Human Rights

An international civil rights organization is raising the alarm over the government’s failure to address the unabated summary executions in the country.

A similar protest was held by Filipino American activists in San Francisco, California   WASHINGTON D.C. – About two dozen Filipino Americans and church supporters picketed the White House to denounce human rights violations in the Philippines, hours before the meeting between Presidents Arroyo and Obama.

MANILA, Philippines – A party-list congressman urged Commission on Human Rights chief Leila de Lima yesterday to inhibit herself from her agency’s inquiry into allegations military men tortured Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas last year.

MANILA, Philippines – The second public hearing of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on the alleged abduction and torture of Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas yesterday appeared to have been overshadowed by the “face-off” of a militant congressman and two anti-communist congressmen.

MANILA – Philippine civic and opposition leaders have issued an open letter to US President Barack Obama urging him to take up the problem of human rights violations in the Philippines in his meeting with visiting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on July 30 [July 31 in Manila].

9 years of Arroyo: A review MANILA, Philippines—Not since the dark days of martial law have the Philippine media been as threatened as now.

MANILA, Philippines – Another broadcast journalist was killed yesterday in an ambush by unidentified gunmen who shot him shortly after his radio program in Surigao del Sur.

MANILA, Philippines –  Claiming that Filipino-American Melissa Roxas is not a mere activist but once an armed rebel, two party-list representatives including former military general Jovito Palparan disclosed information that the ones who tortured her were not soldiers but her own comrades who were trying to prevent her from severing her ties with the communist…

MANILA, Philippines – The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR) expressed disappointment yesterday over the ASEAN rights body’s “lack of clear protection mandate.”

Cases of unexplained killings have gone down in the past two years, but there’s still a long way to go before the government can boast of respect for human rights. As various human rights groups have pointed out, most of the previous cases remain unsolved. Where cases have been filed, the conviction rate is low…

MANILA, Philippines – Philippine National Police chief director General Jesus Versoza has ordered an investigation into the alleged abduction and torture of Filipino-American activist Melissa Roxas.

With no follow through and no major convictions, the efforts of the Arroyo administration to curtail human rights violations are seen as mere palliatives.

PHUKET, Thailand – Southeast Asian officials on Sunday were finalizing an unprecedented regional human rights body which has sparked criticism from activists that it will be toothless.

FATHER Amado Picardal, who’s been fighting for the last 10 years to put a stop to summary executions here, should have been ecstatic at the arrival of hundreds of students at the launching early this month of “You Can Die Anytime,” a book published by the New York-based Human Rights Watch that details the operations…

LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines  – The military dismissed as baseless the insinuation of the Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON) that “government elements” had a hand in the ambush of a leader of a jeepney drivers’ association in Bicol during the nationwide transport strike last Monday.

LEGAZPI CITY, PHilippines  – A leader of a jeepney drivers’ group in Bicol was shot and wounded during the nationwide transport strike yesterday.

DAVAO CITY, Philippines – Commission on Human Rights (CHR) head Leila de Lima declared a “breakthrough” in the investigation into the existence of the so-called Davao Death Squad (DDS) after more skeletal remains believed to be those of victims of summary executions here were dug up.

The head of the United Nations agency tasked with defending press freedom has deplored the recent killing of a radio commentator in the Philippines, the fourth murder of a journalist in the country this year.

The news article “RP had most war evacuees in 2008, says Norway group” (Inquirer, 6/20/09) should serve as a strong reminder to all 2010 electoral candidates of the grave importance of a peace and human rights agenda amid the worsening civil war in the country, which has caused death and displacement and violence, thus effectively…

The newly formed Task Force DDS (DDS being an acronym for Davao Death Squads) is having a hard time unraveling the mystery behind the series of unexplained killings largely attributed to death squads operating in Davao City and suburban areas.

The government has scored “breakthroughs” in documenting the vigilante-style killings being attributed to the so-called Davao Death Squads (DDS) and now appears to be some steps closer to unveiling the mystery behind these senseless killings.

The Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) yesterday signed a memorandum of undertaking (MoU) on the commission’s visitorial powers over PNP-operated jails and detention facilities at the PNP Museum at Camp Crame, Quezon City to mark the second anniversary of the activation of the PNP Human Rights Affairs Ofice (HRAO).

An international group of lawyers, judges, jurists and law students has criticized the Arroyo government for its alleged refusal to seriously investigate human rights abuses and to prosecute State security forces widely perceived to be behind these abuses.

THE Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) on Saturday agreed to receive a high level mission from by the International Labor Organization (ILO) to consult with various stakeholders regarding workers’ freedom and protection from abusive employers.

The United Nations (UN) has again flayed the Arroyo administration’s dismal human rights record after the UN Committee against Torture (UNCAT) expressed grave concern at the “routine and widespread use of torture” in the country and the “climate of impunity for perpetrators of acts of torture, including military, police, and other state officials.”

MASBATE: Gunmen on a motorcycle shot and wounded a newspaper reporter on Friday, days after another journalist was murdered, local police said.

MANILA, Philippines – A high-level mission of the International Labor Organization (ILO) is set to investigate the unexplained killings in the country.

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine government is ready to welcome a “high level mission” from the International Labor Organization (ILO) that will investigate the cases of extrajudicial killings, disappearances and harassment of workers’ leaders, unionists and labor rights advocates in the country, an official said.

OCCIDENTAL MINDORO, Philippines – A 66-year-old broadcaster and former vice governor of this province was shot and stabbed to death by a still unidentified suspect outside his house in San Jose town yesterday morning, police said.

MANILA, Philippines—A member of an international mission has recommended that the Philippine government condemn all forms of attacks against lawyers and judges, and prosecute all perpetrators “with urgency and fervor.”