Butalid is the third journalist killed in the country in the past three weeks, all in Mindanao, following Joas Dignos in Valencia, Bukidnon on November 29 and Michael Milo in Surigao City on December 9.
Activists march along the city’s downtown area commemorating the 65th year of International Human Rights Day, as they deplore the continuing impunity under Aquino’s administration with the killings of farmers and military abuses. (davaotoday.com photo by Ace R. Morandante)
A child of a protester holds up a placard during a rally at Davao City’s Rizal Park commemorating the 65th International Human Rights Day. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Farmers listen to a speech during a rally held at Davao City’s Rizal Park in commemoration of International Human Rights Day. These farmers join the rally to call attention to the lack of support after Typhoon Pablo and continuing military operations. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
This child is unmindful of the risk of going around a busy intersection to ask for money from motorists. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Karapatan’s secretary general Hanimay Suazo said Pedro Tinga, a 57-year old tribal leader in Barangay Malamodao, was killed in an operation by the Philippine Army’s Alpha Company of the 71st Battalion last Friday.
Children who were traumatized by military operations in their farm communities in Compostela Valley and Agusan del Sur attend an art workshop at Davao City People’ Park last Sunday as part of psycho-social intervention program by the Kabiba Alliance for Children’s Concern and Children’s Rehabilitation Center. (davaotoday.com photo by Medel V. Hernani)
Kim’s fight is the fight of all Filipino professionals for the right to practice their vocations freely and safely, for the chance for them to open themselves to the wonderful fulfillment of serving others.
“Someone said fear and anxiety make impunity thrive. My impression is forgetting is the bigger enemy of accountability, and the biggest ally of impunity. When we forget, we allow criminals or human rights violators to get away with murder,” said Carlos Conde, Philippine researcher for Human Rights Watch.
Eight years since her death, Hernandez’s family found a ray of hope when the UNHRC issued its decision in August 2010. The Committee found the Philippine government guilty of violating Article 6 of the Covenant which states, “Every human being has the inherent right to life. This right shall be protected by law. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.”
