Human Rights

CHR clears military in Grecil’s death

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Jun 02, 2007

In a May 21 decision, the Commission on Human Rights in Southern Mindanao said Grecil Buya was killed in a legitimate crossfire between soldiers and rebels, and that there was no evidence that the soldiers violated the rights of Grecil. It also said that there was no evidence to suggest that she was a communist guerrilla, as earlier alleged by the military.

Grecil Buya’s parents had sued the soldiers before the CHR, alleging that the troops summarily executed the girl. (Photo courtesy of MindaNews)

Reflecting hard times, 2 million Filipino children dropped out of school in ’06

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Jun 02, 2007

Many of these children might have been forced to leave school to earn a living. In 2006 some 2.5 million children aged 5 to 17 were working either to augment family income or simply to survive. The number of children in school is also dropping: in SY 2005-2006 only 84% of children aged 6-11 was able to attend elementary school, a sharp decrease from 90% in 2001-2002.

SC dismisses rebellion raps vs Batasan 6

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Jun 01, 2007

The Philippine Supreme Court today dismissed the rebellion cases against six leftist congressmen known as the “Batasan 6,” among them Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran who has been detained in the past 15 months. “We are vindicated. This is a triumph of truth and justice over the Arroyo government’s invented and unfair charge against duly elected people’s representatives,” Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo said.

Tuition hike blamed on ‘grand conspiracy’ between Arroyo, private schools

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May 30, 2007

According to Kabataan partylist, CHED granted the tuition increase even before consultations in schools for such an increase has yet to be completed. It said the hike came after a meeting between President Arroyo and COCOPEA, the organization of private schools. The CHED’s “unilateral and shameless act shows the commission’s subservience and capitulation to strong pressure from school owners even at the expense of students.”