By JOHN RIZLE L. SALIGUMBA
Davao Today
Juanita Loreto said prior to the military operation, the Bagani members had been going around the community forcing them to sign a “tie-up” agreement with a company to build a plantation for tuba-tuba (jathropa) and biograss.”We refused their demand for us to ask to sign a blank paper that would sell-off our land to the company,” she said.
by John Rizle Saligumba
Davao Today
Initial reports from Karapatan Southern Mindanao showed that Agusanon residents fled on Sunday from Barangays Kauswagan, Sabud, Mansanitas and San Mariano. The residents along with 224 children evacuated to Barangay Kauswagan Elementary School.
A month after the New People’s Army captured five soldiers in Paquibato District, the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Southern Mindanao said its “Revolutionary Court “ is reviewing the cases of the captives “as thoroughly as possible” so that the latter’s “direct culpability “ or “innocence “ is “meticulously established.”
Estrilla Basilisco pleas for the release of her son, alyas John, a Lumad minor who was detained by members of the paramilitary in Loreto, Agusan del Sur. Estrilla denies allegations her son is an NPA. (davaotoday.com photo by MEDEL V. HERNANI)
“Mao nang NPA, pagpamatya ninyo na mga NPA na! (They are NPAs, kill them!)”
Two Lumad minors in Loreto town, Agusan del Sur were on their way last Monday to register for the Barangay and SK elections, when they were accosted by government troops.
The farmers expected their distress calls to be heard but the City Council session ended Tuesday without a resolution, as the councilors prioritised the approval of a new liquor ban.
By TYRONE VELEZ
Davao Today
Luzviminda Ilagan, who represents Gabriela Women Partylist, said she was aghast that there was no mention of justice in Pres. Aquino’s SONA for the killing of indigenous peoples and their defenders.
Students marched through universities to protest state budget cuts and high cost of education. Workers held a rally in a strike camp to demand job security. Farmers held a picket at a military headquarters to decry militarization and abuses. The rallies culminated with a burning of Pres. Aquino’s effigy in a gathering at the city’s Rizal Park in the afternoon.
In separate statements, the Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the International Conference on Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines (ICCHRP) called Aquino to act on extrajudicial killings, and abuses brought by mining and militarization in communities.
