Politics

Grecil’s Parents File Raps Vs Soldiers; Holganza Doubts Girl Was Child Warrior


Justice . Relatives, friends, neighbors and activists march in New Bataan on April 18 to demand justice for Grecil Buya. (davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

MANILA — The parents of Grecil Buya, the nine-year-old girl killed by the army during a firefight with communist rebels in New Bataan, Compostela Valley, on March 31, filed charges against the military before the Office of the Ombudsman.

Gregorio Galacio and Virginia Buya went to the ombudsman on Friday to file administrative charges against 2nd Lt. Francis John Gabawa and his men in a platoon belonging to the 67th IB who were responsible for Grecil’s death.

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2 ComVal Residents Killed, 3 Others Wounded in Army Shooting

The soldiers strafed the victims when they failed to stop at checkpoints but according to the human-rights group Karapatan, the victims had difficulty stopping because, aside from the darkness, there were no signs or signals that a checkpoint was being conducted. The soldiers, Karapatan said, suddenly appeared from the roadside.

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EU Parliament Says Political Killings in Philippines a Growing Problem

In a resolution on the Philippines, adopted by 68 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions, Parliament draws attention to the number of politically motivated killings in the country, which it says has risen dramatically in recent years, as well as the general human rights situation in the country.

The local human rights organisation Karapatan has recorded 180 forced disappearances and over 800 killings, most of them by unidentified gunmen, since 2001. Most of those killed, such as opposition party members, church people, community leaders, peasants, journalists, lawyers, human rights activists, trade unionists, have been accused by the government of being front organisations for illegal armed groups and ‘terrorists’.
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Bayan Muna to General: Show Arroyo order authorizing AFP poll

MANILA — Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casi?o today challenged the military’s commander
for the National Capital Region to present a written and explicit
order from the President authorizing deployment of soldiers in Metro
Manila and for what purpose.
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NUJP Davao to Hold ‘Solidarity Night for Press Freedom’ at Kanto Bar

In observance of World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) Davao City Chapter will hold a Solidarity Night for Press Freedom, a gathering-cum-concert at the Kanto Bar, Matina Town Square, which will start at 7:30 in the evening.
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