Human Rights

CHR clears military in Grecil’s death

In a May 21 decision, the Commission on Human Rights in Southern Mindanao said Grecil Buya was killed in a legitimate crossfire between soldiers and rebels, and that there was no evidence that the soldiers violated the rights of Grecil. It also said that there was no evidence to suggest that she was a communist guerrilla, as earlier alleged by the military.

Grecil Buya's parents had sued the soldiers before the CHR, alleging that the troops summarily executed the girl. (Photo courtesy of MindaNews)

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Reflecting hard times, 2 million Filipino children dropped out of school in ’06

Many of these children might have been forced to leave school to earn a living. In 2006 some 2.5 million children aged 5 to 17 were working either to augment family income or simply to survive. The number of children in school is also dropping: in SY 2005-2006 only 84% of children aged 6-11 was able to attend elementary school, a sharp decrease from 90% in 2001-2002.

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Abducted Philippines pastor defends himself, says he was tortured

Below is a statement released by Pastor Berlin Guerrero, the UCCP priest abducted by government agents last week:

What does it take a government to have the nerve to abduct, torture, and terrorize my family on the basis of an old inciting to sedition case and a baseless murder charge?

Far more absurd is the accusation that I am the Secretary of the CPP Provincial committee in Cavite. This lie that they tried to extract from me by means of physical, mental and psychological torture and projecting me in public as a ?hand-gun and grenade carrying rebel.?

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SC dismisses rebellion raps vs Batasan 6

The Philippine Supreme Court today dismissed the rebellion cases against six leftist congressmen known as the "Batasan 6," among them Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran who has been detained in the past 15 months. "We are vindicated. This is a triumph of truth and justice over the Arroyo government's invented and unfair charge against duly elected people's representatives," Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said.

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