Philippines: The Duterte Phenomenon and out attitude towards it (tags)
Like it or not, Rodrigo Duterte has been leading the presidential polls in successive surveys.
Philippines: Climate Focus - Time to act is now on energy transformation (tags)
What could possibly be so urgent and life-threatening to drive leaders of people from a small and barely reachable island off the coast of Mindoro to leave their homes and travel 285 kilometers by land and sea over the period of five days just to reach Metro Manila? On November 27, a day before the biggest climate justice march in the country, they have reach the Presidential Palace.
Philippine activists start 1,000-km march for climate justice (tags)
MANILA, Philippines-- Climate change advocates from various sectors urged world governments to “walk their climate talk” as they launched the Climate Walk, dubbed as “A People’s Walk for Climate Justice.”
A Tribute to Filipino Labor Leader Romy Castillo (tags)
Who was labor leader Romy Castillo to this young activist?
Philippines: They Destroy, We Suffer (tags)
Capitalism is destroying the planet. Now we suffer. The devastating horror unleashed by monster-typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) upon the eastern and central Philippines regions is unspeakable. As of writing, estimates of the number of casualties and actual damages are tentative because many areas remain isolated and communications, power, road and port systems are down.
Filipinas: ¡Justicia Climática Ya! (tags)
¡Salvar vidas, redistribuir alimentos, detener el saqueo económico y la destrucción del medio ambiente!
Defeating Revisionism, Reformism and Opportunism (tags)
Defeating Revisionism, Reformism and Opportunism, second book of 5-book series by Jose Maria Sison under the general title Continuing the Revolution
Philippine Leftists launch election campaign to take on traditional politicians (tags)
At a one-day assembly of more than 500 delegates on November 28, the militant socialist Party of the Laboring Masses (PLM - Partido Lakas ng Masa) introduced its candidates for national elections scheduled for May 13 next year.
Philippines: Let’s All Work for a Better Party-List System (tags)
Recently, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) concluded its process of scrutinizing groups that will participate in the 2013 partylist election. It marked the end of a long and arduous process that the poll body has undertaken to cleanse the party-list system of fake partylist groups which have used and abused the system to advance their vested interests.
We were wrong to think the environment could wait (tags)
Amy Hall meets outspoken Filipino campaigner Lidy Nacpil, who shares her thoughts on floods, solidarity and ramming home the climate-change message.
Lessons from Manila floods on climate change, responses (tags)
As the Philippine government dithered and made excuses for its grossly inadequate response to the catastrophic floods — which inundated 80% of the country's capital, Manila — Sonny Melencio was leading a grassroots relief effort that brought the first food supplies in days to some of the poorest and most badly affected communities.
Flood victims in the Philippines need urgent help! (tags)
Metro Manila and other parts of Luzon experienced heavy flooding yesterday after several days of non-stop rains.According to the country's National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in this morning's news, 11 were reported dead and 4 others were hurt.
PHILIPPINES: Appeal for Flood Victims (tags)
In scenes reminiscent of the large scale destruction wrought by Typhoon Ondoy (international name Ketsana) in late 2009 in which 400 died, torrential rains brought widespread flooding in the capital Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Almost a million people are affected and some 250,000 forced to evacuate, majority of whom are workers and poor, with 15 deaths already reported.
GREAT FLOODS HITS METRO MANILA, SUBURBS (tags)
The whole of greater Manila region and its suburbs were hit by floods as high as one story building, caused by a 36 non – stop hours rain caused by southwest monsoon ( Hanging Habagat) from the south aggravated by three typhoons that brought torrential rains. Millions of people living in the National Capital Region (NCR) were affected. According to the EPCC NEWS, It has been raining non-stop in the Philippines for more than 11 days due to the arrival of three thypoons and the presence of the southwest monsoon. Millions of people were affected in 20 cities and 9 provinces in the main island of Luzon. Electricty and water were cut-off aggravating the situation. According to EPCC-LA Philippine sources, the floods were aggravated by 5 dams (like Angat, La Mesa, Ipo) around Metro Manila remained opened to avoid the dams from breaking. Add the high tide from Manila Bay, flood pronged areas like Malabon,Navotas, Quezon City and Manila became a lake and a part of the bay.
PHILIPPINES: Much has been won; much still to be fought for (tags)
Akbayan on President Aquino’s 3rd State of the Nation Address
AJLPP CONDEMN THE FASCIST BRUTALITIES VS URBAN SETTLERS IN METRO MANILA (tags)
The Alliance Philippines vehemently condemn in the strongest terms the violent dispersal of informal settlers and urban poor communities in Paranaque by the Philippine National Police (PNP) last April 23. The violent dispersal of April 23 is characterized by violent fascist police tactics and deadly shooting is a carry-over of the fascist policies of dictator Marcos and GMA that cause the death of one person and the wounding of more than 30 others. Scores of people who resisted the brutal suppression were arrested by the PNP.
Philippines: Thousands Power Off (tags)
MANILA, Philippines ? Tens of thousands of Filipino households in 22 cities and provinces in Metro Manila and parts of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao switched off lights and staged noise barrages to demand lower skyrocketing electricity rates, according to the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) which led the protest action.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Deal with disasters, not blame the masses (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) based in the United States wrote to your newspaper to vehemently condemn the criminal neglect and the breast thumping of the Aquino III?s NDRRMC , the agency and its head, Benito Ramos. The NDRRMC is the agency who is task to mitigate disasters and warn the people of the impending disasters and conduct relief work such as the fury of the Thypoon Pedring and Quiel that hit the Philippines and devastated most of Northern and Central Luzon. Very poor Response And yet with no less than President Benigno C. Aquino in attendance during their televised briefing, there was nothing new on the typhoons and floodings that hit the country recently. Pedring has passed and another storm came in and had passed but still the waters released by the dams still has flooded the whole Metro Manila and Central Luzon.
A Memorandum to the President of the Philippines (tags)
MEMORANDUM FOR President Noynoy Aquino (PNoy) FROM : Your boss, the Filipino people SUBJECT : Your job evaluation and our recommendation
PHILIPPINES: The Rough and Rugged Road toward Change (tags)
Akbayan Party?s Statement on the First Year of the Aquino Government
Only 5% of Philippine coral reefs remain (tags)
Read this and weep: A marine scientist from the University of the Philippines has revealed that only 5 percent ?equivalent to just around 1,000 square kilometers?of the country?s total reef area remain in good condition in the face of the wanton destruction of our coral reefs by poachers.
Thousands of militant workers march for higher pay in the Philippines (tags)
Manila, Philippines - Thousands of workers led by the Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) and its allied organizations converged in key cities on Labor Day to reiterate their demand for better wages, improved economy, jobs, security of tenure for workers and an end to demolition of squatter shanties.
Philippine Airlines workers vote to strike (tags)
The Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association (PALEA) held a torch parade tonight as initial results in the strike poll reveal a tremendous vote for yes. Only the ballots of PALEA members in the Metro Manila offices of Philippines Airlines have been counted and show 96% votes of for a strike and a mere 3% voted against. In the last strike vote conducted last December, some 86% voted yes. In yesterday’s voting, 1996 PALEA members in Metro Manila participated out of some 2987 total members.
Successful socialism conference held in the Philippines (tags)
A successful ‘socialism conference’ was held in Manila from November 27 to 28. The conference was organized by the socialist Partido Lakas ng Masa or Party of the Laboring Masses (PLM) and the socialist-feminist regional network Transform Asia. The conference was attended by 100 delegates, leaders of the PLM from Metro Manila, and other leading socialists of the Philippine left, as well as 13 international guests.
‘Free the 43’ FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS! (tags)
resident Benigno Aquino III is concerned over the detention for the past 15 years of Aung San Suu Kyi of Burma, a democracy icon like his late mother, former President Corazon C. Aquino. Last Oct. 28, while attending the Asean Summit in Hanoi, he urged Burma’s Prime Minister Thein Sein to free Suu Kyi, but predictably, the latter made no clear commitment. But while Mr. Aquino seems to be passionate in working for the release of Suu Kyi, he does not seem to be very concerned about the detention for the past nine months by government forces of 43 health workers, the so-called “Morong 43.” Last Oct. 14 Mr. Aquino said the case of the 43 detainees would have to be decided by the court that is trying them for illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) October 17, 2010 First One Hundred Days of Failure and Broke (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) calls the 100 days of Benigno S Aquino III, the first one hundred days of failure and broken promises. This is a prelude to the tragic six-years we have to suffer under this new dispensation. Just look at what transpired during his first 100 days:
PLM statement on Philippine President's 100 days in office (tags)
Failure of Leadership Marks P-Noy’s 100 Days in Office President Noynoy Aquino’s first 100 days in office accentuated the problem we will be facing under the six-year term of the new administration: an incompetent leadership that lacks political will to carry through changes in the government and in society at large.
Militant workers in the Philippines slam wage hike as loose change (tags)
The militant Partido ng Manggagawa (Workers Party - PM) slammed the wage hike of P22 for Metro Manila workers as “loose change” and called for the abolition of the regional wage boards for “betraying the working class.” Renato Magtubo, PM chairperson, declared that “P22 is not even enough for workers to buy a kilo of commercial rice or even the cheapest NFA rice worth P25. Since the last wage hike was in June 2008, the wage hike is effectively P11 per year over two years. Na-onse na naman ang mga manggagawa."
THE EPCC SUPPORTS THE FIGHT FOR SAN ROQUE, CONDEMNS THE NORTH TRIANGLE PARK PROJECT IN MET (tags)
The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) based in the United States condemns the P3 billion Quezon City Central Business District (QCCBD) project of the than World Bank itself. From its early inception WB has sold the idea of QCCBD as the mecca of new and forward looking economic development within Metro Manila area and outlying regions. Generally dubbed as a mixed-use commercial/residential/recreational district - the 250 hectare Triangle Park project will displace 16,000 poor families. Ironically the 37 hectare property where San Roque is nestled belongs to the National Housing Authority of the Philippines and is leased to Robinsons Land Corporation - one of the biggest mall and residential developer in the Philippines.
ELECTION UPDATES: PRAYERS, MITING DE AVANCES AND ARMED CLASHES (tags)
Filipinos and Filipino Americans are excited about the elctions in the Philippines two days from now. Prayer meetings, masses, miting de avances and arms distribution became the order of the day in the Philippines. In the United States. Masses and prayer meetings of different candidates for a peaceful elections were held everywhere.
FAILURE OF ELECTIONS IN THE OFFING? (tags)
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has started fielding more than 7,300 soldiers in Metro Manila even as it declared 10 cities in the capital region as election “hotspots.” These with news filtering to PESANTE NEWS that politicians are arming their forces and deliberately ignoring the gun ban. PESANTE NEWS also learned that the airport are packed with supporters of candidates from LA who are trying to get out of Manila due to the situation. The situation turned to the worst when 78,000 PCOS machines cocked out and and there was a call for manual elections to the COMELEC. PGMA's lawyers have formally called for a postponement of elections for the next two weeks.
DEBATE SA PTOWN, APRIL 21 at KAPISTAHAN GRILL (tags)
Friends, "Debate sa P'town" is our maiden voyage so please bear with us, but we can assure you that it will be successful. Our volunteers are working very hard to make this thing happen in Los Angeles, a city as sprawling as Metro Manila hence outreach is a challenge. It could have been easier if we succumb to the temptation of soliciting corporate sponsors, but we decided on the getgo to be totally independent and not answerable to any interest that could compromise our positions. Salamat sa lahat ng handang tumulong sa poyektong ito.
Political Killings still major problem in RP, says US (tags)
"At long last, the US State Department have stated the obvious" The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) News today through various news sources that the US State Department has reported that extrajudicial killings remained a major problem in the Philippines last year and that security forces and insurgent groups were both responsible. The “2009 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices,” released to the US Congress on March 11, noted that concerns about impunity in the Philippines persisted.
Labanan sa Umpisa ng Kampanya sa Eleksyong Presidensyal 2010,Tumitindi. (tags)
Ayon sa mga pinakahuling balita, tabla ang labanang Villar-Aquino sa mga survey. Ayon naman sa isang political analyst sa internet na si Doy Cinco higit na mainit ito sa Metro Manila. Malamang na magiging battle ground ni Noynoy Aquino-Mar Roxas at Villar-Loren ang Kamaynilaan at kung sino ang lalamang, may malaking epekto sa pambansang resulta ng halalan sa kabuuan. “ Ayon kay Cinco, “ Sa kabuuang 50.0 milyong rehistradong botante sa bansa, may 15% nito o mahigit anim (6) na milyon ay matatagpuan sa Kalakhang Manila, Sa anim na milyon botante, kulang sa kalahati (2.8 milyon) ay matatagpuan sa Quezon City (1.2 milyon), Manila (1.0 milyon) at Caloocan (0.7 milyon). Ang Kalakhang Manila ay kinukunsidirang sentrong pampulitika, pang-ekonomya, panlipunan at pangkultura ng Pilipinas. Siya ang pinakamatao, pinaka-konsentrado at pinakamasikip na lugar sa buong bansa
Philippine Govt creating a climate of fear to put country under Martial law (tags)
Philippine Democratic Left Parties statements regarding Ampatuan Massacre and the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao
PHILIPPINES; A CAPITALIST CALAMITY (tags)
Filipinos now see more clearly the calamitous state of the system.In the morning of Sept. 26, tropical storm Ondoy (international codename: Ketsana) pounded Metro Manila and the surrounding regions, dumping a month’s worth of rain in just six hours and causing the most massive flooding seen in the last 40 years. A week later, super typhoon Pepeng (Parma) hit Northern Luzon, inundating farmland and causing mudslides in the mountainous mining region of Benguet, including Baguio City, a U.S.-designed community.
CPDF BLAMED DISASTERS DUE EXTRACTIVE MINING AND LOGGING (tags)
- Pesante News learned through news sources today that the CPDF blamed the recent disastrous flooding and numerous landslides in Northern Luzon that inflicted heavy losses in lives and property highlight the often overlooked cost of developmental aggression. In more ways than one do the common people pay for huge projects that generate super-profits for foreign big business interests and their local lackeys.
8.5-M US food aid to RP, Real Aid or Future Business Edge? (tags)
The United States on Monday announced it was giving $8.5 million (about P399 million) in food aid to the Philippines to help it recover from back-to-back storms that killed more than 900 people. But for the Pesante-USA, we ask is this real aid or just a Trojan horse for more benefits for the US in the future? Pesante said this comes at the heels of Tropical Storm “Ondoy” (international codename: Ketsana) last month triggered the worst flooding in Metro Manila in more than 40 years, and Tropical Storm “Pepeng” (Parma) early this month caused deadly landslides. The two storms killed 929 and flooded the homes of more than seven million people. The damage in agriculture alone has reached more than P21 billion. More than 25% of agriculture of the island of Luzon was destroyed in 27 provinces affected more than 20 million people. The twin disasters exposed the utter neglect and inutility of the US-Arroyo regime in handling the disasters and helping the people.
PEOPLE’S CORE DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS PROVE SUCCESSFUL (tags)
Congratulations to volunteers and community members who did an amazing job supporting the relief efforts for the campaigns Sagip-Tulong sa Pilipinas (STP) and Operation Metro Manila. Over 100 volunteers gathered to package relief items to be sent to the areas hardest hit by the floods in the Philippines. Students, activist, families, and community members organized by People’s CORE, Alliance Philippines, GABRIELA Network Los Angeles, KmB Pro-People Youth, Justice for Filipino American Veterans (JFAV), UCLA Samahang Pilipino, UCLA Kappa Psi Epsilon, CSULB Pilipino American Coalition, and Search to Involve Pilipino American (SIPA), collected and packed more than 400 bags of material donations for the Typhoon Ondoy victims at SIPA Hall in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles, on Saturday, October 3rd, 2009. Please visit our gallery videos to see a brief news coverage of Saturday's STP Donation Drive entitled "Sagip Tulong sa Pilipinas (STP), People's CORE, Alliance Philippines, Gab-Net and SIPA" or click this link to go there directly: www.peoplescore.net/video_gallery.php
A Disaster Waiting to Happen (tags)
The tremendous outpouring of love, brotherhood and assistance by our compatriots in the United States to all our “kababayans” whose lives have been devastated by Typhoon Ondoy captures the essence of our Bayanihan spirit. True to our Filipino core values, organizations, institutions and individuals of various political persuasions bonded together and in their own unique and creative ways extended immediate assistance to our brothers and sisters and continue their plans for long term relief . Most recently, President Obama expressed his “deep condolences for the loss of life and devastation caused by recent storms in the Philippines”. “As part of this effort, the U.S Agency for International Development, has so far allocated $1.8 million to respond to the disaster.”
STP/PEOPLES CORE EXTENDS FUND/RELIEF DRIVE FOR TWO MONTHS (tags)
STP/PEOPLE'S CORE announced today that it is extending the fund and relief goods drive for the victims of disasters in the Philippines from October to December 2009. This is because whole of Luzon areas had crop failure because of floods and coming storm. More than P 8 billion pesos has been damaged. Water has subsided still 25% of Metro Manila is under water. 16 towns and two cities of Laguna still under water and the Lake is overflowing. More than 2 million people were affected and 150,000 are still in the evacuation centers. Northern Luzon provinces of Cagayan and Isabela were severely hit. Two more thypoons expected to hit the country with weeks.
Sagip Pinoy: A Benefit Concert for Typhoon Ondoy Victims (tags)
A benefit concert to help victims of the recent typhoon and flood in Metro Manila and suburbs.
ALLIANCE PHILIPPINES: THE US-ARROYO REGIME IS A THE REAL CALAMITY TO THE PEOPLE (tags)
The latest twin disasters that hit the Philippines laid bare the true state of the country and the governance of US-Arroyo Regime: inept, corrupt and inutile. It lacked foresight for the good of the people because it is ruled by rapacity and greed. It favors big imperialist corporations and the heartless ruling class and only exploits and oppresses the people. Just look at its delayed reaction to the storms and its effect on the pole. Instead of conducting a comprehensive rescue, relief and rehabilitation drive in a systemic way what it did was to blame the people, blame the squatters and register all flood victims.
Philippines: statements and solidarity calls after tropical storm Ondoy devastation (tags)
We are posting below statements and solidarity calls from Philippine left forces after typhoon Ondoy devastation. We shall add more as soon as we receive them.
STP/PEOPLES CORE THANKS EVERYONE ON ITS SUCCESSFUL COLLECTION DAY, Oct. 3 (tags)
MARAMING SALAMAT SA INYONG LAHAT! Congratulations to STP/Oplan Metro Manila for the good job! More than 150 volunteers from People”s CORE ,Alliance(AJLPP), GABNET-LA, KmB, JFAV, Samahang Pilipino, CSULB and SIPA collected and packed more than 2 tons or 300 bags ( equivalent to 200 Balikbayan boxes ) for Ondoy victims last Saturday, Oct. 3 in Historic Filipinotown SIPA compound. The donations will be shipped to Manila by the TEAM Pacquaio Foundation through the Alas Cargo and People’s CORE with the REN International.
PEOPLE’S CORE CO-SPONSORS DISASTER RELIEF FOR THE PHILIPPINES FLOOD VICTIMS (tags)
Typhoon Ondoy smashed ashore in the Philippines on Friday, September 25th, killing over 400 people in Manila's worst flooding in generations. More than 80 percent of Manila was under water Sunday. The Philippine authorities are still struggling to help the hundreds of thousands of people affected by the devastating floods of Typhoon Ondoy. Over 240 people have died and the death toll is rising. Thirty-eight people are still missing. Almost 2 million people have been affected by the flooding. More than 380, 000 have reportedly abandoned their homes. Over 450, 000 people have taken refuge in emergency evacuation centers. However, finding shelter has not alleviated the suffering. Food, sanitation, and medical supplies are low. Major relief efforts are underway, yet are not sufficient to support the people’s needs for long. More support is needed. It is our time to help. People’s CORE is a federally recognized non-profit organization locally based in Historic Filipinotown, Los Angeles (Federal Tax Id Number: 93-1216789). Working in partnership with four other non-profit and community-based organizations, AKAP (Ang Kalusugan para sa Pinoy, Inc.), AJLPP (Alliance for Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines), KmB Pro-People Youth, and JFAV (Justice for Filipino American Veterans), People’s CORE launched Sagip Tulong sa Pilipinas (STP) Relief Drive on September 27th, 2009. The STP Relief Drive is collecting monetary and material donations such as clothes, shoes, medicines or non-perishable foods such as canned goods, to support the disaster relief efforts in the Philippines. This relief project will support food, sanitation, medical services and supplies for the victims of Typhoon Ondoy in the Philippines.
Philippines - Citizens’ Action is Best Response for Disaster (tags)
Saying that the country needs to unite in order to confront and address the calamities brought about by typhoon Ondoy, Akbayan Party-list Rep. Walden Bello on Monday asked every Filipino here in the Philippines and those overseas to summon their Bayanihan spirit and help the victims in any way possible.
PESANTE-USA CALLS FOR ACTION AGAINST GLOBAL WARMING THAT CAUSES DISASTERS LIKE ONDOY (tags)
The Philippine Peasant Support Network (Pesante)-USA, an environmental and a peasant advocacy group based in the united States vehemently condemns the US –Arroyo regime for its criminal negligence and lack of preparedness against the natural calamities that regularly hit the Philippines. It was evident with Typhoon Ondoy (international code name Ketsana) that dumped 334 millimeters of rain in the first six hours, the highest ever recorded rainfall in the Metropolis. The previous record was 341 millimeters over a 24 hour period 42 years ago. Ondoy submerged up to 80% of the city, and covered areas that never experienced flooding before, stranding people on rooftops and bringing death and misery to Filipinos
Philippines: Urban poor strongly represented in new socialist party (tags)
Bulacan, Philippines, February 1, 2009 – “We are the bat people, the people who live under bridges in Manila”, explained urban poor organiser Ka Lisa as she took a small group of international observers around a section of an urban poor relocation settlement in Bulacan, about 60 kilometres north of Manila.
CORRUPTION, DEFPRETRATION. LANDSLIDES. DEATH AND MEA CULPA (tags)
“The reasons for the degradation of our forests are corruption and our own shortcomings,” admitted Secretary Lito Atienza of Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in a New Year message to his department personnel. A common knowledge among Filipinos, Atienza's admonishment, hardly created a ripple in Manila were ordinary citizens had almost but accepted corruption is an integral part of governance in the island nation.
Philippine Government Launches New War on Muslim Groups (tags)
War officially came to southern Philippines again as the government of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo unilaterally put an end to eleven years of negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) September 3. A month early the government abruptly broke off talks with the MILF on the eve of signing an autonomy pact. There are numerous reports of U.S. Special Forces accompanying Philippines Army units on their deadly sweeps in the Bangsamoro (land of the Moro people) region. More than 100 people have been killed so far and half a million refugees have fled from the fighting. Bourgeois liberals and the petty-bourgeois left lamely call on the government to resume the “peace process,” which in any case was only intended to wear down the insurgents. Revolutionaries instead seek to mobilize Philippine workers to drive out all U.S. forces, whatever their legal status; to force the withdrawal of the AFP from the contested southern areas; and to defend the Bangsamoro people and their right to self-determination.
Missing sisters and missing credibility (tags)
The daughters of slain Filipino peasant activist Eddie Gumanoy – Rose Anne, 21, and Fatima, 17 – were traveling to the city of Cavite on the morning of July 3 when they realized they were being followed. They sent a text message to their mother Maria to meet them at a mall in Muntinlupa, but the two sisters never arrived. They later sent a second text message saying they had been intercepted by soldiers. The family and members of the human rights group Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights) thus began looking for the two women. On July 4, they went to the office of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines at Camp Aguinaldo, which denied that the military was holding Rose Anne and Fatima. They also filed a complaint with the Philippine National Police in Camp Crame in Quezon City. That afternoon army spokesman Col. Ernesto Torres denied that the military had abducted Rose Anne and Fatima, but did admit that the two women were under the care of the army. He refused to disclose where they were, however, stating that the young women had voluntarily sought protection from the military as they were afraid of Karapatan.
Journalists cry foul over Makati RTC dismissal of media class suit (tags)
The National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) on Saturday said it is ready to contest the decision of the Makati Regional Trial Court dismissing the class suit filed by several media organizations and practitioners in connection with the arrest of journalists in the failed November 29 rebellion in Makati. "We do not agree with the decision and will contest it all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. We view the court's decision as a minor setback that will not discourage us from seeking justice and ensuring that no such injustice shall ever again be committed by the police and other security personnel," the NUJP said in a statement.
AJLPP Supports the May 12, 2008 National Transport Strike in the Philippines (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) declared today its support for the national transport strike in the Philippines planned for May 12, 2008. AJLPP national coordinator Mario Santos said, “The AJLPP unequivocally and wholeheartedly supports the transport group, Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON), which is affiliated with the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU – May First Movement) Labor Center.” PISTON will lead Monday’s transport strike which will start at 12:01 a.m. Monday.
The Present Rice Crisis in The Philippines (tags)
The Philippine Peasant Support Network (Pesante)-USA, a Filipino farmers, environmental and human rights advocacy group based in Los Angeles expressed dismay over the US-Arroyo regime’s way of solving the present rice crisis in the former rice producing nation of the Philippines. The Philippine government is going to buy two million metric tons of rice abroad at a cost of $600 or P24,600 per metric ton, that will be P49.2 billion, which is 146 times than the Philippines annual post-harvest budget. President Arroyo already released P1.5 billion to boost rice production especially in the top 10 poorest provinces. The rice will be imported- from of all places-- the United States and Vietnam.
MY EXPERIENCE OF IMPRISONMENT AND TORTURE (tags)
I have been informed that the International Action Committee Stuttgart, an organization in which Turkish, Palestinian and German people work together, is holding this forum to commemorate Political Prisoners Day. Thus, I have been invited to speak on my experience of imprisonment and torture in the Philippines, together with two other former political prisoners who shall speak about their own experiences in Turkey-Kurdistan and Palestine. I thank the organizers for inviting me. And I wish to express my warmest greetings of solidarity to all those who are present and to all the people in organizations that are represented here. I have strongly wished to be with you tonight. But unfortunately, the Dutch authorities do not issue travel papers to me for attending this forum. We have to resort therefore to the audio-visual techniques that are available to us. As instructed by the organizers, particularly by Ms. Elsbeth Sureau, I intend to present to you the following: 1. a summary of my imprisonment and torture, 2. the reasons for imprisonment and the political situation then obtaining in my country, 3. the protest and resistance within and outside prison, and 4. the perspectives. I shall use 15 minutes to speak and let the German translation run for another 15 minutes. I shall answer your questions in the open forum.
Pananalanta ng pasistang estado, Nagpapatuloy (tags)
Nagpapatuloy ang pasistang pananalanta ng AFP sa buong Pilipinas. Ayon sa ulat ng AJLPP,walang puknat ang mga pamamaslang at iba pang abusong militar sa bansa. Isang lider magsasaka ang pinaslang sa Masbate at isang lider kabataang Moro ang pinatay sa Zamboanga Sibugay nitong Enero. Patuloy din ang harasment sa mga progresibo at panggigipit sa masang magsasaka sa kanayunan. Ayon pa rin sa ulat mula sa Pilipinas ay nagpapatuloy ang mga pagpataya mga lumalaban sa pamahalaan.
Pambansa-koordinadong protesta at welgang transportasyon, tagumpay! (tags)
IPINAHAYAG ng militanteng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) ngayong umaga na tagumpay ang pambansa-koordinadong protesta at welgang transportasyon bago pa man ito sinimulan ngayong araw. Sinabi ni Elmer ‘Ka Bong’ Labog, Tagapangulo ng KMU na ang pahayag ng Department of Energy (DOE) na wala nang susunod pang pagtataas ng presyo ng langis ngayong Disyembre at anunsyo ng LPGMA o LPG Marketers Association na magrorolbak sila ng presyo ng LPG sa mga susunod na araw, sa bisperas ng pagdaraos ng welgang transportasyon ay mga malinaw na positibong mga reaksyon sa mga lehitimong panawagan at sentimyento ng mga demonstrador.
PHILLIPINES Transport strike – A SUCCESS! (tags)
The transport strike was a success nationwide. Most major transport groups nationwide joined the called of the militant Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston, United Association of Drivers and Operators Nationwide). The AJLPP-USA supported the nationwide transport strike that also called for the ouster of the US-Arroyo regime.
Philippine Protest Marks The First Senate Hearing On The JPEPA (tags)
14 September 2007, Manila, Philippines. – A crowd of more than 300 workers, farmers, fishers, and environmentalists from the Magkaisa Junk JPEPA Coalition (MJJC) today called on the Senators of the 14th Congress to look beyond the rosy projections and government hype surrounding the Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA), and to carefully assess its short-term and long-term implications. The group’s call came on the day of the first scheduled Senate hearing for this historic, precedent-setting treaty.
DUTCH FASCISM & BUSH-ARROYO STATE TERRORISM ATTACK FILIPINO REFUGEES (tags)
Colluding with U.S. & Filipino reactionaries, Dutch fascist authorities arrested Jose Maria Sison, a Filipino political refugee, and raided the National Democratic Front International Information Office in Holland. This is a clear example of State Terrorism working on behalf of predatory imperialist capital. All progressives and democrats everywhere should protest this outrage and support the Filipino people's struggle for justice, equality, and true independence.
Toxic Treaty Favors Japan, Not the Philippines (tags)
August 14, 2007. Manila, Philippines. Senate Forum Bares Legal Traps and Empty Promises of the JPEPA
RP GOV'T TO EVICT 15.000 SQUATTER FAMILIES BY THE END OF GMA TERM (tags)
Before President Arroyo’s term ends or within the next three years, the government intends to evict and relocate some 15,000 poor families occupying road-right-of-ways and waterways in the metropolis. An inventory by the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) showed a total of 84,000 families living along waterways and roadways out of the 726,906 squatter families in Metro Manila.
PHILIPPINES: Kontra Daya( AGAINST CHEATING) post election report (tags)
Kontra Daya ( Against Cheating) congratulates the Filipino people for their continuing vigilance against poll fraud, election violence and other anomalies. This report would not have been possible were it not for the vigilance of ordinary people who acted as Kontra Daya volunteers, sent us their texts and emails or called the Kontra Daya hotline. We also congratulate the various people’s organizations, the vigilant media, the election watchdogs and international observers and other allied groups for their efforts in monitoring the conduct of the Philippine elections. The elections this year saw the rise of a more vigilant and conscious people who would not allow a repeat of the fraud-tainted 2004 polls. Kontra Daya’s preliminary post election report is based on the groups’ own documentation, field date from the Task Force Poll Watch, reports from the People’s International Observers Mission, correspondence with other watchdog groups such as Namfrel, Alliance of Concerned Teachers as well as media reports. The fight against election fraud and violence is by no means over. Kontra Daya expects more incidents of wholesale vote rigging to emerge in the following days. The dark forces trying to subvert the people’s will are working overtime. The people’s vigilance and collective action are needed now more than ever.
AJLPP,Binatikos ang Order ng Comelec na Itigil ang Media Quick Countt (tags)
Mariin at ubos tinding binatikos ngayon ng Alyansa (AJLPP) ang ginawang pagpapahinto ng ng Commission on Elections sa lahat ng quick count na isinasagawa ng mga television at radio stations dahil na rin sa pagsisimula ng official canvassing ng National Board of Canvassers sa mga boto para sa mga kandidatong senador. “ Ang tinig ng bayan ay dapat pakinggan. Nagsalita na ang masang Pilipino sa pamamagitan ng balota. Ayaw na nila sa mga alipures na tuta ni Gloria lalo na kay Gloria’’ pahayag ni Mario Santos, pambansang tagapagsalita ng AJLPP. “ Kahit anu pang pandaraya ang gawin ni Gloria tulad ng ginawa nila noong 2004, napahayag na ng saloobin ang masang Pilipino. Ang pagboto nila sa mga kumakatwan sa oposisyon tulad kay LTJG Antonio Trillanes ay sampal sa kanyang paghahari.
TOOLKIT FOR DISMANTLING THE ARROYO KILLING MACHINE IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
On this May 14 election week, the brutal Arroyo regime in the Philippines backed by the Bush administration is facing the people's judgment for "crimes against humanity." This essay reflects on themes and issues surrounding the crisis of the neocolonial polity in the context of Bush's war of terror and barbaric, predatory globalized capital's assault on the peoples of the world.
PHILIPPINES: AS ELECTION DAY COMES NEAR, VIOLENCE ESCALATES (tags)
Nobody can beat the brazen violence and blatant machinations of the US-Arroyo regime. It is even surpassing the US-Marcos regime in its brazenness and fascist terrorist acts. Again, the AJLPP reiterates it call for the Filipino people to stand guard against legalized vote buying, cheating and violence in this coming elections. AJLPP also expresses its deepest concern over the escalating violence and the propaganda in “rationalizing” its cheating activities “ in the coming elections. More than 100 armed incidents have been reported since the election season started late February 2007 in the Philippines.
AS ELECTION DAY COMES NEAR, VIOLENCE ESCALATES (tags)
Nobody can beat the brazen violence and blatant machinations of the US-Arroyo regime. It is even surpassing the US-Marcos regime in its brazenness and fascist terrorist acts. Again, the AJLPP reiterates it call for the Filipino people to stand guard against legalized vote buying, cheating and violence in this coming elections. AJLPP also expresses its deepest concern over the escalating violence and the propaganda in “rationalizing” its cheating activities “ in the coming elections. More than 100 armed incidents have been reported since the election season started late February 2007 in the Philippines.
MILF fighter killed in Taytay raid (tags)
A suspected Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebel was killed in a shootout with Marines and police on an island in Laguna de Bay near Metro Manila yesterday. Following the pre-dawn raid, government forces also captured three other suspected MILF fighters in a hideout in Barangay Sta. Ana in Taytay, Rizal near the cities of Pasig and Taguig in Metro Manila. Meanwhile, MILF spokesman, Eid Kabalu, said Mohammad and Sanjali Utto are bandits, not members of the secessionist group. "They are not MILF," he said. "Police are linking them to our organization. We have no members active in Rizal." Kabalu said the police action of linking the captured suspects with the MILF could further delay the resumption of peace talks with the government. "It appears there are certain sectors out to sabotage the talks," he said.
KADAMAY hit soldiers’ presence in Metro Manila barangays (tags)
News sources said that soliders have been sighted in a number of barangays in Quezon City and parts of Metro Manila, and the deployment is a purported attempt to flush out activist leaders, an urban poor group said. For the past two months, Army troops have camped out at the halls of densely populated barangays in the Metro to “harass” militant leaders there, said Ed Legson of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay).
PHILIPPINES: Smith's Illegal Transfer to the US Embassy: A Case of Multiple Rape (tags)
Rape of the Judicial System, Rape of Nicole once again, and Rape of the Nation's Dignity and Sovereignty
Rally anti-US near the U.S. embassy in Manila - January 8, 2007 (tags)
U.S. Marines Accused of Rape
Rape Victim's Mother Accused Arroyo of Siding with the U.S. (tags)
-- News sources today, quoted rape victim's mother describing her family's continuing fight for justice as a bout between David and Goliath, the mother of rape victim "Nicole" on Monday broke her silence and scored the government for siding with the US on the custody dispute over her daughter's convicted rapist.
HOUSE BACKS DOWN ON CON-ASS (tags)
---Faced with threats of massive protests against the planned constituent assembly (Con-Ass), President Arroyo’s allies in the House of Representatives said on Saturday that they would settle for a constitutional convention (Con-con).
NPA'S BEATEN BY 2010- AFP (tags)
Government forces are geared up to accomplish their mission to neutralize the communist New People’s Army (NPA) before President Arroyo ends her term by 2010, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Gen. Hermogenes Esperon declared yesterday
New CL Army chief to keep ‘cedula’ drive (tags)
THE incoming Army commander in Central Luzon on Wednesday vowed to continue the military’s anti-insurgency drive in the region, including the cedula campaign of his predecessor, Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan.Maj. Gen. Juanito Gomez, the incoming commander of the 7th Infantry Division, said, however, that he would be more “refined” in implementing the campaign.
The Filipino American Community Problems on the Pilipino Language (tags)
August is usually the National Language Week ( Linggo ng Wika) in the Philippines. Pesante-USA presented this paper this week for Filipinos in the Philippines and America to ponder. Its an irony while the Philippine government ( US-Arroyo regime) is reverting to the colonial mendicancy of propagating English to compete in the international market for labor exports, Filipinos abroad and Filipino Americans in the U.S are advancing the propagation of Pilipino in the United States. This is an important development we should monitor and work on. The more than 3 million Filipinos in the United States might be away from their homeland but their patriotism is afire and will never forget their roots.
THIS morning, I received a text message from a friend based in Baguio City. I'm translating the text: "Update from those who visited Chandu. He's OK now. Can communicate. Hope he'll pull through." That was the uplifting part, but the text ended: "Alice's burial on Friday." Chandu is Dr. Constancio Claver, a physician working in the Cordilleras and chair of the Bayan Muna party-list group in Kalinga province. Last Monday, his family was ambushed by armed men on board two vans. Chandu and a bystander suffered gunshot wounds and both are now recovering. Sandy, their 7-year-old daughter, was in the van and was spared but suffers from shock. Alice, Chandu's wife, died from her wounds.
2 activists, 1 media man killed in 3 hours (tags)
THE latest wave of activist and media killings on Monday hit three regions, including Metro Manila, within a span of three hours, claiming three lives. The first killing happened about 6 a.m. at a bus terminal in Zone 2, Bulan town in Sorsogon, where Rei Mon Guran, a 21-year-old 2nd-year political science student was gunned down. Guran was the local spokesman for the League of Filipino Students and a student of Aquinas University of Legazpi City. In the Cordillera region, the Bayanmuna Kalinga chapter chairman, Dr. Constancio Claver, and his wife Alice Claver, a coordinator for the same group, were ambushed about 7 a.m. Monday by heavily armed men in a black Delica van. The attack killed Claver’s wife, who died while undergoing treatment at the Kalinga Provincial Hospital. She suffered bullet wounds in the head and neck. In Metro Manila Tanod tabloid photojournalist Vic Melendres was gunned down about 8:45 a.m. near his home inside the Gozun Compound in Letre, Malabon, while on his way to work.
Rains, loud music keep protesters away from cops (tags)
It rained on their parade, but the band played on. Incessant heavy rains spawned by typhoon "Glenda" and loud music from the Philippine National Police (PNP) band kept hundreds of protesters in Quezon City in check and away from police lines hours before President Arroyo delivered her State of the Nation Address (SONA), a ranking police official said yesterday. The police initially expected the number of protesters to be between 15,000 and 20,000. As of noon yesterday, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) estimated that its delegation totaled 10,000 people.
STOP the War Coalition (Philippines) call on Philippine Government (tags)
STATEMENT ON THE SIEGE OF LEBANON AND GAZA BY ISRAEL
NPAs attack Sorsogon police station; 5 killed (tags)
coastguardsman and four communist guerrillas were killed when the rebels raided the police station in Matnog, Sorsogon, before dawn Saturday.
New AFP Chief Esperon vows to crush insurgency (tags)
New Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) chief Lt. Gen. Hermogenes Esperon vowed yesterday to crush the 37-year-old communist insurgency during his watch, saying he would devote his last years as a soldier to finish the task. "The President has renewed her call for the defeat of the insurgents ... I welcome the challenge," Esperon said in a speech as he formally took the helm of the 117,000-strong AFP.
Pesante-USA Condemns the Killing of Isabela Woman Peasant Leader (tags)
The Philippine Peasant Support Network-USA after learning from news sources that Madonna Castillo, 32, succumbed at around 6:30 p.m. to three gunshot wounds to the stomach and feet sustained when she was attacked around 8 a.m. in front of the Isabela State University, condemned in the strongest possible terms the reign of terror being perpetrated by the Philippine military against the progressive mass leaders and activists.
Isabela activist dies after being shot (tags)
News sources reported that Madonna Castillo, 32, succumbed at around 6:30 p.m. to three gunshot wounds to the stomach and feet sustained when she was attacked around 8 a.m. in front of the Isabela State University. She was also the secretary general of Anakpawis-Isabela and Danggayan Dagiti Mannalon iti Isabela-Echague municipal chapter. The group is affiliated with the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) that condemned the killing.
On the Death/Martyrdom of Ilagan Mayor Delfinito Albano (tags)
Pesante- USA reprinted the Tagalog Statement of the NDFP-Cagayan Valley re the murder of Ilagan Mayor Delfinito Albano who was murdered by unknown assailants in Metro Manila. Ilagan is the provincial capital of Isabela where agrarian or land problems is very grave. Ilaga is also the area where the 11,000 Hacienda San Antonio and Sta Isabel, now the crisis area of land problems in the Philippines is located. Foreign corporations are trying to gran the lands of peasants opening up coal mining and cassava plantations in the traditionally rice and corn lands in the area. Mayor Albano took the side of the lowly peasants that is why he became a marked man. Pesante condoles with the Albano family on the untimely death and martyrdom of one of the servants of the people.
How the State of Education Has Changed Over Time in (tags)
I think, when the school opens this June, it’s high time to send our officials back to school so that they would learn first hand the real sad state of our educational system. #
US-Arroyo regime, Filipino Social Democrats and the AFP death squads, (tags)
If Marx called Christian Socialism the holy water in which the reactionaries dip their fingers in to become holy, we in the First Quarter Storm Network (FQSN) call the Social Democrats led by Fr. Romeo Intengan and Norberto Gonzales as the vinegar that these reactionary brutes dip the wounds of the victims of their deadly terrorist killing campaigns. The latest pronouncement of Norberto Gonzales that the NPA hit squads are in Manila and are out to assassinate Gloria and some members of her cabinet (including him of course) is a dirty psy-war to set the stage for their death squads to kill leading progressive leaders like the Batasan 5 and other progressive leaders in Metro Manila. No doubt it is a cheap attempt to divert attention from the widespread public outcry nationally as well as internationally against the Arroyo regime’s bloody campaign which has already claimed the lives of hundreds of progressive mass activists.
Sistematikong Kampanya ng Terorismo Laban sa Masa, Patunay ng Pasistang Karakter ng Rehime (tags)
Pesante-USA vehemently condemns the US -Arroyo regime's US- trained death squads killings in the Philippines. Pesante-USA holds the US-Arroyo regime responsible for the killings of more than 500 activist since 2001. More than 60 activist were killed since January 2006 up to this time. Party list members of the BAYAN MUNA ( People First) are the prime victims of the death squads rampage.
STATE of EMERGENCY has been imposed in the PHILIPPINES! (tags)
Several dozen demonstrators were arrested, mostly social movement activists and civil society leaders including Ronald Llamas, president of AKBAYAN and Professor Randy David, a well-known academic and vocal critique of the Arroyo government.
UPDATE - NOW ON ITS 30TH DAY, HUNGER STRIKE OF ERNEST BARRAQUIAS JR. REFUSES TO BE INTRA (tags)
Hunger Strike of the discoverer & whistle-blower of seized drugs distribution worth hundreds of millions by high-ranking police generals & drug lords in the Philippines. The country is ranked by the latest United Nations report to be the 3rd biggest producer & exporter of the methampetamine hydrochloride, called “shabu”, but commonly called “meth”, “ice”, “crack” in the United States where the instantly addictive illegal substance is becoming extremely popular in the West Coast & Southern States. The Philippines is also an acknowledged major transshipment of the said drugs to other countries. Assasination attempts and persecution on him.
Hunger Striker Ernest Barraquias Jr., now on his 36th day of fasting but still no actions (tags)
Hunger Strike announcement of the discoverer & whistle-blower of seized drugs distribution by high-ranking police generals & drug lords in the Philippines. They used his company. Assasination attempts on him. Richswaze, his nephew-dependent, now 10 held virtual hostage.
Philippines 2003: how 300 troops mutiny unmasked "war on terror" (tags)
[As you may notice, I’ve cut this part of the article because the question of peace talks between the left party RPMP-RPA-ABB and the Government has obviously nothing to do with the gangsters of GUAC. It's better to avoid any confusion. – Felix Zorba, October 7, 2003]
CIA - Faked Terror Machine. (tags)
CIA AGENT MICHAEL MEIRING BLEW HIS OWN LEGS OFF WHILE PLANTING A TERRORIST BOMB American Treasure Hunter Michael Meiring is nearly killed in a fiery explosion in his hotel room in the Philippines! Arrest warrents have been issued for him and California based partners after his escape to USA.
Philippines: 300 troops mutiny unmasks "war on terror" (tags)
A group of 296 soldiers - 70 junior officers and 226 enlisted men of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)- staged on July 27 a siege of the Oakwood Premier luxury hotel at the Ayala Center in Makati.
did CIA fake terror bombings i philippines? (tags)
remember lavon affair in 1954? Has US done something similar here?