Month: July 2019

Diocese of Surigao
September 21, 2019 (Saturday)
San Nicolas College Gymnasium
San Nicolas St., Surigao City

PROGRAM

05:30pm   Eucharistic Celebration  
HIS EXCELLENCY MOST REV. ANTONIETTO D. CABAJOG, DD
Bishop, Diocese of Surigao
Presider & Homilist

07:00pm        Dinner / Fellowship

National Anthem

Words of Welcome   MR. JELSON BANGOY
Diocesan Council of the Laity President

Online Pre-registration

The Student Catholic Action of the Philippines (SCAP), in cooperation with the Philippine Bamboo Foundation and Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig, gladly invite your organization/institution to the Formal Launching of the 200K Bamboohay Challenge this coming 27th of July 2019 (Sat) at the Sacred Heart Parish, Kamuning, Quezon City from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

The 200K Bamboohay Challenge is a concrete and action-led project offered for this Year of the Youth in response to our Holy Father’s Laudato Si’ Encyclical to “hear the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor” as well as the 2030 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project aims to grow as much as 200,000 and more native bamboos specifically at the threatened watershed areas of Metro Manila in a year’s time.

One of the critical issues is the struggling water source of the country’s capital. In planting more bamboos, it will sustain the health of watersheds, prevent soil erosion, and create livelihood for nearby indigenous communities. More than this is the project’s commitment to offer a formation program accompanying all stakeholders most especially the Filipino youth towards an ecological conversion.

We encourage a leader-representative from your organization/institution together with some of the members to join us. And, if willing and committed to be one of our partners in this ecological crusade, an online pledge signup will take place during the launching.

July 11, 2019

Dear friends,
Greetings of peace!

Trade union activist Marklen Maojo Maga, who was illegally arrested last February 22, 2018 and charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, was convicted by the San Mateo Regional Trial Court last June 3, 2019.

Maoj’s family and colleagues are distraught to learn this very unfair decision by the court. It is devastating for the family, the trade union movement and political prisoners who are similarly charged and illegally detained using trumped up common criminal charges. The conviction is the first one under the Duterte government and sets a bad precedent on all other detained unionists and activistis by this Administration.

We sought the support of Commission on Human Rights, the International Labor Organization, the International Trade Union Confederation, human rights groups, Philippine solidarity groups and compatriots abroad to support the cause for the release of Maoj Maga. We are truly grateful for all the support that you have extended to me, and we appeal once more to you to be more relentless in the campaign to release my husband and other detained unionists and activists in the spirit of truth and justice in this country.

We invite you to come to “PALAYAIN II: A Gathering for the Freedom of Maoj Maga,” on July 26, Friday, 9:00am-12:00pm at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) PARDEC Rooms, Commonwealth Ave., Diliman, Quezon City.

We hope to gather different labor centers, human rights defenders, peace advocates, representatives from institutions, personalities, friends and supporters of Maoj in a gathering that would further push the campaign to release Maoj Maga: particularly push for a reversal of the Court Order, and to amplify the call to junk all trumped up charges against him and other activists. Let us continue to work together for human rights and justice for our people. Your kind office may reach me through mobile #09074923571 and email: lenrdg2009@gmail.com. Thank you very much, and Mabuhay Kayo!

Free Maoj Maga Gathering
June 26, 2019 9:00am-12:00pm

PROGRAMME
9:00am Registration and Reception
9:30am National Anthem
Opening Prayer and Welcome Remarks – Fr. Eric Adoviso
Opening Message – Eleanor de Guzman
Cultural Performance
10:00am Case Briefs and Updates – Atty. Patrick Velez, Maga’s Counsel On Trumped Up Charges against Activists – PILC
Cultural Performance
10:30am Response and Messages from Guests
CHR Chairman Chito Gascon, Sen. Leila De Lima, Rep. Ferdie Gaite…
11:00am AVP
Sharing of Plans and Pledges of Support
11:15am Messages and Pledges of Support
11:45am Closing Remarks – Lito Ustarez, KMU

11:50am END

PUBLIC INFORMATION DESK (publicinfo@karapatan.org)

Karapatan denounces the coldblooded murder of another human rights lawyer in Negros. According to initial reports, Atty. Anthony Trinidad, 53, and his wife, Novie Marie, were on their vehicle yesterday afternoon when two motorcycle-riding assailants fired on them in Guihulngan City, Negros Oriental. They were later rushed to the Guihulngan District Hospital, where Atty. Trinidad was pronounced dead, while his wife remained confined due to serious injuries.

“We condemn in the strongest possible terms this ruthless killing of Atty. Trinidad, as we offer our sympathies to his family and friends. These attacks stem from the prevalent climate of impunity in Negros, where killers are emboldened to violate people’s rights without fearing for repercussions. The killing of Atty. Trinidad highlights the dire consequences of red-tagging on the lives and security of human rights defenders. It exposes that “hit lists” often translate to killings,” said Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay, citing that Atty. Trinidad was red-tagged prior to the incident.

The rights group noted that prior to killing of Atty. Anthony Trinidad, his name was included in a flyer where he was tagged as supporter of the CPP-NPA-NDF. In the said flyer distributed in Guihulngan City, 15 names were included. Of the 15, one other activist, Haide Flores, was gunned down back in August 2018. Another person included in the list, a health worker in Negros, also received death threats back in 2017.

The Karapatan official highlighted that two other EJK victims were included in “lists” prior to their killings. On November of 2018, human rights lawyer Benjamin Ramos, Jr. was killed in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental while last April 22, former Escalante Councilor Bernardino Patigas, was gunned down in Escalante city, also in Negros Occidental. Both were placed in the same poster-hit list, labelling them as terrorists. They were killed by motorcycle-riding men.

“Given this trend, we cannot stress enough the seriousness of red-tagging, especially in the context of heightened repression. As Negros is being battered by repressive policies, foremost counterinsurgency program Oplan Kapanatagan and Duterte’s Memorandum No. 32, human rights defenders are even put at greater risk. The architects behind these attacks are vicious militarists who think they can do whatever they want without any consequence. This is why we are inclined to believe that these attacks are perpetrated by murderers who are protected and coddled by powerful players,” Palabay explained.

Move against clergy and vice president stems from release of video claiming Duterte and family are involved in drug trade

Joe Torres, Manila
Philippines
July 19, 2019

Philippine authorities have filed charges of inciting sedition, cyber libel, libel and obstruction of justice against four Catholic bishops, three priests, a religious brother, the country’s vice president and 35 members of the opposition.

The charges stem from the release of a video that went viral on several social media platforms early this year that linked President Rodrigo Duterte and his family to the illegal drug trade.

A certain Peter Joemel Advincula claimed on a video and in a media briefing early this year that Duterte’s son, Paolo Duterte, and presidential aide Bong Go were involved in drug syndicates.

Weeks later, however, he was presented at a press conference by the Philippine National Police where he claimed Vice President Leni Robredo, opposition members and several church people were behind a plot against the president.

July 27, 2019 (Saturday)
Our Lady of Fatima University (OLFU) & National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima
Marulas, Valenzuela City, Metro Manila

Objectives:

1. To make known to all Filipinos the authentic Message of Fatima as approved by the Church especially the Communion of Reparation on the Five First Saturdays of the month and the need for Consecration of our country and the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

2. To be able to implement all over the country the Five First Saturday Devotion as mandated by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines through the circular issued last September 2017.

3. To call together all Fatima organizations / movements / associations and come up with a united stand and spirituality in terms of the Fatima apostolate in our country.

4. To initially convoke all Fatima parishes / shrines all over the Philippines and come up with a regular National Conference about Fatima Spirituality.

P R O G R A M

7:00 – 8:00 am Arrival and Registration of Participants

8:00 – 8:30 am Rosary and Opening Prayers

8:30 – 8:45 am Acknowledgment of Participating Arch/Dioceses
By: REV. FR. GENER “JIGS” S.R. GARCIA
Team Moderator, National Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima

8:45 – 9:00 am Welcome Remarks and Statement of the Objectives
By: MOST REV. GUILLERMO V. AFABLE, D.D.
Bishop of Digos and WAF Philippines National Spiritual Director;
CBCP Liaison Bishop on the Fatima Centennial Celebration

9:00 – 10:30 am Talk # 1: “The Message of Fatima: A Summary of the Gospel of Our Times”
By: REV. FR. ANGELITO L. CALIWAG
Chaplain, Our Lady of Fatima University & Fatima University Medical Center

10:30 – 10:45 am Break … Snacks