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.”
“Let’s go beyond remembering the victims. The people should stand up and act against impunity. We can’t be silent anymore,” said Jessie Casalda, chair of National Union of Journalists of the Philippines Davao City Chapter
Families of the New People’s Army (NPA)’s five captives sought for the latter’s release, as the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Southern Mindanao gave the release order Thursday.
Two Agusan del Sur minors who were accused and detained of purportedly taking part in the killing of a barangay captain were released from a youth facility here Wednesday. Their mothers, however, wanted justice to grind on the militia men and Army personnel who allegedly tortured their sons.
The two teenage lumad minors detained last July 22 in Loreto, Agusan del Sur, are finally free to go as the murder complaint against them by the military were dismissed by the provincial state prosecutor. The minors, Alan, aged 16; and John, 17 (both not real names) were flagged down by soldiers and paramilitary in their village and were reportedly tortured the night before they were detained. (davaotoday.com photo by John Rizle L. Saligumba)
