LETTER TO THE EDITOR/PRESS STATEMENT Innabuyog-GABRIELA 15 September 2006 Reference: Vernie Yocogan-Diano Secretary-general Uphold Life, Pursue Justice! The butcher retired scot-free but he will be haunted by cries for justice. Everyone who knows about his record will dread over the thought that Major General Jovito Palparan will receive from GMA a position in the civilian bureacracy. He will be a perfect match for Norberto Gonzales in the National Security Council (NSC). Both are rabid in labeling the legal democratic organizations as communist fronts and leaders of these as communists. Should GMA pursues in appointing Palparan as deputy for counter-insurgency operations in the NSC, is killing his hundreds of victims in Mindoro, Samar and Central Luzon over again. This is a great insult and outright injustice to the families and communities of victims of human rights violations and human rights defenders. Indeed, Palparan has done a good job for GMA’s Oplan Bantay Laya. He is an AFP general who made no distinction between the legal and armed revolutionary organizations. He treated Bayan Muna as same organization with the CPP-NPA-NDF. All other legitimate peoples’ organizations receive such treatment thus are under attack. But this butcher is being honored by the GMA regime. First, GMA promoted him to a general amids strong reaction from rights organizations and families of victims here and abroad. While the cry of justice is raging, GMA persists in keeping this mastermind of political assasinations. Why glorify a killer, an assassin, a murderer? This is great dishonor to Filipinos and women who aspire for freedom. This is complete disregard to human rights. This is truly inhuman. Palparan’s role on the killings is totally being denied by him and by the GMA regime despite pressures here and abroad that he be removed from his post and face the corresponding accountabilities for the charges on him. To appoint him to the NSC all the more reflects that political repression and killings is a national policy of the GMA’s government. In yesterday’s launching of Hustisya, a forum for families, relatives and friends of victims of political repression, deep pain is felt among the families of Romy, Pepe, Albert, Makoy, Gloria, Apo Jose and Alyce as they shared their testimonies. They were murdered because of their staunch belief for genuine peace and justice. They were murdered because of their consistent stand for the poor, marginalized but struggling women, people and communities. Overcoming their loss of a husband, wife and a loved one is truly a difficult process. But their voice and commitment for the quest of justice is an inspiration. All of them—Elvie, Albina, Austin and Chandu stood and urged support for Hustisya and for justice. Their voices is for sure the same voices of the families, widows and widowers of the 749 vicims of killings all over the country under GMA’s time. From the messages of these widows, widower and survivor that we hear the same voices of widowers and families of the 78 women victims. And we hear the same cry and demand, JUSTICE. Enough with the senseless killings. Last August was the anniversary of CEDAW’s (Convention for the Elimination of all Forms of Discrimination against Women) ratification by the Philippine government. The killing of 78 women activists in the Philippines during GMA’s time is very much an issue in relation to CEDAW. All governments, including the Philippine government who signed this human rights convention are bound to respect, protect and fulfill women’s human rights. Specifically, party goverments are expected to enact anti-discrimination policies and provide effective mechanisms and remedies where women can rederess for rights and violations. A shadow report presented by Gabriela Women’s Partylist representative Liza Maza to the CEDAW Committee in New York last month highlighted the political killings of women in the Philippines, an indication of the Philippine government’s very poor compliance to respecting, protecting and fulfilling the human rights of women. The issue of political repression and killings was also mentioned in the shadow report submitted by Philippine NGOs and women’s organizations. Innabuyog participated in the Luzon workshop last March meant at getting inputs for the shadow report. Our cry for justice as women, is a cry for GMA to go, including her ruthless military commanders and blood-thirsty members of her cabinet.Let us uphold life, continue our commitment as human rights defenders in the women’s movement as we pursue our mission for peace based on justice.