Latest News

How to Bully Councilors and Get Away With It

It is the duty of the City Council to stick its nose into anything that concerns the people. Councilors should not allow one arrogant colonel to redefine what democracy mandates them to do.


Commentary: HACKLES By Carlos H. CondeDAVAO CITY ? Task Force Davao was created in 2003, in the aftermath of the bombings in this city in April of that year, solely for this purpose: to fight terrorism. Since then, however, it has metamorphosed into something else.

I?m not talking about the fact that the TFD, which is dominated by the military, has practically usurped the functions of the police, or that the ubiquitous presence of TFD troops has made the city look like a garrison. I?m talking about something far more pernicious.

(more…)

Continue ReadingHow to Bully Councilors and Get Away With It

In Paquibato, a `Sham’ Public Hearing on Atrocities

What was billed as the City Council’s public hearing to get Paquibato residents to talk about the atrocities in the district turned into a display of official indifference and, according to witnesses and victims, arrogance.

Col. Mirar, Councilor Militar and Col. del Rosario

By Cheryll D. Fiel
davaotoday.com

Photos by Barry Ohaylan

PAQUIBATO, Davao City ? Lenny Nacua wanted officials to hear what happened to her son, and perhaps get some assurance that justice wouldbe done.

So on Wednesday, April 5, Nacua mustered the courage to face the officials onstage ? city councilors, police and military officials, Lumad leaders ? during the City Council’s public hearing here on the killings and violence in Paquibato District allegedly perpetrated by a group of bandits.
(more…)

Continue ReadingIn Paquibato, a `Sham’ Public Hearing on Atrocities

?They Killed My Son?

The following is a transcript of a portion of the public hearing in Paquibato last April 5.

?

LENNY NACUA: Ako si Lenny Nacua.? Ako ang nahimong biktima, staff ko ni Councilor Mahipus. Nagpuyo ko sa Sitio Quarry ug ang akong anak to ang gipatay sa mga lumad sir. Kadtong akong anak sir, wa gyud toy sala. Nia man ang iyang? punong guro diri sir, si sir Rosal, makasulti gyud og unsa gyud ang akong anak. Bisan sa among sitio, ug asa mi dapit, ilado mi sa mga tawo, wa gyud mi mga atraso. Puriso sir, unsa may inyong ikasulti nganong gipatay man to ang akong anak, wala man gyud toy intawon sala, unya wa man puy nitibo nga gipatay, mga bisaya man? Mao ra nay akong pangutana ninyo. Nganong hilabtan man ning bisaya nagtinarong man unta ni sa among panginabuhi? Sakit kaayo dawaton sir ning gibuhat sa lumad sa amoa sir.

COUNCILOR BONIFACIO MILITAR: Kanus-a nahitabo ning??

NACUA: Kadtong petsa dose sa Marso sir, gipatay nila ang akong anak nga nagkuha ra tog binigniton sa among payag sir?

(more…)

Continue Reading?They Killed My Son?

Long Afterward, War Still Devastates Filipinos

The damage caused by World War II, according to historians and sociologists, defines the modern Filipino: poor and lost, perpetually wandering the globe for economic survival, bereft of national pride, forced to suffer, to this day, the indignities of their violation.

By Carlos H. Conde
davaotoday.com

(On the occasion of National Heroes? Day on April 9, we are running this piece, which was originally published in the International Herald Tribune on August 13, 2005.)

MAPANIQUE, Pampanga — On Nov. 23, 1944, Japanese soldiers stormed through this village, burning down houses and killing all the Filipino men they could find. They then herded dozens of women to a red mansion that had been turned into a garrison.

There, the soldiers took turns violating the Filipinas; they raped a mother and her daughter at the same time in one of the many rooms.

To this day, the women of Mapanique — many of those still alive are now in their 70s — talk about their ordeal with chilling clarity.

(more…)

Continue ReadingLong Afterward, War Still Devastates Filipinos