A Bullet in the Head
All throughout his life, Renato Pacaide was firmly committed to activism and social justice. Then last week, somebody pumped four bullets into his body.
US Bewails ‘Climate of Impunity’ in Philippines
The US State Department released today its Country Reports on Human Rights Practices – 2006, which looks at the human-rights situation in countries around the world. The report, prepared by the department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, was released in Washington DC today by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
The report has this to say about the Philippines: “During the year there were a number of arbitrary, unlawful, and extrajudicial killings apparently by elements of the security services and of political killings, including killings of journalists, by a variety of actors. Many of these killings went unsolved and unpunished, contributing to a climate of impunity, despite intensified government efforts during the year to investigate and prosecute these cases.”
It blamed state security forces and insurgents, mainly the New People’s Army, for these attacks.
Davao Groups Denounce New Anti-Terror Law
Progressive organizations in Davao City have denounced President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo?s signing of the anti-terrorism bill into law. They said the law, which Arroyo signed on Tuesday, would worsen the already…
Davao del Sur Peasant Leader Shot Dead
DAVAO CITY — Despite international pressure and assurances by government that it is doing its best to stop the killing of political activists in the country, the violence continues. This morning, a provincial leader of Anakpawis, the partylist organization running for Congress seats in this year’s election, was shot dead by assassins in Digos City, Davao del Sur.
A Davao Punk?s Adventure Gone Horribly Wrong
Punk’d. Anderson Alonzo says he saw soldiers electrocuting one of his friends. (davaotoday.com photo by Jeffrey Tupas)
A Davao City resident recalls the arrest and ensuing torture he and 10 other punks suffered in the hands of the police and military in Mountain Province. “We thought we were going to be ‘salvaged?,? Anderson Alonzo recalled. ?Everyone was scared. All I could think about was, whatever happens, we wanted our bodies to be taken back home.”