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August 30, 2012

Reference:
Lorena ‘Aya’ Santos, Deputy Secretary General
Contact Number: 09175230396

Desaparecidos to Noynoy:

You’re no different from GMA and Marcos

We, Families of Desaparecidos for Justice (Desaparecidos) gather today, on the International Day of the Disappeared to demand from the Noynoy Aquino government for justice for all victims of enforced disappearances.

The practice of enforced disappearance among those it perceives as “enemies of the state” did not stop when martial law was ended. The practice of enforced disappearance, although not highlighted, continues up to the present, where there are already 11 documented victims in the first two years of the Aquino presidency.

Also, the existence of the paramilitary groups which started during martial law and proliferated during the Cory Aquino is again sowing terror in the far-flung provinces doing the dirty work for the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ counter-insurgency activities.

On the night of July 19, 2011, Micheal Celeste, Jully Devero and Gerald Abale, peasants from Magallona, Negros Occidental were abducted by members of Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Buncayao Brigade (RPA-ABB). They remain missing up to this time. The RPA-ABB is a break-away group of the New People's Army and has long surrendered to the government. The Noynoy Aquino government supports the RPA-ABB through its PhP31 million PAMANA project.

Human rights violations are increasing and enforced disappearances is one of the gravest form that persists from the time of martial law up to the regime of Noynoy Aquino. The government’s counter-insurgency program, the Oplan Bayanihan is instrumental to the unabated human rights violations and has resulted in more victims of enforced disappearances.

We hold the Noynoy government responsible for all the disappearances that happened under his regime. We also hold the Noynoy government answerable to the continuing impunity and injustice such as the continuing disappearance of many victims and the non-arrest of the Butcher Ret. Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr.

President Noynoy promised the Filipino people justice, yet, we only get INJUSTICE. Noynoy Aquino is no different from his predecessor Gloria Arroyo, and even Marcos. He has done nothing to correct the injustices that happened during the past regimes. He has, in fact, perpetrated the terror of martial law by implementing the same laws and by sowing the same terror, especially in the rural areas.

We, Families of Desaparecidos for Justice will not be fooled. We have learned from those ahead of us that as long as disappearances continue, the perpetrators remain unpunished, and the missing are not found, we will remain steadfast in our struggle for justice.

SURFACE ALL DESAPARECIDOS! STOP

ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES!
DISMANTLE ALL PARAMILITARY GROUPS!
JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS!

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Press Statement
Aigust 30, 2012

Reference: Cristina “Tinay” Palabay, Secretary General, 0917-5003879
Angge Santos, Media Liaison, 0918-9790580

Karapatan calls for the enactment of anti-disappearance bill

As families and friends of the disappeared call for the surfacing and justice for their loved ones today, Karapatan challenged Pres. Noynoy Aquino to sign into law the long-pending legislation criminalizing the act of enforced or involuntary disappearances and penalizing state security forces and government officials involved in the perpetuation of such acts.

Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general, said it is critical for Congress and Aquino to pass House Bill 98, as the 15th session draws to a close for the coming election. “The measure appears as ignored as the bill for justice and compensation for victims during Martial Law. With Gen. Jovito Palparan Jr., the butcher behind the abduction of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, still on the loose, these, and more, reflect the administration’s very low regard for human rights,” she said.

It is unfortunate, she said, that relatives of the disappeared continue to be haunted not only by their protracted search for their loved ones, but also with the continuing harassment of elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). Dr. Edita Burgos, convenor of End Impunity Alliance and mother of disappeared activist Jonas, was recently tailed again by alleged military agents, while hearings at the Court of Appeals and the Department of Justice on charges she filed against the perpetrators of the abduction of Jonas continue.

“Disappearances have continued to this day, with 11 victims under the Aquino administration. Such are still being perpetrated not only by the AFP but also by their paramilitary groups, such as the RPA-ABB. Jully Devero, Gerald Abale, Novito Gabriel, Michael Celeste, four farmers in Negros were abducted and are still missing because of the RPA-ABB’s role in the Aquino government’s counter-insurgency program,” Palabay commented.

Mercenary groups such as the RPA-ABB are included in the Social Integration Program under the government’s Oplan Bayanihan, and Executive Order 546, an Arroyo measure legitimizing the operations of paramilitaries and private armies, has not been revoked by Aquino.

“Aquino cradles these paramilitary groups to inflict grave violations such as disappearances. These are among the indications that Martial Law exists to this day, albeit without a formal declaration,” she emphasized. ###
 

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NEWS RELEASE
3 September 2012

Reference: Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Chairperson (09175616800)
Trinidad Herrera, Board Member (09155443181)

From martial law to Noynoy Aquino: injustice continues
“Enough is Enough, indemnify ML victims now!” - Selda

Former martial law activists brought their demands for justice and indemnification at the Mendiola Bridge today as the country marks the 40th year of the imposition of martial law this month.

Members of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) lambasted the Noynoy Aquino government’s negligence that resulted to unmonitored withdrawals from Imelda Marcos’ account at the Philippine Veterans Bank. The P36.55 million Marcos ill-gotten money under Imelda Marcos’ name is now only a little over P1M despite the garnishment order by the Sandiganbayan. Earlier in August, the ML victims suffered another setback after the Singapore Court ruled to award the $23Million Marcos ill-gotten wealth to the Lucio Tan-led Philippine National Bank. Tan is a known Marcos crony.

“We take on Mendiola once again just like 40 years ago so that the son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino hear and know that we are still here and that 40 is not just a number to remember but also a reminder of the length of time we have been fighting impunity and for the attainment of justice, “ Marie Hilao-Enriquez, SELDA Chairperson said.

According to the group, impunity still reigns after decades of struggling for justice. “After overthrowing Marcos, we filed and won the now historic Hawaii class suit for victims of martial law” Enriquez said, “But even under the present “matuwid na daan” of Noynoy Aquino, we continue to suffer from injustice.”

“All we get from the Aquino government are reports of failure after failure,” Enriquez stated, “When are we going see this administration seriously work for the justice that we, survivors of that dark regime, truly deserve?”

Furthermore, the human rights group deplored the state of the indemnification bill at the Senate “Inaamag na ata ito sa Senado,” (It probably has grown mold at the Senate) said Trinidad Herrera, SELDA board member and also a survivor of the dictatorship. The group proceeded to the Senate from Mendiola for a noise barrage. “Our senators should remember that they owe us a law that should have been implemented by now. What are they waiting for, another 40 years?”

The Senate Committee on Human Rights reported that they are still completing the signatories to the bill before bringing it to the plenary. The bill was first filed in 1997 and has never been signed into law up to the present even as Noynoy Aquino rants about being a victim of martial law.

“We are not pawns that the government can use for their electoral campaign,” Trinidad continued, “The bill must be passed for the indemnification of victims and not as a publicity tool to enhance the image of those eyeing re-election.”

Selda also stated that while September marks the 40 years of the imposition of martial law, they have nothing to celebrate. “We are not here to commemorate the imposition of martial law, we are still here because the governments that succeeded the dictatorship failed to bring justice, end human rights violations and impunity. We continue to fight until we achieve justice. From martial law to Noynoy Aquino, our brand of activism lives on.” Enriquez concluded. ###

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PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK
publicinfo@karapatan.org
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Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights
2nd Flr. Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag Sts., Central District
Diliman, Quezon City, PHILIPPINES 1101
Telefax: (+63 2) 4354146
Web: http://www.karapatan.org

KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.

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PRESS RELEASE
02 September 2012

Human rights group intensified calls for justice; highlights calls for livelihood and employment

On its 4th anniversary, the Women Workers in Struggle for Employment, Empowerment and Emancipation or Women WISE3 intensified calls for justice following Malacanang’s claim of improving human rights situation.

In reaction to a Malacanang statement in Aug 30 saying that there are no cases of enforced disappearances under the Aquino government, Dylin Lauron, Women WISE3 coordinator said, “The Aquino government should stop denying that human rights violations like enforced disappearances continue to happen. Truth be told, the number of violations in the first two years Aquino are way more than the first two years of its predecessor.”

Various human rights group have documented more than 70 cases of extra-judicial killings beginning July 2010 while there are 11 cases enforced disappearances according to Karapatan. Various labor rights violations, as documented by the Center for Trade Union and Human Rights, have victimized at least 10,000 workers in the last two years.

“Just like how it hides the real poverty situation by changing the [poverty] threshold, the Aquino government wants the people to believe that the human rights condition in the country is improving by sheer denial of facts. This is very alarming. What action can we expect from a government that denies the real situation?” Lauron pointed out.

Lauron also challenged Malacanang to expedite the resolution of human rights violations committed by the Arroyo government. “If Aquino is serious about making the past administration accountable to the people, he must also prosecute Arroyo for her grave human rights records.”

Lauron added that Aquino’s counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan, must be stopped to end the spate of human rights violations.

Meanwhile, Women WISE3 also highlighted calls for livelihood and employment for families of victims of human rights violations especially whose breadwinners were killed, disappeared, or displaced from their work, amid natural disasters and floods.

“Most families of victims of human rights and labor rights violations are left impoverished because oftentimes, they lose the family breadwinner or worker-victims find it more difficult to land on regular jobs. Their economic condition is aggravated by the natural disasters and floods which we experience more often nowadays due to global warming.”

“To wholly address these concerns, livelihood programs and better employment opportunities must also be extended to families of victims of human rights violations,” Lauron explained.###

For reference: Dylin Lauron, Women WISE3 Coordinator, 0922.565.8886
 

Di Kayo Desaparecidos
ni Rogelio L. Ordoñez
 

di kayo desaparecidos
di kayo nawawala
kayong nilamon ng lupa
kayong mga katawa’y nilapa
kayong kalamna’y ipinataba
sa damong ligaw at makahiya
di kayo nawawala
kayong isinimento sa dram
hinigop ng pusod ng karagatan
o binulok sa tagong bilangguan
kayong ulong putol malabolang sinikaran
pinagulong sa dibdib ng kagubatan
kayong nadiskaril ang kalansay
buto ng kamay ngayo’y tangay-tangay
ng asong galang nagkalkal
sa masukal na talahiban.

di kayo desaparecidos
di kayo nawawala
nagbagong-anyo lamang
sinalaulang katawang-lupa
sa makulimlim mang umaga
o humihilab na katanghalian
sa namamaalam mang araw
o gabi ng buwang malamlam
naroroon kayo
sa nag-usbong na hamog sa damuhan
sa kumakaway na mga butil ng palay
sa himno ng ibon sa kaparangan
sa hagupit ng hangin
sa lumalangitngit na punong kawayan
sa tumakas na alipato
ng naglagablab na apoy sa karimlan.

di kayo desaparecidos
di kayo nawawala
naroroon kayo
sa uha ng lumayang sanggol
sa nagdugong puwerta ng ina
sa gumiting pawis sa noo’t mukha
ng inaliping manggagawa
sa halas sa binti’t alipunga sa paa
ng dinustang magsasaka
sa himutok ng mga dukha
sa bilangguan ng dalita
sa singasing ng hininga
ng bawat nakikibaka
para sa dangal at laya
luwalhati’t ligaya
ng bayang pinakasisinta!

di kayo desaparecidos
di kayo nawawala
tubig lamang kayong nilaklak
ng uhaw na bibig ng init
magiging itim kayong ulap ng langit
saka palasong ibibinit
ulang kayong hahaginit
sa lupang tinigang ng dilim-sagimsim
binhi kayo ng pangarap
muli’t muling sisibol din
halaman kayong nanilaw
kinapon ng dahas at lagim
magluluntian din sa gabing madilim
oo, di kayo nawawala
di kayo desaparecidos
sapagkat ugat ninyo’y karugtong
ng aming mga ugat
sapagkat dugo ninyo’y dumadaloy
kumikiwal din
sa himaymay ng aming puso’t laman
sapagkat diwa ninyo’y nakikipaglakbay
sa mithiin naming ayaw humingalay.

oo, di kayo desaparecidos
di kayo nawawala
nagbanyuhay lamang ang katawang-lupa
paulit-ulit nga kayong mabubuhay
sa nag-aapoy naming puso’t isip
sa siil ng madamdamin ninyong halik
sa yakap ng inyong diwang katalik
di masasayang mga dasal-tagulaylay
ng lumuhang mga mahal sa buhay
kaaway man kayong itinuring
ng mga kampon ng dilim
sa utak namin kayo’y magluluningning
tatanglawan-iilawan
landas naming lalakbayin
upang tanikala ng pang-aalipin
ganap na lagutin… baklasin!
 

Coni Empeño, mother of missing UP student Karen