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Trafficking is the modern form of slavery. The victims lose all control over their lives, they are not free to leave, they are coerced into working and many times they are beaten if they refuse.
The 2007 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival presents “Fight! Without Fear!”, a documentary made by Filipina American Darlene Lombos about women living in the frontlines — fighting economic exploitation, gender violence and the effects of the global “war on terror.”
Activists led by Bayan and its allied groups have been mounting protest actions against the Human Security Act, the Philippines’s anti-terrorism law that is set to take effect tomorrow, July 15. Critics said the law is the most repressive piece of legislation ever crafted by the Philippine congress. (Photo by Arkibong Bayan)
“To this day I have never been called to any criminal investigation concerning any specific crime of terrorism. In Europe or anywhere else in the world, I have never been accused of committing any kind of crime before police authorities or the courts. In the Philippines, I have never been charged with the crime of terrorism,” Jose Maria Sison says.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed by the disappearance of a Nepalese journalist and subsequent reports of his death.
MANILA –Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Q. Pimentel, Jr.
(PDP-Laban) is proposing the establishment of Human
Rights Resource Centers (HRRCs) throughout the country
to integrate the promotion and protection of human
rights in the implementation of the criminal justice
system.
As the country’s fiscal position remains susceptible to another crisis, the Arroyo government will likely try to impose new taxes at the latest by 2008, according to independent think-tank Ibon Foundation. “This is the inevitable result of its refusal to address revenue losses from trade and investment liberalization, revenue losses from corruption and big-time tax evaders, and grossly bloated expenditures from unconditional debt servicing,” the institution said.
Amnesty International, the AIRE Centre, The International Commission of JURISTs, Interights and REDRESS are warning that, in a hearing today, the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights is being asked to reconsider the absolute ban on torture and other ill-treatment.
President Arroyo is likely to trumpet in the upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) her administration’s ability to attract more foreign investments into the country by creating a more investor-friendly climate. But independent think-tank IBON Foundation says that the Arroyo government’s foreign investment-resource extractive- and cheap labor-led approach raises false hopes for job creation.
Negros Occidental, the first Philippine province to embrace a 100% renewable energy target, today renewed its strong commitment to help stop climate change with the launch of the Electric Jeepneys in Bacolod City by GRIPP (Green Renewable Independent Power Producer) and Greenpeace.
MANILA — Local dailies reported that Lafayette Philippines, Inc. , a Philippine subsidiary of Lafayette Mining Ltd., an Australian firm operating the controversial Rapurapu Polymetallic Project, filed libel raps against the Center for Environmental Concerns – Philippines (CEC – Phils). Among the statements that Lafayette was said to deem libelous were our assertions [...]
Ignoring criticism is the luxury of authoritarian regimes and their agencies, even as “doing their job” in the present context can mean, among others, the military’s continuing on its present path of labeling as “enemies of the state” anyone and any group that disagrees with or is critical of the regime, and at least legitimizing their elimination.
MANILA — The Pampanga-based Mekeni Food Corporation, producer of Pinoy favorites “tocino” and hotdogs, and the Red Dragon Farm, one of the biggest chicken growers/suppliers in Central Luzon, have valid reasons to be grateful to the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) for its lending assistance that has helped in their expansion and enjoyment of [...]
MANILA — Miffed by the treacherous attack on government forces in Basilan the other day, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said today Malacanang will account for the perpetrators of the dastardly act “in line with the rule of law and through the mechanisms of the peace process. ”
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo awarded today with trophies the top 10 police personnel of the year in recognition of their career achievements and service to the community.
MANILA — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo conferred today the Gawad Saka Awards to 25 enterprising farmers and fishermen and six agro-fishery cooperatives that made significant contributions to the government’s goal of a sustained growth for the agriculture sector.
MANILA — Underscoring the critical importance of peace and security to the country’s bid for First World status and sustained economic growth, Presidential Adviser on National Security and acting Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said today the government will not abandon the quest for an end to the Mindanao hostilities through peaceful means in the aftermath [...]
CHR’s De Lima: ‘Civilians Are Suffering Immensely’ 08:26 am MILF Counts the Cost of War 08:22 am Arroyo Negotiated with MILF in Bad Faith: Bayan 08:11 am ‘Miss, Extra (GMO-Free) Rice, Please’ 08:07 am Offensives Vs MILF Won’t Stop During Ramadan: Gov’t 08:02 am Peace Process Fraught with Peril for Arroyo 09:50 am Peace in Mindanao: At What Price? 09:38 am As the MOA Unravels, What Now? 09:30 am The Media and Mindanao: The Dangers of Psychological Embedding and Armchair Punditry 09:25 am Q&A: Mindanao on the Brink 08:48 am ‘Disarm, Dismantle Ilaga Vigilantes Now,’ Solon Dares Arroyo 06:54 pm Health Advocates Hail Pullout of Philip Morris from Eraserheads Concert 04:23 pm Moro Youth Leaders Push for Peace and Justice 08:15 am Six Steps Toward Increased Energy Security in Asia Pacific 08:13 am Fr. Shay Cullen: The Idealism of Youth 05:44 pm 
