Monday, February 11, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
International League of People's Struggles
Dear Friends and Allies in Struggle:
Greetings of Peace and Solidarity from BAYAN USA!
We would like to announce the Third International Assembly of the
International League of People's Struggle (ILPS TIA) on June 17-22, 2008
in Hong Kong. This year's assembly will focus on the theme ""Strengthen
the People's Struggle, Unite to Build a New World Against Imperialist
Aggression, State Terrorism, Plunder and Social Destruction!"
Founded in 2001, ILPS is an anti-imperialist and democratic formation
that promotes, supports and developes the anti-imperialist and
democratic struggles of the people of the world, including the workers,
peasants, women, youth, professionals and other sectors of society
against the ideological, political, military, economic, social and
cultural domination and attacks of imperialism and reaction.
It strives to realize the unity, cooperation and coordination of
anti-imperialist and democratic struggles throughout the world. Through
its study commissions, research and solidarity campaigns and actions, it
exposes and opposes the oppressive and exploitative policies and acts of
the imperialist and puppet states, the multinational companies and
imperialist-dominated international agencies, such as the IMF, World
Bank and WTO, and the military alliances such as the NATO and the
US-Japan Security Council.
As member of the ILPS International Coordinating Committee in the United States (ICC-US),
we invite all US-based anti-imperialist organizations and individuals who are interested
to attend the Assembly. The Assembly is open for member and
non-member organizations and individuals who want to apply for
membership or observe and/or attend conferences being organized by the
study commissions.
We will send more information regarding the Assembly in June. For more information
about ILPS please visit www.ilps2001.com.
Thank you and MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!
In solidarity,
Chito Quijano
Chair, BAYAN USA
member, ICC-US
Greetings of Peace and Solidarity from BAYAN USA!
We would like to announce the Third International Assembly of the
International League of People's Struggle (ILPS TIA) on June 17-22, 2008
in Hong Kong. This year's assembly will focus on the theme ""Strengthen
the People's Struggle, Unite to Build a New World Against Imperialist
Aggression, State Terrorism, Plunder and Social Destruction!"
Founded in 2001, ILPS is an anti-imperialist and democratic formation
that promotes, supports and developes the anti-imperialist and
democratic struggles of the people of the world, including the workers,
peasants, women, youth, professionals and other sectors of society
against the ideological, political, military, economic, social and
cultural domination and attacks of imperialism and reaction.
It strives to realize the unity, cooperation and coordination of
anti-imperialist and democratic struggles throughout the world. Through
its study commissions, research and solidarity campaigns and actions, it
exposes and opposes the oppressive and exploitative policies and acts of
the imperialist and puppet states, the multinational companies and
imperialist-dominated international agencies, such as the IMF, World
Bank and WTO, and the military alliances such as the NATO and the
US-Japan Security Council.
As member of the ILPS International Coordinating Committee in the United States (ICC-US),
we invite all US-based anti-imperialist organizations and individuals who are interested
to attend the Assembly. The Assembly is open for member and
non-member organizations and individuals who want to apply for
membership or observe and/or attend conferences being organized by the
study commissions.
We will send more information regarding the Assembly in June. For more information
about ILPS please visit www.ilps2001.com.
Thank you and MABUHAY KAYONG LAHAT!
In solidarity,
Chito Quijano
Chair, BAYAN USA
member, ICC-US
Monday, February 4, 2008
Philippine-U.S. War: "Kill Everyone Over Ten"
"Kill Everyone Over Ten"
"I want no prisoners. I wish you to kill and burn, the more you kill and burn the better it will please me. I want all persons killed who are capable of bearing arms in actual hostilities against the United States." General Jacob H. Smith said.
Since it was a popular belief among the Americans serving in the Philippines that native males were born with bolos in their hands, Major Littleton "Tony" Waller asked "I would like to know the limit of age to respect, sir?."
"Ten years," Smith said.
-Benevolent Assimilation: The American Conquest of the Philippines, 1899-1903, Stuart Creighton Miller, (Yale University Press, 1982)
100 years later...
The untold story of our people's bravery and sacrifice remains buried beneath the soil where over 1 million Filipinos were killed.
Today, our children are still being robbed of their history.
Let us unearth our people's legacy of resistance and provide for our youth, what the government does not.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Thursday, January 3, 2008
PINAY Star Power!
Her name is Charice Pempengco, and she is a 15 year old Pinay sensation!
Here's Charice on the Ellen Degeneres show:
Happy New Year everyone :)
Here's Charice on the Ellen Degeneres show:
Happy New Year everyone :)
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
2 Missing UP Students Tortured, Raped inside Military Camp
Original article: http://www.bulatlat.com/2007/11/2-missing-students-tortured-raped-inside-military-camp
By Dabet Castañeda
HUMAN RIGHTS WATCH
BULATLAT
VOL. VII, No. 42, November 25- December 1, 2007
One year and five months after their abduction, a witness testified that he had actually seen and talked to Sherlyn Cadapan and Karen Empeño, the two scholars of the University of the Philippines (UP) who were abducted allegedly by soldiers on June 26, 2006 while doing research in a farming community in Barangay (village) San Miguel, Hagonoy, Bulacan. Farmer Manuel Merino was abducted together with the two.
The witness, Raymund Manalo, also confirmed what had been feared all along - that the UP students were raped by their abductors.
First meeting
Manalo, who was abducted together with his brother, Reynaldo, in their home in Barangay Buhol na Mangga, San Ildefonso, Bulacan, on Feb. 14, 2006, said he first met Cadapan sometime in November 2006 at the barracks of Camp Tecson in San Miguel, Bulacan. Camp Tecson hosts the First Scout Ranger Regiment (FSRR).
It was an uncanny meeting, Manalo said in his signed affidavit submitted at the Court of Appeals (CA) on Nov. 12. "Sa loob ng barracks ko nakilala si Sherlyn, isang estudyante ng UP," (I met Sherlyn, a UP student, inside the barracks.) Manalo said as she described Sherlyn as a "babaeng nakakadena (chained woman)."
At first, Manalo said he was told not to converse with the chained woman. But on the third or fourth day, Manalo said he approached Sherlyn and gave her food.
Sherlyn, meanwhile, gave Manalo some information about herself. "Sinabi nya sa akin na …matindi ang tortyur na dinaranas niya. Umiiyak sya," (She told me she experienced heavy torture. She was crying.) Manalo said in his testimony.
Manalo also said Sherlyn was ordered to do the laundry during the day. But more than this, what was bothersome was Sherlyn's confession that she had been molested by a certain Mickey, Donald and Billy. "Sabi ni Sherlyn sa akin na siya'y ginahasa," ((Sherlyn told me she was raped.) Manalo said in his testimony.
Manalo described Mickey as "pandak na mataba, maputi," (short, fat, and fair-skinned) while Billy is "maitim, bungi, pinakamataba sa kanila, pandak." (dark, with missing teeth, the fattest, and short) Donald is Master Sgt. Donald Caigas, the same suspect in the killing of human rights worker Eden Marcellana and peasant leader Eddie Gumanoy in April 2003.
Manalo said the words "24th IB" was tattooed on the shoulders of Caigas.
Nine days after meeting Sherlyn, Manalo said, he also met Karen and Manuel inside the same military camp.
During the day, Manalo said he, Reynaldo and Manuel were told to do errands while the two women were made to do the laundry.
An unexpected visit
On Nov. 22, 2006, the Manalo brothers, Manuel, Sherlyn and Karen were transferred to 24th Infantry Battalion (IB) camp in Limay, Bataan. According to Raymund's testimony, they stayed there until May 8 of this year.
Going to Bataan, Karen was separated from the four and was forced to ride a black car with Caigas. The rest of the captives rode a stainless jeep.
Raymund said it was in Bataan where he witnessed the torture of Sherlyn and Karen.
The torture happened after Sherlyn told their soldier-captors that she kept a gun at her mother-in-law's place in Calumpit, Bulacan. She was taken to the place but the soldiers found no firearm there. Sherlyn also tried to leave a letter for her mother-in-law but her military escorts saw the letter and confiscated it.
At the hearing for the writ of amparo Nov. 21 at the Court of Appeals (CA), Sherlyn's mother-in-law, Adoracion Paulino, testified that Sherlyn indeed visited her in the evening of April 11. Paulino said she hugged and kissed Sherlyn but the latter just looked at her and took some clothes. Paulino said her daughter-in-law had five escorts at that time. The visit was swift, Paulino told the court.
After the visit, Paulino said the threats to her life had become endless. As she broke down during her testimony, she said soldiers and police had been visiting her at home, asking if it was true that Sherlyn and five of her escorts paid a visit. "Dinenay ko dahil natakot ako para kay Sherlyn, para sa anak ko at para sa sarili ko." (I denied it because I fear for Sherlyn, my son, and myself.)
Paulino said she tried to keep the brief encounter with Sherlyn to herself. It was only in May when she decided to tell Sherlyn's mother, Linda, about the visit.
Torture
When Sherlyn was taken back to the camp in Bataan, Raymund said, he saw the soldiers torture Sherlyn, "Itinali sya sa bangko, itinaas ang kanyang mga paa, binuhusan siya ng tubig sa ilong, kinuryente sya." (She was tied to a bench, her feet were lifted, water was poured to her nose, and she was electrocuted.)
"Sumisigaw sya.Matagal syang pinahirapan," (She shouted. She was tortured for a long time.) Raymund added.
When Sherlyn told the soldiers that Karen helped her write the letter for her mother-in-law, Raymund said, he saw the soldiers take Karen outside. However, Raymund said, he did not see what the soldiers had done to Karen. "Narinig ko lang ang mga sigaw nya," (I just heard her cries.) Raymund said.
The following day, Raymund said, he heard the soldiers hurling invectives at the two UP students. "Inuyam sila sa ginawang pananakit, ipinaalala sa kanila ang ginawang paghipo sa kanilang ari at pagpasok ng kahoy sa kanilang ari," (They were taunted regarding the pain inflicted on them; they were reminded that their private parts were touched and a wooden stick was inserted inside their sex organ.) Raymund said in his testimony.
On the other hand, Raymund said, he and Manuel where forced to join military operations in Bataan. Raymund said they witnessed how the soldiers killed two relatives of suspected New People's Army (NPA) guerillas.
Last sighting
From Limay, Bataan, Raymund said, the five of them (Manalo brothers, Sherlyn, Karen and Manuel) were transferred to a safehouse off the shore of Zambales. They stayed in the said place from May 8 or 9 (Raymund was not sure of the exact date) until June.
The five captives were taken back to Limay, Bataan sometime in June. After two or three weeks, Raymund said, he, Reynaldo and Manuel were taken to a forest by a certain "Lat." They were made to sleep in the forest until Caigas ordered Lat to bring them back to the camp.
At night time, the three male captives were again taken to the forest, this time by a certain "Robin." They were taken back to the camp the next morning. Raymund said it was then that he noticed that Sherlyn and Karen were gone. "Hindi ko na sila nakita," (I never saw them again.) Raymund said.
The three male captives were then chained inside the cell where Sherlyn and Karen were kept before. They stayed there for three days, Raymund added.
Burned
On the third day, Raymund said "Lat" took Manuel outside the cell. "Kakausapin daw sya ni Gen. Palparan," ( They said Gen. Palaparan would talk with him.) Raymund said, referring to retired Maj. Gen. Jovito Palparan, then the commanding officer of the 7th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army (ID PA) based in Fort Magsaysay in Laur, Nueva Ecija.
"Nakapiring si Manuel, wala siyang suot pang-itaas, pinosasan," (Manuel was blindfolded, he had no shirt and was handcuffed.) Raymund said in his testimony.
"Ði nagtagal, narinig ko ang hiyaw o ungol ni Manuel. Sumilip ako sa isang haligi ng kamalig at nakita kong sinisilaban si Manuel," (After a while, I heard the shouts and moans of Manuel. I peeked and saw Manuel being burned.) Raymund said.
That was the last time Raymund would see Manuel alive. "Sabi ni Donald (Caigas) huwag na raw naming hanapin ang dalawang babae at si Manuel dahil magkakasama na sila." (Donald told us not to look for the two women and Manuel anymore because they are already together.)
The Manalo brothers were then transferred to Pangasinan where they were allowed to tend a small farm owned by Caigas. Around 1 a.m. of Aug. 14, the brothers were able to escape from their captors when the soldiers became drunk.
A writ of amparo has also been filed for the Manalo brothers who are still kept in a sanctuary as threats hound them and their family to this day.
Raymund is scheduled to testify for Sherlyn, Karen and Manuel on Dec. 18. Bulatlat
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Progressive Filipino Women's Alliance Calls for Urgent Action to Condemn the Batasan Bombing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2007
Media Contact:
Valerie Francisco, Secretary General,
Email: fire.nyc@gmail. com
Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), NY
Marisa Mariano, Chair, babae, San Francisco
Email: info@babaesf. org
Donna Denina, Vice Chair, Pinay sa Seattle
Email: pinayinfo@gmail. com
Pinay sa Seattle, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) NY and babae SF denounce the bombing of the south wing of Batasan Pambansa (House of Representatives) in Quezon City, Philippines and condemn the systematic acts of state terror perpetrated by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Administration. The U.S. based progressive Filipino women's alliance calls for an immediate independent probe to bring justice to the innocent lives lost during this heinous crime.
The bombing occurred last Tuesday night at about 8:30pm which claimed the lives Marcial Talbo, driver of GABRIELA Partylist Representative Luz Ilagan, Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar and congressional staff member Maan Gale Bustalino. There were 11 others who sustained injuries, including Representative Ilagan and Mike Lim, the driver of another GABRIELA Women's Partylist Representative, Liza Maza.
The explosion at the House of Representatives happened as the day's legislative session was ending. Rep. Luz Ilagan and other progressive partylist members filed an impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macagapagal Arroyo on charges of gross human rights violations, graft and corruption, bribery and electoral fraud. Rep. Luz Ilagan, a human rights lawyer who is known to be a staunch advocate for women's rights in the Philippines, has been a reliable supporter of migrant women's issues in the US, the human trafficking of the Sentosa 27 nurses and the deceased NYC domestic worker, Fely Garcia.
"We are deeply concerned that Luz Ilagan was one of the main targets of the bombing," states Valerie Francisco, Secretary General of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment in New York City. Francisco continues, "In light of her endorsement of the impeachment charges filed against President Arroyo, this attack could be another tactic to deter the impeachment proceedings and quell the people's voice."
Progressive groups are concerned that the recent bombing of the House of Representatives as well as the bombing at Glorietta Mall earlier this year are reminiscent of pre-Martial Law conditions in the Philippines and will be used as an excuse to further curtail civil liberties. Although government officials are quick to call this an act of terror, the U.S. national women's alliance questions the timing of this attack and hold the Philippine government accountable for a thorough investigation, including the possibility of state terrorism.
"The recent Batasan bombing is the latest chapter in Malacanang's larger scheme to justify full-implementation of Martial Law. US-based Filipinos played a big role in condemning Marcos during the dictatorship. Filipino-Americans of today will show the same conviction against GMA's administration," states Bernadette Ellorin, Bayan USA Secretary General.
A U.N. Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston issued a report to the United Nations in August on the state of human rights violations in the Philippines under the current administration claimed that the military was in a "state of denial" about its role in the more then 900 political killings since GMA came into power in 2001. As indicated in the recent bombing, even those of the congressional body are not immune to these human rights violations.
There is grave concern over the amount of U.S. military aid provided to the Philippines in the U.S. Senate bill, which is three times the $11.1 million originally requested by the State Department for FY 2008. Increasing the amount of aid by $19million over the State Department's request has already sent a message to the Philippine Government that the U.S. supports the Philippine's counter insurgency strategy cited in the U.N. Rapporteur's report as the cause of so many human rights abuses.
A national day of action via candle light vigil will take place on Thursday, November 15th to honor and remember the victims of the Batasan Bombing and to pay tribute to the countless lives that have fallen victim to state terror in the Philippines. The U.S. based Filipino women's alliance stands in solidarity with GABRIELA in the Philippines and the progressive people's movement to call for an independent probe of the Batasan Blast and to seek justice for Marcial Tuadlo, a victim to the explosion.
Los Angeles:
Exact time to be announced
In front of Philippine Consulate
3600 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
New York:
6pm
In front of Philippine Consulate
556 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Contact Person: Valerie Francisco (925) 726-5768
San Francisco:
5:30pm
In front of the Philippine Consulate
447 Sutter St. (cross street is Powell)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Seattle:
5:30pm
Westlake Plaza
4th & Pine Dowtown Seattle
Seattle, WA 98101
####
FiRE, babae and Pinay sa Seattle represent the women's sector of BAYAN-USA, an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S.representing groups of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. As the only international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines) , BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. who are committed to undoing over 500 years of colonial rule and to bringing freedom and justice to the people of the Philippines.
November 14, 2007
Media Contact:
Valerie Francisco, Secretary General,
Email: fire.nyc@gmail. com
Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), NY
Marisa Mariano, Chair, babae, San Francisco
Email: info@babaesf. org
Donna Denina, Vice Chair, Pinay sa Seattle
Email: pinayinfo@gmail. com
Pinay sa Seattle, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE) NY and babae SF denounce the bombing of the south wing of Batasan Pambansa (House of Representatives) in Quezon City, Philippines and condemn the systematic acts of state terror perpetrated by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Administration. The U.S. based progressive Filipino women's alliance calls for an immediate independent probe to bring justice to the innocent lives lost during this heinous crime.
The bombing occurred last Tuesday night at about 8:30pm which claimed the lives Marcial Talbo, driver of GABRIELA Partylist Representative Luz Ilagan, Basilan Representative Wahab Akbar and congressional staff member Maan Gale Bustalino. There were 11 others who sustained injuries, including Representative Ilagan and Mike Lim, the driver of another GABRIELA Women's Partylist Representative, Liza Maza.
The explosion at the House of Representatives happened as the day's legislative session was ending. Rep. Luz Ilagan and other progressive partylist members filed an impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macagapagal Arroyo on charges of gross human rights violations, graft and corruption, bribery and electoral fraud. Rep. Luz Ilagan, a human rights lawyer who is known to be a staunch advocate for women's rights in the Philippines, has been a reliable supporter of migrant women's issues in the US, the human trafficking of the Sentosa 27 nurses and the deceased NYC domestic worker, Fely Garcia.
"We are deeply concerned that Luz Ilagan was one of the main targets of the bombing," states Valerie Francisco, Secretary General of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment in New York City. Francisco continues, "In light of her endorsement of the impeachment charges filed against President Arroyo, this attack could be another tactic to deter the impeachment proceedings and quell the people's voice."
Progressive groups are concerned that the recent bombing of the House of Representatives as well as the bombing at Glorietta Mall earlier this year are reminiscent of pre-Martial Law conditions in the Philippines and will be used as an excuse to further curtail civil liberties. Although government officials are quick to call this an act of terror, the U.S. national women's alliance questions the timing of this attack and hold the Philippine government accountable for a thorough investigation, including the possibility of state terrorism.
"The recent Batasan bombing is the latest chapter in Malacanang's larger scheme to justify full-implementation of Martial Law. US-based Filipinos played a big role in condemning Marcos during the dictatorship. Filipino-Americans of today will show the same conviction against GMA's administration," states Bernadette Ellorin, Bayan USA Secretary General.
A U.N. Special Rapporteur, Philip Alston issued a report to the United Nations in August on the state of human rights violations in the Philippines under the current administration claimed that the military was in a "state of denial" about its role in the more then 900 political killings since GMA came into power in 2001. As indicated in the recent bombing, even those of the congressional body are not immune to these human rights violations.
There is grave concern over the amount of U.S. military aid provided to the Philippines in the U.S. Senate bill, which is three times the $11.1 million originally requested by the State Department for FY 2008. Increasing the amount of aid by $19million over the State Department's request has already sent a message to the Philippine Government that the U.S. supports the Philippine's counter insurgency strategy cited in the U.N. Rapporteur's report as the cause of so many human rights abuses.
A national day of action via candle light vigil will take place on Thursday, November 15th to honor and remember the victims of the Batasan Bombing and to pay tribute to the countless lives that have fallen victim to state terror in the Philippines. The U.S. based Filipino women's alliance stands in solidarity with GABRIELA in the Philippines and the progressive people's movement to call for an independent probe of the Batasan Blast and to seek justice for Marcial Tuadlo, a victim to the explosion.
Los Angeles:
Exact time to be announced
In front of Philippine Consulate
3600 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90010
New York:
6pm
In front of Philippine Consulate
556 Fifth Avenue
New York, NY 10036
Contact Person: Valerie Francisco (925) 726-5768
San Francisco:
5:30pm
In front of the Philippine Consulate
447 Sutter St. (cross street is Powell)
San Francisco, CA 94108
Seattle:
5:30pm
Westlake Plaza
4th & Pine Dowtown Seattle
Seattle, WA 98101
####
FiRE, babae and Pinay sa Seattle represent the women's sector of BAYAN-USA, an alliance of progressive Filipino groups in the U.S.representing groups of students, scholars, women, workers, and youth. As the only international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Philippines) , BAYAN-USA serves as an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the Philippines and as a campaign center for anti-imperialist Filipinos in the U.S. who are committed to undoing over 500 years of colonial rule and to bringing freedom and justice to the people of the Philippines.
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