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SELDA
September 20, 2010
Letter of Appeal for Support to International Human Rights Lawyers
We, the imprisoned community health workers, known as the Morong 43, are
still being denied justice. For almost eight months in detention, our
motion for the writ of habeas corpus filed at the Supreme Court of the
Philippines submitted last April has not been acted upon.
Although we are currently under civilian detention, we feel that our
rights are gradually curtailed unreasonably. Restrictions on our rights
started when we exercised our right to protest on the inhuman ruling of
the lower court which brought Judilyn Oliveros and baby back to jail.
(Now, Judilyn and baby are on three-month hospital arrest)
Unreasonable policies imposed by the jail personnel in Camp Bagong Diwa
violate our rights. Unexplained policies are immediately being imposed
while our welfare is halfheartedly taken cared of. Cooking, receiving and
entry of donated uncooked vegetables, meat and fish are disallowed, when
the vegetables we receive are supplements to the meager meal budgets of
P50/person/day. Strip search, the process of undressing our visitors of
their pants and undergarments, is a very humiliating act. In effect, this
deters some relatives to visit our male companions, whose authorities in
their jail facilities require strip search.
Mercy Castro, soon-to-be mother, was twice denied of check-up despite a
court order, while Judilyn and baby were almost bodily brought back to
jail upon the jail officials’ receipt of the court order.
Problems on the clogged toilets
and sewerage in our cell, which were unusable for four days, were not
immediately addressed. Medical check-ups and dispense of medicines were
done only during Mondays, denying us of our right to access medicines
whenever we get sick on other days. Our pens and papers were confiscated
and banned entry. These are a few of the examples of unwritten policies in
jail that violate our rights twice over inside prison. The jail warden of
the women’s detention facilities has disregarded us whenever we seek to
raise these concerns through dialogue and written communication. These are
additional restrictions on our rights, but the worst violations are what
we have traumatically experienced at the hands of the military when we
were illegally arrested, tortured and detained.
While we are languishing in jail, our loved ones are suffering. They
cannot understand why the rule of law and respect for human rights do not
apply on our case. Our children are always asking when will we go home.
They and the communities we serve are deprived of our care.
We appeal for your support to remind President Benigno Aquino III to hear
our plea for immediate and impartial action on our case and release us
from detention, to restore the rule of law and, above all, the respect for
human rights. We likewise enjoin you in airing out to the public the dire
conditions of prisoners inside Camp Bagong Diwa.
Free the 43 community health workers!
Free all political prisoners!
Uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights!
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September 21, 2010
Manindigan Para sa Katarungan at Ganap na Kalayaan
Statement of the Morong 43 on the Commemoration of the Declaration of
Martial Law
Peace will not just celebrate a silence,
While those in ned still suffer without end
Peace does not require losing hope and fruitful dreams
Peace is just, peace provides, peace is for all
- Live for Peace
Dalawampu’t apat na taon na ang nakalipas nang wakasan ng People Power I
ang may dalawang dekadang diktadura ni Marcos. Apat na administrasyon na
ang nagdaan simula nang ituring ng sambayanang Pilipino ang pag-alpas mula
sa pangil ng Batas Militar at malalang paglabag sa karapatang pantao.
Dalawampu’t apat na taon at apat na administrasyon, kasing-edad na ng ilan
sa aming mga itinuturing na terorista ay ngayo’y nananatiling nakapiit.
Karamihan sa amin sa Morong 43 ay hindi na naabutan pa ang bagsik ng
diktadurang naranasan ng sambayang Pilipino. Ngunit sa aming naranasang
dahas mula sa military at iba pang ahente ng gobyernong Arroyo, may
pagkakaiba nga ba ang mabuhay noong panahon ni Marcos sa ating ating
panahon ngayon?
May pitong buwan na ang nakalipas mula nang iligal na inaresto ang Morong
43 ng mga sundalo sa aming ika-anim na araw para sa pagsasanay medical na
aming inilunsad sa Morong, Rizal. Nananatiling nakamarka ang pait at hirap
ng karanasang iyon noong Pebrero 6, 2010. Ang pisikal, mental at
sikolihikal na tortyur ay bahagi ng aming naranasan, na ayon sa mga humuli
sa amin ay SOP daw. Standard operating procedure pala ng militar at pulis
ang tortyur! Kasabay ng pagpiring sa aming mga matang luhaan, narinig
namin ang paglibak sa aming hangaring maglingkod sa bayansa sarkastikong
pagtawa, paulit-ulit na tanong at pagsambit ng “Nars ka ba ng NPA?” o
“Sayang ka, yan tuloy ang napala mo!” Inihahalintulad nila ang
pagseserbisyo sa mahihirap sa isang bagay na hindi dapat tularan.
Ito nga ang napala ng 43 manggagawang pangkalusugan --- ang mapiit dahil
sa pagkalinga sa mahihirap at kapos-palad. Ito rin ang sinapit ng
daan-libong aktibista, mamamahayag at iba pang sektor ng lipunan dahil sa
paniniwalang makatarungan ang lumaban para sa wasto at makatwiran.
Kinukutya, tinotortyur at pinapatay ang mamamayang lumalaban dahil sa
simpleng paniniwala sa katotohanan at paninindigan para sa inaapi at
pinagsasamantalahan. Sa desperasyong ipangalandakan ang katapusan ng
insurhensya sa bansa, ginagawang tropeo ang iligal na pagdakip, pagdukot,
pagpatay at pagmasaker.
Sa ating paggunita ng deklarasyon ng Martial Law ngayong Setyembre 21,
alalalahanin natin ang pananatili ng mga militarista at maka-hayop na
pagturing sa karapatan ng mamamayan. Kasama nating alalahanin ang hindi
mabilang na paglabag sa karapatang pantao. Kasama nating alalahanin ang
mga buhay at pag-asang kinitil kapalit ng gantimpalang pilak at ginto ng
mga salot sa lipunan. Kasabay ng ating pag-alala ay ang ating patuloy na
paninindigan para sa kanilang ipinaglalaban.
Ang laban ng Morong 43 ay hindi natatapos sa aming pagkapiit. Sa aming
pakikibaka para sa katarungan at paglaya, batid naming ang napakalaking
papel ng suporta at pagkilos ng mamamayan. Bilang mga manggagawang
pangkalusugan, hindi hiwalay an gating mga ipinaglalaban --- ang makamit
ang katarungan at sapat na serbisyong panlipunan. Bilang mga ina, ama, o
anak, hindi hiwalay an gating nais na magkaroon ng malayaat tunay na
payapang pamumuhay.
Sa kabila n gaming pagkapiit, asahan niyo ang patuloy naming pakikibaka
para sa paglaya, at ang patuloy na pag-asang muli’t muli, babalik kami sa
mga komunidadupang magbigay ng serbisyong pangkalusugan. Nagpapasalamat
kami at patuloy na nananawagan sa inyo para sa aming paglaya at paglaya ng
lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal. Ang pagkilos ng sambayanan ang nagbibigay
sa amin ng katatagan at lakas ng loob sa pagharap sa hamong ito sa aming
buhay.
Palayain ang Morong 43 at lahat ng bilanggong pulitikal!
Ilantad, tutulan at labanan ang pasismo ng estado!
Katarungan at kalayaan sa lahat ng biktima ng paglabag sa karapatang
pantao!
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The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) -
Philippines is an organization of former political detainees in the
country. Founded in December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by former
political prisoners during the Martial Law period. It works for the
unconditional release of all political prisoners and humane treatment of
those who are still in detention; for the advocacy on the conditions of
political prisoners, the fundamental reasons for their arrest and
detention, and their struggle for justice; mobilization of resources for
political prisoners and their families; legislative actions on the
indemnification and rehabilitation of political detainees; and promotion
of partnerships and solidarity with organizations for the freedom and
welfare of political prisoners and victims of tyranny.
KARAPATAN Alliance for the
Advancement of People's Rights
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NEWS RELEASE
September 21, 2010
For Reference: Fr. Dionito Cabillas, SELDA National Secretary General
(0917-5965859)
FORMER POLITICAL PRISONERS UNDER MARTIAL LAW CALL FOR JUSTICE AND
INDEMNIFICATION OF ML VICTIMS; CALL FOR THE WITHDRAWAL OF OPLAN BANTAY
LAYA
In commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law, former political
prisoners and victims under the dark years under Pres. Ferdinand Marcos
today joined the rally led by Bayan in Mendiola and trooped to the House
of Representatives to witness and support the privilege speech of Bayan
Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares which will call for justice and indemnification
of Martial Law victims.
Fr. Dionito Cabillas, National Secretary General of the Samahan ng
Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA), an organization of
political prisoners established in 1984, challenged Pres. Benigno Aquino
III to immediately put into motion the indemnification of all Martial Law
victims. Immediately after People Power I, in its desire to show the world
the systematic and gross human rights violations unleashed by the dictator
on the Filipino people and their courageous struggle to fight it, SELDA
filed a class action suit against the Marcoses at the US Federal Court
System.
“Justice delayed is justice denied. It has been more than two decades
already since SELDA filed the case against Marcos in the US Federal
District Court System on April 7, 1986. In 1991, the U.S. Federal Court
system ruled that Marcos was guilty of “crimes against humanity” which
included torture, summary executions and forced disappearances. The
decision ordered Marcos to pay human rights victims $1.2 billion for
exemplary damages and $7.76 million for compensatory damages. Until now,
no enabling law has been passed for the indemnification of Martial Law
victims. It is quite ironic that the current president, whose father and
family became victims of political persecution under Martial Law, has not
taken keen interest in seeking justice for Martial Law victims,” Cabillas
stated.
SELDA is supporting House Bills 1693 and 954 filed by progressive
partylist representatives led by Bayan Muna in the Lower House.
Cabillas said that with the presence of the Marcoses in both houses of
Congress, the Aquino administration should show resolve in addressing this
long overdue demand of Martial Law victims.
“The bills should have been declared urgent by the President for immediate
passage. No amount of propaganda or lip service to human rights can deny
the fact that justice has remained elusive for human rights victims under
Martial Law up to the succeeding administrations,” he added.
SELDA also called for the withdrawal of the continuous implementation of
Oplan Bantay Laya counter-insurgency program of the Arroyo administration.
“By virtue of this Aquino’s extension of this program, human rights
situation has worsened because of the more brazen and intensive military
campaign. According to Karapatan, there are already 13 victims of
extrajudicial killings under Aquino’s administration. Thousands of
families are being terrorized and forcibly evacuated because of military
operations. Indeed, this is a sign that the brutality and violence under
Martial Law then continuous to exist,” Cabillas ended.
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The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) -
Philippines is an organization of former political detainees in the
country. Founded in December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by former
political prisoners during the Martial Law period. It works for the
unconditional release of all political prisoners and humane treatment of
those who are still in detention; for the advocacy on the conditions of
political prisoners, the fundamental reasons for their arrest and
detention, and their struggle for justice; mobilization of resources for
political prisoners and their families; legislative actions on the
indemnification and rehabilitation of political detainees; and promotion
of partnerships and solidarity with organizations for the freedom and
welfare of political prisoners and victims of tyranny.
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News Release – September 21, 2010
References: Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy A. Casiño,
0920-9035683
Bayan Muna files bill to remember Martial
Law
Bayan Muna (People
First) Party-list Reps. Teddy Casiño and Neri Colmenares today filed House
Bill 3288 for government to have a “National Day of Remembrance” in
memory of the Filipino heroes and martyrs who stood up to the tyranny of
the martial law regime under President Ferdinand E. Marcos from September
21, 1972 to February 25, 1986 and whose struggles and sacrifices have
enabled us to live in freedom today.
In their
explanatory note, the Bayan Muna solons said that “the declaration of
martial law 38 years ago on September 21, 1972 by former President
Ferdinand Marcos ushered in a period unparalleled in post-war Philippine
history. The suppression of democratic rights and civil liberties, the
unbroken pattern of gross human rights violations and the systematic
plunder of the nation’s treasury were its terrible legacy, the effects of
which our nation still has to recover from until today.”
Compared to the
other military dictatorships of the 1970s and 1980s, the Marcos regime was
exceptional by any standard for both the quantity and quality of its
violence. While the Marcos’ regime’s tally of 3,257 extrajudicial killings
may be far lower than Argentina’s 8,000 missing persons, this exceeds the
2,115 extrajudicial deaths under General Augusto Pinochet in Chile and the
266 dead under the Brazilian military junta.
“Under the
authoritarian rule of Marcos, human rights violations were the apex of a
pyramid of terror – 3,257 killed, 35,000 tortured and 70,000 incarcerated.
In striking contrast to Argentina, only 737 Filipinos “disappeared”
between 1975 and 1985. However, nearly four times that number – 2,250 – or
77 percent of all victims were salvaged. Many were tortured, mutilated and
dumped on a roadside for public display to create widespread fear,” Rep.
Casiño said.
“In establishing a
national day of remembrance and celebration, we hope to impart the lessons
of martial law so the present and future generations shall never forget
what should never be repeated. The underlying objective is to teach the
youth about the difference between dictatorship and democracy, between
oppression and freedom, between right and wrong.”
“This bill further
seeks to underscore the continuing struggle for justice of the victims of
human rights violations of the Marcos era. We hope that by taking the
necessary steps toward redressing these gross violations, the long-overdue
process for remembering, for recording and for atoning can be established
so that the nation can come to terms with the past,” Rep. Colmenares
said.
The bill mandates
the Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, National
Historical Institute, Philippine Information Agency, the premier state
schools and universities, and the other appropriate agencies of the
government, to take the lead in establishing multifarious prominent
activities and productions to celebrate this observance with appropriate
activities, ceremonies and programs that demonstrate the national
commitment to democracy, freedom, human rights and justice and that pay
due homage to the heroes and martyrs of the martial law era across the
country. #
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