Human Rights

Activist doctor shot dead in Davao

Dr. Rogelio ?Bong? Pe?era, head of the Department of Health (DOH) epidemiological research and surveillance unit tasked to monitor and address the A (H1N1) flu cases in the region, was killed in his car while going home. He was active in political campaigns that sought government?s attention to the sordid state of the country?s health care delivery. Pi?era was also a member of the groups Alliance of Health Workers (AHW), the Rx for Peace and the Health People United for the Removal of Gloria (Purga), a group of medical practitioners and health workers calling for the resignation of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Read on.

Continue ReadingActivist doctor shot dead in Davao

Davao media group calls Nograles a bully

Members of militant groups throwing tomatoes outside the office of House Speaker Nograles on June 10 to show their disgust at the Congress? moves for Charter change.(davaotoday.com photo by Barry Ohaylan)

DAVAO CITY--Davao journalists called House Speaker Prospero Nograles a bully when he threatened one local TV station of libel after the network reported that militant groups threw tomatoes in front of his office. The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines-Davao (NUJP-Davao) said Nograles is making an excuse to pass the Right of Reply Bill which media groups consider dangerous to press freedom. ?Speaker Prospero Nograles has unmasked himself as a bully,? said Jeffrey Tupas, secretary-general of NUJP-Davao. ?He had no qualms about brandishing the power of his high office to threaten journalists.? Read on.

Continue ReadingDavao media group calls Nograles a bully

Lawyers petition for writ of amparo

DAVAO CITY --- Three lawyers whose names were in the military Order of Battle list filed a petition for a writ of amparo at the Regional Trial Court to preempt impending threats to their lives. Davao lawyers Carlos Isagani Zarate, Lilibeth Ladaga and Angela Librado-Trinidad filed the petition before the RTC clerk of Court on Tuesday, June 16, asking the Court to order the respondents?mostly top military and police officers in the region?to produce all documents related to the inclusion of their names in the OB list and to ?suppress? or ?destroy? these information. They also asked the military to make a public apology to rectify the damages to their reputation and to explain why their names were put in the list. Read on.

Continue ReadingLawyers petition for writ of amparo