By KATH M. CORTEZ Davao Today MARAWI CITY, Philippines – Nearly two years of never-ending struggle to go back to where their houses once stood, the women and the youth held another show of anger and dismay over the failure of the government to improve the ground zero here, the scene of the heaviest battles…
Human rights group Karapatan, in a letter, submitted to CHR Chairperson Jose Luis Gascon said: “These attacks come in a myriad of forms, but altogether has put the lives, security, and liberty of the organization’s national and regional chapters and members at grave risk.”
Based on the narratives reported by Karapatan, Rina, 11, and her cousin Ellah, 17, (real names withheld) were about to gather Rattan locally known as Uway or Agsam and Bocawe, a local variety of Bamboo, in the morning of February 18 when they were accosted by seven soldiers.
“If the agreement was really vetted as the DOF claims, why did it sign an agreement so lopsided in favor of China containing conditions which are not imposed by other creditor countries and institutions?”
“Such notorious lists have further endangered the already perilous situation of human rights defenders. We have repeatedly raised how these arbitrary and baseless accusations incite threats to the lives and security of named individuals, the worst of which is that they become victims of extrajudicial killings.”
Four soldiers were killed after communist rebels in Bukidnon successfully took over a paramilitary camp of the Army’s 1st Special Forces Civilian Active Auxiliary Patrol Base located in Green Valley, Barangay Dalwangan, Malaybalay City on Thursday, February 14.
Datu Kaylo clarified that Salugpongan has been recognized by the NCIP Region XI as Tribal Council of elders in 2003, and it is entitled to all rights, benefits, and privileges granted under Republic Act 8371 or the Indigenous Peoples’Rights Act (IPRA).
The spate of killings in Mindanao is expected to continue after Congress and Senate approved on Wednesday the extension of martial law, a militant Moro group said, noting that it is being used by President Rodrigo Duterte to cling in power.
A barangay councilor who were with the victims at the time of the incident said that Gilbert Labial saw the assailant on their way home but were trapped and repeatedly shot by the assasins.
“Because they did not sign the agreement, we are worried because the military can go back anytime to put up a detachment in our community.”
Detained church workers and rights activists were released on bail after their arrest on the evening of July 4 in General Santos City while holding an organizational consultation on peasant and tribal issues.