Human Rights

Philippines: NPA Says It Commiserates With Grecil’s Family

Front 25 Operations Command
New People’s Army ? Southern Mindanao

Press Statement
April 4, 2007

The Front 25 Operations Command of the New People’s Army (NPA) in Southern Mindanao commiserates with the family of Grecil Galacio who was killed by the military in the course of its wanton operations in New Bataan, Compostela Valley. The AFP’s Eastern Command through its chief Lt. Gen. Rodolfo Obaniana has falsely justified its murderous rampage by claiming that Grecil was an NPA combatant who attacked them using an M-16 rifle, in an apparent move to save face and evade public backlash. Four fascist AFP soldiers were killed and scores of others were wounded in that incident; there were no NPA casualties.

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The Happy Life and Violent Death of Grecil Buya


(Photo courtesy of MindaNews)

Grecil Buya was a lively girl who liked to play with spiders and thought TV noontime show host Willie Revillame was a great artist. She excelled in school, finishing Grade Two with honors and with the award “Most Neat and Clean.” She took on chores, like minding the carabao. On March 31, the nine-year-old girl was killed by soldiers during an encounter with the New People’s Army. The soldiers claimed the nine-year-old girl aimed an Armalite rifle at them, forcing them to shoot her. Family and friends were saddened by Grecil’s death but are outraged at the allegation that she was a communist guerrilla.

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Philippines: Satur back on campaign trail; Palace, AFP finally admit roles in anti-Bayan Muna drive

PRESS STATEMENT ? April 9, 2007

Satur back on campaign trail; Palace, AFP finally admit roles in anti-Bayan Muna drive

Fresh on from a Holy Week break, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo returns to the campaign trail in a progressive partylist assembly in San Fernando, Pampanga today.

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Philippines: Another Militant Threatened by Death Squad

News Release
April 7, 2007
References: Ka Willy Marbella, internal deputy secretary general, KMP and ANAKPAWIS party list nominee
Carl Anthony Ala, public information officer

After killing of 2 peasant leaders in Cagayan Valley: ?Another militant threatened by death squad?-KMP

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) and the ANAKPAWIS party list group lambasted the escalating attacks against its leaders and members in Cagayan Valley the past week, where two of its leaders were abducted and were found dead the other day. Early today another militant was threatened by members of the death squad for participating in the fact-finding mission conducted by KMP and Karapatan.
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US Group Concerned Over Jailing of Davao Broadcaster

The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalist has expressed concern over the jailing of former Bombo Radyo broadcaster Alex “Lex” Adonis, who was convicted and imprisoned for libel charged by Davao City congressman Prospero Nograles. Inquirer columnist Conrado de Quiros has likewise railed against Adonis’s fate.

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