Southern Tagalog 72: The Mindoro Case

Lawyer ,Remigio Saladero Jr, Recalls Illegal Arrest, Detention

2009-05-26T03:46:00.000-07:00

Lawyer Recalls Illegal Arrest, Detention from Bulatlat on Vimeo.

Supreme Court junks Atty. Saladero's amparo petition

2009-03-18T04:19:00.000-07:00

source: gmanews.tv

The Supreme Court has denied the amparo petition filed by human rights lawyer and suspected communist rebel Remigio Saladero Jr. on the ground that a criminal case has already been filed against him.

“Considering that a criminal action has been commenced against petitioner, the Court resolved to deny the instant petition for non-compliance with the Rule on the writ of amparo,” the court said in its minute resolution.

In the same resolution, the court also turned down Saladero’s request to stop government authorities from arresting him in connection with arson, multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges filed against him.

Police arrested Saladero, counsel for the militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno, on October 28, 2008 in his Antipolo office on allegations that he was a member of the New People’s Army (NPA) involved in a string of criminal offenses. He was released last February 5.

In his petition before the tribunal, Saladero claimed he has been deprived of due process, liberty and security when law enforcers arrested him based on trumped-up charges.

Named respondents in the suit were Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, National Police chief Director General Jesus Versoza, Armed Forces chief Gen. Alexander Yano, Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (Isafp) chief Romeo Prestoza, and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr.

Also named respondents were Provincial Prosecutors Josephine Caranzo-Olivar of Oriental Mindoro and Edgardo Bautista of Rizal province, who issued an order for his arrest in connection with the cases filed against him.

Newly Freed Lawyer, Activists Slapped Anew With Murder Raps

2009-02-17T06:30:00.000-08:00

source: bulatlat.com

Barely a week after labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, Jr. and five other activists from Southern Tagalog were released from prison, another murder case has been filed against them.

Barely a week after labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, Jr. and six other activists from Southern Tagalog were released from prison, another murder case has been filed against them.

Saladero, chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May First Movement); Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of Labor Education Advocacy Development Response Services (LEADERS); Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka or Farmers’ Federation in Cavite); Nestor San Jose, leader of the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (Starter); Crispin Zapanta, member of Bayan Muna (People First); Arnaldo Seminiano, organizer of the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa (IBM or Light and Unity of Workers); and Leonardo Arceta, a labor organizer, were released Feb. 5 after Judge Manuel C. Luna, Jr. of Branch 39 of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court quashed the amended information in the multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder charges against the seven activists.

The seven were among the 72 respondents to the charges in connection with the March 3, 2006 ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) against policemen in Calapan City. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In a statement, Maricel, Saladero’s wife and spokesperson of Free Atty. Saladero et al Coalition said that a friend of his husband informed them about another murder case, this time filed in Rodriguez, Rizal province, against the labor lawyer and four other activists.

“We haven’t thanked yet those who supported us in the campaign for his release and here is another case,” Maricel lamented.

New murder case

The case involved the killing of Ricky Garmino, 37 and a member of Citizens Armed Forces Geographical Unit (Cafgu) in Rizal, allegedly by elements of the Narciso Antazo Aramil Command of the NPA on July 29, 2008.

Except for Seminiano of IBM-KMU, the other Mindoro detainees such as San Jose, Galit, Zapanta and Dioneda, and the rest of 72 Southern Tagalog activists were implicated in the new Rizal murder case.

In a sworn statement dated July 30, 2008, Adelia Garmino, victim’s wife and complainant alleged that she saw her husband tied and being taken outside their house away by more or less 30 men in soldier’s uniform and some were in civilian clothes. While her husband was struggling he was shot by men whom she alleged as NPA.

In a separate statement, a certain Braulio Tambong y Bustamante said that on Aug.1, 2008, men and women who introduced themselves as soldiers went inside the yard and killed Garmino. Bustamante said Garmino always mentioned the names of Saladero and other Southern Tagalog activists during their conversations.

Ronnie Garmino, the victim’s brother, claimed that the victim was visited thrice by some elements of the NPA and that he was able to remember almost all of their faces.

Ronnie narrated that around 1 p.m. of July 29, he saw his brother who was tied up and being carried to a stream where he was hiding. He claimed further that the two men carrying his brother were San Jose and Romie Aguilar, and the one who shot Ricky at his left shoulder was Julio Atienza.

Aguilar is a leader of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Rizal who is now in a wheelchair due to diabetes.

According to Ronnie, there were about 20 NPA rebels who accompanied Atienza in killing his brother. He identified the 70 names and their alleged aliases, in the same order as they were written in the information for the Mindoro multiple murder and frustrated cases. The case is filed at the Rizal Provincial Prosecutor’s Office in Pasig City.

Incredible coincidence

Daisy Arago, executive director of the Quezon city-based labor rights organization, Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) and convener of Free Atty Saladero et al Coalition, “”For a fulltime lawyer, a columnist, resource person in paralegal training, a diabetic and survivor of two strokes, such allegations against Atty. Saladero are incredibly unbelievable if not plain stupid. You see a pattern here, all the 72 accused except for two persons are the same respondents in the Rizal murder case. This is an incredible coincidence, if you can call it that.”

“It is really absurd that human rights defenders like Atty. Saladero and five others get arrested and detained for several months for trumped up charges, released on technical grounds only to be surprised by another murder case linked to an alleged NPA activity in another province and forced to live a life on the run,” Arago added.

Before the filing of charges in relation to the Mindoro incident, Saladero and 26 other activists were slapped with arson, destruction of property and conspiracy to commit rebellion in connection with the burning of Globe telecommunications towers allegedly by the NPA in Batangas on August 3, 2008. The 27 were also accused in the Mindoro case.

The CTUHR reported that on Feb. 11, police mobile patrol cars drove around Saladero’s office at E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City. Tinted vehicles and motorcycles without plate numbers frequented the area. Suspicious-looking men watching the entrance and clients going inside and outside the office were spotted.

Writ of amparo

Lawyer Noel Neri, Saladero’s counsel and colleague at the PLACE, said, “They will continue and will surely find way to detain them again.”

Saladero and other activists filed a petition for writ of amparo at the Supreme Court, Feb. 16.

Atty. Saladero humiling ng writ of amparo sa korte

2009-02-17T06:27:00.000-08:00

source: pinoyweekly.org

NAGSAMPA ng petisyon para sa writ of amparo sa Korte Suprema si Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel ng Kilusang Mayo Uno at kolumnista ng Pinoy Weekly, na nahaharap sa panibagong kasong murder mahigit isang linggo pa lamang matapos mapalaya sa bilangguan.

Ayon kay Maricel Saladero, asawa ng abogado at tagapagsalita ng Free Atty. Saladero et. al. Coalition, sinisimulan pa lamang ulit ni Atty. Saladero na magtrabaho sa kanyang opisina sa Quezon City nang sabihang may kaso laban sa kanya na isinampa sa Rodriguez, Rizal.

May kinalaman ang kaso sa pagpatay kay Ricky Garmino, 37-anyos na miyembro ng Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) diumano ng Narciso Antazo Aramil Command ng New People's Army noong Hulyo 29, 2008.

Akusado rin sa nasabing kaso ang iba pang mga lider-aktibista ng Timog Katagalugan na sinampahan ng umano'y gawa-gawang kriminal na mga kaso.

Noong Pebrero 5, pansamantalang pinalaya si Atty. Saladero at kapwa mga detenido sa Mindoro Provincial Jail na sina Arnaldo Seminiano, Nestor San Jose, Rogelio Galit, Crispin Zapanta, at Emmanuel Dionida.

Inaresto sila sa kasong multiple murder at multiple frustrated murder kaugnay ng pananambang diumano ng mga NPA sa Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental noong 2006.

"Para sa isang abogado, kolumnista, resource person sa mga pagsasanay na paralegal, diabetic, at survivor ng dalawang stroke, hindi kapani-paniwala ang mga alegasyon laban kay Atty. Saladero. Makakakita ka ng pattern. Yung 72 pa rin, maliban sa dalawa, ang akusado sa kasong murder sa Rizal," ayon kay Daisy Arago, executive director ng Center for Trade Union and Human Rights.

Dagdag pa ni Arago, bahagi pa rin ang kaso ng pampulitikang persekusyon ng gobyernong Arroyo sa mga aktibista.

Ayon kay Atty. Noel Neri ng Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center, "Gagawa at gagawa sila (gobyerno) ng paraan para muling madetine sina Atty. Saladero."

Sa kabila ng panghaharas sa kanya, patuloy pa ring nagsusulat ng kolum sa Pinoy Weekly si Atty. Saladero. Noong Pebrero 13, inilunsad ang aklat niyang pinamagatang Husgahan Natin, kalipunan ng mga kolum hinggil sa mga isyu at kasong manggagawa simula 2002.

Detained Activists Freed, Mull Counter Charges

2009-02-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

source: By Ronalyn V. Olea | human Rights Watch | bulatlat.com

February 07, 2009. Seven detained activists slapped with murder charges were ordered released, February 5. Now released from detention, they are planning to file counter charges against state security forces and state prosecutors who were responsible for their arrest.

Released from detention at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Jail are Remigio Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May First Movement); Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of Labor Education Advocacy Development Response Services (LEADERS); Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka or Farmers’ Federation in Cavite).

Nestor San Jose, leader of the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (Starter); Crispin Zapanta, member of Bayan Muna (People First); Arnaldo Seminiano, organizer of the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa (IBM or Light and Unity of Workers); and Leonardo Arceta, a labor organizer, were also released.

The seven were among the 72 respondents to three multiple murder and three frustrated multiple murder cases filed in relation to a March 3, 2006 ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) against policemen in Calapan City. The NPA is the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

Court decision

In his decision, Judge Manuel C. Luna, Jr. of Branch 39 of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court quashed the amended information in the case against the 72 activists. Luna pointed out that the rules of court requires that a complaint or information must charge but one offense.

In a press conference Febuary 6, Saladero said, “Nakita ng judge na hindi marunong gumawa ng kaso ang prosecutor. Pinagsama ang anim na kaso sa isang information.” (The judge was able to see that the prosecutor did not know how to file charges. Six charges were filed based on one information.)

In an interview with Bulatlat, Lawyer Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) said of the court decision, “Kahit paano, masaya. Nakalaya na sila.” (Somehow, we are happy. They have been freed.)

Pastores added though that they find the basis for the court decision lacking. “In the first place, the case is fabricated. The judge could have dismissed it for lack of probable cause.”

Pastores said the PILC will file a motion for partial reconsideration. “The case is not yet dismissed. The information may be re-filed.”

Counter charges

Saladero said they will file counter charges against the arresting officers.

He said all of them were deprived of their rights provided for in the Miranda doctrine. He added that all of them were served with defective warrants of arrest containing misspelled names and incorrect addresses.

Saladero recalled that it took five to six hours after his arrest before he was accorded his right to a phone call. He was arrested on October 23, 2008 from his home in Antipolo City, Rizal.

He added that the police took away his laptop, the central processing unit of his computer and their family album. “Pagnanakaw na ang kanilang ginawa.” (What they did was already looting.)

Saladero asserted, “Dapat matanim sa isip ng mga pulis na may karapatan din ang mga inaaresto. At ang paglabag sa karapatang iyan ay may kaukulang parusa.” (The police should inculcate in their minds that suspects have rights, too. And a violation of any of those rights has a corresponding punishment.)

Meanwhile, Pastores said they will consider filing administrative charges against the public prosecutors. “They did not study the case. There were many irregularities such as in the conduct of preliminary investigation.”

Pastores said the counter charges will teach the prosecutors a lesson.

Abolish IALAG

Saladero said further, “Nakita natin kung paano gamitin ng rehimeng Arroyo ang ligal na proseso para sa iligal na bagay. Nakita natin ang kabulukan ng sistema na matagal na naming sinasabi.” (We witnessed how the Arroyo regime utilized the legal process for illegal purposes. We witnessed the rottenness of the system that we have long been exposing.)

Speaking at the press conference, Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis (Toiling Masses) secretary general, called anew for the abolition of the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG). Created by virtue of Executive Order 493, which was issued on January 17, 2006, the IALAG is headed by National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales. The task of the IALAG, said Clemente, is to legally harass and file cases against leaders and members of mass organizations.

Clemente said the cases filed against the Batasan 6, Tagaytay 5 and Southern Tagalog 72 are the handiwork of the IALAG. In 2006, rebellion charges were filed against party-list representatives Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño, Joel Virador, Liza Maza, Rafael Mariano and the late Crispin Beltran; they were collectively called the Batasan 6. The Supreme Court ordered the dismissal of the cases against the Batasan 6, in June 2007, for lack of probable cause and due process. The High Court castigated Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales for lack of impartiality, stating that there was “obvious involvement of political considerations…” in the filing of cases against the Batasan 6.

The Tagaytay 5 are peasant organizers Axel Pinpin, Riel Custodio and Aristides Sarmiento, and cockfighting aficionados Enrico Ybañez and Michael Masayes. They were also charged with rebellion in 2006 and were released from detention in August last year after the court deemed that the arrest and detention of the five was illegal.

“Buwagin ang grupong ito,” (Abolish this group.) Clemente said. She added, “Buksan ang mga pinto ng kulungan para palayain ang iba pang detinidong pulitikal.” (Open the gates of prison and free all political prisoners.

More determined

All seven newly-released detainees expressed determination to continue their political activities.

Saladero said he will get back to work immediately. Their office, the Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE), handles 700 labor cases.

Labor organizer Seminiano said, “Hindi kami natatakot. Patuloy namin ipaglalaban ang aming karapatang mag-organisa ng mga manggagawa.” (We are not afraid. We will continue to fight for our right to organize our fellow workers.)

Dionida said the Filipino people must remain vigilant. “Desperado ang rehimeng ito na supilin ang mamamayan.” (This regime is desperate in suppressing the people.)

San Jose said, “Kahit anong patakaran ni Gloria, Oplan Bantay Laya o IALAG, hindi kayang pigilin ang paglaban ng mamamayan. Lalo pa ngayon sa pagbulusok ng ekonomiya, lalong lalakas ang paglaban ng mamamayan.” (Whatever policy Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo implements, whether its Operation Freedom Watch or IALAG, the government could never stop the struggle of the people.)

“Magpupursigi pa kaming lalo,” (We will persevere even more.) San Jose said.

Atty. Saladero at mga lider-aktibista sa Timog Katagalugan, nakalaya na

2009-02-06T07:05:00.000-08:00

source: www.pinoyweekly.org

NAKALAYA na kahapon, Pebrero 5, si Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) at kolumnista ng Pinoy Weekly, mula sa Calapan City Provincial Jail matapos ang tatlong buwan na pagkakakulong.

Kasama niyang nakalaya ang lima pang kasama niyang inaresto at ikinulong na sina Nestor San Jose, Crispin Zapanta, Rogelio Galit, Emmanuel Dionida at Arnaldo Seminiano, pawang mga lider ng makabayang mga organisasyon sa Timog Katagalugan.

Naganap ang mga pag-aresto sa pagitan ng Oktubre 23 hanggang Noyembre 6 noong nakaraang taon.

Samantala, nakalaya rin si Leonardo Arceta, lider-manggagawa sa Laguna, na dinakip noong lamang Lunes, Enero 2.

Matatandaang bahagi sina Atty. Saladero ng tinaguriang Southern Tagalog 72 (ST 72), mga lider ng mga organisasyon ng magsasaka at manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan na simanpahan ng anila’y “gawa-gawang mga kaso” noong Oktubre ng nakaraang taon.

Kabilang sa mga kasong sinampa ang frustrated murder at multiple frustrated murder kaugnay umano ng kanilang pananambang sa kapulisan at pagpapasabog ng mga cell site sa Batangas at Mindoro.

Sa mga naunang pahayag ni Atty. Saladero, ilegal ang pagkaka-aresto sa kanila. Gayundin, depektibo ang mga kaso, maging ang paraan kung paano ito isinampa laban sa kanila.

Inilabas ng Mindoro Oriental Regional Trial Court ang release order ni Atty. Saladero at anim pang aktibista, tanghali ng Pebrero 5.

Sinang-ayunan ng nasabing korte ang pahayag ng abogado na hindi maaaring pasama-samahin ang iba’t iba pagkakasala, halimbawa ang frustrated murder at multiple frustrated murder, sa iisang kaso.

Kayan naman nagbigay-daan din ang korte sa sinampang motion to quash the information ng grupo nina Atty. Saldero.

Ayon sa Executive Vice President ng KMU na si Joselito Ustarez, titiyakin nilang “ganap na ang paglaya nina Atty. Saladero at maibabasura na ang gawa-gawang mga kaso sa kanila.” Bagama’t nakalaya na sina Atty. Saladero ay hindi pa rin binabasura ang mga kasong kriminal laban sa ST 72.

Ayon naman kay Joel Manglunsod ng Anakpawis Party-list, ang paglaya nina Atty. Saladero ay “tanda ng paunang tagumpay ng mga mamamayan laban sa terorismo ng Estado.” Gayundin, ani Maglunsod, “tagumpay ito ng mga nakikipaglaban para sa karapatang pantao.”

Kaugnay nito, maglulusad ang Anakpawis at iba pang makabayang mga organisasyon ng mas matinding kampanya laban sa Oplan Bantay Laya 2 na target umano ang mga legal na aktibista gaya nila.

Nananawagan din ang grupo sa paglansag sa Inter-agency Legal Action Group na siya umanong nasa likod ng “paggamit ng batas upang supilin ang nagtatanggol ng karapatan ng mamamayan at lumalaban sa mapanupil na gobyerno.”

Ayon kay Atty. Saladero, masaya siya ngayong nakalaya na sila at mahaharap na muli ang mga usapin ng mga managawa laluna sa kasalukuyang panahon na talamak ang tanggalan sa mga pagawaan.

Court Orders Release of Labor Lawyer, 6 Other Activists

2009-02-05T18:17:00.001-08:00

source: by Alexander Martin Remollino | Bulatlat.com

(February 05, 2009) BREAKING NEWS! Judge Tomas Leynes of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court, Branch 40 issued this afternoon a release order for labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, Jr. and six other activists from Southern Tagalog who have been detained at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial jail for almost three months now while facing criminal charges.

Leynes ordered the release of the seven activists on the ground that citing multiple alleged crimes under a single case is not permissible.

Last October, 72 persons – many of them leaders of cause-oriented groups in Southern Tagalog – were slapped with multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges in relation to a March 3, 2006 ambush by the New People’s Army (NPA) against policemen in Calapan City.

Saladero – a lawyer at the Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE), a founding member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL), the chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement), and a columnist of the alternative newspaper Pinoy Weekly – was among seven persons who were arrested and, subsequently, detained at the Oriental Mindoro Provincial Jail on the basis of these charges. The others are Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of Labor Education Advocacy Development Response Services (LEADERS) and a polio victim who has long been confined to a wheelchair; Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of the Kalipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka or Farmers’ Federation in Cavite); Nestor San Jose, leader of the Southern Tagalog Transport Sector Organization (Starter); Crispin Zapanta, member of Bayan Muna (People First); and Arnaldo Seminiano, organizer of the Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa (IBM or Light and Unity of Workers) and Leonardo Arceta, a KMU organizer.

Other respondents include the following:

Armando Albarillo, secretary-general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance)-Southern Tagalog and signatory to the 2008 impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo; Bayani Cambronero, eighth nominee and Southern Tagalog regional coordinator of Bayan Muna; Doris Cuario, secretary-general of Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights)-Southern Tagalog; Helen Asdolo, secretary-general of GABRIELA-Southern Tagalog, Luz Baculo, secretary-general of Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (Pamantik or Unity of Workers in Southern Tagalog) and member of KMU’s National Council;

Orly Marcellana, secretary general of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK or Confederation of Peasant Organizations in Southern Tagalog) and chairman of Bayan-Southern Tagalog; Romeo Legaspi, chairman of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (Pamantik or Unity of Workers in Southern Tagalog); Rolando Mingo, president of Starter and vice president of the Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (Piston); Dina Captillo, spokesperson of Karapatan-Batangas;

Renato Alvarez, Kamagsasaka-Ka chairman; Romeo Aguilar, organizer of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Rizal; and Pedro Santos, Jr., secretary-general of Anakbayan-Southern Tagalog and regional coordinator of Kabataan Party.

Southern Tagalog labor organizer nabbed

2009-02-02T04:54:00.000-08:00

By Maricar Cinco, Southern Luzon Bureau, Inquirer.net

(February 02, 2009) BREAKING NEWS! CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna – A labor organizer suspected of being one of the 72 Southern Tagalog militants facing charges in connection with an alleged ambush by communist rebels in March 2006 was arrested early Sunday, an official of a militant labor group said on Monday.

Leonardo Arceta, 51, was arrested at around 2 a.m. Sunday inside a friend's house in Westdrive Subdivision, Barangay (village) Labas, Sta. Rosa City, by around 10 policemen, said Hermie Marasigan, executive vice-president of the Organized Labor Association in Line Industries and Agriculture-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Olalia-KMU).

Arceta was arrested along with Jessa Brillon, house owner, and her 5-year-old daughter, but Brillon and the child were released two hours later while Arceta remained in detention at Camp Vicente Lim, added Marasigan.

Superintendent Josemarte Paras, Calabarzon regional police public information chief, confirmed Arceta's arrest but did not give details, only saying that an investigation was ongoing.

Arceta's brother Rudy, 49, who immediately went to the camp to verify the arrest, said it was an illegal arrest since the name on the arrest warrant and list of the so-called Southern Tagalog 72 said "Rey Arceta."

"That's not him," he said, insisting that his brother was Leonardo and that the arrest warrant was "misguided."

"We just want to see and talk to him for us to have peace of mind. We want to know where they will take him," Rudy said.

In a statement, Marasigan said Arceta was a legitimate organizer of Olalia-KMU.

Others in the list of ST 72 included Remigio Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel of the KMU, who has been detained since October 23 last year.

The 72 are facing charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with the ambush.

Lider-manggagawa sa Laguna, dinakip

2009-02-02T04:31:00.000-08:00

source:www.pinoyweekly.org

(February 02, 2009) BREAKING NEWS! Inaresto kaninang madaling araw si Leonardo B. Arceta, lider-manggagawa ng Organized Labor Association in Line Industries and Agriculture-Kilusang Mayo Uno (OLALIA-KMU) na nakabase sa Laguna.

Ayon sa ulat ng Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK), inaresto ng mga pulis si Arceta bandang alas-dos ng madaling araw sa Westdrive Subdivision, Barangay Labas, Santa Rosa City, Laguna. Sinama din ng mga pulis si Jessa Brillon at ang kanyang 5 gulang na anak. Dinala sila sa Sta. Rosa City Police Station.

Pagkatapos umanong palayain ang tatlo ay dinala naman si Arceta sa Camp Vicente Lim sa Calamba.

Sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pa malinaw kung bakit inaresto si Arceta.

Ayon kay Hermie Marasigan, executive director ng Olalia-KMU, “lehitimong kasapi” si Arceta ng nasabing grupo. Inuugnay ng grupo ang pangyayari sa maigting na kampanya ng mga manggagawa laban sa malawakang tanggalan na nagaganap sa Timog Katagalugan.

Sa mga ulat, lumalabas na ang rehiyong ito ang may pinakamalaking datos ng tanggalan ng trabaho. Sa taya ng PAMANTIK, maaaring umabot ng 40,000 ang bilang ng mga manggagawang matatangal sa trabaho sa loob ng 6 na buwan.

Kabilang sa mga nagtanggal ng mga manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan ay ang EMI-Yasaki sa Imus, Cavite, Integrated Microelectronics Incorporated at Amkor Technology Incorporated sa Laguna Technopark sa Biñan, Laguna.

Sa kasalukuyan ay hindi pinapayagan ng mga pulis na makausap si Arceta ng kanyang mga kasamahan sa organisasyon.

Kaugnay ng pangyayari, magsasagawa ng kilos-protesta ang OLALIA-KMU at iba pang organisasyon ng mga manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan upang kundenahin ang pag-aresto kay Arceta at sa malawakang tanggalan sa rehiyon.

Kahalagahan ng preliminary investigation

2009-01-07T07:52:00.000-08:00

Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr. | pinoyweekly.org

SINASABI ng batas na bago sampahan ng kaso sa husgado ang isang tao, kailangang dumaan muna siya sa tinatawag na preliminary investigation. Napakahalaga ng prosesong ito. Ito ang yugto kung kailan gumagawa ng imbestigasyon ang prosecutor (taga-usig) kung ang isang reklamo ay makatotohanan ba at dapat bang isampa sa husgado.

Ginagawa ng prosecutor ang imbestigasyong ito sa pamamagitan ng masusing pag-aaral sa ebidensiya ng bawa’t panig. Una muna ay tinitingnan niya ang salaysay ng nagrereklamo. Pangalawa ay pinapadalhan niya ng kopya ng demanda ang inirereklamo at binibigyan ang huli ng pagkakataong magbigay ng kanyang kontra-salaysay. Pagkatapos ay pag-aaralan niya ang salaysay ng nagrereklamo at kontra-salaysay ng inirereklamo at kung tingin niya ay may posibilidad na totoo ang reklamo, saka pa lamang siya gagawa ng information o pormal na habla para sa husgado. Pagdating sa husgado, muling pag-aaralan ng hukom ang papeles ng kaso at kung tingin niya ay tama ang prosecutor, saka pa lamang siya maglalabas ng warrant of arrest.

Tulad ng nasabi ko na, napakahalaga ng preliminary investigation. Sa pamamagitan nito ay nasasala ang mga kasong dapat isampa sa husgado at naiiwasan ang pagsampa ng mga kasong walang kabuluhan o walang kaebi-ebidensiya.

May mga pagkakataon na hindi na kailangang dumaan sa preliminary investigation ang isang kaso. Tulad halimbawa, kung nahuli ka ng mga awtoridad sa akto ng pagsagawa ng isang krimen. Dito, puwede nang magsampa ng pormal na habla ang prosecutor na hindi dadaan sa preliminary investigation. O di kaya, kung minor offenses lamang ang habla o iyong mga krimeng hindi lalampas sa apat na taon at dalawang buwan lamang ng pagkakulong ang parusa. Hindi na rin kailangan ang preliminary investigation sa pagkakataong ito.

Subalit sa iba pang uri ng mga kaso, tulad halimbawa ng murder, robbery, kidnapping, o mga kaso sa droga, basta’t hindi sa akto nahuli ang nasasakdal, kailangan ang preliminary investigation. At hindi basta lamang preliminary investigation. Kailangang ang preliminary investigation na ito ay mahigpit na sumusunod sa tamang proseso at hindi “moro-moro” lamang.

Sa kasong “Vicente P. Ladlad, et.al. vs. Senior State Prosecutor Emmanuel Velasco, et.al.” (G.R. No. 172070-72) na denisisyunan ng Korte Suprema noong Hunyo 1, 2007, hindi sinunod ng prosecutor ang tamang proseso sa pagsagawa ng preliminary investigation. Hindi pinanumpaan ng mga pulis na testigo ang kanilang salaysay sa harap ng prosecutor. Mayroong isang testigo na nanumpa sa harap ng prosecutor ngunit siya ay nakamaskara. Pagkatapos niya manumpa, binigay ng prosecutor ang kanyang salaysay sa mga kasapi ng mass media na nandoon, hindi sa mga akusado.

Nagreklamo ang mga akusado sa Department of Justice kung bakit ganoon ang proseso ngunit hindi sila pinakinggan. Napilitan silang dalhin sa Korte Suprema ang kaso.

Pinanigan ng Korte Suprema ang mga akusado. Sinabi ng Korte Suprema na mali ang proseso ng preliminary investigation na isinagawa ng prosecutor at kung baga, para itong palabas o “moro-moro” lamang. Ito ay lumalabag sa karapatan sa “due process” ng mga akusado. Napakahalaga ng prosesong ito, paliwanag ng Korte Suprema, dahil dito pa lamang malalaman na kung dapat isampa sa kortre ang isang kaso o hindi. Dahil sa pagbabalewala nito ng prosecutor, depektibo ang kasong isinampa nito sa korte at dapat lamang itong ibasura. Kaya, pinawalang bisa ng Korte Suprema ang kasong isinampa laban sa mga akusado.

Bakit ito naman ang napili kong pag-usapan sa ating kolum ngayon, mga mambabasa? Sapagkat tulad ng kaso nina Vicente Ladlad ay hindi rin dumaan sa tamang preliminary investigation ang aming kaso. At tulad sa kaso ni Vicente Ladlad, et.al. at iba pang kaso kung saan napahiya ang rehimeng Arroyo ay umaasa rin kaming ibabasura ng husgado ang aming kaso.

Arrested Human Rights Lawyer Yet To Have His Day in Court

2009-01-02T22:48:00.000-08:00

by Arthur L. Allad-iw | rightsreporting.net

BAGUIO CITY – Lawmakers in the House of Representatives have filed a resolution to investigate the arrest and continuing detention of human rights and labor lawyer Remigio Saladero Jr.

And in another related development, the Asian Network of Indigenous Lawyers (ANIL) is bringing the case to the UN Secretary-General’s special representative on human rights’ defenders while urging the Philippine government to order the release of the 49-year-old lawyer who was arrested in Oriental Mindoro over what his supporters claim are trumped-up charges.

Human Rights Watch has already claimed the arrest to be ‘politically motivated.’ Elaine Pearson, its Asia Division deputy director has said the arrest ‘smacks of harassment pure and simple.” The Commission on Human Rights has also reportedly recently started its own investigation into the case.

Interviewed this week by the Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project, Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo said that Philippine lawmakers have filed House Resolution No. 887 which directs the House Committee on Human Rights to conduct an inquiry into the arrest and detention of Saladero.

“It was already referred to the Committee on Human Rights but no hearing is yet set,” Ocampo added, when interviewed via phone on December 16 while attending the Congress Bicameral meeting for the 2009 budget.

Saladero Jr. was arrested on October 23 inside his office in Antipolo City by combined elements of the Antipolo police and military intelligence group 4A of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP), stated Resolution No. 887 which was filed on November 27 with Representatives Teodoro Casino, Liza Maza, Luzviminda Ilagan, and Rafael Mariano.

Saladero who is reportedly being held in Calapan City jail in Oriental Mindoro in southern Luzon, counts many trade union and human rights activists among his clients as well as those charged with being suspected members of the New People’s Army.

“The trumped-up charges against Saladero appear to be an attempt to intimidate other lawyers of the Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE) for handling around 700 labor, human rights, civil and administrative cases, including controversial labor cases of Hacienda Luisita and Nestle Philippines,” claims Ocampo.

Hacienda Luisita is the 5,000-hectare hacienda in Tarlac in central Luzon owned and controlled by the family of former president Corazon Aquino. Nestle Philippines meanwhile used to be co-owned by San Miguel Corporation, the country’s largest food and beverage company led by Aquino’s first cousin, businessman Eduardo Cojuangco Jr.

Genesis of the charges

Multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder charges were filed against Saladero and 71 co-accused based on claims that Saladero and others were involved in an NPA ambush against military forces in 2006 in Oriental Mindoro.

Judge Tomas Leynes of the Regional Trial Court Branch 40 of Calapan issued a warrant of arrest for Saladero on October 8.

Saladero’s lawyer Noel Neri claimed they have already filed motions to quash the warrant and dismiss the case. A hearing was originally scheduled on December 11 but was reportedly postponed to allow more time to prepare the case against him and his co defendants.

According to the Free Attorney Saladero Coalition, there has not been any preliminary investigation. The coalition was formed on November 13 and composed of lawyers, trade unions and human rights groups.

According to court documents, a military agent pointed to Saladero and other activists as among those involved in the 2006 ambush in Oriental Mindoro.

ANIL maintains the Philippine government is contradicting its commitment to the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR) by harassing human rights defenders through “trumped-up” cases filed in court with the sole aim to “silence them from raising human rights issues”.

Composed of human rights lawyers across the region, ANIL has urged the government to “immediately release labor lawyer and newspaper columnist Saladero.”

At least twenty-five lawyers from various countries gathered here for a network conference sponsored by Tebteba Foundation, an indigenous peoples international center for policy research and education.

Babloo Loitongbam, a lawyer based in India, said the background, nature of the charges and the arrest of Saladero are all considered as an attack on human rights defenders as Saladero is working with the realization of human rights.

“We intend to bring the case (of Saladero) to the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on Human Rights Defenders for appropriate action,” said Loitongbam, also the executive director of Human Rights Alert, an NGO rendering legal services to the poor in India.

Worst attack against defender

In a separate interview with the Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project, lawyer Jose Mencio Molintas, an appointed member of the indigenous rights experts group to the United Nations Human Rights Council, condemned the charges against Saladero.

“That is the worst form of attack against human rights defenders, filing trump up cases to silence him on his human rights work and advocacy,” said Molintas who is also national vice-president for Luzon of the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL).

A member of the Ibaloi tribe and a veteran human rights lawyer, Molintas added that Saladero is dedicated to human rights advocacy rendering free legal services to the “poor and oppressed.”

GMA record compared with Marcos

Lawyer Cheryll Datec-Yangot meantime criticized the President for what she claimed was “poor leadership” in regard to the promotion and protection of rights in the Philippines.

“It is a manifestation of the gravity of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s disregard on basic rights,” added Daytec-Yangot, a human rights practicing lawyer in the Cordillera.

“If they can concoct a case against a lawyer and violate his human rights, they can do that to anyone just to stifle dissent on a regime whose record is unprecedented,” Daytec-Yangot said, adding: “(Ferdinand) Marcos’ human rights record pales in comparison with that of Arroyo.”

Attack against press freedom

The lawyer’s arrest has also been roundly condemned by media activists given he also works as a columnist and writes Husgahan Natin (Let Us Judge) on the Pinoy Weekly, a web-based news outfit.

“Saladero was arrested not because he was being suspected as an NPA but because he criticized the government’s inability to address the issues of the labor sector,” claimed Desiree Caluza, secretary-general of the Baguio-Benguet chapter of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.

She added that the government should stop thinking that the arrest of Saladero will stop those who would write and express the issues of the marginalized sectors.

“The will to express and write about the marginalized sectors cannot be curtailed as long as exploitation and oppression continues,” added Caluza who also writes for the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Just doing their job

For their part, the police in Oriental Mindoro claimed that they do not have any grudge against Saladero.

“We were just executing a warrant of arrest issued by a judge in one of the courts,” explained Superintendent Ricardo Padilla, CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police chief.

He added that the police themselves would be in violation of the law if they did not implement a court order.

But Saladero was first reported missing by his next of kin before the police admitted they had arrested him. Saladero’s wife Maricel has repeatedly denied her husband is a member of the NPA and says she fears for her husband’s health behind bars. Philippine Human Rights Reporting Project

(The author is a journalist based in Baguio City and a member of the Kankanaey tribe in the Mountain Province. He writes in a local paper and hosts a television program in a local cable station. He is also an active member of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines.)

Buhay bilanggo sa provincial jail ng Oriental Mindoro

2008-12-15T00:44:00.000-08:00

Atty. Remigio D. Saladero Jr. | pinoyweekly.org

Ang Unang tanong kaagad ng mga kaibigang dumadalaw sa amin dito sa kulungan ay kung maayos ang aming kalagayan. Para mapayapa ang kanilang damdamin, sinasabi naming maayos naman. Subalit nababasa namin sa kanilang mga kilos na para bang hindi sila naniniwala at nagdududa sa aming sinasabi.

Hindi namin sila masisisi. Alam naman ng lahat na sa kalagayan ng mga bilangguan dito sa ating bansa ngayon, imposible para sa isang bilanggo ang maging nasa maayos na kalagayan.

Tulad halimbawa ng aming kinapipiitan ngayon dito sa provincial jail ng Oriental Mindoro. Mahigit 360 kaming lahat na nakabilanggo rito. Sari-sari ang aming mga kaso. Mayroong murder, robbery, rape, at mayroon ding tungkol sa paggamit o pagbenta ng ipinagbabawal na gamot. Ang mahigit 360 bilanggong ito ay nahahati sa mga selda na kung tawagin ay brigade.

Ang aming selda na kung tawagin ay brigade uno, ay may laman na animnapu’t anim (66) na bilanggo. May luwang itong mga 7 x 7 metro kuwadrado kaya wala ka na halos magalawan sa kasikipan nito. Kung may umutot sa mga bilanggo, tiyak na langhap ng buong selda dahil sa kasikipan nito.

Kung problema ang kasikipan, lalong problema ang tulugan. Sa aming selda ay may labinlimang (15) double-deck na higaan na gawa sa kawayan o sa plywood. Ang tawag sa mga higaang ito sa lengguwahe ng mga bilanggo ay tarima. Bawa’t tarima ay dalawang bilanggo ang natutulog kaya’t bale apat lahat ang kasya sa isang double-deck bed. Dahil kami ay animnapu’t anim lahat, hindi sapat ang bilang ng mga higaan o tarima at ang iba sa amin ay sa malamig na sahig na lamang natutulog. Noong bago pa lamang akong dating ay sa sahig din ako natutulog at kamakailan lamang ako nabigyan ng sarili kong higaan.

Ngunit hindi basta mayroon ka nang tarima ibig sabihi'y komportable ka na sa iyong pagtulog. Masikip para sa dalawang tao ang isang tarima. Upang hindi ka maka-istorbo sa iyong kasama samantalang kayo ay natutulog, kailangang manatili ka sa isang posisyon lamang. Hindi ka maaring gumalaw nang gumalaw o bumalikwas nang bumalikwas sapagka’t tiyak na magigising ang iyong kasama. Ngunit maraming surot sa mga tarima. Marahil, ito ay sa dahilang yari ito sa plywood o di kaya’y sa kawayan. Kaya kung mahimbing na sana ang iyong pagtulog dahil sa hindi magalaw ang iyong kasama, tiyak na mabubulabog ka at magigising dahil sa kagat ng mga surot.

Kung siksikan kami sa pagtulog ay siksikan din kami sa pag-ihi, pagdumi at pagligo. Sa bawat selda o brigade ay mayroong isang maliit na kubeta lamang. Ang kubetang ito ay siya ring nagsisilbing paliguan o banyo ng mga bilanggo. Dahil sa kakulangan ng tubig ay maari lamang maligo mula alas-kuwatro ng umaga hanggang alas-nuwebe ng gabi. Dahil sa animnapu’t anim (66) kaming lahat na gumagamit sa kubetang ito, madalas kaming magkasabay-sabay sa paggamit nito. Halimbawa, dumudumi ang isa samantalang umiihi ang dalawa. O di kaya, naliligo ang dalawa samantalang umiihi naman ang isa. Mahirap makakita ng pagkakataon na masosolo mo ang kubeta dahil sa sobrang dami ng bilanggo na gumagamit nito. Kaya kung nasanay kang mag-isa at matagal sa pribado ninyong kubeta o sa banyo sa inyong bahay, kalimutan mo na ang lahat ng ito. Mababago ang lahat ng toilet manners mo pagdating sa bilangguan.

Lalong malaking pagbabago ang iyong kakailanganin sa iyong ugali pagdating sa pagkain. Kung sa labas ay nasanay kang kumain sa mga restawran, fast food chains, o di kaya ay sa katahimikan ng inyong tahanan habang nilalasap ang pagkaing luto ng iyong maybahay, sa bilangguan ay kalimutan mo na ang mga ito. Paano mo pa matitikman ang mga ito sa katiting na budget na binibigay ng pamahalaan para sa pagkain ng mga bilanggo? Dito sa Oriental Mindoro Provincial Jail, halimbawa, ang budget ng pamahalaan para sa pagkain ng mga bilanggo ay P23.00 tuwing araw. Pumapatak lamang ito sa bale P7.33 tuwing kain. Paano ngayon makakabili ng masustansiya at sapat na ulam ang ganito kaliit na halaga? Eh di, kapiranggot na isdang tamban na pinaksiw ang ulam sa umaga, kapiranggot na isdang tamban (na naman) na sinigang ang ulam sa tanghali, at ginisang kalabasa ang ulam sa gabi. Paulit-ulit ito at walang pagbabago sa araw-araw. Kung kaya’t dito sa provincial jail, hindi na isdang bangus na naturingang pambansang isda. Ang naturingang pambansang isda rito ay ang tamban.

Ganito lamang mga mambabasa, ang buhay dito sa bilangguan. At ganitong buhay ngayon ang ating hinaharap dahil sa pang-aapi at panggigipit ng rehimeng Arroyo.

Labor Group Bares ‘Abduction Attempt’ on Leader’s Kin

2008-12-01T01:44:00.000-08:00

source: Bulatlat.com

The wife and the daughter of a labor leader in Southern Tagalog were ‘almost abducted,’ a labor group said.

According to the Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan (PAMANTIK-KMU), Romeo Legaspi’s wife Hermelita, 47, and daughter Sherry Anne, 17, were approached by a suspected intelligence agent yesterday in Cabuyao, Laguna.

Legaspi, president of Lakas-Manggagawang Nagkakaisa sa Honda Cars Philippines (LMNH-OLALIA-KMU) and chairman of PAMANTIK-KMU, was among the 72 individuals charged with multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder in connection with an NPA raid in Mindoro Oriental in March 2006.

According to the PAMANTIK-KMU statement, Hermelita and Sherry Anne were waiting for workers of Honda Cars to fetch them in front of a fast food chain when a man, described as medium built, 5’ 4” in height, fair-skinned, and in his early 30s approached them.

The man asked Hermelita in a whisper, “Kayo ba ang nagpapasundo?”(Are you the ones who requested to be fetched?) Sherry Anne then pulled her mother and stopped her from talking with the man.

“He then started texting fast using a slim-type Motorolla cellphone,” said Sherry Anne. She added that the man was also wearing a black shirt, just like the shirt to be worn by the workers during the motorcade.

Hermelita and Sherry Anne intended to join the motorcade against political persecution of activists.

Hermelita said, “We were thankful when the persons who were suppose to fetch us arrived soon before something untoward might have happened to us.”

They soon joined the motorcade, which started in San Pedro and culminated in the workers’ protest camp in front of the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC-Region IV) in Calamba City. More than 200 workers in motorcycles joined the protest.

The workers condemned the recent attempts on the Legaspi family.

PAMANTIK spokesperson Hermie Marasigan said, “The US-Arroyo regime is desperately aggressive and daring in its attempt to put pressure on the family of Romeo Legaspi.”

Marasigan said further, “We believe that government operatives planned to abduct the family to put pressure on Legaspi to come out in the open so that they could put him behind bars for the false criminal charges filed against him.”

Opensa ang depensa ng tinutugis na aktibista

2008-11-27T00:25:00.000-08:00

source: Ilang-Ilang Quijano | PinoyWeekly.Org

(November 24) Ilang segundo pa lamang ng pagkakaakyat sa entablado at pagsasalita sa mikropono, tumulo na ang mga luha ni Dana Marcellana, anak ng pinaslang na tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao na si Eden Marcellana at ng kasalukuyang tinutugis ng gobyernong Arroyo na si Orly Marcellana.

“Pinatay na nga nila ang nanay ko, gusto pa nilang kunin ang tatay ko,” sabi ni Dana.

Kilalang lider sa Timog Katagalugan si Orly, na hawak ang susing mga posisyon sa iba’t ibang progresibong samahan. Tagapangulo siya ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)- Southern Tagalog, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan, at regional coordinator ng Anakpawis Party-list.

“Mabuting tao ang tatay ko, hindi po niya magagawa ang mga ibinibintang sa kanya,” dagdag pa ni Dana.

Kuwento naman ni Ada Zapanta, anak ni Crispin Zapanta, “ngayon ko lang nakita kung gaano ka-importante ang pakikipaglaban para sa mga manggagawa at maralitang lungsod.”

Hindi rin niya mapigilang mapaluha nang sabihing noong bata pa siya, naiinis siya sa kanyang amang aktibista na nagkukulang ang oras para sa kanilang pamilya. Pero ngayon, naiintindihan na umano niya—at nagagalit kung bakit ang isang “napakabuting tao” ay ipipiit na lamang ng basta-basta.

Si Crispin, tagapangulo ng Bayan Muna – Antipolo City, ay kabilang sa anim na lider-aktibista sa Timog Katagalugan na dinakip simula Oktubre at ikinulong sa Calapan Provincial Jail.

Dalawa lamang sina Orly at Crispin sa 72 na sinampahan ng umano’y “depektibo” at “gawa-gawang” kaso ng murder at multiple frustrated murder kaugnay ng pananambang ng mga rebeldeng New People’s Army sa Mindoro Oriental noong 2006.

Ito umano ang panibagong taktika ng panunupil ng gobyernong Arroyo sa mga kritiko nito.

Noong Nobyembre 22, inilunsad sa College of Education, University of the Philippines-Diliman ang Defend ST, isang task force para depensahan ang mga biktima ng pampulitikang persekusyon sa rehiyon.

‘Desperasyon’ ng gobyerno

Suportado ang mga aktibista ng Timog Katagalugan maging ni dating bise-presidente Teofisto Guingona, na nagdiin ng pananagutan ni Pangulong Arroyo sa patuloy na mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng mga mamamayan.

“Umiiral pa rin ang Batas Militar, noon at ngayon. Ganoon din ang gawa, iba lang ang postura,” aniya. At gaya umano noong Batas Militar, “We must not only defend, we must also attack!”

Tinutukoy ni Guingona ang patuloy na pagpapaigting ng oposisyon sa mga anti-mamamayang polisiya ng gobyernong Arroyo gaya ng Charter change at sa mga anomalyang kinasasangkutan gaya ng Fertilizer Fund Scam.

Ayon naman kay Pastor Berlin Guerrero ng United Churches of Christ in the Philippines, dating detenidong pulitikal, “gustong ulitin” ng gobyerno ang kanyang karanasan sa marami pa niyang mga kasamahan sa rehiyon.

Dinakip ng mga ahente ng Estado noong Mayo 2007 matapos magbigay ng misa sa Biňan, Laguna, tinortyur si Guerrero bago sampahan ng murder at inciting to sedition. Binasura ng korte ang kaso at pinalaya siya nitong Setyembre, matapos ang mahigit isang taong pagkakakulong.

“Iniisip siguro ng gobyerno na hihina ang mga organisasyon kapag napiit ang mga lider nito. Pero ang takot at pangamba ay papalitan lamang ng tapang. Ang isang hakbang ng paniniil at pagsupil ay tatapatan ng higit na paglaban ng mamamayan,” ani Guerrero, tagapagsalita ng Defend ST.

Sinabi naman ni Dr. Carol Araullo, tagapangulo ng Bayan, ang panibagong bugso ng panunupil ay hindi tanda ng kalakasan ng gobyernong Arroyo, kundi ng “kahinaan” at “desperasyon” nito.

“Sa tindi ng pampulitika at pang-ekonomiyang krisis dito sa Pilipinas at sa buong daigdig, ginagamit nila ang dahas para maipagpatuloy ang maling mga patakaran ng gobyerno at imperyalistang US,” aniya.

Binanggit niyang lalong lalala ang kahirapan at kawalang trabaho dahil sa pandaigdigang krisis pampinansiya.

“Pero malapad ang hanay ng mga bagong dugo. Tunay na mahusay ang kondisyon para isulong ang pakikibaka ng mga mamamayan para sa kagyat na mga reporma na magbibigay ng kagyat na alwan sa buhay at para sa mas batayan pang mga reporma,” aniya.

Paliwanag at kawalang-hustisya

Sa isang bidyo ng Southern Tagalog Exposure na pinamagatang "Magtanggol, Makibaka!", nagsalita sina Orly at iba pang mga tinutugis na aktibista sa rehiyon na sina Arman Albarillo, Bayani Cambronero, at Dorris Cuario.

Ipinaliwanag ni Cuario, pangakalahatang kalihim ng Karapatan – Southern Tagalog, na katulad ng sa mga kaso ng ekstrahudisyal na pamamaslang na sinimulan noong 2001, tila ginagawa ng gobyernong Arroyo na “laboratoryo” ang Timog Katagalugan para sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao.

“Iniisip nila na kapag dumapa at mawawala ang mga organisasyon sa Southern Tagalog, sa sumunod na mga rehiyon ay madali na,” aniya. Subalit umano’y hindi naman nagtagumpay ang taktikang ito.

Paliwanag naman ni Cambronero, regional coordinator ng Bayan Muna Party-list, ginigipit ang mga mamamayan dito dahil maigiting ang kanilang pagtutol ng sa mga “proyektong pangkaunlaran” sa Calabarzon.

“Gusto (ng gobyerno) na pumayag na lamang ang mga manggagawa sa mababang pasahod at lumayas na lamang ang mga magsasaka sa kanilang mga bukid para makapagtayo ng mga pabrika at golf course ang mga dayuhan,” aniya.

Inireklamo naman nina Arman at Orly ang kawalang-hustisya sa mga kaso ng pagpatay ng kanilang mga kaanak.

Dalawang beses ibinasura ng Department of Justice ang kaso laban kay Hen. Jovito Palparan na umano’y nag-utos sa pagpatay sa asawang si Eden Marcellana at lider-magsasakang si Eddie Gumanoy noong 2003, ayon kay Orly.

Kamakailan lamang, inihayag ng United Nations Human Rights Committee na nilabag ng gobyernong Arroyo ang right to life at iba pang mga karapatang pantao nina Eden at Eddie.

Ayon naman kay Arman, na pinatay ang mga magulang na sina Expedito at Manuela Albarillo sa Mindoro Oriental noong 2002, “Wala pa akong nakikitang hustisya, di lamang para sa aking pamilya, kundi sa mahigit 900 na pinatay (sa ilalim ng gobyernong Arroyo).”

Sabi pa niya sa isang bukas na liham, “Nais kong bumalik sa sariling bayan nang malay at ligtas ang buhay. Tila makakabalik nga ako, ang kaso hindi Malaya, nakaposas sa pagbalik, titira sa isang makitid na lugar, sa kulungan kung magtatagumpay ang mga aaresto sa akin.”

Pagkakaisa

Nakaamba ang isang imbestigasyon ng Kongreso sa kaso ng 72 aktibista sa Timog Katagalugan, ayon kay Anakpawis Rep. Rafael Mariano.

Naghain si Mariano ng tatlong resolusyon sa Kongreso: ang House Resolution 866 hinggil sa pag-aresto sa labor lawyer na si Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr., HR 867 hinggil sa pagsampa ng kasong arson at conspiracy to commit rebellion sa 27 lider-aktibista sa rehiyon, at HR 877 hinggil sa crackdown at kriminalisasyon sa 72.

Nagbasa ng isang Declaration of Unity ang mga lider ng progresibong mga organisasyon at kaanak ng mga tinutugis sa aktibista para ihayag ang suporta sa bagong tatag na task force.

“Nagaganap ang mga atakeng ito sa kaparapatang pantao at kalayaang sibil sa kabila ng mga garantiya sa mga pambansa at internasyunal na batas sa karapatang pantao…Nananawagan kami sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong nagmamahal sa kalayaan na labanan ang panunupil na ito sa mga aktibista gaya ng buong lakas nating pagtutol sa ekstrahudisyal na mga pamamaslang,” ani Guerrero.

Kumusta na silang ibinilanggo ng Estado?

2008-11-23T23:48:00.000-08:00

News and Photo by Jeffrey Ocampo/Pinoy Weekly

ANIM silang nakapiit ngayon sa Provincial Jail ng Mindoro Oriental sa lunsod ng Calapan. Binibintang sa kanila ang mga kasong kriminal na anila’y “halatang gawa-gawa” lamang. Bago ito’y isa-isa silang dinakip ng di-unipormadong mga kalalakihan, dinala sa mga kampo ng militar, sinalang sa tuloy-tuloy na interogasyon at saka itinawid ng dagat papunta sa isla ng Mindoro. Naiwan nila ang kanilang mga kaanak sa Rizal, Cavite at Laguna na puno ng pag-aalala sa maaring gawin ng mga nagpadakip sa kanila.

Umaga ng Nobyembre 18, nagkita-kita sa pantalan ng Batangas ang mga kasapi ng iba’t ibang organisasyon at mga kaanak ng mga bilanggo upang dumalaw sa piitan. Kabilang dito ang Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR), Workers Assistance Center, at Cavite Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace. May dalawa ring representante ng Canadian Trade Union Mission na inaalam ang hinggil sa “pampulitikang panunupil” sa bansa.

Mula sa Batangas, hindi aabot ng isang oras ang pagtawid sa dagat papuntang Mindoro gamit ang speedboat. Ilang minuto naman ang biyahe patungong Provincial Jail mula sa pantalan.

Sa daan, naglipana ang mga trak ng militar. Armado. May kakayahang maghasik ng takot.

Pagdating sa kulungan, pinaiwan ang aming mga telepono at kamera. Hinalughog ang aming mga bag at dala-dalahan at isa-isang kinapkapan.

Malit lamang ang kulungan. May huntahan sa bawat sulok. Ang ibang preso’y abala sa paggawa ng mga parol mula sa cellophane. May nagbebenta ng mga gawang-kamay mula sa kahoy, kawayan at plastik na bote.

Isa-isa naming narinig na tinatawag ang mga pangalan ng aming dadalawin. Isa-isa na rin silang nagsilabasan.

Mula Oktubre 23 hanggang Nobyembre 13, pinagdadakip ang limang lider ng makabayang mga organisasyon sa Timog Katagalugan at ang chief legal counsel ng Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) na si Atty. Remigio Saladero. Kasama umano sila ng New People’s Army na nagtangkang manambang ng mga kapulisan sa Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental noong Marso 6, 2006. Kasalukuyang dinidinig ang kasong frustrated murder at multiple frustrated murder sa Branch 40 ng Calapan Regional Trial Court sa sala ng Atty. Tomas Leynes.

Liban sa kanila, mayroon pang 66 na kasalukuyang tinutugis ng militar at kapulisan dahil sa natural kaso. Tinaguriang Southern Tagalog 72, ang panunugis at pagdakip sa kanila ay bahagi umano sila ng “panibagong bugso ng pampulitikang panunupil” sa rehiyon.

Huntahan, kamustahan

Sa isang mahabang lamesa kami nagharap-harap.

Binilang namin sila – may kulang na isa. Maya-maya ay dumating na ang nahuli sa kanila. Si Rogelio Galit. Dahil sa sakit na diabetes, hirap gumalaw si Galit. Agad siyang yinapos ng kanyang nakatatandang kapatid na si Erlinda, gaya ng pagyapos nito sa kanya noong siya’y sapilitang dinakip sa kanyang tahanan sa Kaong, Silang sa probinsya ng Cavite. Payat at halatang hindi nakakapagpahinga si Galit. Bago ang pagkakakulong, nakaratay na siya dahil sa nasabing karamdaman.

Dahil kailangang ipagpatuloy ang paggamot kay Galit kahit nasa kulungan, P1,200 kada buwan ang kailangan ng kanyang pamilya upang makabili ng insulin. Hirap din sila sa pagdalaw dahil mahal ng pamasahe mula Cavite.

Liban kay Galit, may kanya-kanya ring karamdaman at suliranin ang ibang nakakulong na sina Atty. Saladero, Crispin Zapanta, Nestor San Jose, Arnaldo Seminiano at Emmanuel Dionida.

Taas-baba ang presyon ng dugo ni Zapanta, na dinakip noong Oktubre 24 sa Rizal. Kwento niya, tumaas ito ng 190/120 noong siya ay dinakip. Tumaas din daw ito noong siya ay dinala sa Camp Vicente Lim. May problema din siya sa gall bladder.

Si Dionida, ang pinakahuling dinakip sa kanila, ay may polio mula pa sa pagkabata. Katulad ni Galit, sapilitan din umano siyang dinakip. Walang umanong mandamyento-de-arestong binigay ang mga umarestong kalalakihan sa kanya.

Dumanas naman si Atty. Saldero ng dalawang stroke noong 2006. May appendicitis din ang abogado.

Samantala, lubos ang kalungkutang pinagdadaanan ni San Jose. Ilang araw bago siya dinakip ay sumakabilang-buhay ang kanyang asawa.

Sa kabuuan, hindi maayos ang kalayan ng mga nakabilanggo lalu pa’t may mga karamdaman at suliranin silang pinapalubha ng diumano’y “kawalang katarungan”. Bakas sa kanilang mga mukha ang pinaghalong lungkot at pag-aalala di lamang sa kanilang kalagayan, kundi gayundin ng kanilang mga mahal sa buhay at mga kasama sa organisasyon.

‘Kapalit ng Tagaytay 5’

Pawang mga lider-aktibista ang lima sa mga dinakip. Bago ang kanilang pagkakakulong, aktibo sila sa mga kampanya ng kani-kanilang organisasyon. Pinangunahan nila ang iba’t ibang laban para sa mga karapatan ng kapwa nilang manggagawa at magsasaka.

Si Galit, 51, ay isang “fulltime” na organisador ng mga magsasaka. Kalakhan ng dekada ‘80 ay inilagi niya sa Saudi Arabia bilang overseas Filipino worker. Pagpasok ng dekada ’90, “balik-bukid” si Galit. Nagsimula din siyang maging aktibo sa kanyang organisasyon sa Silang. Isa siya sa mga nanguna sa paggigiit sa karapatan sa lupa sa kanilang lugar sa Cavite na ipinangako ng dating pangulong Corazon Aquino sa ilalim ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law. Kasalukuyan siyang tagapagsalita ng Kamagsasaka-Ka o Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite.

Si San Jose naman ay organisador ng Anakpawis sa Rizal. Lumahok umano siya sa mga kampanya laban sa Oil Deregulation Law at Calibrated Pre-emptive Response. Aktibo rin siya sa kampanya para sa pagpapalaya ng mga bilanggong pultikal gaya ni Randall Echanis ng Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

Samantala, ayon sa malalapit na kasamahan ni Atty. Saladero sa KMU, “kaunti lamang ang di nakakakilala sa kanya sa dinami-dami ng mga lumalapit na manggagawa para humingi ng tulong.” Kilalang labor lawyer si Saladero. Bago ang kanyang pagkakabilanggo, may hawak siyang 700 kaso ng mga manggagawa. Liban dito, malaki ang naitutulong ng kanyang lingguhang kolum sa Pinoy Weekly sa paglilinaw ng ligal na mga usapin ng manggagawa.

Sila ang “kapalit ng Tagaytay 5,” patutsada umano kay Dionida ng isang pulis sa Camp Vicente Lim. Tulad nila, mga aktibista din at kilalang tagapagtanggol ng karapatan ng mga manggagawa at magsasaka ang mga kabilang sa Tagaytay 5. Ikinulong sila sa loob ng mahigit dalawang taon ngunit napalaya rin dahil hindi napatunayan ang mga kaso laban sa kanila.

Buhay-abogado pa rin

Habang nagsasalaysay ang limang lider-aktibista, tahimik namang binabasa ni Atty. Saladero ang iba’t ibang mga papeles, dokumento, diaryo at sulat na pinadala sa kanya. Nakakunot ang noo at binubusisi ang bawat nakasaad sa mga papel. Paminsan-minsan nama’y napapangiti dahil sa laman ng mga personal na sulat para sa kanya. Katabi niya ang kanyang asawa na si Maricel, na tumitindig bilang matibay na indibidwal sa gitna ng pinadadaanan ng kabiyak.

Ni sa hinagap, aniya, ay hindi niya inakalang siya ay mapipiit. Mahirap ang kalagayan sa loob ng bilangguan-- para sa abogado at 300 pang bilanggo sa sa Provincial Jail ng Mindoro Oriental.

Sa isang selda, nagsisiksikan ang humigit-kumulang 60 na bilanggo. Dahil sa kakapusan sa espasyo, dalawang bilanggo ang gumagamit sa iisang kama na ilang pulgada lamang ang lapad. Mainit sa loob at may surot ang mga katre, pabirong banggit ng abogado.

Liban dito, kakarampot na pagkain ang pinagsasaluhan ng mga bilanggo sa loob ng isang araw. May badyet na P23 ang bawat bilanggo para sa pagkain kada araw. Ibig sabihin, aabot lamang ito sa P7.50 para sa isang kainan.

Kaya naman “paulit-ulit” ang naihahaing pagkain para sa mga bilanggo. Para sa agahan, tuyong tamban (na isa sa pinakamurang isda sa pamilihan) at kalahating tasa ng kanin. Sa tanghalian, isa hanggang dalawang piraso ng tamban na may sabaw. Maiiba lamang ito sa hapunan na kadalasa’y gulay ang ulam sa kanin.

Sa kabila ng mga hirap na ito, tuloy ang buhay-abogado ni Atty. Saladero. Kada araw, may pumipila sa kanyang bilanggo upang kumonsulta hinggil sa kanilang mga kaso at sa iba pang mga ligal na usapin.

Depektibong kaso

Buo ang loob ni Atty. Saladero na mananalo sila sa kaso at mapapatunayang gawa-gawa lamang ang mga kasong kriminal na sinampa laban sa kanila.

“Depektibo ang pagsasampa ng kaso,” ayon sa abogado. Aniya, walang isinagawang preliminary investigation (PI) bago sila sinampahan ng kaso at dinakip paisa-isa. Paliwanag ng abogado, pagkatapos magsagawa ng PI, kailangang padalhan ang mga pinagbibintangan ng sipi ng demanda. Kailangan umanong silang bigyan ng 10 araw para sagutin ang demanda. Kailangan ding araling mabuti ng prosecutor ang demanda at ang sagot ng mga akusado.

Sa kaso ng anim na dinakip, hindi ito naganap.

Biglaan ding nabuksan ang kaso.

Pagkatapos maganap ng krimen noong Marso 2006, lumutang ang isang Vincent Silva at nagsabing siya ay isang deep penetration agent na kasama ng mga “rebelde” na nagsagawa ng krimen. Sa una niyang sinumpang salaysay, 15 umano ang nagsagawa ng pagsalakay. Muling lumutang si Silva nitong Setyembre, 2008. Sa pagkakataong ito, sinabi niyang 72 ang kanilang kabuuang bilang, taliwas sa nauna niyang pahayag.

Muling nabuksan ang kaso gamit ang amended information mula sa panibagong salaysalay ni Silva. Umusad ito, kahit walang motion to re-open para sa kasong natulog nang mahigit dalawang taon.

Bagama’t “napangalanan” ni Silva ang mga “nagsagawa ng pagsalakay,” mali ang mga address ng mga ito sa mga mandamyento-de-aresto. Si Atty. Saladero at San Jose na pawang taga-Rizal ay naging taga-Mindoro Oriental; si Galit na taga-Silang ay naging taga-Bacoor, Cavite; si Dionida na taga-Laguna ay naging taga-Kawit, Cavite.

Malinaw umano na gawa-gawa lamang ang mga kasong ibinibintang sa kanila. Ayon kay Atty. Saladero, “Bago itong taktika ng panunupil kung saan sinasalaula ang batas para sa pakinabang ng mga nasa kapangyarihan.” Ginagamit umano ngayon ng pamahalaan ang batas bilang “armas ng pang-aapi at hindi ng katarungan.”

Nakatakdang dinggin ang motion to quash the warrant of arrest na sinampa ng mga akusado sa Disyembre 11. Dahil depektibo at hindi dumaan sa karampatang proseso ang pagsasampa ng kaso, nararapat lamang umano na bawiin ang mandamyento-de-aresto at pawalang bisa ang kaso. Nang sa gayon ay mapalaya sila at makapamuhay nang malaya ang iba pang kinasuhan, ayon kay Atty. Saladero.

MAGTANGGOL, MAKIBAKA! (Part 1)

2008-11-23T23:39:00.003-08:00

source:kapemuna / Southern Tagalog Exposure

MAGTANGGOL, MAKIBAKA! (Part 2)

2008-11-23T23:39:00.001-08:00

source:kapemuna / Southern Tagalog Exposure

MAGTANGGOL, MAKIBAKA! (Part 3)

2008-11-23T23:37:00.001-08:00

source:kapemuna / Southern Tagalog Exposure

Photos of 6 Southern Tagalog activists detained at the Calapan City Jail

2008-11-21T08:26:00.000-08:00

source: freeattysaladero | freeattysaladero.wordpress.com

Here are the Southern Tagalog activists currently detained in Calapan City Jail, namely, Atty. Remigio Saladero, Nestor San Jose of Anakpawis Party-list, Crispin Zapanta of Bayan Muna Party-list, Rogelio Galit of Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite, Arnaldo Seminiano of Ilaw at Buklod ng Manggagawa-Kilusang Mayo Uno, and Emmanuel Dionida of Labor Education Advocacy Development Response Services.

Photos by Jeffrey Ocampo/Pinoy Weekly

Ika-6 na aktibista sa Southern Tagalog dinakip

2008-11-18T00:07:00.000-08:00

source: Ilang-Ilang Quijano | PinoyWeekly.Org

(November 17) Matapos madakip ang isa na namang lider-manggagawa, nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta sa Mendiola ngayong araw ang mahigit 200 miyembro ng grupong Bagong Alyansang Makabayan - Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST).

Kinondena nila ang umano'y "panibagong bugso ng pagtugis ng gobyernong Arroyo sa mga aktibista."

Bandang alas-11 ng umaga kahapon, Nobyembre 13, inaresto ng mga pulis na nakadamit sibilyan sa Calamba City Hall si Emmanuel Dionida, at kasamahan nitong si Sailani Catindig.

Si Dionida, executive director ng Labor Education Advocacy Development Response Services (Leaders), ang ika-anim na aktibistang inaresto sa rehiyon ng Southern Tagalog simula Oktubre.

Kasalukuyang nakadetine sa Calapan City Provincial Jail ang anim na kabilang sa 72 lider-aktibistang kinasuhan ng multiple murder at multiple frustrated murder kaugnay diumano ng ambus ng mga rebelde sa Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental noong 2004.

Dinala sina Dionida at Catindig sa Canlubang Provincial Jail at Camp Vicente Lim, himpilan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) sa Calabarzon. Pinakawalan din si Catindig sa parehong araw.

"Paano makakasama sa ambus ng NPA (New People's Army) ang isang taong buong buhay na nilalabanan ang sakit na polio?" ayon kay Hermie Marasigan, bise-presidente ng Organized Labor in Line Industries and Agriculture (Olalia) - Kilusang Mayo Uno.

Samantala, noong nakaraang linggo, iniulat ng Karapatan-Southern Tagalog na nireyd ng 418 PNP Mobile Force ang bahay ni Romeo Aguilar sa Brgy. San Isidro, Antipolo City.

Si Aguilar, pangkalahatang kalihim ng Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) - Rizal at kabilang sa mga kinasuhan, ay may sakit na diabetes.

Ani Noriel Rocafort, pangakalahatang kalihim ng Bayan-Batangas, layon ng "gawa-gawang" mga kaso na "patahimikin ang anumang porma ng oposisyon sa rehiyon."

Dagdag ni Ricafort, pakulo ng Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (Ialag), binuo ni Pangulong Arroyo sa bisa ng Executive Order 493 noong 2006, ang sunud-sunod na pagkakaso laban sa mga aktibista.

Aniya, layon ng Ialag na iharas ang mga miyembro ng lehitimong mga organisasyon, na inaakusahan ng gobyernong Arroyo na prenteng mga organisasyon diumano ng NPA, sa pamamagitan ng opensibang ligal.

Nagsumite si Ricaforte, kasama ng 26 pang iba, ng counter affidavit hinggil sa kasong arson naman na isinampa sa Batangas City hinggil sa panununog diumano ng cell site sa bayan ng Lemery noong Agosto.

Nagsagawa ng kilos-protesta ang Bayan - Batangas sa Batangas Provincial Police Office at Batangas City Provincial Prosecutor’s Office habang isinasagawa ang preliminary investigation sa kasong ito.

Charges vs. 72 Southern Tagalog Activists Baseless – Lawyer

2008-11-18T00:06:00.000-08:00

source: Ronalyn V. Olea | Human Rights Watch | Bulatlat.com

One of the lawyers of the 72 activists charged with murder in relation to an ambush incident in Mindoro Oriental said the accusations are baseless.

Lawyer Rachel Pastores of the Public Interest Law Center (PILC) said in a press conference in Quezon City, Nov. 15, that public prosecutors violated due process when they filed multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder charges, and issued warrants of arrest against 72 activists in Southern Tagalog.

The charges are in connection with a raid by the New People’s Army (NPA) in Calapan City, Mindoro Oriental in March 2006.

Of the 72 activists, six have already been arrested and detained at the Calapan City District Jail. They are Remigio Saladero Jr., chief legal counsel of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May First Movement); Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka or Association of Farmers in Cavite), Nestor San Jose, local leader of the transport sector; Crispin Zapanta, member of Bayan Muna (People First); Arnaldo Seminiano, organizer of the Ilaw-Buklod ng Manggagawa (IBM); and, Emmanuel Dionida, executive director of labor institute LEADERS.

Pastores said that the original information filed by two officials of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on July 24, 2006 named only one respondent Rustum Simbulan and several John Does. She said the two policemen did not identify the John Does.

By May 2006, Assistant Provincial Prosecutor Dorina Joya decided to put the complaint on archive pending the arrest of Simbulan, said Pastores.

One year and four months after, Pastores said, Prosecutor Jumilito Dolor suddenly filed an amended information on the case, naming as respondents the 72 activists.

“The amended information in itself is highly irregular,” Pastores said. The prosecutor, she said, relied only on the affidavit of Vincent Silva who claimed to be a deep penetration agent (DPA) involved in the NPA ambush.

Pastores said further that Silva’s testimony is highly questionable. She said it is considered as extrajudicial confession because Silva did not swear before a lawyer, rendering his testimony invalid and inadmissible.

The legal counsel added that Silva did not say anything about the alleged participation of the 72 activists in the said ambush.

Pastores said further that the policemen who filed the original complaint alleged in their affidavits that more than 15 armed men ambushed the police station in Calapan, Mindoro Oriental. “How come they charged 72 individuals?” asked Pastores.

Pastores also said that the public prosecutor did not conduct any hearing, did not issue a subpoena to the respondents and did not conduct a preliminary investigation on the case.

In fact, Pastores said, there was no motion to revive the case after it was put on archive in May 2007.

Without a single hearing, Judge Tomas Leynes accepted the amended information and issued warrants of arrest against the 72 individuals. “Under the rules, the judge should first inform the accused. The respondents only knew about the case when they were already being arrested,” said Pastores.

“The judge did not even bother to check if there was probable cause and if the accused are informed about the case,” said Pastores.

“There is not an iota of evidence to grant the amended information and issue warrants of arrest against the accused,” said Pastores.

Political persecution

Pastores said they are confident that the charges would be dismissed if the merits of the case would be taken into consideration.

However, if this is another case of political persecution, Pastores said, there would be no respect for the rule of law and no respect for due process.

Maricel, wife of Saladero, said she believes the charges against his husband are politically-motivated.

“My husband has chosen to serve the workers; this is the reason why he is implicated in these cases.”

Saladero, along 26 others, was also charged with arson, conspiracy to commit rebellion and destruction of property in connection with the burning down of a Globe cell site in Lemery, Batangas.

“We will exhaust all the possible remedies available to us and [at the same time], expose the filing of fabricated charges as part of the government’s counter-insurgency campaign,” said Pastores. “This is a threat to civil liberties, especially against the vocal critics of the government.

Maricel said, “This is not only against the 72 accused, this is against the Filipino people in general. If they want to file fabricated charges against anyone, they could do so.”

Glendhyl Malabanan, spokesperson of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog said most of the accused are regional and provincial leaders and members of organizations allied with Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan-New Patriotic Alliance)-Southern Tagalog.

In a video, Arman Albarillo, secretary general of Bayan-ST and one of the accused, said he was surprised to know about the charges filed against them.

Albarillo was among the complainants to the latest impeachment case filed against Mrs. Gloria Macpagal-Arroyo. Both his parents were victims of extrajudicial killings in 2002.

Albarillo said, “The objective is to silence and to threaten leaders of people’s organizations.”

He said further, “After the government failed to silence the people in Southern Tagalog through extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, it now resorts to filing of trumped-up criminal charges.”

Not new

Pastores said the filing of false charges against activists is not new.

She recalled the rebellion charges against the Batasan 6, party list representatives of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP) and the murder charges filed against Bayan Muna Representative Satur Ocampo, Raffy Baylosis and Randall Echanis in connection with an alleged mass grave in Hilongos, Leyte.

Eleanor de Guzman of Bayan said the tactic of producing false witnesses giving false testimonies for false charges is the handiwork of Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG).

De Guzman added that the case against the 72 activists in Southern Tagalog could be a pilot project. “Later, they could do the same in other regions.”

Appeal

Albarillo called on the Filipino people to frustrate Arroyo’s ‘evil plans.’

He said that Arroyo is the one who should be held accountable for her ‘crimes against the people.’

“We are not at all cowed by these threats…We know we are on the right side. The Filipino people will continue to fight this oppressive regime,” said Albarillo.

Bayan and Karapatan raise violations of economic rights and threats to human rights defenders before UN body

2008-11-17T23:35:00.000-08:00

source | Bayan.ph

(November 11) GENEVA - The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and the human rights group Karapatan today attended a briefing of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights a day before the scheduled review of the Philippine government’s compliance with the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural rights.

Among the issues raised were the plight of activist leaders from Southern Tagalog and Metro Manila, more than 30 of whom are now faced with arrest warrants or are being detained after being charged with multiple murders. Among those already arrested is Atty. Remigio Saladero who is also chief legal counsel for the labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno.

The Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) is the body of independent experts that monitors implementation of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) by its States parties. The Committee was established under ECOSOC Resolution 1985/17 of 28 May 1985 to carry out the monitoring functions assigned to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in Part IV of the Covenant.

All States parties are obliged to submit regular reports to the Committee on how the rights are being implemented. States must report initially within two years of accepting the Covenant and thereafter every five years. The Committee examines each report and addresses its concerns and recommendations to the State party in the form of “concluding observations”.

The Committee meets in Geneva and normally holds two sessions per year, consisting of a three-week plenary and a one-week pre-sessional working group.

The Philippine government will be presenting a report on November 11. The last time it did so was thirteen years ago in 1995.

Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. highlighted the issues of landlessness as a major problem affecting the majority of Filipinos. The group underscored the failures of the present land reform program being implemented by the Arroyo administration. Karapatan Secretary General Marie Enriquez meanwhile called attention to the links between poverty and rampant human rights absues.

“We expect the Philippine government to paint a rosy picture of progress and development. This is in stark contrast to the harsh realities of massive poverty, landlessness, hunger, sub-human wages, displacement and environmental destruction. The Philippine government has not fulfilled its obligations in the ICESCR,” Reyes said.

“We hope that the committee would see that the so-called economic growth under the Arroyo government is shallow and does not reflect any meaningful distribution of wealth. The country and its poor are more vulnerable now to the global financial crisis gripping the world economy, “Reyes added.

When asked by a committee member if being a human rights defender was a dangerous job in the Philippines, Enriquez replied in the affirmative and cited the case of the more than 30 Southern Tagalog activists now facing arrest warrants for alleged multiple murders.

“Those that the government were not able to kill, they are now trying to put behind bars. This includes human rights defenders such as labor leaders, farmers, women activists, and even lawyers. We believe that the legal offensive in Southern Tagalog is being orchestrated by the Inter Agency Legal Action Group or IALAG, an agency UN rapporteur Philip Alston already recommended for abolition,” Enriquez said.

“Extrajudicial killings, while numerically on a decline, continue in some parts of the country. Just recently peasant leader Danny Qualbar was shot on his way home on November 6,” Enriquez said.

Aside from the Philippine government panel, Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima is also scheduled to brief the committee as an independent National Human Rights Institution.

Sa selda ng inuusig na tagapagtanggol

2008-11-17T23:28:00.001-08:00

source: Beth Pagtalunan | Pinoyweekly.org

(November 07)ALA-UNA ng madaling-araw nang marating namin ang pantalan ng Calapan, Oriental Mindoro. Ilang kilometro ang layo bago makarating sa Calapan Provincial Jail kung saan dinala si Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr., abogadong maka-manggagawa at maka-karapatang pantao at kolumnista ng Pinoy Weekly.

Alas-otso rin ng umagang iyon, pinuntahan namin ng kanyang asawa na si Maricel ang kulungang pinagdalhan sa kanya. Escort ng isang jailguard, lumapit sa kinauupuan namin ang pawisang si Atty. Saladero. Kinamayan at kinumusta namin ang kanyang kalagayan sa loob ng selda.

Bakas sa kanyang mga mata ang lungkot at pagod. Parang hindi siya nakakatulog, ang sagot niya sa aming pagtatanong. Tulad ng inaasahan, nahihiga siya sa malamig na semento, walang anumang kagamitan sa pagtulog. May nagmagandang-loob lamang na nagbigay ng banig para isapin sa kanyang hinihigaan. Mainit ang kuwarto dahil kulang sa bentilasyon at marahil sa dami na rin ng detainee na kasama nyang umookupa sa Selda 1.

P21 ang badyet sa pagkain para sa isang preso bawat araw. Mula sa gripo ang kanilang inumin. Pinapa-iskuwat sila pag umaga pero di siya makasabay dahil mahina na ang katawan bukod pa sa sakit na diabetes at high blood kaya medyo hirap at di makasunod.

Sa narinig na pahayag ng asawang nakakulong, nakita namin ang pamumuo ng luha sa mata ni Maricel. Nag-alala siya sa kasalukuyang kalagayan ng asawa na nagmamantini pa ng gamot para sa karamdaman nito.

Sa manggagawang katulad ko, iilan lamang marahil ang di nakakakilala kay Atty. Saladero. “Sa dami ng taong lumapit at natulungan ng asawa ko na walang pambayad upang kumuha ng abogado wala siyang hiningi o hinintay na kapalit,” sabi ng asawa niyang si Maricel.

Kung ang isip at talino ay ginamit sa pansariling interes, marahil isa na si Atty. Saladero sa mayamang abogado. Pero pinili niyang pumanig at tulungan ang mga manggagawa.

Nakakalungkot makita na ang isang magaling, respetado, tagapagtanggol ng karapatang-pantao at maka-manggagawang abogado ay ikulong at akusahan ng gobyernong ito ng gawa-gawang kaso.

Sa sandaling nag-uusap si Atty. Saladero at ang kanyang asawa, nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataon na makausap ang iba pang detainee na nasa aming likuran. Ikinuwento nila sa amin ang pagdating doon ni Atty. Saladero. Nakaposas ito habang nakapalibot at todo bantay ng anim na PNP na armado ng armalite rifle. Sa unang tingin, di sila makapaniwala na kayang gawin ng taong ito ang multiple murder at multiple frustrated murder na ibinibintang at ikinaso sa abugado. Sa ilang araw na nakasama nila ito sa kulungan, nakilala nila bilang tahimik,walang kibo, magalang makitungo at makipag-usap ang abogado.

Marami nga raw at halos tuwing umaga nakapila sila para ikonsulta at humingi ng legal advice sa kanya. Nagbiro pa nga kami na bawat konsulta magpabayad siya ng P10 para makadagdag sa pambili niya ng pagkain kasi nga di lahat ng rasyon ay puwede niyang kainin.

Dahil diabetic, madalas na hindi siya gaano makakain. Pero simpleng ngiti ang isinagot niya sa amin at sinabing di siya naghihintay ng anumang kapalit ng tulong na nagagawa para sa mga preso at masaya na sa simpleng paraan ay nakakatulong siya.

Crackdown vs Southern Tagalog Activists Continues; Peasant Leader Arrested

2008-11-17T23:25:00.000-08:00

source | Bulatlat.com

(November 04) Another activist leader from Southern Tagalog was arrested last night for trumped-up murder charges.

Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka) was taken by some 15 armed men in civilian clothes at around 7:30 p.m. from his house in Brgy. Kaong, Silang Cavite. According to Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights)-Southern Tagalog, Galit would be brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City.

Galit is among 72 others who were charged of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection to a raid by the New People’s Army in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental last March 3, 2006.

Karapatan-Southern Tagalog said Galit is suffering from diabetes and is already bedridden.

Besides Galit, three more have been arrested: Labor lawyer Remigio Saladero, transport sector leader Nestor San Jose and Bayan Muna member Crispin Zapanta. They have been detained at the Calapan City District Jail.

Galit, Saladero, San Jose and 14 other respondents in the Mindoro incident were also slapped with charges of arson, destruction of property and conspiracy to commit rebellion in connection to the burning down of a Globe cell site in Lemery, Batangas.

Glen Malabanan, deputy secretary general of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog said the charges were fabricated and form part of the Arroyo administration’s ongoing campaign to silence activists.

“This tactic of wholesale filing of criminal charges against activists is a systematic effort of the Arroyo regime’s internal security agencies. It is still under Arroyo’s counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya,” Malabanan said.

Malaban said the charges were meant to paralyze these activists by detaining them and forcing them to go into hiding.

72 Southern Tagalog Activists Charged with Common Crimes

2008-11-17T11:57:00.000-08:00

source | Bulatlat.com

(November 03) In August, 27 activists in Southern Tagalog were charged with arson, destruction of property and conspiracy to commit rebellion in relation to the burning down of a telecommunication company’s cell site in Lemery, Batangas.

Just recently, warrants of arrest were issued this time against 72 activists accused of multiple murder and frustrated murder in connection with the New People’s Army (NPA) raid in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental last March 3. 2006.

Judge Tomas Leynes of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court issued the warrants.

Atty. Remigio Saladero, legal counsel of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU-May First Movement) was the first to be arrested on Oct. 23. That day, he was brought to Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City, Laguna. The next day, Saladero was transferred to Calapan City District Jail.

On Oct. 24, Nestor San Jose, a co-accused in the burning down of Globe cell site, was nabbed by state security agents in Teresa town in Rizal.

Based on the brief sent by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Southern Tagalog, about 30 of the 72 accused are active leaders, and members of progressive people’s organizations in Southern Tagalog.

In the October 27 court proceeding regarding Atty. Saladero’s case, Provincial Prosecutor Josephine Caranzo-Olivar admitted that no preliminary investigation was conducted.

The same day, Crispin Zapanta, chairperson of Bayan Muna chapter in Antipolo City, Rizal, who is also among the 72 accused was arrested in Antipolo City.

Besides Saladero, San Jose and Zapanta, other respondents include Arman Albarillo, secretary general of Bayan-ST; Bayani Cambronero, Bayan Muna regional coordinator; Orly Marcellana, secretary general of Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK) and chairperson of Bayan-ST; Romeo Legaspi, chairperson of PAMANTIK-KMU and chairperson of Anakpawis regional chapter.

Charged in the Globe case and also included in the Mindoro complaint are Rolando Mingo, president of the Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organization, (STARTER) and vice president of Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON); Dina Captillo, spokesperson of Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights)-Batangas; Renato Alvarez, chairperson of Katipunan ng mga Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasa-Ka); and, Romeo Aguilar, secretary general of the Kalipunan ng mga Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Rizal.

Also named respondents are Doris Cuario, secretary general of Karapatan-Southern Tagalog; Helen Asdolo, secretary general of GABRIELA- Southern Tagalog; Rogelio Galit, spokesperson of Kamagsasaka-Ka; Luz Baculo, secretary general of Pamantik and national council member of KMU; Pedro Santos Jr., secretary general of Anakbayan-Southern Tagalog and regional coordinator of Kabataan Party, among others.

Bayan-ST condemned the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) for filing trumped-up charges against activists. The group said the filing of trumped up charges against activists is part of the Arroyo government’s counter-insurgency program.

Last week, the Human Rights Watch condemned the arrest and detention of Saladero.
The Human Rights Watch recalled several other cases that ‘bear similarities to Saladero’s arrest” which the courts have subsequently declared illegal.

The group cited the case of the Tagaytay Five- Riel Custodio, Axel Pinpin, Aristides Sarmiento, Enrico Ybanez and Michael Masayes - advocates of farmers’ rights and the case of Pastor Berlin Guerrero of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP).

BAYAN condemns arrest of people’s lawyer Atty. Remigio Saladero, continuing attacks on activists

2008-11-16T12:45:00.000-08:00

source | Bayan.ph

(October 24) The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) condemns in strongest terms the arrest of Atty. Remigio Saladero on trumped-up charges of multiple murder in Mindoro. As of this morning, he is being held by police and military forces in a red Toyota vehicle supposedly bound to Mindoro.

The arrest of Atty. Saladero is clearly a case of political persecution. A few weeks before his arrest, Atty. Saladero together with twenty-six leaders and members of people’s organizations in Southern Tagalog, was charged with arson, destruction of property and conspiracy to commit rebellion. They were accused of being members of the New People’s Army (NPA) who allegedly blew up a Globe cell site in Batangas. The enforced disappearance of James Balao in Cordillera, the abduction and torture of 9 peasants in Cavite and this latest arrest of Atty. Saladero prove that political repression in the country remains even as the cases of extrajudicial killings declined after drawing outrage both in the Philippines and the international community.

Atty. Saladero’s clients are workers victimized by low wages and unjust working conditions. His detention will mean depriving the poor of a lawyer who humbly renders his free legal services at the risk of harassment and grave persecution.

Bayan joins the family of Atty. Saladero in demanding the PNP to drop the false charges against Atty. Saladero, to release him immediately and to abort any plan of unlawfully arresting other activists. Bayan also calls on international lawyers groups and human rights defenders to join the Filipino people in demanding the Arroyo regime to release Atty. Saladero. He is neither a murderer nor an arsonist. It is the Arroyos, police and military forces involved in large-scale corruption and human rights violations who deserve to be arrested and jailed for their multiple crimes against the Filipino people.

The Arroyo regime appears to be poised for more attacks on activists as it faces continuing protests for worsening economic crisis, unresolved cases of corruption and human rights violations. Bayan calls on its allied organizations to step up their campaign against the fascist attacks of this regime which aims to cripple the mass organizations that are at the forefront of people’s struggle for land, jobs, dignity, freedom, sovereignty, democracy and social justice. #

Cited as one of notable San Beda College alumni, Atty. Saladero is the Chief Legal Counsel of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) who defended the late Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran against fabricated charges by the Arroyo regime. Aside from handling numerous labor cases, Atty. Saladero represented KMU in challenging the constitutionality of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Proclamation 1017 that placed the country under a state of national emergency and gave powers to Arroyo similar to what the late president Ferdinand Marcos had when he declared martial law.