Progressive groups lambasted the “worsening” human rights violations in the country under the administration of Pres. Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. and Vice Pres. Sara Duterte.
Controversial Davao-based Pastor Apollo Quiboloy has claimed that the ecumenical youth group Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP) was created and operated by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).
Facebook page Kalumuran Mindanao posted anew a graphic accusing PJ Dizon, secretary-general of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement) in Davao Region as a “recruiter” of the New People’s Army (NPA).
National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) chairperson Jonathan de Santos said the country is “partly free” when it comes to publishing stories and covering certain issues, but undeniably, “there is a fear of reprisal, and there actually have been cases of reprisals.”
Women’s group Gabriela-Southern Mindanao Region described this as a “political vilification” against progressive individuals from Davao including two of their current leaders, Dr. Jean Lindo and Cora Espinoza.
Accusations were made by personalities of the Quiboloy-owned media network SMNI against Filipino journalists Atom Araullo, Inday Espina-Varona, and Vergel Santos. The former branded the latter as “operatives” of the Communist Party of the Philippines-New People’s Army-National Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF).
The human rights alliance Karapatan has welcomed the ruling of a Manila court on the case against the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing New People’s Army (NPA) calling it a “victory against State terrorism and intolerance to political dissent.”
The demonstration in New York City was not necessarily participated by “Kakampinks”, the term used to call the supporters of former vice president Leni Robredo during the 2022 elections.
Recalling what happened during his arrest, Elson said the PC played Russian roulette to torture and psywar (psychological warfare) him.
The country’s Lumads are still decrying the abuses inflicted on their tribe members fifty years ago, after the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared martial law on September 21, 1972.
