“We must always remember, that the nobility of every profession comes, not with the title that is prefixed in our names, but in how we use it to serve those who have less, those who have nothing, those who have to suffer every ounce of injustice and indignity.”
Soriano attributed the killing to President Rodrigo Duterte’s Memorandum Order No. 32 that targets human and land rights activists in the provinces of Samar, Negros, and the Bicol region.
“There were times when she thought of taking a break, but in the end, her heart stays with the masses that she serves.” By ANNE MARXZE D. UMIL Bulatlat.com MANILA – School activities and birthdays are important activities that any parent will surely not miss, but 42-year old mother Jackie Valencia usually misses these moments…
Bulatlat is publishing a series of reports, featuring human rights defenders under siege.
Clamor said the attempts to discredit human rights defenders and progressive organisations aim to prevent them from pursuing justice for the victims of rights violations.
Political prisoner Rachel Mariano freed after charges against her were dismissed by the court.
“To say that there is no evidence of killings, disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and all attacks is mere parroting of the respondents’ line. It is as if the CA is acknowledging the attacks but absolving the government’s role in all of it.”
Cristina Palabay,secretary general of Karapatan, said, “We have not been given the chance to be heard.”
NUPL President Edre Olalia pointed out that Duterte himself publicly threatened human rights defenders and all supposed communist fronts.
“We reiterate that activism and the full exercise of our civil and political rights is not a crime. While we continue with our everyday human rights work, we are also resolute in our commitment to see this through.”
“Human rights defenders helping the victims and survivors, as well as those working to expose the real situation of extensive rights violations on the ground should not be subjects of attack.” – political prisoners