The community’s fear of the military is not without history. In 2002, a paramilitary group called Alamara, which the community alleged as military-backed and whose members wear camouflage uniforms like ordinary soldiers, have threatened to kill and rape women including Bigkay.
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Zarate also noted that since 2001, of the more than a thousand victims of extrajudicial killings especially during the regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, “majority of those killed were either leaders or members or supporters of Bayan Muna.”
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
The convention will also be the venue where Makabayan’s platforms as the criteria for their basis of endorsing local and national politicians will be announced.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
The Women Studies and Resource Center (WSRC)-Southern Mindanao noted that the Davao Region has the highest incidence of VAW cases accounting 34 percent of the total national incidence. In the last 10 months this year, it said, the Davao City police recorded 1,391 cases of domestic violence or an average of five cases per day. The top three forms of gender violence among women are domestic violence, sexual harassment and rape.
By DANILDA L. FUSILERO
Davao Today
Protesters here are not only calling for justice for the victims of the Ampatuan massacre. They said that impunity continues from Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s reign to Noynoy Aquino with the increasing cases of rights abuses and growing numbers of rights victims.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
Brad Adams, Asia director for the Human Rights Watch, said the Ampatuan massacre has “brought to light” the dangers posed by private armies, militias, and paramilitaries in the country “but the administration of President Benigno Aquino III has not seriously addressed the problem.”
By ALEX D. LOPEZ
Davao Today
Jorge Madlos, also known as Ka Oris, the spokesperson of the National Democratic Front-Mindanao said the move is an indication that Aquino has now clearly abandoned any pretense of peace overtures with the NDFP. By harping peace on one hand and launching an attack on another, Madlos says Aquino engages in doublespeak.
By MARILOU AGUIRRE-TUBURAN
Davao Today
Cherry Orendain, spokesperson of the youth group Anakbayan in Southern Mindanao, said that the decision is obviously “pro-Palace” which “further bastardizes the partylist system.”
By DANILDA L. FUSILERO
Davao Today
Beverly Longid, first nominee of the Katribu party-list, said that they were alarmed at the growing number of IP leaders killed due to their opposition to either mining or similar development projects, which have affected their communities and the environment.
By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
Gok said his tribe has been prevented from hunting the forests since the 27th IB was assigned in their area two years ago.
