June 26 UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture -Basta! Run Against Torture VII

June 26 UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture

Basta! Run Against Torture VII

MAKE PHILIPPINES A TORTURE-FREE ZONE

I. Introduction

The Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT) is an international human rights instrument that aims to prohibit and prevent torture and cruel, inhuman degrading treatment or punishment around the world.  The UNCAT came into force on 26 June 1987 after 20 ratifications since its adoption by the UN General assembly on 10 Dec 1984.

This year, 26 years after the UNCAT came into force and with 153 state parties, the world has yet to rid of the continued use and practice of torture and ill-treatment.  Over recent years, there has been an assault on various fundamental rights in the context of counter terrorism, protecting national security, stopping the rise of criminality, and maintaining peace and order.  The protection against torture, an absolute and non-derogable right, provided by the treaty has been undermined - marked by a growing acceptance of torture or other ill-treatment in the context of intelligence-gathering, resort to illegal modes of detention for those suspected of involvement in terrorism, criminality and subversion, and lack of accountability for those who have authorized or committed torture and other ill-treatment. These are key challenges facing the human rights movement today.

On June 26, the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, key organizations around the  will focus on the global reaffirmation of nations and peoples to the absolute prohibition of torture and other ill-treatment as set in the UDHR and the UNCAT – reaffirmations that should be felt and experienced in the smallest and farthest of communities.


II. Background

Torture is abhorrent.  Torture is illegal.  Yet torture is inflicted on men, women and children in the Philippines and well over half the countries around the world.  Despite the universal condemnation of torture, it is still being used openly and secretly using national and international security from acts of terror as justifications for such acts. It is used to extract confession, to interrogate, to punish or to intimidate.  While governments condemn terrorist acts, it is also evident that acts of terror are happening inside detention centers and prison cells, on city streets and in remote villages.  The cruelty of torturers kills, maims, and leave scars on the body and mind that last a lifetime. The victims of torture are not just people in the hands of the torturers.  Friends, families and the wider community all suffer.  Torture even damages and distorts and the hopes of future generations.

In spite of strong provisions enshrined in the Philippine Constitution prohibiting the use of torture, its criminalization as provided for by Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Lawof 2009, and the Philippines having been a state party to the UN Convention Against Torture (UNCAT) since 1987, the act remains widely used today. The concept of the right to be free from torture eludes the general public and disappointingly, government representatives and state security forces as well. In order to see the decline of the practice in country, it is important that all members of society become informed of this right inherent to all individuals.  All places where people are deprived of their liberty, no matter how big or small, near or far, must be placed under the lens of scrutiny to finally stop this inhumane practice.

This coming June 26, the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC), spearheaded by Amnesty International Philippines (AIPH), Balay Rehabilitation Center (BALAY), Medical Action Group (MAG), the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP), with the support of the Commission on Human Rights and different government agencies tasked to combat torture, will once again join the international community to commemorate the UN Day in Support of Victims of Torture and contribute to the global campaign to prevent and stop the practice of torture in all corners of the world as codified in the UNCAT 26 years ago.
The UATC will focus on addressing the dire need to implement RA 9745 in its fullest extent centering on prevention and accountability as two of the more important aspects of the law that need focus.  While it is imperative to ensure accountability of torturers, the group also wants the practice of torture and ill-treatment stopped in every place of detention – whether it is managed by the barangays, the police, the BJMP and other agencies – by allowing unhampered access to monitoring groups.


III. Activity: “Basta! Run Against Torture! VII (BRAT)” 

The first ‘Basta! Run Against Torture (BRAT)’ was held in June 25, 2002 and served as the launching pad of the national campaign against torture of the United Against Torture Coalition’s (UATC), a network of anti-torture advocates that was organized in May of 2002.

BRAT was the brainchild Fr. Robert Reyes who eventually headed the 50-strong runners from different organizations within UATC.  The well-publicized event (covered by various radio, print and TV programs) started at the Oblation Statue in UP Diliman and ended at the Quezon city Memorial Circle to join the rest of the coalition and the media in an hour-long press conference that formally launched the concerted campaign against torture in the Philippines.

The equally successful and well-publicized event BRAT II in 2008, described as an event ‘rarely seen’ by media practitioners, gathered more than a hundred participants from the CSOs, 50 from the CHR and an unprecedented 200 from the Philippine National Police.  The event was also supported by members and secretariat of the Committees on Justice and Human Rights (with fulfilled promises of passing the anti-torture bill in the House of Representatives), and the members of the local government of Quezon City.  The run aimed to make public the condemnation of torture in the context of the war against terror and human security, preventing the use of torture through a law and the ratification of the OPCAT (which the government subsequently signed August of 2008) and holding into account perpetrators of then act.

From BRAT III to BRAT VI, the activity included the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Department of Interior and Local government and the Presidential Human Rights Committee in its fold.  From a humble beginning of having 5o runners to carry the anti-torture banner, the event gathers almost 700 participants from the afore-mentioned organizations and agencies.

The BRAT has also contributed to milestones in the anti-torture advocacy in the country.  RA 9745 was passed in November of 2009 and the Philippines ratified the Optional Protocol to the Convention Against Torture (OPCAT) in April of 2012.

This year’s BRAT will focus on the continuous and intensified campaign to make the Philippines a torture-free zoneby ensuring monitoring of all activities and practices in all detention centers – an important step to ensure the effective implementation of the law.  Aside from demanding accountability of jail officers and overseers of detention centers in ensuring that torture and ill-treatment is not practiced through formal compliance procedures and education of officers and detainees, the UATC is also proposing a more pro-active positioning in monitoring by all concerned parties with emphasis on government accountability through the community’s participation.


IV. Objectives
1. To provide a platform for civil society organizations, the CHR, key government agencies, the academe and the youth to push for full implementation of the Anti-Torture Law through an awareness activity that:
a. encourages communities, grassroots and local organizations to be involved in the monitoring of all detention centers in their areas
b. encourages government agencies tasked to manage these detention centers to cooperate and recognize and support monitoring activities of the communities and other local organizations.


VI. Messages

Over-Arching Theme:

Basta Run AgainstTortureVII
MAKE PHILIPPINES A TORTURE-FREE ZONE











VII. Activity Design

Organizers
United Against Torture Coalition Steering Committee (AIPh, BALAY, MAG, TFDP and PAHRA)

Partners
Commission on Human rights
Presidential Human Rights Committee
Philippine National Police Human Rights Affairs Office
Armed Forces of the Philippines Human Rights Office
Bureau of Jail Management and Penology

Other Attendees (TBC)
Department of Justice
Department of Interior and Local Government
Department of Health
Department of Social Works and Development
Select Schools and Academic Institutions


Conduct
• All participants will assemble at the BantayogngMgaBayani (Quezon Avenue, at the back of Centris) on the 26th of June at around 630 am – 700 am
• The run will start at 700 am sharp
o Most  runners will be wearing activity shirts to be provided by the organizers
o All organizations joining the run will only be allowed to carry 1 flag each
o Positioning
 Pre-Frontline – Sound System
 Front line – organizational leaders (carrying the activity tarp
 2nd liners – organizational flag bearers (colors)
 1st Block – UATC
 2nd Block –Academe and Students
 3rd Block – CHR
 4th Block – Government Agencies (DILG, DOJ, PHRC, DOH, DepEd, CHED)
 5thBlock – PNP
 6th Block - AFP

• Route (right side of the road): BantayogngMgaBayani – (right towards) Eliptical Road – Quezon City Hall – (right towards) PhilCOA – commonwealth – CHR Open Grounds

Pls support BRAT VII for #TortureFreePhilippines:1. Pls LIKE and SHARE
2. use hashtag #June26 and #TortureFreePhilippines #cannotallowtorture
3. Join BASTA RUN AGAINST TORTURE VII on June 26, 2013
For more information pls contact UATC @:
Egay of TFDP 4378054; 09219645017; egay.advocacytfdp@gmail.com
Alster of MAG 4331594; 09178404000; jesoriano@magph.org
Pls visit and like UATC on facebook  https://www.facebook.com/pages/United-Against-Torture-Coalition-UATC-Philippines/141677529192984?fref=ts

Philippines: Torturers evade justice on Aquino’s watch

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Press release
26 June 2012

Philippines: Torturers evade justice on Aquino’s watch

President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III has failed to ensure that police officers charged with torture face justice under the country’s anti-torture law, Amnesty International said on the International Day against Torture.

In August 2010, a national television news programme broadcast a mobile-phone video of a police officer torturing criminal suspect Darius Evangelista while other officers at a Manila police station looked on. The footage showed Evangelista writhing in pain as the officer, identified as Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, yanked a cord attached to the detainee’s penis and whipped him with a rope.

After a 22-year campaign, the Philippine Congress in 2009 passed the Anti-Torture Act (Republic Act 9745), which prescribes criminal penalties for torture and other ill-treatment. Under the doctrine of command responsibility, the law also establishes liability for superiors who fail to prevent or punish torture committed by their subordinates.

Families of desaparecidos hail approval of anti-enforced disappearance bill

Families of desaparecidos hail approval of anti-enforced disappearance bill

The passage on third and final reading by the House of Representatives of House Bill No. 98, the proposed “Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012” yesterday inevitably leads to the light at the end of the tunnel. Having been in the forefront of the 17-year uphill battle for the enactment of this law, we believe that final victory will be ours before the year ends.

The House passed on third reading similar measures in the 13th and 14th Congresses. The Senate had made up for its failure to pass them in the last two Congresses by approving its own current version of the bill on final reading on 26 July 2011.

The imminent enactment of an anti-enforced or involuntary law is indeed long overdue even as it is seasonable as forced disappearances remain unabated and committed with impunity.

Fifteen victims have already been reported under the current Aquino administration, including three Muslim students en route to Sudan. They were allegedly disappeared at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 on January 4, 2012. Their families now join other kin of desaparecidos in their anxious and laborious search for their missing loved ones and for the elusive justice.

A law that penalizes enforced disappearance as a distinct and separate crime will help the families bring to justice the perpetrators of this heinous offense that violates practically all human rights.

Justice demands immediate investigation by concerned authorities once a commission of enforced disappearance has been reported; immediate apprehension of the suspected offenders; speedy prosecution and if warranted conviction of the accused; reparation to the victims and/or their families; and State guarantees of non-repetition. These, the proposed anti-enforced disappearance law seeks to carry out. Specifically, among its salient features are:

1) adopting the UN definition of enforced disappearance that limits the offense to State actors;
2) declaring the right against enforced disappearance as non-derogable;
3) providing mechanisms to protect, promote and fulfill the right to truth;
4) inapplicability of the Statute of Limitations for victims whose fate and whereabouts have not yet been established;
5) maintenance of up-to-date register of detainees and prisoners;
6) expeditious disposition and enforcement of court orders and rulings;
7) penal sanctions ranging from arresto mayor to reclusion perpetua;
8) criminal liability of commanding officers or superiors;
9) restitution and compensation to victims and next-of-kin;
10) psychosocial rehabilitation of both victims and offenders.

PRESS STATEMENT
FAMILIES OF VICTIMS OF INVOLUNTARY DISAPPEARANCE (FIND)
22 MARCH 2012

PHILIPPINES: "Reverse prosecutor's resolution dismissing torture," AHRC asks DoJ — Asian Human Rights Commission

PHILIPPINES: "Reverse prosecutor's resolution dismissing torture," AHRC asks DoJ — Asian Human Rights Commission


March 16, 2012

(Hong Kong, March 16, 2012) Invoking public interest for the protection of Constitutional and Statutory rights, the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) today has written to the Secretary of the Department of Justice (DoJ) asking them to reverse and resolve promptly a petition questioning the dismissal of the complaint of torture by five victims.

In his letter to DoJ Secretary Leila De Lima, AHRC executive director, Mr. Wong Kai Shing raised serious concerns that if the Resolution is "not reversed, any sort of remedy for victims complaining of torture in future would be inapplicable and meaningless".

Mr. Wong was referring to the Resolution dated July 21, 2011 of Maria Gracella Dela Paz - Malapit, prosecutor of San Fernando City, Pampanga, dismissing the charges for violation of Anti-torture Act of 2009 against P/Supt. Madzgani Mukaram and other police officers "be DISMISSED for insufficiency of evidence".

Read complete story @ www.humanrights.asia

Human rights groups urges Aquino “Tuldukan na ang tortyur’! Announce policy of total elimination of torture

Press release
February 25, 2012


Human rights groups urges Aquino “Tuldukan na ang tortyur’! Announce policy of total elimination of torture

As the country marks the 26th anniversary of the 1986 EDSA “People Power”, several human rights groups called on the Aquino administration to take all necessary measures to announce a policy of “total elimination” of the vestiges of Martial Law.

While the Anti-Torture Act or Republic Act (RA) No. 9745 is enacted to criminalize the acts of torture, the United Against Torture Coalition (UATC)-Philippines, made the call noting there are reports cases of torture being routinely practiced by authorities against suspects despite the law criminalizing such act.

In its statement, Ernesto A. Anasarias, Executive Director of Balay Rehabilitation Center and currently the head of UATC Secretariat, said “the authorities’ partiality not to comply with the law runs in the ‘institutional impunity’ we have right now.”

“The persistence of torture casts doubts on the effectiveness of the law.  Despite the law, in practice, there are insufficient legal safeguards for arrested suspects and detainees, including among others, failure to bring them promptly before a judicial authority, restricted access to lawyers and medical doctors, and failure to contact family member immediately after their arrest,” Anasarias added.

Edeliza P. Hernandez of the Medical Action Group (MAG) likewise claimed the government seems to be dragging their heels on the investigation of torture cases. No member of the police and military has been arrested for alleged torture case since Aquino took office, and no superiors have been put on trial for their suspected involvement in or acquiescence to the alleged acts of torture.

Rights group: Army coddling Palparan

Rights group: Army coddling Palparan
By Inquirer Central Luzon, Leila B. Salaverria, Tonette Orejas
February 2, 2012

The fugitive Jovito Palparan may be under the protection of Armed Forces personnel and business owners, and President Benigno Aquino III should order the military to help arrest him, an international human rights group said Wednesday.

The New York-based Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a statement there were apprehensions as well that the military could be interfering in the civilian judicial process, as indicated by the transfer to military custody of two of the coaccused of the retired major general tagged by activists as “Berdugo” (Butcher).

“President Aquino should get the message to the military that the years of protecting Palparan for grievous abuses are over,” HRW deputy Asia director Elaine Pearson said in the statement.

“Officers and soldiers alike should be on notice that if they block civilian authorities in arresting Palparan, they too will face legal consequences,” Pearson said.

Palparan is charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention for the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006.

Prosecuting him will show that the Aquino administration is taking the Philippines in a new direction, according to Pearson.

“Palparan has become a symbol of the widespread lack of accountability for atrocities in the Philippines today,” she said.

Read complete story @ newsinfo.inquirer.net

Walang shoot to kill order vs Palparan, ayon kay Robredo

Walang shoot to kill order vs Palparan, ayon kay Robredo
GMA News
February 2, 2012

Ibinasura ni Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse Robredo ang mga suwestiyon na magpalabas ng shoot to kill order laban sa nagtatagong si retired military general Jovito Palparan.

Iginiit ng kalihim na dapat mahuli ng buhay si Palparan para maiharap sa korte at malitis sa kasong nakabinbin sa Bulacan, kaugnay sa pagkawala ng dalawang estudyante ng University of the Philippines.

“Ginagawa naman namin ang lahat, at ayaw kong magbigay ng shoot to kill order," pahayag ni Robredo sa media matapos magsalita sa dinaluhang talakayan sa Bulacan.

Read complete story @ www.gmanetwork.com

AFP dares rights group to name Palparan coddlers

AFP dares rights group to name Palparan coddlers
GMA News
February 1, 2012

The Armed Forces of the Philippines on Wednesday challenged the group Human Rights Watch to identify the military personnel allegedly coddling retired Army Major General Jovito Palparan, who is wanted for the disappearance of two student-activists in 2006.

“We challenge them to submit names, you file a complaint and this will be addressed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines,” said AFP spokesman Col. Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos at a press briefing in Camp Aguinaldo.

He was reacting to the reported request of Elaine Person, HRW's deputy Asia director, to President Benigno Aquino III to send the message to the AFP that the years of protecting Palparan are over.

She also reportedly said Aquino should also tell the AFP to cooperate with civilian authorities in the prosecution of Palparan.

Read complete story @ www.gmanetwork.com

PHILIPPINES: Temogen Tulawie case - prosecutors uses forced confessions as evidence - AHRC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
AHRC-STM-011-2012
January 16, 2012

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission
PHILIPPINES: Temogen Tulawie case - prosecutors uses forced confessions as evidence

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by the continued prosecution of Temogen "Cocoy" Tulawie, a human rights defender of Tausug roots (one of the indigenous Muslim tribes), and four of his co-accused, for charges of murder in connection with a bombing incident on May 13, 2009 in Patikul, Sulu. The evidence against them was based on the forced confessions of two of the accused which they have already recanted.

Tulawie was forced to hide due to continuing threats and uncertainties that he would be afforded a fair trial and due process in his province of Sulu. He was arrested on January 13, 2012 at 11:45pm at his rented house in Davao City. His decision to flee from his province was to secure himself and his family as he was waiting for the decision of the Court of Appeals (CA) to transfer the venue of his trial from Sulu.

Tulawie, knowing full well that the evidence on him was fabricated, resolved to defend himself in court to clear his name. Tulawie had been falsely charged with multiple frustrated murders and multiple attempted murders for allegedly 'masterminding' and 'plotting' to assassinate Abdusakur Tan, present governor of Sulu, in a bomb attack on May 13, 2009. Tan and his convoy had been targeted by a bomb attack which injured seven of his security escorts and four other people.

Following the bomb attack on May 26, 2009, the police in Patikul, Sulu, claimed to have arrested two people, Sulayman Muhammad Muin and Juhan Alihuddin, who were involved in the bomb attack following a gun fight. The police claimed firearms were confiscated from them during arrest and they both had "manifested their cooperation and separately executed voluntary confessions" while they were held at the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG, Region 9).

In his confession under duress, Muin alleged that Tulawie was the "mastermind and who provided the single motorcycle planted with (an) Improvised Explosive Device (IED) used in their plan to assassinate the governor". Muin also implicated three others, Alihuddin, Muammar Askali and a certain Abs, supposedly as his accomplices. Also, in his confession under duress Alihuddin claimed that "Cocoy, Muammar and Sulayman Muin talked with each other regarding the placement of the explosives" and he was also aware of an alternative plan should they fail.

A subpoena was filed on the arrestees Muin and Alihuddin by prosecutor Ricardo Cabaron who commenced his preliminary investigation into the murder charges on June 10, 2009. However, in responding to the subpoena they both recanted their testimonies declaring the "extrajudicial statement" they had issued while they were in custody of the police was obtained by force.

There were three witnesses who supported Tulawie's defense of alibi that he was physically in Panamao, Sulu and not in his house as alleged, when the supposed meeting after the assassination attempt on Governor Tan took place on May 19, 2009. Also, four other witnesses testified that one of the accused, Askali, "was at his residence in Indanan, Sulu tending his store" when the May 13 bombing happened. Those who had given their testimonies were villagers, neighbours and persons who were familiar with the persons and daily routine of the accused.

Prosecutor Cabaron, however, resolved in his resolution dated July 22, 2009, that the requirement of probable cause in filing murder charges in court against the five accused were met because the bomb attack was "undoubtedly was an attempt against the lives of Governor Tan and others and (had) caused damaged". He also concluded that the "extrajudicial statement" that Muin's executed were "credible and admissible evidence as against the (evidence of the) respondents for purposes of determining probable cause to the commission of the crime."

To provide justification to the legal basis of his questionable resolution, Cabaron invoked the principle of "res inter alios rule"; however, nothing in his resolution adequately explained what they mean. Nevertheless, he argued this rule provided justifications as to the admissibility of "extrajudicial statements" or confessions under duress used as evidence by police in preliminary investigation of prosecutors. Knowing full well to the questions of legality, Cabaron argued that "while there is a legal issue on the admissibility of the declaration of the confessant during trial if the latter does not testify, such is not a vital significance during preliminary investigation stage".

The AHRC strongly condemns the prosecutor's decision in this case justifying the admissibility of forced confession as evidence against the accused. The prosecutor's legally flawed and questionable justifications, if not corrected, would allow these accused to be subjected to a trial in court over evidence that is completely fabricated. We urge the Department of Justice (DoJ) to withdraw without delay the prosecution of murder charges against Tulawie and his co-accused. We are shocked by the callousness and the complete disregard to the fundamental principles of due process and fair trial of the prosecutor who is involved in the prosecution of this case.

The role of prosecutors is not only to determine the probability that the crime have been committed but also to ensure that no one is prosecuted over fabricated case. They have an enormous role to play in protecting the interests of the people. Their duty is not only to prosecute crimes against the state, but also to protect the Filipino people subjected to the law of the State.
# # #
About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.


Visit our new website with more features at www.humanrights.asia.

Palparan must surrender if he's innocent - Palace

Palparan must surrender if he's innocent - Palace 
By Aurea Calica and Edith Regalado (The Philippine Star)
January 15, 2012

MANILA, Philippines - Fugitive retired Army Maj. Jovito Palparan must surrender now and defend himself before the courts if he is really innocent of the charges against him, Malacañang said yesterday.

“If he really thinks he is innocent, he should come out and face the charges against him,” deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said over dzRB.

The Palace was reacting to Palparan’s appealing the decision of the Malolos regional trial court to junk his bid to stop his prosecution for the disappearance of University of the Philippines student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño in 2006. Valte said Palparan is assured of fair trial.

Read full article @ www.philstar.com

Aquino vows to end impunity

Aquino vows to end impunity
by Chichi Conde, InterAksyon.com
January 13, 2012

MANILA, Philippines -- President Benigno Aquino III has vowed to step up efforts in running after those "who seek to perpetuate the culture of impunity" in the country during the New Year's vin d' honneur at the Palace on Friday.

Aquino said his administration will "not relent" in its accountability efforts as he raised a toast to "stability and prosperity" during the event which was attended by members of the diplomatic community, lawmakers from both the majority and minority, the top brass of the military and the police, and several industry captains.

"I am confident that so long as we stand together and remain consistent in our services to the public, our countrymen will be behind us every step of the way," Aquino said.

Read complete article @ www.interaksyon.com

Palparan won't surrender, says lawyer

Palparan won't surrender, says lawyer
by Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon.com
January 13, 2012

MANILA, Philippines -- Fugitive retired general Jovito Palaran will not surrender and will continue challenging the warrant for his arrest, one of his lawyers said Friday.

Palparan’s newly hired counsel, Jesus Santos, insisted his client is "innocent" of the abduction and enforced disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan.

Santos was the lawyer of Jose Miguel Arroyo, husband of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

He said the government would be better off using the P1 million reward it has raised for Palparan’s capture for assisting the families of soldiers killed in the line of duty.

Short of advising his client to remain in hiding, Santos said that, "as a lawyer and as an individual, since there is a petition we filed in court to conduct the preliminary investigation because the arrest warrant was issued not in accordance with law, I think it is good to wait for whatever maybe the decision of the Regional Trial Court of Bulacan," where the case against Palparan has been filed.

Read full article @ www.interaksyon.com

PHILIPPINES: Police fail in their obligation to investigate journalist killings — Asian Human Rights Commission

PHILIPPINES: Police fail in their obligation to investigate journalist killings — Asian Human Rights Commission

by www.humanrights.asia

The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) is deeply concerned by police investigations into the murder of journalists Christopher "Cris" Guarin and Alfredo "Dodong" Velarde, Jr. in General Santos City. Not only have the Philippines’ police failed in their duty to protect citizens from harm, but they are compounding this failure by their indifferent and casual attitude towards holding the killers accountable.

Guarin, publisher and editor-in-chief of a daily community newspaper Tatak News, was shot dead at 10pm on January 5, 2012 along Conel Road, Barangay Lagao, General Santos City. He was in his car with his wife, Lyn and nine-year-old daughter, on their way home, when they were attacked by gunmen riding on a motorcycle. His wife and daughter were not hurt, but were deeply traumatized to witness his murder.

Guarin's murder followed the murder of another journalist, Velarde, in November 2011. Circulation manager of another daily community newspaper, Brigada News, Velarde was shot dead on November 11 in front of his office. Although the AHRC have learned that the motives for Velarde and Guarin's murder were related, the police have been more focused on dispelling public expectations and any sense of urgency, rather than ensuring proper investigations into the deaths.

Reward for Palparan's arrest increased to P1 M

Reward for Palparan's arrest increased to P1 M 
By Edu Punay, The Philippine Star, January 06, 2012

MANILA, Philippines - To boost the manhunt for retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, the government has doubled the cash reward from P500,000 to P1 million for information that would lead to his arrest.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima announced yesterday that she and Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo have decided to increase the reward money as a complementary move to the ongoing manhunt for Palparan.

“Because we are getting good leads, we decided to increase (the reward). We are increasing the reward money for any information that would lead to the arrest of retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan,” she told reporters.

“We want this to be over and done with the soonest,” she stressed.

De Lima admitted that authorities were concerned with the fugitive retired general’s continued hiding.

“If this will continue, chances of arresting him become slimmer and he could even be able to flee,” she pointed out.

De Lima had earlier claimed that Palparan already sent surrender feelers to the National Bureau of Investigation.

She also claimed that she received death threats that could possibly have come from the fugitive retired general.

Read complete article @ www.philstar.com

'Surrender or be hunted down like a rat' - ex-military rebel to Palparan

'Surrender or be hunted down like a rat' - ex-military rebel to Palparan
04-Jan-12,  Eric B. Apolonio, InterAksyon.com

MANILA, Philippines - “Surrender or be hunted down like a rat; face the music or be hunted down like … vermin."

This was the message of former military rebel Danilo Lim to fugitive retired general Jovito Palparan, who is being hunted for his alleged role in the abduction and disappearance of two University of the Philippines students in 2006.

Palparan went into hiding after immigration agents foiled his attempt to leave the country last month. A warrant for his arrest has since been issued by a Bulacan trial court where he and three others are charged with the kidnapping and illegal detention of Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno.

Human rights groups have declared a “people’s manhunt” for Palparan, who they have dubbed “The Butcher” for the string of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and other human rights violations committed in the areas where he was assigned as a military commander.

Lim, now deputy commissioner for intelligence of the Bureau of Customs, is a former commander of the elite Army Scout Rangers and participated in several failed coup attempts against former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. He was granted amnesty by President Benigno Aquino III after spending four years in detention.

"History is not kind to people who were responsible for the death of many innocent lives. I hope Palparan has read enough history books to know the common fate suffered by dictators and butchers. I hope he surrenders soon or face the people's wrath," Lim said.

Read more @ interaksyon.com

Palparan sightings reported, says de Lima

Poster from KARAPATAN

Palparan sightings reported, says de Lima
By Ina Reformina, ABS-CBN News
January 02, 2012

MANILA, Philippines - There have been sightings of retired Army Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan who faces charges for the disappearance of University of the Philippines(UP) student activists Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeno in June 2006, bared Justice Secretary Leila De Lima.

The justice chief, however, refused to give details to the media so as not to jeopardize ongoing manhunt operations against Palparan and his trusted aide and co-accused, M/Sgt. Rizal Hilario.

"May info(information) na nire-relay sa amin, nire-relay sa akin, so what I do [is] ask the NBI(National Bureau of Investigation) to validate the info," De Lima said.

Read full article @ www.abs-cbnnews.com

Human Rights group condemns, urges government to probe tortures in Basilan, Sulu – MATA

http://hronlineph.wordpress.com/2011/08/01/statement-human-rights-group-condemns-urges-government-to-probe-tortures-in-basilan-sulu-mata/

We, members of the Mindanao Anti-Torture Alliance (MATA), a regional
anti-torture and human rights group are urging the government specifically
the Philippine military and the Commission on Human Rights to conduct an
urgent probe on the alleged cases of torture in Basilan and Sulu provinces
perpetrated by members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

At the same time, we condemned to the highest degree such barbaric act
allegedly committed by these soldiers who are supposed to be the
civilians’ protectors in two separate incidents.

One of the victims was identified as Abdul-Khan B. Ajid, 39, a bakery
owner, and lives in Libug, town of Sumisip in Basilan, who became a victim
of brutality by soldiers of the Philippine Army based in the island
province.

Lack of P-Noy’s explicit policy on human rights opens doors for violations on the ground

In commemoration of the United Nations International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) reiterates its call to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to combat torture and other forms of human rights violations.

There is a need for P-Noy to explicitly declare that he is waging war against human rights violations in the same way that he promised to fight corruption during his campaign for presidency.  Situations on the ground demand a stricter and more serious order from the leadership to its personnel to give the highest respect for human rights.

P-Noy should consider that human rights violations are also rooted from poverty.  The eradication of human rights violations may even be more important than the fight against corruption. 

Paradigm shift, as the authorities call it, must not remain a mere proclamation. It is a must that the military and the police discontinue their practice of torturing people.  It is imperative that P-Noy looks into this matter seriously with urgency.   

The recent cases of harassment of human rights defenders in Bulacan and the cases of torture and illegal arrests in Central Luzon and Mindanao prove that the “paradigm shift” has still a long way to go.  The government must prove its sincerity and gain the people’s confidence. 

After the legislation of Republic Act 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act of 2009, cases of torture still persist.  Worse, perpetrators still operate with impunity. 

P-Noy’s lack of an explicit policy on human rights, against torture and human rights violations, in particular, may be considered as the weakest link.  This can be interpreted that P-Noy is either not in control or that human rights is not really part of his agenda.

On the occasion of the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture, TFDP also reiterates its appeal for the release of all political prisoners.  TFDP has already communicated to the Office of the President the urgency of the case of Tatay Umbrero, a political prisoner who has stage four cancer.  TFDP implored for executive clemency since it is within P-Noy’s power to immediately act on the case of Tatay Umbrero.  But the government only responded by referring Umbrero’s case to the Board of Pardons and Parole.

It is hard to comprehend why Umbrero’s case would not deserve the urgent and immediate attention and action of P-Noy.  Is this not equally important as the issue of wangwang that merited inclusion in his previous State of the Nation Address?  Is human rights not included in P-Noy’s matuwid na daan?

The UNCAT recommends among others that the Philippine Government educate its members specially its security sectors about the right not to be tortured.  How can P-Noy raise awareness among his ranks when he seems to be busy only with issues that will hit the headlines?  Or could it be that it is P-Noy who needs human rights education?

Stop torture. Prosecute perpetrators.

Free Tatay Umbrero. Free all Political Prisoners.