Walk for Life 2019 Gallery
Walk for Life in Cagayan de Oro Archdiocese
Walk for Life in the Diocese of Tarlac
Catholic Lay Organizations in 2019 Walk for Life
Urgent Appeal for the release of peasant leaders Ireneo Udarbe, Norly Bernabe, Lumad leader Jomorito Goaynon and the MOFA 4.
Stop the crackdown vs. activists and stop killing farmers!
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Philppine Peasant Movement) demands the immediate release of peasant leader Ireneo Udarbe, KMP national council member and chairperson of KMP-Northern Mindanao Region and Lumad leader Datu Jomorito Goaynon, chairperson of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization.
The two were arrested on January 28, 2019 in Brgy. Patag, Cagayan de Oro City by joint elements of Philippine National Police (PNP) Region 10 and the 4th Infantry Batallion Military Intelligence Bureau based on a warrant issued by Judge Emmanuel Pasal of the Cagayan de Oro City RTC Branch 38.
They were charged with fabricated criminal charges of rebellion, illegal possesion of firearms and explosives and election gun ban.
They were initially reported as missing by their colleagues on January 28, 2019 and were surface and presented by the police on the next day as alleged ranking NPA members.
Prior to their arrest, the two activist leaders were harassed and redtagged by the AFP. The two are actually on bail after they were first arrested along with 11 other activists in General Santos City based on trumped-up criminal charges last July 2018.
The two activist leaders are spearheading peasant and indigenous people’s campaigns against militarization and human rights violation in Northern Mindanao region. Last May 2018, Udarbe joined farmers and Lumad organizations against the 8th and 88th IBPA.
They also joined the International Fact Finding Mission on the atrocities of Martial Law in Mindanao last April 2018.
Under the extended Martial Law in Mindanao and Oplan Kapayapaan, the Duterte regime’s state security forces are committing grave and blatant violations of the people’s socio-economic and cultural rights, civil and political rights, and the rights of persons in the midst of armed conflict in Northern Mindanao.
Blanket repression across Northern Mindanao target entire rural communities and zero-in on individuals affiliated with various people’s organizations.
Violations of rights of the people of Northern Mindanao, especially farmers and national minorities, are committed by state forces with the direct motive of silencing their struggle for land, ancestral domain and right to self-determination.
Military force and deployment in communities are clearly used to pursue the interests of corporate plantations and other forms of environmental plunder.
On January 30, 2019, combined elements of PNP-CIDG, AFP, and MisOR-NICA raided the office of Misamis Oriental Farmers Association (MOFA) in Villanueva town and arbitrarily arrested four adult and 3 minors (two are toddlers).
The arresting team arrived at around 6:30pm, planted explosives and firearms, and forcibly took the seven individuals who were staying at the office.
Among those taken were MOFA Chairperson Jerry Basahon, Gerald Basahon, Marivic Colita and her one-year old child, Mylene Colita and her two-year old relative, and a 16-year old minor identified only as Janine.
According to initial reports, AFP soldiers arrived at the MoFA office and starting searching the office premises and compound without a search warrant. When the MOFA members asserted that the search is illegal, the soldiers punched and kicked Jerry Basahon. The PNP-CIDG arrived with a search warrant and took the individuals. Jerry’s cousin Gerald Basahon was not included in the search warrant.
The police claimed that they arrested 4 NPA leaders based on two search warrants for violation of RA 10591 and RA 9516 or illegal possession of firearms and explosives. The police also claimed that they found a hand grenade, a land mine, a . 45 caliber pistol and documents at the MOFA office. MOFA leaders and members Jerry, Gerald, Marivic and Mylene were presented by the police as New People’s Army (NPA) leaders.
They were brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) detention center in Camp Evangelista, Patag, Cagayan de Oro City. All six activists arrested are still detained.
In rare move, U.S. stresses need for due process in Maria Ressa case
(UPDATED) The United States, in a rare statement on a domestic controversy, says it hopes the cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa ‘will be resolved quickly’
Rappler
Paterno Esmaquel II
@paterno_ii
Published 7:55 PM, February 14, 2019
Updated 12:19 AM, February 15, 2019
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The United States released a rare statement on Thursday, February 14, stressing the need for due process in the cyber libel case against Rappler CEO Maria Ressa.
“We hope the charge against journalist and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa will be resolved quickly in accordance with relevant Philippine law and international standards of due process,” said the US embassy in Manila.
The US rarely releases statements on specific Philippine issues such as this. Foreign embassies, after all, avoid commenting on domestic controversies involving the sovereignty of another country. The US is however an advocate of the rule of law, free speech, and democracy.
On Twitter, former US secretary of state Madeleine Albright denounced Ressa’s arrest, calling it “outrageous.”
“The arrest of journalist Maria Ressa by the Philippine government is outrageous and must be condemned by all democratic nations,” said Albright. “I’m proud to call her a friend and to stand with her in defending the principles of a free press.”
Canada on Thursday also issued a statement about Ressa’s arrest.
Canadian Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland, a former journalist herself, said she is “deeply troubled by reports” that Ressa was arrested.
“A free press is a bedrock of democracy. Canada reiterates its call for due process to be respected and for journalists to be free from harassment and intimidation,” Freeland said.
The National Bureau of Investigation arrested Ressa on Wednesday, February 13, due to cyber libel, and detained her overnight in its Manila headquarters. Ressa posted bail on Thursday.
Ressa is facing a string of cases in the Philippines as the Duterte administration slams Rappler for its critical coverage. International news groups and journalists have condemned the threats to press freedom under Duterte’s watch. (READ: Maria Ressa’s arrest part of broader gov’t campaign, say rights groups) – Rappler.com
Filipino women mark Valentine’s Day with protest dance
Church group says violence against women has become ‘very evident’ during Duterte’s administration
UCANews
Mark Saludes, Manila, Philippines
February 14, 2019
Filipino women from various church groups in Manila marked Valentine’s Day on Feb. 14 with a protest dance to dramatize their call for an end to violence against women.
The gathering aims to “affirm the participation of women in defending life and dignity,” said the Ecumenical Women’s Forum in a statement.
“It is most rational to speak up about the truth of our situation as we seek justice and continue our struggle against tyrants and dictators,” the group added.
Minnie Anne Mata-Calub, acting general-secretary of the National Council of Churches, said the protest also “aims to call out the misogynistic and anti-women policies of the government.”
In a statement, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines noted that violence against women has become more evident as a result of pronouncements and remarks made about them by President Rodrigo Duterte.
Calub called on Filipino women “to break a culture of silence and oppose policies” that affect and burden women and children.
The Office of Women and Gender of the Association of Major Religious Superiors said Filipino women are suffering because of the government’s bloody war against illegal drugs.
“The senseless killings of suspected drug users and peddlers must stop and justice be given to those mothers, sisters, wives, and daughters who lost their loved ones,” said Holy Spirit Sister Evelyn Jose.
The nun said Catholics should “make a stand against any form of violence.”
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan National Situationer and Discernment Circle
Simbahang Lingkod ng Bayan (SLB), the socio-political apostolate of the Society of Jesus in the Philippines celebrates its 33rd Founding Anniversary on February 23 to 25, 2019 with the theme ‘Piliin ang Pag-ibig.’ Our theme mirrors SLB’s life-long commitment to accompany the Church in confronting the issues we face as a nation. SLB believes that our faith in Christ calls on to read the signs of the times and to discern a response grounded in the common good and dignity of life.
To create this space for a common discernment, we are inviting your community to be part of our anniversary weekend’s kick-off activity, the The Church Response in the National Situation: A Discernment Circle on February 23, 2019, Saturday, 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the Cardinal Sin Center, Loyola School of Theology, Ateneo de Manila University Loyola Heights campus.
This event aims:
to shed light on the current situation of the country and the historical factors that built up to this, and
to discern possible responses coming from our communities.
We have invited resource speakers, including Fr. Luciano Felloni of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, to share with us their experiences in connection to the subject at hand.
We pray for your favorable response to this invitation. Kindly email us, whether you will be able to attend or not, at slb@affiliate.ateneo.edu, on or before February 15, Friday. You may also call us at (02) 426-5968 or 426-6134 loc. 4838. Do indicate the number of those coming from your community.
Complete CARP, Start It In Landlord-Ruled Negros
On eve of Valentine’s Day, Duterte urged to have a heart for landless peasants
“Listen to your heart of hearts. Get to the heart of the land reform problem, which is in Negros Occidental.”
Thus said some 500 farmers belonging to national peasant federation Task Force Mapalad (TFM) as they urged President Rodrigo Duterte to complete the distribution of agricultural landholdings placed under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program by starting it in Negros Occidental where the bulk of the CARP balance is found.
Carrying heart-shaped placards on the eve of Valentine’s Day, TFM farmers on Wednesday trooped to the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) Provincial Office in Region 6 on San Sebastian Street in Dawis, Bacolod City and held a picket-rally there to dramatize their grievance over the non-movement of landholdings that are supposedly already up for distribution but are not yet in the hands of CARP beneficiaries.
“You promised farmers last year that there will be a rebirth of agrarian reform in the country and your administration will be more aggressive in its implementation of the program. We are still pinning our hope on your promise. We also hope that you will start that ‘rebirth’ in Negros Occidental by ending land monopoly and the rule of powerful hacienderos here,” said Teresita Tarlac, president of TFM-Negros.
‘Let’s first Du the #30’
TFM said the Duterte administration, through the DAR, could complete CARP in Negros Occidental by starting to distribute 30 landholdings in the province that are already in the pipeline.
The many steps required for the CARP acquisition and distribution of these 30 landholdings, covering around 900 hectares, are almost complete and only await issuance of certificates of land ownership award (CLOA) to about 1,000 farmer-beneficiaries, according to TFM.
But these landholdings remain stuck in the DAR or are pending at the Registry of Deeds (ROD) despite the absence of any bottlenecks to their distribution, the organization said.
“There is no more reason to slow down or impede CLOA issuance in these landholdings. But the landlords’ grip over these estates remain tight amid the DAR’s lack of political will to award these to their tillers,” said Tarlac.
“We hope President Duterte will use his commanding power to hasten the distribution of these 30 landholdings. Let’s first Du the #30, President Duterte! End our plight by ending landlord rule in Negros!” the TFM farmers shouted, during the picket-rally at the DAR provincial office, combining the chief executive’s shortened surname (Du30) and the #30 that journalists use to indicate the end of a story.
Among the biggest properties included in the 30 Negros Occidental landholdings that are already ripe for CLOA issuance but remained “parked” at the ROD are the following:
- 132-hectare ANCAR estate in Brgy. Cubay, La Carlota City
- 120-hectare Hacienda Bilabil in Brgy. Tuguis, Hinigaran
- 98-hectare Hacienda Rosarito in Brgy. Caridad, La Carlota City
- 57-hectare Hacienda Lopez Panganiban in Brgy. Jerusalem, Cadiz City
- 50-hectare Hacienda Mirasol Lourdes in Brgy. Andres Bonifacio, Sagay City
- 47-hectare Hacienda Calamnisan in Brgy. Rumirang, La Carlota City
- 35-hectare Unson Farm in Brgy. Andres Bonifacio, Cadiz City
- 23-hectare Hacienda Maria Luisa Solis in Brgy. Busay, La Carlota City
- 22-hectare Hacienda Oscar Ascal in Brgy. Magsaysay, Cadiz City
- 20-hectare Alaja Agro Corp. estate in Brgy. Payao, La Carlota City
ROD’s ministerial duty
Tarlac explained that when land claims in favor of farmer-beneficiaries finally reach the ROD, the said agency is already duty-bound to cancel the landowners’ title, transfer the titles in favor of the Philippine government, and register the CLOAs in favor of the CARP beneficiaries.
Section 9, paragraph 2 of Republic Act 9700 or the CARPER Law states that the ROD has this ‘ministerial duty.’
It means that part of the agency’s obligation as mandated by law is to ripen the tillers’ right over a CARP-covered land by registering the CLOA and issuing the same to the farmer-beneficiaries, according to TFM.
“In fact, there is no more stumbling block such as landlords’ stiff resistance to the awarding of these 30 landholdings to farmers. The estates are already in the hands of the government. All it needs to do is to hand over the farms to their tillers through CLOAs. So why is this being stalled?” said Tarlac.
And even when the CLOA is not yet issued to the farmers, but the landholding is already under the control of the DAR because its title is already transferred to the Republic of the Philippines, the department is already duty-bound to ensure that the CARP beneficiaries will already be given usufructuary rights to the land as mandated under R.A. 9700, TFM explained.
Section 9, paragraph 3 of the law states that, “Identified and qualified agrarian reform beneficiaries, based on Section 22 of Republic Act No. 6657, as, amended, shall have usufructuary rights over the awarded land as soon as the DAR takes possession of such land, and such right shall not be diminished even pending the awarding of the emancipation patent or the certificate of land ownership award.”
“The Duterte administration should have had more agrarian reform gains in terms of land distribution as there are already many landholdings that are ready for CLOA issuance. What we don’t understand is why the land claims are not moving despite the fact that the landholdings are already ready for distribution,” said Tarlac.
Lowest accomplishment in CARP history
Data from the DAR show that the Duterte administration, in its first two years in office, had the lowest CARP land distribution accomplishment since the Cory Aquino administration started CARP in 1986.
A total of 63,202 hectares of CARP-covered agricultural landholdings was distributed to farmers under the present administration from 2016 to 2017.
The highest land distribution accomplishment was recorded in the first two years of the Ramos administration. It was able to distribute to CARP beneficiaries a total of 679,341 hectares in 1992 and 1993.
The second highest accomplishment was during the first two years of the Estrada administration wherein a total of 269,427 hectares was distributed from 1998 to 1999.
This was followed by the administration of President Benigno Aquino III with 222,069 hectares from 2010 to 2011; by the Arroyo administration with 215,983 hectares in 2001 and 2002; and by the Cory Aquino administration with 114,259 hectares in 1986 to 1987. -END-
Who Will Police The Police? – It’s Time to Revive and Strenghten the PLEB
by Atty. Ronaldo T. Reyes
Founding President, People’s Law Enforcement Board Association
The war against drugs has thrust the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the limelight as the lead agency to implement the administrations’ top policy to eradicate drugs and criminality.
The rising statistics of those killed in legitimate police operations or by persons unknown with estimates as high as 20,000 since 2016 have increasingly generated grave concern among various sectors of society beyond the human rights advocates. These statistics are coupled with an apparent low prosecution much less conviction rate of those charged as responsible for these actions.
In light of the foregoing factual antecedents, much concern has been aired about these questions:
- Where can the people complain when there are perceived abuses committed during police operations?
- In cases where the police operations took place in distant places, how would the people affected, namely relatives, spouses, and children be able to access the agency concerned for their grievances?
- How certain are the people who complain that the proceedings will be transparent, fair and just?
- In short, who will police the police?
In our attempt to answer these and other relevant questions, it is timely and proper to review the PNP organization and structure including the available mechanisms embodied in the PNP law for reliefs or redress of such grievances.
The 1987 Constitution provides that “the State shall establish and maintain one police force which shall be national in scope and civilian in character to be administered and controlled by a national police commission”. (Sec. 6, Art. XVI Constitution)
In compliance with the foregoing mandate, the PNP was created under RA 6975 otherwise known as the “Department of the Interior and Local Government Act of 1990” as amended by RA 8551 otherwise known as the “Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act of 1998.”
To emphasize the civilian character of the police, RA 6975 provides that: “Its national scope and civilian in character shall be paramount. No element of the police force shall be military nor shall any position thereof be occupied by any member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.” (Sec. 2, RA 6975)
RA 8551 states furthermore, that the PNP shall be so organized to ensure accountability and uprightness in police exercise of discretion as well as to achieve efficiency and effectiveness of its members and units in the exercise of their functions.” Sec. 2, RA 8551)
RA 6975 as amended created several administrative disciplinary machineries of the PNP, namely: Chiefs of police, Mayors of cities or municipalities, the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB), the NAPOLCOM, the Chief PNP and the various levels of police officials with jurisdiction depending on the categories of offenses. The PLEB is the most independent and powerful of these entities.
The latest implementing rules and regulations of the NAPOLCOM, MC N o. 2016-02 entitled “Revised Rules of Procedure before the Administrative Disciplinary Authorities and the Internal Afffairs Service of the PNP” includes the following as administrative disciplinary authorities: city or municipal mayors, chiefs of police or equivalent supervisors, provincial directors or equivalent supervisors, regional directors or equivalent supervisors, People’s Law Enforcement Board, Chief of the PNP and the NAPOLCOM.
What is the PLEB and what are its powers?
The PLEB is a board composed of 5 persons from the local community with majority of its members coming from the private sector. It has jurisdiction to hear and decide citizens’ complaints or cases filed by natural or juridical persons against erring officers and members of the PNP. It shall be the central receiving entity for any citizen’s complaint against officers and members of the PNP.
What distinguishes the PLEB from other administrative disciplinary machineries and what are the advantages that citizens have in the PLEB?
1. The PLEB has the most number of offices i.e., one in each municipality, city or legislative district, unlike other bodies which have provincial or regional offices. This is significant because it reduces the expense in time, effort, and money which the complainant will spend to prosecute the case. Thus, Sec. 43 of RA 6975 states:
Sec. 43 thereof provides: “Within 30 days from the issuance of the implementing rules and regulations by the Commission, there shall be created by the sangguniang panglungsod/bayan in every city and municipality such number of PLEBs as may be necessary: Provided, that there shall be at least one (1) PLEB for every municipality and for each legislative district in a city..”
2. The ratio of the required number of PLEBs to serve the public helps assure that the PLEB will be more responsive and effective in its duty as grievance machinery. Thus, Sec. 43, RA 6975 provides that there shall be at least 1 PLEB for every 500 city or municipal police personnel.
3. The membership of the PLEB comes from the local community appointed by the sangguniang panlunsod/bayan – one (1) member of the sangguniang panlunsod/bayan, one (1) barangay captain of the city or municipality and three (3) respected members of the community chosen by the local peace and order council known for their probity and integrity, one of whom must be a woman, one a lawyer, a college graduate, or a principal, which helps generate trust and confidence in its proceedings. (Sec. 43 (b), RA 6975.)
4. The PLEB has jurisdiction to hear and decide citizen’s complaints or cases filed against erring officers and members of the PNP and it is clothed with sufficient powers to discipline erring policemen including the power of withholding privileges, restriction to specified limits, forfeiture of salary, suspension for more than 30 days, demotion or dismissal from the service. (Sec. 66, RA 8551 and MC 2016-02)
5. The PLEB can ask any authorized supervisor for the preventive suspension of the respondent who refuses to heed the PLEB summons, or subpoena; who has been charged with offenses involving bodily harm or grave threats, who is in a position to tamper with the evidence and who can unduly influence the witnesses. (Sec. 71, RA 8551)
6. The proceedings before the PLEB are summary in nature much like those in preliminary investigations of cases in the prosecutor’s office.
7. The Decisions of the PLEB are final and executory with right to appeal limited to decisions involving demotion or dismissal from the service.
What are the remedial steps required to revive and strengthen the PLEB?
1. The DILG which has supervisory powers and control over LGU mayors and the sanggunians should direct these entities to operationalize the PLEBs in their areas;
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