DEMANDING RELEASE. Activists call for the release of political prisoners following the arrests of alleged Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon and want government to resume peace talks with the communist group to address the roots of conflict. (Ace Morandante/davaotoday.com )
FARMERS TAGGED. Two farmers from Magpet, North Cotabato, Ramil Atao and Boy Ata, aired their grievance that soldiers harassed them and later named them on a radio program as sympathizers of the New People’s Army. They appealed through human rights group Karapatan to clear their names for fear of arrest or attack. (Medel Hernani/davaotoday.com)
The Moro National Liberation Front–Executive Council of 15 (MNLF-EC15) said that the peace agreement signed today between the government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (GRP-MILF) is “problematic” and accused the Malacanang of abrogating the 1996 First Peace Agreement (FPA) with the MNLF,
More than 300 Moro residents here and elsewhere in the region spill into the streets and a public park here and hang green streamers and buntings in a festive mood to celebrate what they say is “historic” day for the Bangsamoro communities here, as Malacanang and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) signed the peace pact today.
A village chieftain here lambasted the military for forcing residents to sign a document that would portray them as “NPA (New People’s Army) surrenderees.”
Balong can now join his batchmates after his family and child’s rights groups rescued him from state forces who presented him to the media as a “child soldier, informer and collector” for the New People’s Army.
In its recent weather bulletin released today, PAG-ASA said the northward migration of the Siberian High Pressure Area and the establishment of the Ridge of North Pacific High Pressure Area that extended to the north of the country has shifted the wind direction from northeasterly to easterly.
Marbel Bishop Dinualdo D. Gutierrez told DavaoToday that “the prelates of Mindanao are hoping that President Aquino will now heed our calls to stop the Tampakan project, discerning on the protection and preservation of the environment and the life of the Lumad inhabitants in South Cotabato.”
The Department of Education plans to provide a subsidy called the expanded voucher program to finance students enrolling at senior high school (Grades 11 and 12).
LUMADS TARGETTED. Isidro Indao, Spokesperson of the Lumad group Pasaka-Southern Mindanao Region with Manobo leader Datu Doloman Dawsay appealed for the “pull-out” of Army troops from the Manobo communities of Talaingod, Davao del Norte. The Lumad leaders alleged that the Army has been “committing human rights violations and acting as a clearing force in order for logging and mining operations to enter their communities.” (Medel Hernani/davaotoday.com)
