” lump-sum funds amounting to P789.3 million (US$183,488.837) mostly from the Office of the President and the DND. “These funds are unaudited and are lump sum funds which have been earlier found to be source of corruption. The funds should be given to SUCs, as well as the AFP modernization lump-sum fund of P5 billion ($116 million). These funds are largely used for corruption, and in any case, education should be prioritized over military spending. This should instead be rechannelled to capital outlay of schools,” he said. Crisostomo also targeted the conditional cash transfers and PAMANA dole-outs worth P15.2 billion (US$348,837) saying that the schemes are also corruption-prone and are “artificial, ineffective and expensive projects which will not help solve poverty.”He also said funds allotted to the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and the Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund worth P2.5 billion (US$581,395.34) should be directly given to SUCs. ”Realigning these funds can increase the budget of SUCs substantially by P23.8 billion (US$558,139,534) and provide the bare necessities the school needs to operate. Government should work toward increasing the budget for SUCs substantially every year. There are more funds not yet mentioned which can be utilized for education and other social services such as debt servicing, the PPP funds, and others,” he said. “The Aquino government should put its money where its mouth is and stop making excuses. It should act now to fund provide quality education and sufficient social services.” Finally, he noted that the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges (PASUC) submitted a proposal of P45 billion (US$104,651,163) budget for 2012 to the government. “The current budget of P21.8 billion (US$511,628), is grossly insufficient to fund our SUCs,” he said.







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