As the peasant movement in the country continues to call for the immediate release of Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, deputy secretary general of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) who has been detained for exactly a year today, the Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK) is joining the leaders of KMP, friends and [...]

In Albay, 5,000 people expressed their resounding opposition of the conduct of Balikatan 2009 in Bicol and thundered the streets to shout: STOP BALIKATAN! They also told the US Troops to stay out of Albay Province.
In Sorsogon, 7,000 people stormed into the streets shouting NO TO BALIKATAN and encouraging more Sorsoganon folks to speak out [...]

The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today said that the call made by US ambassador to the Philippines Kristie Kenney to punish human rights violators was “hollow and hypocritical.” The group instead demanded an end to US aid for human rights violators in the Philippines.

Malacanang’s confirmation that notorious retired general Jovito Palparan is being considered for an appointive position in government continues to draw flak from cause-oriented groups and human rights advocate.
Over the weekend, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita confirmed that Palparan is being considered for a stint in the Dangerous Drug Board or the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). [...]

A broad alliance of environmental groups, human rights organizations, religious groups, research organizations, academe, civil society groups, and people’s organizations called Panalipdan-Southern Mindanao lambasted the ongoing military operations in the hinterlands of Compostela Valley, particularly in the municipality of New Bataan.
“The ultimate objective of massive military operations in New Bataan and other municipalities of Compostela [...]

Davao City – About a hundred volunteers coming from various networks of Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) will gather here today for the launching of a mercy mission dubbed “Duyog sa Panaw”.
Duyog sa Panaw is a solidarity journey that enjoins peace advocates from all walks of life to participate in giving spiritual, material, moral, [...]

By Carlos H. Conde  |  If the US military can have its way in countries that are less friendly to Washington – Pakistan, for instance – how much more in the Philippines where Americans are given far greater access, whose people bestow on them a tremendous amount of trust that they probably will not find elsewhere?

On March 21, 2008, Edgar de la Cruz Candule, a 23-year-old Aeta, was picked up by policemen in Zambales. What followed was a nightmare, as the cops tortured him and accused him of being a Communist. According to human-rights groups, Candule’s case illustrates the dangers caused by a skewed interpretation and application of the Human Security Act.

The Bangkok-based think-tank, Focus on Global South, reveals that a US military base construction unit has awarded a P3.5-billion contract for work in Mindanao. The award is part of a multi-billion peso contract lasting until 2012, it says.

Senator Pimentel said they will thoroughly look into the proposal submitted by Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro, Jr. for an additional Pl0 billion for the AFP budget for 2009, which amounts to a l7.7 percent increase in the P56.5 billion already earmarked for the military under the national budget submitted by Malacanang to Congress.

Leila de Lima. (Photo by John Alliage Morales/Inquirer.net)

For somebody who barely warmed her seat, the actions and statements by Leila de Lima, the new chair of the Commission on Human Rights, are impressive, probably unprecedented. Let’s just hope that this is not ningas-cogon, that de Lima is motivated by a genuine concern for human rights and not by the need to prove her mettle.

MANILA, Philippines — The supply room of Charlie Company, 534th Engineer Combat Battalion situated in Camp Kalaw, Monkayo, Compostela Valley, was reportedly looted early Saturday morning where numerous high-powered firearms were carted away.
Initial investigation conducted, by Lt Col Alfredo Soriano, Commanding Officer of 534th ECB, with the help of [...]

A military man as peace adviser? A hawk for the dovish tasks of peace negotiations? It shouldn’t surprise anyone. The Arroyo regime of ironies and mockery has done as badly and even worse. It’s a national security regime disguised as a democracy, a reign of assassins cloaked in legal cloth. It’s a regime of mockery in which an Hermogenes Esperon for peace adviser makes as much sense as a Raul Gonzalez for justice secretary.

The military may have cut off his head and mangled his face and body. But Rey Cayago’s face and name could never be forgotten by his colleagues, his family, and the migrants and their families whom he had helped.
BY EMILY VITAL
Bulatlat
Vol. VIII, No. 15, May 18-24, 2008
There is a face to the growing number [...]