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NDFP Negotiating Panel Chairperson Jalandoni
delivers NDFP's opening statement. |
OPAPP secretary Teresita Deles delivers GPH's
Opening Address, instead of Chairperson Padilla. |
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Satur: AFP Must Keep Out of
Peace Talks
Published on February 16, 2011
www.bulatlat.como
Satur Ocampo laments the statements made by the AFP about the peace talks
that were mostly disparaging or negative. He says there were designed to
sabotage the peace process.
By INA ALLECO R. SILVERIO
Bulatlat.com
MANILA — The military and its various spokespersons should stop talking
about the peace negotiations and stop behaving as if they are part of it.
Former Bayan Muna Representative Satur C. Ocampo made this comment during
the Pilgrims for Peace forum on February 15 at the University of Sto.
Tomas in Manila. Various Protestant and Catholic church leaders and
religious held the activity in support of the formal peace negotiations
between the Government of the Philippines (GPH) and the National
Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) which also began on the same
day in Oslo, Norway.
Ocampo said it was lamentable that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)
keeps issuing statements about the peace talks that were mostly
disparaging or negative.
“The AFP is not involved in the peace negotiations, but in the last weeks
leading to the formal peace talks, various military officials have been
making statements to the media disparaging to the NDFP and its sincerity
in pursuing peace. This is not at all helpful to the peace process,” he
said.
Only recently, Lt. Gen. Gaudencio Pangilinan, chief of the Northern Luzon
Command, essentially poo-poohed the peace talks as he said that “Peace
talks do not, in any form, suspend any law.”
Pangilinan issued the comment in reaction to questions of the media that
the Feb. 14 capture of alleged Communist leader Alan Jazmines would have
negative impact on the ongoing talks in Norway.
The AFP has also been charging the NDFP of insincerity in upholding its
end in a ceasefire agreement and alleging that the revolutionary forces of
the New People’s Army (NPA) were using landmines in its military
operations. Both the NDFP and the NPA have issued separate statements
debunking the allegations.
Sabotaging the Peace Process
A former spokesperson and negotiator of the NDFP during the Corazon Aquino
regime, Ocampo said that the military’s attacks against the NDFP and the
peace talks had the concrete intention of derailing or sabotaging the
peace process.
“Back in 1987 when the NDFP was negotiating with the GPH after Mrs. Aquino
came to power, military top brass were agitating against the peace talks.
Officials such as then Defense secretary and now senator Juan Ponce Enrile,
and ex-AFP chief of staff and consequently former president Fidel V. Ramos
were against having the Aquino government negotiate with the NDFP. There
were even reports that the AFP, specifically members of the Reform the
Armed Forces Movement or RAM, threatened members of the GPH peace panel.
The peace panel members were allegedly threatened that personal harm will
come to them if they insist on negotiating with us,” he said.
Ocampo also said that while President Cory Aquino herself was receptive to
the peace negations, there were individuals and forces around her who were
intent on sabotaging the talks.
“I made a personal request to Mrs. Aquino for a one-on-one dialogue, but
my formal request never made it to Malacañang. It came out later than a
close-in official blocked the appointment I was supposed to have with Mrs.
Aquino,” he said.
Ocampo and the former president had become acquainted after Mrs. Aquino’s
visits to the Bicutan penitentiary after the assassination of her husband
former Sen. Ninoy Aquino in 1983. Ocampo was a political prisoner at the
time and detained in Bicutan.
Ocampo said that Cory’s son, the incumbent president Benigno Aquino III,
should not waste the opportunity he now has to complete what his mother’s
administration failed to. He said that the Aquino scion himself should
express full support for the peace negotiations and no ifs or buts.
“He must show unconditional support for the peace talks. All the efforts
of the GPH peace panel will be for naught if their principal himself is
not wholly behind it. This is President Aquino’s chance to bring the
country much closer to our collective aspirations for a just and lasting
peace,” he said. (http://bulatlat.com)
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GPH and NDFP negotiating panels members |
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(From Right) GPH Panel Chair Alexander Padilla, RNG
Ambassador Ture Lundh, and NDFP Panel Chair Luis Jalandoni shaking hands
before starting the morning session |
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The brain drain
and the GPH-NDF peace talks
By Giovanni Tapang, Ph.D.
The preliminary results of a recent
study by the Department of Science and Technology Science Education
Institute (DOST-SEI) show that the “brain drain” phenomenon continues and
has even worsened during the past few years. According to DOST-SEI Officer
in Charge and Deputy Director Dr. Leticia Catris, the number of emigrating
science workers from the Philippines has ballooned to around two and a
half times compared to the figure 11 years ago. In 1998, there were 9,877
outbound science workers from the country. More than a decade after in
2009, the number has grown by 148 percent to 24,502. More than half of
these are health professionals and nurses while a fifth are engineers.
This is not a new phenomenon. In
2008, a similar study was released by then DOST-SEI Director Ester Ogena
entitled “Emigration of Science and Technology Educated Filipinos
(1998-2006).” The study pointed out that around 23 percent of our total
science workers pool go abroad to seek employment. In particular, the 2008
study noted that the exodus of engineering graduates is attributable to
the demand of foreign multinational corporations paying higher salaries,
especially in IT and computer-related employment services.
The new 2011 study points out that
the number of science professionals leaving the country kept on rising
except during the years 2001 to 2003. This, according to Dr. Catris, was
due to the economy improving over that period of time. This steady
emigration for more than a decade is probably why the Philippines was
ranked 96 out of 139 nations in terms of availability of scientists and
engineers in the 2010-2011 Global Competitiveness Report by the World
Economic Forum.
From both studies, it seems that some
of the reasons why we lose these scientists to emigration are the low pay
and the lack of opportunities to practice their profession in the country.
Not surprisingly, the same issues with regard to the brain drain have been
raised before. AGHAM, for instance, has written about this in the 2005
pamphlet “Prometheus Bound: The State of Science and Technology in the
Philippines.” In that paper, we pointed out that the lack of domestic
industrial growth contributes greatly to the stunting of science and
technology in the country.
The issues of opportunities and
working conditions have already been pointed out way back in the 1970s
when Dr. Amador Muriel wrote about it in the Bulletin of Atomic
Scientists. He was a research associate at that time at the Institute of
Space Studies (under NASA).
Writing about physics research and
teaching in the country, Dr. Muriel notes that the opportunities in the
country are not at all that attractive and “as in all other professions,
the chief motive for emigration is poor working conditions bred by
government apathy and corruption.” He also points out that we share
similar socio-economic situations as most brain donor countries: poverty,
overpopulation and the desire to achieve industrialization.
It is in this desire to industrialize
on our own that that the second part of today’s title comes in. The
ongoing peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the
Philippines (now formally abbreviated as GPH) and the National Democratic
Front (NDF) in Oslo, Norway is set to discuss in their agenda an agreement
on socio-economic reforms. After the signing of the Comprehensive
Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL),
the two parties is set to discuss the meat of the whole negotiations—the
root causes of the armed revolution. We expect that land reform, national
industrialization and trade relations will be discussed in this phase of
the negotiations. Formal talks will be held from February 15 to 21, 2010.
Where does brain drain figure in
this? If the two parties agree on a clear industrial policy that will
build domestic industries at all levels and harness increased agricultural
output, the opportunities for scientists in our country will literally
become immense. Basic science research would be needed to address real
world problems while applied research and engineering solutions would be
critical in bootstrapping our industrial growth. I believe that together
with increased economic incentives, such an industrial policy would
actually help reverse the brain drain that has been the norm for several
decades already.
We cannot rely on just increasing the
number of scientists and engineers through scholarships and incentives.
The government must also plan where these scientists and engineers figure
in our economy. Sadly, the situation right now is inadequate as the DOST
studies show—it reflects the fact that one out of four science workers
find no comfort in our current economic situation.
The ongoing peace talks are thus not
just about looking for ways to stop the war. It should be about genuine
development and opportunities for all of us—scientists and ordinary folk
alike.
Dr. Tapang is the chairperson of
AGHAM-Advocates of Science and Technology for the People. The article of
Dr. Muriel can be found at
http://ow.ly/3XguU and
AGHAM’s Prometheus bound can be downloaded at
www.agham.org.
Prom.bound@gmail.com
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The NDFP Panel. (Photo by Mayet Atienza) |
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The NDFP Panel. (Photo by Mayet Atienza) |
The GPH Panel. (Photo by Mayet Atienza) |
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Statement of arrested NDFP Peace Consultant Alan Jazmines |
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Statement of Alan Jazmines: Statement on My
Arrest in Violation of the JASIG and Mockery of the Entire Peace Talks
Dear friends,
Alan Jazmines, NDFP Peace Consultant, who was illegally arrested last
February 14, 2011, requested SELDA to release his statement. Please see
his full statement below, the attached file is the scanned copy of his
handwritten statement. Please circulate. Thank you very much
SELDA National Office
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statement on My Arrest in Violation of the JASIG and Mockery of the
Entire Peace Talks
February 16, 2011
ALAN JAZMINES
NDFP Peace Consultant
PNP Custodial Center
Camp Crame, Quezon City
My arrest on the very eve of the NDFP-GPH peace talks by combined forces
of the AFP and PNP is an outright and arrogant mockery and sabotage of the
peace process.
The Government of the Republic of the Philippines’ fascist forces have
been intentionally violating the JASIG with impunity and stubbornly
refusing to release 14 other NDFP peace consultants and their staff who
remain under detention, in order to prove that there is nothing to gain in
the peace process, especially on the part of the revolutionary forces and
the people. In adding another arrest of a JASIG-holder on the very eve of
the resumption of the peace talks, the leadership of the fascist AFP and
PNP want to show how easily they can violate all peace agreements and make
it appear that the NDFP and the revolutionary forces are weak and have
really nothing to leverage on and gain in the peace process. They want to
use the peace process only to make the revolutionary forces capitulate.
At the time I was being arrested, I insisted that the arrest is a
violation of the JASIG because I am a certified JASIG-holder. I have in
fact turned over to my lawyer the details of my JASIG authorities and we
can even have those details disclosed to the public in order to prove it.
Yet, the arresting officers said that after they relayed my insisting to
the top command of the AFP and PNP, the top officers ordered to proceed
with the arrest and detention, and “to hell with the JASIG.”
I and the rest of the detained NDFP peace consultants demand that the
issue of JASIG violations by the GPH should be resolved first before
proceeding to other agenda. Otherwise, any further agreements supposed
reached in the peace talks and in fact, the whole peace process becomes
only a laughing stock for these fascists.
-----------------------------------
Jazmines: My arrest mocks the peace process
abs-cbnNEWS.com
Posted at 02/16/2011 6:49 PM | Updated as of 02/16/2011 7:12 PM
MANILA, Philippines - A top leader of the Communist Party of the
Philippines-National Democratic Front-New People's Army (CPP-NPA-NDF) said
his recent arrest by military forces on the eve of the peace talks “is an
outright and arrogant mockery and sabotage of the peace process.”
In a statement, Allan Jazmines said the government and its armed forces
have been “intentionally violating” the Joint Agreement on Security and
Immunity Guarantees (JASIG).
Signed in 1995, the JASIG provides leaders and members of the NDF immunity
from arrest, detention and other military actions.
“At the time I was being arrested, I insisted that the arrest is a
violation of the JASIG because I am a certified JASIG-holder. I have in
fact turned over to my lawyer the details of my JASIG authorities and we
can even have those details disclosed to the public in order to prove it,”
he said.
The arresting officers, however, supposedly said “to hell with the JASIG.”
Along with Jazmines, 14 are also currently detained.
“In adding another arrest of a JASIG-holder on the very eve of the
resumption of the peace talks, the leadership of the fascist AFP and PNP
want to show how easily they can violate all peace agreements and make it
appear that the NDFP and the revolutionary forces are weak and have really
nothing to leverage on and gain in the peace process,” Jazmines said.
He said the issue of JASIG violations should be resolved first before the
panel could proceed to another agenda.
“Otherwise, any further agreements supposed reached in the peace talks and
in fact, the whole peace process becomes only a laughing stock for these
fascists,” he stressed.
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Press Release
17 February 2011
Reference: Myrna Cruz (Spokesperson, LAYA: A Campaign to Free All
Political Prisoners)
Niňo Buenaventura, Media Liaison Officer (0915-2805101)
Political prisoners in Bohol, Cebu, and other provinces conduct fasting to
press for the immediate and unconditional release of all political
prisoners in the country
In time for the ongoing formal peacetalks between the Government of the
Philippines (GPH) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP),
political detainees all over the country have started their coordinated
fasting today to call for the release of all political prisoners.
Political detainees in Cebu and Bohol --- Ramon Patriarca, Alberto Acerdin,
Florencio Quino --- started their week-long fasting on 15 February 2011,
subsisting only on water and 5 biscuits a day until 21 February. In a
statement released by the detainees, through their fasting, they are
issuing a call to President Benigno Aquino III to:1) Order Justice
Secretary Leila de Lima to immediately draft the necessary mechanisms to
review all cases being faced by the 350 political prisoners still
languishing in the various detention facilities all over the country. 2)
Instruct the negotiating panel of the Government of the Philippines (GPH),
now in Oslo Norway resuming its formal peace talks with the National
Democratic Front (NDF) to uphold the validity of past GPH-NDF signed
agreements including those made in 2001, 2004, and 2009 urging the
immediate release of scores of political prisoners based on legal grounds
and humanitarian considerations.
Political prisoners in Camp Crame in Quezon City, Camp Bagong Diwa in
Bicutan (including the three detained healthworkers from the Morong 43),
New Bilibid Prison in Muntinlupa, Bacolod, Iloilo, Butuan City, Agusan del
Sur, Bukidnon and Ozamis City joined their
colleagues in Cebu and Bohol in a solidarity fast today.
Recently arrested NDFP consultant Alan Jazmines, who is being detained at
Camp Crame, joins NDFP consultants Eduardo Sarmiento, Jovencio Balweg and
Eduardo Serrano in their solidarity fast today at Camp Crame. In their
statement, they called on the Pres. Aquino “to stop the illegal arrest and
detention and the filing of false charges, most of them criminal in
nature, against consultants, leaders, and members of the revolutionary
movement.” (please see their attached statement below)
Myrna Cruz, spokesperson of the LAYA Campaign to Free All Political
Prisoners and a recently released political prisoner from Cagayan Valley,
said the arrest of Jazmines is the most recent example of such practice of
the military and police in conducting illegal arrests and detention of
JASIG-protected personnel and consultants of the NDFP. Cruz said there was
no warrant of arrest presented to Jazmines when he was arrested last
February 14, 2011. Upon scrutiny of the order of arrest given to Jazmines’
lawyer the next day, the certified true photocopy of the warrants against
Jazmines were only given by the regional trial courts in Quezon on
February 15, 2011.
Cruz also recalled the numerous trumped up charges against NDFP
consultants Vicente Ladlad, Randall Echanis and Raffy Baylosis, as these
are similar baseless accusations being leveled against them. Cruz, who was
arrested last March 2010 and was released this December, was herself a
victim of illegal arrest and detention and fabricated charges under the
Arroyo government.
Cruz called on President Noynoy Aquino to follow her mother's example and
free all political prisoners, as well as see to the withdrawal of charges
against them.
"Like his mother the late Cory Aquino immediately and unconditionally
freed all political prisoners on March 1986, so too must President Noynoy
Aquino. In releasing the political prisoners, Mrs. Aquino acknowledged
that their arrest and detention was arbitrary and therefore illegal, and
that the cases against them were nothing but trumped-up charges brandished
by a fascist state against those that dare oppose it. The same holds true
about Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's regime and Aquino should act accordingly,"
Cruz ended.
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L-R: Rolando Olalia, Jose Maria Sison and Alan
Jazmines at the founding Congress of Partido ng Bayan in 1987. Photo from
Pinoy Weekly.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SA DIWA NG
USAPANG PANGKAPAYAPAAN, PALAYAIN ANG LAHAT NG MGA BILANGGONG PULITIKAL
Nakikiisa kaming mga bilanggong pulitikal ng Camp Crame sa dalawang araw
na pagpapagutom (fasting) sa Pebrero 17-18, 2011 na isinasagawa ng mga
bilanggong pulitikal sa buong bansa sa panahon ng pormal na usapang
pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng Gubyerno ng Pilipinas (GPH) at National
Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) nitong Peb.15-21, 2011, upang
maipaabot ang aming marubdob na panawagan: “Palayain ang lahat ng mga
bilaggong pulitikal!”
Pangunahin kaming nananawagan kay Pangulong Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III na
gayahin ang kanyang nanay, ang namayapang dating Pangulong Cory Aquino, na
pinalaya ang lahat ng mga bilanggong pulitikal noong Marso 1986 matapos
mapatalsik ng sambayanang Pilipino ang pasistang diktador Marcos sa
pamamagitan ng pag-aalsang bayan noong Pebrero 22-26, 1986.
Ang hakbangin na tulad nito ay pagkilala sa naging ambag ng
rebolusyonaryong kilusan sa pakikibaka ng bayan para sa demokrasya at
kalayaan laban sa tiranikong pasistang diktadura. Kabilang sa sambayanang
nakikibaka’t nagtagumpay ang mga bilanggong pulitikal at iba pang
mamamayan na nahawakan ng kaaway subalit pinaslang at itinago ng nang
tuluyan ang kanilang kinahantungan.
Kaya sa pagkakataon ngayon na ang gubyerno ni Pangulong Noynoy ay nagbukas
sa usapang pangkapayapaan sa pambansa-demokratikong kilusan, mahalagang
kilalanin ng gubyerno niya ang kontribusyon ng mga bilanggong pulitikal
lalo na ang dikrektang responsibilidad bilang istap at konsultant ng NDFP
sa usapang pangkapayapaan tulad ng isinasagawa ngayon.
Upang mapakinabangan ng sambayanan ang kanilang mga karanasan at kaalaman
sa pagsusulong ng makabuluhang pagbabago sa lipunan, kailangang mapalaya
sila at ang lahat ng mga bilanggong pulitikal. Magsisilbing hakbanging
pagpapatibay ng pananalig ng magkabilang panig sa usapang pangkapayapaan
ang ganitong unilateral na aksyong makatao ng gubyerno.
Ayon kay Nelson Mandela ng African National Congress at dating Pangulo ng
South Africa na nakulong ng 27 taon habang lumalaban sa apartheid sa bansa
nila, nagwika sa kanyang librong “Long Walk to Freedom” na: “ Ang malayang
tao lamang ang pwedeng makipagnegosasyon. Ang mga bilanggo ay hindi
pwedeng pumasok sa pagnegosasyon. Ang mga bilanggo ay hindi pwedeng
pumasok sa kontrata…” Kaya malinaw na ang tagumpay ng usapang pang-kapayapaan
ay di maiiwasang nakatuntong sa kalayaan ng bawat panig laluna ang hanay
ng rebolusyonaryong pwersa na naghaharap sa sambayanan ng alternatibong
gubyerno o mga paraan sa pamamalakad ng ating mga likas na yaman at lakas
ng mamamayan para sa tunay na kapakinabangan ng nakararam nang may
tinatamasang tunay na kalayaan, kasarinlan, katarungan at kaunlaran.
Hanggang may natitirang bilanggong pulitikal, hindi masasabing nakamit na
ang tunay na kapayapaan at kalayaan sa ating bansa. Katulad ito sa
panawagan ng mga magsasaka’t katutubing mamamayan na kung walang tunay na
reporma sa lupa, wala silang makakamit na tunay na paglaya sa
pagasasamantala at pang-aapi ng malalaking panginoong maylupa at burgesya
kumprador, at dambuhalang mga korporasyong multinasyunal. Gayundin ang mga
manggagawa, hindi nila makakamit ang tunay na kalayaan sa makauring
kaapihan at pagsasamantala ng mga kapitalista’t imperyalista kung walang
pambansang industriyalisasyon at pagtataguyod ng lipunan sa tunay at
militanteng unyomismo. Hindi rin makakamit ng mga propesyunal ang tunay na
kalayaan hangga’t walang makatarungang sahod at kaseguruhan sa trabaho.
Gayundin ang mga estudyante at mga kabataan para sa kanilang makabuluhang
pag-unlad kung walang makabayan, makamasa at siyentipikong edukasyon at
kultura na huhubog sa kanilang pambansang kamalayan at tunay na pagmamahal
sa bayan.
Sa diwa ng usapang pangkapayapaan na naghahangad na malutas ang tunay na
mga ugat ng kahirapan at panlipunang labanan, nananawagan kaming mga
bilanggong pulitikal na itigil na ang hindi makatarungang pang-aaresto’t
detensyon at itigil na rin ang pagsasampa ng ng mga kasong kriminal sa mga
nahuhuling elemento ng rebolusyonaryong kilusan at ipatupad ang Doktinang
Hernandez sa mga bilanggong may pampulitikang pagkakasala.
Higit sa lahat, ang walang kundisyon na ang pagpapalaya sa lahat ng mga
bilanggong pulitikal ang magsisilbing isa sa mga tuntungang bato patungo
sa inaasam ng bayan na tunay na kapayapaan sa lipunan na nakabatay sa
katarungan.
Itaguyod ang pambansang-demokratikong
pakikibaka!
Mabuhay ang sambayanang Pilipino!
Mga Bilanggong Pulitikal sa Camp
Crame
Pebrero 16, 2011
(Sgd) Prospero F. Agudo (Sgd) Jovencio Balweg
(Sgd) Eduardo O. Sarmiento (Sgd) Eduardo R. Serrano
(Sgd) Alan V. Jazmines
====================
--
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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Political Detainees Conducting
Fasting:
Cebu and Bohol
Alberto M. Acerdin - Danao City Jail, Cebu
Ramon M. Patriarca - Danao City Jail, Cebu
Florencio Quinio - Tagbilaran District Jail, Bohol
Cagayan Valley
Randy Malayao - BJMP Ilagan Isabela
Calixto Rivera - BJMP Batal Santiago City
Camp Crame, Quezon City
Prospero F. Agudo
Eduardo O. Sarmiento
Alan V. Jazmines
Jovencio Balweg
Eduardo R. Serrano
New Bilibid Prison, Muntinlupa
Rodas, Darwin
Navarro, Jose
Rolida, Generoso
Matricio, Manolito
Tobias, Absalon
Villanueva, Martin
Montajes, Alfredo
Villacorta, Donato
Gutaba, Roberto
Alejandrino, Raynaldo
Correjado, Aldrine
Tuardon, Edwin
Andrade, Bernardo
Barado, Apolonio
Santiago, Lamberto
Bodino, Rico
Vidar, Armando
Gaviola, Arnilo
Lareno, Romeo
Caballero, Rodel
Alegre, Selman
Lacang, Leon
Pangilinan, Arturo
Marbella, Sonny
Ceriola, Crisanto
Sionicio, Danilo
Granado, Generoso
Lumantas, Pedro
Ramada, Joel
Dosmanos, Marcial
Yambot, Freddie
Villar, Raul
Lingan, Edgardo
Versoza, Francis
Alegre, Jesus
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Pañamogan, Rolando
Segura, Victoriano
Ungsod, Joshue
Itaas, Juanito
Natividad, Rogelio
Alcon, Rodel
Verdan, Cerilo
Deguit, Johnny
Pajanostan, Felix
Fulgar, Ricardo
Mahinay, Reynaldo
delos Santos, Danilo
Balawag, Saiban
Christopher Malolot, Christopher
Sarad, Diony
Inocerta, Cresencio
Umbrero, Mariano
Ozamis City
Rodinas, Dennis - Ozamis City Jail
Agusan del Norte Provincial Jail, Butuan City
Maria Luisa Purcray
Baranggan, Rolando
Bacolod - BJMP Bacolod
Moleta, Arturo
loilo Rehabilitation Center, Nanga,
Pototan, Iloilo
Jose Gabion
Dennis Dote
Jomer Begayo
Bernard Gicalao
JAmes Latumbo
Jan David
Radne Catamin
Jojie Belo
Roger Belo
Cirila Estrada
Bukidnon
Bayot, Randy - Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, Malaybalay
Caringas, Jerry - BJMP Malaybalay
Hortillano, Eduardo - BJMP Valencia City
Arellano, Salvador - BJMP Valencia City
Tamunday, Lito - Valencia City Jail
Codaste, Pedro - BJMP Malaybalay
Abucayan, Tito - Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center
Agusan del Sur
Mario Mantua - Bayugan Municipal Jail
Pelagio Mantua - Bayugan Municipal Jail
Elvie Apolona - Agusan del Sur Provincial Jail
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Davao
City:
Farmers, Lumads push genuine
agrarian reform agenda in the GPH-NDFP Peace Talks |
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Soildarity Rally along San Pedro Street,
Davao City
re: FARMERS, LUMADS PUSH GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM AGENDA IN GPH-NDF PEACE
TALKS
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Press Release
February 15, 2011
FARMERS, LUMADS PUSH GENUINE AGRARIAN REFORM AGENDA IN GPH-NDF PEACE TALKS
Davao City --- In support of the resumption of the GPH-NDF peace talks on
February 15, farmer and lumad leaders belonging to the Kilusang Magbubukid
ng Pilipinas – Southern Mindanao (KMP-SMR) and PASAKA Confederation of
Indigenous Peoples in SMR staged a solidarity rally today along San Pedro
St.
“Si Kanami no tala-bantay to tanu. Pig umaw noy ka Magbabaya ayaw bugayan
to karayawan ka tanu woy mgo otaw no nig-atiman to tanu...,” said Datu
Duloman Dawsay, an Ata Manobo leader from Talaingod, Davao Del Norte,
invoking their rights as stewards of the land during a ritual. They called
on Magbabaya, the divine deity, to bless the land and the people who till
the land.
Dawsay, with other leaders, then gutted a white chicken, letting the blood
flow onto the ground.
“The ritual is an offering so that the farmers’ and lumads’ demands for
genuine agrarian reform and respect of the lumads’ right to ancestral land
will be addressed,” said Pedro Arnado, chairperson of KMP-SMR.
Hands filled with loose soil, the farmer leader added, “We urge the GPH
and the NDF to heed the farmers’ historical demand for land and the right
to till. End the system which perpetuates the oppression and exploitation
of the few and then there will be a chance for peace.”
“The Aquino government must remember that social justice is a prerequisite
for peace. End landlessness and give the farmers and lumads the land that
they have long been deprived of, then we may consider believing that this
regime is serious on sincerely addressing the root causes of the civil war
raging in the country, ” said Arnado.
KMP and PASAKA just ended a one-day seminar discussing the peasants’
agenda for the coming peace talks which will tackle the second agenda,
Comprehensive Agreement on Socio Economic Reforms (CASER).
Arnado stressed the importance of the CASER for all Filipinos.
“Injustice has long shaped the fate of the Filipino people. The CASER
embodies the people’s clamor towards genuine agrarian reform and national
industrialization, free from the imposition of neo-liberal policies of
imperialist countries that has long made our people slaves and squatters
in their own country,” said Arnado.
KMP has long criticized the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)
and its extended law for leading farmers into further poverty and
landlessness due to the high amortization fees, and interest rates that
CARP beneficiaries are made to pay.
Instead, KMP has been pushing for the enactment of the Genuine Agrarian
Reform Bill (GARB) which aims to distribute free lands to farmers,
eliminate tenancy, usury and provide substantial government subsidy for
farmers in terms of farm inputs, irrigation and farming technology. #
For reference:
PEDRO ARNADO
Chairperson
KMP-SMR
Contact: 09102261000
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Farmers Association of Davao
City- Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and PASAKA Confederation of Lumad
Organizations in Southern Mindanao spearhead a solidarity rally calling
support for the GPH-NDF peacetalks and pushing for genuine agrarian reform
agenda. (PHOTO BY: JONALD MAHINAY) |
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A lumad ritual led by Datu
Doloman Dawsay of Salupongan ta Tanu Igkanugon (In Defense of Ancestra
Lands)- PASAKA invoking their rights as stewards of the land during the
Solidarity Rally calling to support the GPH-NDP Peacetalks. (PHOTO BY:
JONALD MAHINAY) |
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Lumad leader led a ritual and
called on Magbabaya, the divine deity, to bless the land and the people
who till the land and asking blessings for the GPH-NDF Peacetalks which
formally starts today. (PHOTO BY: JONALD MAHINAY) |
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Launching of a Festschrift book on Joma:
Jose Maria Sison: A
Celebration |
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February 22,
2011
6 - 9 PM
UP Balay
Kalinaw
UP
Diliman campus |
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