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Philippines: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS CONDEMN CURFEW AND ARREST OF MEDIA AS VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND AN ARBITRARY OVERKILL

The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) condemns the imposition of the curfew by Pres. Gloria Arroyo as oppressive, unconstitutional and an arbitrary overkill intended only to instill fear on the people. Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution states that “Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety or public health, as may be provided by law.” Absent any law, Pres. Arroyo does not have the authority to impose curfew. The supposed exemptions in the ‘guidelines’ are of no moment, since the order has no constitutional basis in the first place.

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Continue ReadingPhilippines: HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYERS CONDEMN CURFEW AND ARREST OF MEDIA AS VIOLATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND AN ARBITRARY OVERKILL

The other story of Luisito Bustamante


Tortured. Luisito Bustamante shows the burns on his neck and marks of the metal chain on his his feet which were used by his captors to bind him. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)


By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

Luisito Bustamante, 22, admitted during a court hearing that he was a member of the Communist New People?s Army (NPA). He told the court that not even his fingertips was touched when he was in military captivity, belying any possibility of torture. But an hour after the hearing, Luisito told a different story. He showed his mother and friends the burn marks on his neck and back, the scars on his ankles that had been, days before, tied with wires.

Continue ReadingThe other story of Luisito Bustamante

Duterte says rape, not poverty, could be behind Mariannet’s suicide

By CHERYLL D. FIEL | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte suspected the 12-year-old Mariannet Amper could have been raped, based on the findings bared by the medico legal officer who conducted the autopsy. The mayor, who ordered the girl?s body exhumed five days after burial, said it was possible that rape could have driven the girl to kill herself. He also said that it?s also possible that someone could have killed her.

Continue ReadingDuterte says rape, not poverty, could be behind Mariannet’s suicide

Duterte backs decriminalization of libel; planning to help Adonis?

By GERMELINA A. LACORTE | Davao Today

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte vowed to help the Davao broadcaster jailed for libel now that a full blown war has erupted between him and close administration ally Congressman Prospero Nograles over what people perceive as the first salvo of their fight for the 2010 elections.

Continue ReadingDuterte backs decriminalization of libel; planning to help Adonis?

Independent probe of House bombing urged


Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) take to the streets of Davao the morning after the blast in Congress, urging vigilance among the people. They call on people to act and demand an investigation into the incident that killed three, wounded several others, including lawmakers. InPeace, the peace advocacy group, said in a statement that the bombing was a smokescreen for something more sinister. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

Continue ReadingIndependent probe of House bombing urged