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Joker slams AFP for derailing human-rights bill

According to Senator Joker Arroyo, the military has lobbied for the junking in the House of Representatives of a bill that seeks to compensate victims of human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship. The military, Arroyo said, fears that the money would just go to insurgents and rebel groups. In a privilege speech Monday, Arroyo said the military's lobbying "demeans and mocks the legislative process" because it shows that the "military can throw a monkey wrench even at the tail-end of congressional work." Read the rest of this story.

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Philippines: Arroyo should order ISAFP chief to appear before CHR’s Jonas probe — Bayan

MANILA, Philippines — The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today assailed what it called the ?stonewalling tactics? of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) in the ongoing probe of the Commission on Human Rights into the abduction of activist Jonas Burgos.
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Child advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

They're urging for independent autopsy of Grecil's remains, particularly since there were traces of powder burns on the child's head -- an indication that she may have been shot at close range, the groups said.

The CHR, according to Kabiba, is ?passing the burden of proof to the victim and is trying to vindicate human-rights violators.? It added that the CHR?s conclusion -- that Grecil died in a crossfire during a legitimate encounter -- "is actually inconclusive because the CHR did not actually employ scientific and defensible probing methods like the conduct of autopsy.?


Lack of Merit? Grecil's parents, shown here during a press conference in Manila in April, have also filed charges against the soldiers before the courts and the ombudsman. (Photo by arkibongbayan.org)

Continue ReadingChild advocates decry CHR decision on Grecil

Philippines: Killing of 2 Negros farmers shows CARP useless — KMP

MANILA — The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) condemned in the strongest terms the killing of two farmers and the wounding of 6 others in Hacienda Velez-Malaga, Barangay Robles, La Castellana, Negros Occidental. Killed were Alejandro Garcesa, 70 and Ely Tupas, 52, both holders of certificates of land ownership award. While wounded were Jude Capitania, 32; Jobert Nalayas, 25; Rene Floreinda, 27; Alan Hagcoy, 26; Norberto Diamante, 47, and Andre Barcoma. They were shot by blue guards of the landlord Roberto Cuenca.
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Continue ReadingPhilippines: Killing of 2 Negros farmers shows CARP useless — KMP