Serving the poor is a faithful witness. Stop the attacks!

The Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) condemns in the strongest term the harassment, trumped-up charges and fabricated lies that this government through the Armed Forces of the Philippines has been making against the person of Rev. Glofie Baluntong, an ordained clergy of The United Methodist Church, who is from Occidental, Mindoro.

True to her calling as an ordained clergy of The United Methodist Church, she has pursued and carried on the mission of her church as it “sends persons into the world to live lovingly and justly as servants of Christ by healing the sick, feeding the hungry, caring for the strangers, freeing the oppressed, being and becoming a compassionate, caring presence and working to develop social structures that are consistent with the gospel and continue the mission of seeking, welcoming and gathering persons into the community of the body of Christ” (The UMC Book of Discipline).

This she did through her work of loving service to the least, the last and the lost. She embodied God’s redemptive action through her ministry with the Mangyans, the indigenous people in Mindoro. She humbly served them through relief programs, scholarship assistance to Mangyan students, visitation and conversations and supporting livelihood projects. She has served not only Mangyan communities but other marginalized sectors in Mindoro. She has undertaken this ministry of compassion and justice despite the evil track record of state forces in the island of Mindoro who are historically known for grave human rights violations, suppressing dissent and disrespect for those who work for peace and justice.

Rev. Baluntong’s service to the poor is a faithful witness as she lives out her faith in the scriptural charge of loving her neighbors, adhering to her church’s tradition of embracing social justice as one of the forms of mission, of valuing the sacred worth of human beings and their dignity and a long track record of reaching out far-flung places that are not reached by government services.

The continuing violations of illegal arrests, trumped up charges, intimidation, harassment and surveillance, are continuing proof of the present government’s adherence to weaponizing the laws of the land to silence its critics and those who genuinely work for the people’s welfare. This policy is anti-women as shown in its various attempts to charge women human rights defenders including Rev. Baluntong. If only the government would take to heart genuine service to the people, it would laud and support Rev. Baluntong’s ministry rather than demonizing it. But nay, the government is inutile and would rather serve the interests of the rich and powerful as seen in its current practice of appointing officials who are subservient to their own political and economic interests. It is appalling that this government has become so used to lies and fabrication of untruths. It believes even its own lies. The illegal charges against Rev. Baluntong is a disservice to the poor communities in Mindoro. We stand witness to the various trumped up cases filed against human rights defenders which are then dismissed because it lacks merit and have no legal basis. The truth can never be suppressed.

We call on everyone, our sisters in the faith and in the struggle – let us stand with what is just and true.

We are AWIT. We are born out of the womb of women’s struggle for liberation and democracy. Everyday we are summoned by our faith to testify boldly and speak courageously against the evils of tyranny and injustice. We stand with our sister, Rev. Glofie Baluntong. She is one of us and we stand by her truth.

We join our voices with other faith communities calling the Philippine government to Stop the attacks against Rev. Glofie Baluntong and all other women human rights defenders!

Signed by: Pastor Maricar Delfun

Association of Women in Theology

National Coordinator

AWIT Condemns strip search and cavity search done to Jimmylisa Badayos

https://www.rappler.com/nation/248606-partner-bilibid-inmate-traumatizing-body-cavity-strip-search-bureau-corrections

We, the members of the Association of Women in Theology, gathered for its General Assembly at Maryknoll Ecological Sanctuary in Baguio City, vehemently condemn the strip search and cavity search done to a human rights defender Jimmylisa Badayos. On 29 December 2019, Ms. Badayos visited her husband Calixto Vistal, a political prisoner at the New Bilibid Prison (NBP) in Muntinlupa.

However, before she could enter the detention facility, the New Bilibid prison guards subjected her to a humiliating, dehumanizing, and traumatic “procedure” against her will.

 
We decry the harassment and degradation she had to go through in the exercise of her civil and political right to visit her husband. This strip and cavity search procedure done to Jimmylisa Badayos is an offense against her body, her person, and her total well-being. The NBP policy disrespects the personhood of a human being. It is a misogynistic and fascist tool used to debase Ms. Badayos, and women in general.

 
We denounce the NBP policy and the Duterte administration for allowing this mortifying practice of strip and cavity search. Surely, this cannot be treated as an isolated case, for this is already an institutional conduct with consent from the administration.
Jimmlisa’s story reflects the saga of a human rights defender. She has suffered a lot, but remains steadfast on her commitment to serve the people as human rights defender.
Jimmylisa is a daughter of the martyred Elisa Badayos, coordinator of KARAPATAN-Negros Oriental Province and desaparecido Jimmy Badayos. Elisa Badayos was killed along with peasant leader Eleuterio Moises during a fact-finding mission to investigate reported military abuses in Negros Oriental on 28 November 2017.

 
She was also illegally arrested by the elements of AFP-Military Inteligence Group and PNP- City Intelligence in October 2012 on her way home with Calixto Vistal. They were both were slapped with a trumped-up case of illegal possession of firearms and explosives. When Jimmylisa was released, her husband was convicted and sentenced to reclusion perpetua.

 

She deserves justice on the abuse and ignominy done against her and all victims of the strip and cavity search practice whenever they make a visit to political prisoners.

 

We call on the Commission on Human Rights, independent human rights organizations to conduct an immediate investigation on the incident and to stop the policy of strip and cavity search against relatives and visitors of political prisoners and all detainees. We call on the New Bilibid Prison to repeal its strip and cavity search policy, in respect to women’s rights. Lastly, we call on the government and its forces to put their hands off women human rights defenders!##

 

Ms. Jenny Ferariza Meneses, Coordinator

Maricar  Delfun, Co-Coordinor

Mayette Timbang, Secretary-Treasurer

AWIT ASSEMBLY
Jan 7-9, Baguio City

In Solidarity with the National Council of Churches in the Philippines

 

The Association of Women in Theology (AWIT) condemns in the strongest terms possible the Philippine Government’s inclusion of the National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP) in the list of “Communist Terrorist Groups.” The list was presented by Major General Ruben Basiao, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, at a hearing in the House of Representatives on the AFP Modernization Program.

This inclusion in the list is a blatant attempt to discredit a highly credible and reliable organization whose track record in serving the poorest, the most vulnerable and marginalized is unquestionable. The mission of the NCCP is a product of the conciliar unity among its members which are mainline Protestant churches and associate members. For over five decades, the NCCP has relentlessly worked in uniting the churches in its common witness and action in solidarity with the people in their quest for justice, peace and integrity of creation. This act of red-tagging the NCCP puts the safety and security of its church heads, members and staff in grave danger. Such an irresponsible labeling is an open endorsement for state forces to attack, harass, arrest, torture and even kill them.

AWIT was borne out of the NCCP’s initiative to recognize women’s important role in doing theology and leadership in the churches. It has supported many of AWIT’s endeavors to empower women, recognizing their gifts and graces and their important contributions to the churches’ liturgical life, Christian and ecumenical education, theological articulation, human rights work, and women’s and children’s rights. To this day, NCCP continues to work in uplifting the status of women not only in the churches but in the different communities that it partners and works with.

As women of faith, AWIT members have been inspired and strengthened by the NCCP’s incarnational and missional engagements. We continue this tradition in the programs and services of AWIT because of the NCCP’s legacy to our organization. Through the NCCP, we learned that theology with and service to the most marginalized sectors of our society are imperatives of our Christian faith. We stand with NCCP! We believe more than ever that this institution has done meaningful and loving service to the people. Even during the darkest era of Martial Law, the NCCP relentlessly lived out its prophetic mission. Today, amidst persecution and impunity, it has been unwavering in this commitment.

AWIT demands the government to stop attacking the ministries of the NCCP and all institutions providing services for the people’s welfare and development. Stop weaponizing the law against churches, organizations, human rights defenders and people exercising their democratic rights. Further, we call on the government to remove the NCCP from its list, ensure the safety and security of the NCCP church heads, members, associate members and its staff, and issue a public apology for maligning an institution that has a long history of serving the people faithfully in obedience to the gospel mandate of loving our neighbor.

And to our churches, lets us remain steadfast and firm in our calling – “do justice, love mercy, and to walk humbly in God’s sight” (Micah 6:8).

Enough of this government’s irresponsible actions! Stop the attacks! Hands-Off NCCP!

MS. DARLENE MARQUEZ-CARAMANZANA National Coordinator

REV. RHEA BITACURA-LOQUIAS, Co-Coordinator

mi·sog·y·ny /məˈsäjənē/ and tyranny

 

Norma P. Dollaga, Kasimbayan Women’s Collective

 

http://editorialcartoonists.com/cartoon/display.cfm/172316/

The new woman, the new Filipina is,
first and foremost, a militant.

The new Filipina is one who can stay
whole days and nights with striking workers,
learning from them the social realities
which her bourgeois education has kept from her.   

She is a woman who has discovered  the exalting realm of responsibility,

 a woman fully engaged in the making of history.

–                                                                                                                      -Ma. Lorena Barros

Lorena Barros was the founding Chair of Makibaka.[1] She was a poet, a writer, a feminist, an activist, and a revolutionary. She fought against dictatorship and later became an icon of the women’s patriotic movement. Her words and deeds were unacceptable for a dictator and a fascist; the dictator Marcos set a P35,000 reward for her capture.[2]

Today, President Rodrigo Duterte—the one who championed a hero’s burial of Marcos—continues uttering misogynist remarks, sexist jokes and convoluted opinions on women. His behavior is a great disservice to Filipino women in particular as well as the Filipino people in general.

Duterte’s pronouncements of hate and rants against women should not be downplayed as his personal view.  These are a political construct and attack against women from the highest office of the land.  They are an overreach of structural power that seeks to justify domination and reinforce institutional hate, oppression, and violence against women.

According to Kate Manne, “sexism is an ideology, a set of beliefs, holding that it is natural, and therefore desirable, for men and women to perform in taking and giving roles. Misogyny functions like a ‘police force,’ punishing women who deviate from them. Generally, this police force also rewards obedience – elevating women who advance patriarchal interests. But, because it defines women in terms of a giving function, misogyny also tends to treat women as interchangeable.”[3]

Misogyny is tyrannical.  It punishes any woman who does not comply with the standards, of the rising fascism and dictatorial rule. Duterte does not hate all women: he hates, punishes and persecute women who fight against his oppression, exploitation, corruption and rising dictatorship.

Let’s look more closely at Duterte’s braggadocio:

• “Itong mga babae, prim and proper man ‘yan, isang tingin lang sa nanay niyan wala na, tunaw na ‘yan,” (These women, they are prim and proper. Just one look from their mothers and they’ll melt).[4]
• “Tell the soldiers, there’s a new order coming from Mayor. We won’t kill you. We will just shoot your vagina so that… if there are no vagina, it would be useless.”[5]
• “There are many rape cases in that city because there are many beautiful women there.”[6]
• “I looked up to the sky and said, ‘Lord, I hope only the ugly died. I hope the beautiful ones did not.’ The Lord said, ‘That’s okay.’”[7] (in front of Yolanda victims)
• His bragging about how he molested their maid, while he was a teenager.[8]
• His rape joke during presidential campaign saying, “I looked at her face, son of a bitch, she looks like a beautiful American actress. Son of a bitch, what a waste. What came to mind was, they raped her, they lined up. I was angry because she was raped, that’s one thing. But she was so beautiful, the mayor should have been first.” [9]
• “I’ll take your place in prison. If you rape three [women], I’ll take the blame.” (to soldiers in Iligan City at the height of the Marawi siege which was also used to put Mindanao under military rule)[10]
• In Korea, he created the conditions so that he could kiss an OFW woman on her lips him, to cheers from the crowd. After he said, “Dalaga ka? Hindi naman kayo hiwalay? Pero kaya mo sabihin na biro lang ito?” (Are you single? You are not separated from him? But you can tell him that this is just a joke?)[11]

For the tyrant to remain in power misogyny, patriarchy, sexism, oppression, exploitation are all being employed. Duterte attacks against women to demonstrate that it is justifiable for women to be raped, shamed, and put down.  He works to fortify the perception that women must remain to be in their gendered roles and assignments. To counter the “tradition” or “norm” is dangerous, as it will destabilize the patriarchal order and weaken the exploitative structure of the social and political system.

President Duterte has entitled himself—as “executive officer” of a rotten system that promotes and reinforces patriarchy, and sexism—to the role of chief misogynist. As he sanctions and glorifies rape and violence against women through thinly veiled jokes and outright pronouncements, he displays his arrogance of “I am in Power” reinforces a traditional stereotyping of women.

Women Rising Against Tyranny

We must draw our strength from the women’s movements that challenged the normalcy of patriarchy, oppression and exploitation.

• Women who were not “prim and proper” adhering to patriarchy, fought for dignity, rights and justice. They measured their strength in their efforts to change the system and not in the machoism of brawls and fistfights. They were the working-class women, the activist and socialist women who gave birth to what we observe now as International Women’s Day(IWD). They suffered under an exploitative and oppressive system, and chose to fight and rise up. They fought for justice in the midst of persecution and punishment. They defied and broke the laws of patriarchy, domination, and subjugation. They subverted the imposition of the rulers who defined women to the confines of silence, compliance, and submissiveness.
• March 8 as IWD is the product of a long struggle of poor women, most particularly female industrial workers, who stood boldly for justice in the face of state-sanctioned repression and exploitation of working-class women. A century ago, women dared to challenge what was supposedly the normal working-class experience—long work hours, low wages, and indecent working conditions.
• Women did not have the right to suffrage then. In the Philippines, the early 1900s were also the era when women started to fight and work to claim their right to vote. The historic day of April 30, 1937, when women were allowed to vote and run for public office, was the product of women’s courage and political will to participate in the political life of the country. Women stretched beyond norms to gain this right; it was hard-earned victory.
• The Malayang Kilusang nga Bagong Kababaihan (MAKIBAKA) was organized in 1970 under the leadership of a woman student leader Lorena Barros. The organization sharply articulated the need for national liberation and the emancipation of women from oppression and exploitation. Raising strong criticism on beauty pageant/contests that commodify women’s bodies, MAKIBAKA breadth was much more, becoming an underground movement under the Martial Law of Marcos. Many members of MAKIBAKA were attacked and suffered under the dictatorship of Marcos.

Keeping the fire burning, women and women’s movements continue to lead us forward, even at the darkest moments of the night. Women who defy the traditional, gendered stereotypes continue to push back. The struggle goes on. Women continue to strive to overcome exploitation and patriarchy.

The creeping tyranny and dictatorship that characterizes the macho governance of Pres. Duterte is evident. In its failure to address the roots of the armed conflict and poverty, the government instead pushes schemes that suppress and oppress the rising people’s resistance to injustice.  The human rights violations of this administration are widespread.  In its inability to address drug addiction and to quell the illegal drug trade, Duterte has whipped his state forces into a murderous bloody onslaught against the poor.  To justify the violation of human rights, Duterte seeks to resuscitate long ineffective methods of repression of civil and political rights, that are both anti-people and anti-poor.  And as Duterte employs macho-tyrant tactics, his cohorts continue to reap the benefits of their support of the rising dictatorship.

 

For women from the toiling majority, such realities will bring no good. The ugly and obnoxious manners and governance of the President must be subverted to give way for women’s liberation and empowerment.

 

We must remind each other of Mary’s song in the Bible that rejects the powerful and arrogant thieves—who still not only food and basic rights from the people, but also their freedom, dignity, and a prosperous future. Mary’s Magnificat holds the promise that the tyrants will be brought down from their thrones and sent away empty.

 

“He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in their thoughts of their hearts. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones and lifted up the lowly…”  (Luke 1:51-52, NRSV)

[1] Malayang Kilusan ng Bagong Kababaihan  (Free Movement of  New Women). It is a women’s movement for the liberation of women through  participation in the national   liberation.  When Martial Law was declared , MAKIBAKA went underground.

[2] http://www.bantayog.org/barros-maria-lorena-lorie-m/

[3] https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/dec/20/down-girl-kate-manne-review

[4] https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/24/18/duterte-i-believe-in-women

[5] https://www.rappler.com/nation/195924-hrw-duterte-order-shoot-women-vagina-violates-international-humanitarian-law

[6] https://www.rappler.com/nation/210792-duterte-many-rape-cases-davao-beautiful-women

[7] https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/inside-track/159733-duterte-jokes-humor-fragrant-filipinas-ugly-yolanda-victims

[8] https://politics.com.ph/did-young-duterte-finger-a-maid/

[9] https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/69323

[10] https://www.rappler.com/nation/175687-duterte-rape-joke-speech-diplomats-congratulate

 

[11] https://twitter.com/rapplerdotcom/status/1003284014407475200?lang=en

 

On TRAIN LAW

As women of faith, our hope, aspirations and vision are fullness of life for everyone.  This must be claimed, even in the midst of tyranny and misogyny.  Our lived experiences tell us that we hope because the Spirit of Bathala, our Mother/Father God, is at work in our sacredness… in our closeness… in our resiliency… and in our persistence, as we journey in communion and solidarity with our sisters and brothers.  This Spirit compels us to seek what is life-giving and to radiate light and love for all Creation.

 

The TRAIN LAW is causing undeniable sufferings for the poor, due to high inflation and rising prices of basic commodities.  The increased fuel prices have wide impacts that cut across all strata of our economy, with a multiplying effect on the final prices of commodities in the Filipino family’s market basket. This is threatening our quality of life, but most disturbingly the very survival of the poorest sectors of the society.  This is a great strife for women, on whom families depend to bring food to the table, to budget meager finances, and to safeguard the food security and survival of their household.
Because of real and severe impacts on women, we call for the REPEAL of the existing REPUBLIC ACT 10963 Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law, popularly known as TRAIN LAW.  We also call for the suspension of the second tranche of TRAIN LAW, which will activate even more taxes that are sure to further exacerbate the difficult financial realities of Filipino families and cause prices to spike yet again.

 

As WOMEN OF FAITH, we commit ourselves to promote justice, equality and equity, following the example of Jesus Christ. We draw strength from our oneness with Christ who came into the world from love, with love and through love.  This love is why we rise against tyranny.##

Merian Aldea

Office of Women and Gender Concerns-AMRSP

Your love is not love at all,*A nation abused*

(One Billion Rising Poem , Feb 14,2019)

You said you had compassion,

that your strength would make us strong.

In truth, you’re just a bully,

with a penchant for the wrong.
Your crass words fill our eardrums.

Your rape “jokes” make us cringe.

You’ve insulted every mother–

you’re a tyrant, full unhinged.

 

You call and call for violence

and State forces kill, kill, kill.

Your bloodlust does not soften—

you’re a pervert sick on thrill.

 

Without an ounce of principle,

your rants in wind all sway:

we disdain your bully pulpit,

we distrust your devious ways.

 

“Rape three and put the blame on me

and finger up your maid—

shoot vaginas, flatten hills,

our migrants can be layed.”

 

Disgusting man, abusive fool,

no father did we meet–

no model for our children,

you’ve slain them in the street.

Your drug war is maniacal.

Your martial law a ruse.

You kiss the boots of foreign lords,

then heap us with abuse.

 

Thus, like a woman rising up

to leave a violent man,

our rage grows strong, we won’t turn back,

you withered sycophant.

 

 

 

Martial Law in Mindanao

Our missionary hearts continues to cry for the Filipino people in Mindanao.  After assailing her advocacies and seeking to malign her character, Sr. Pat Fox, NDS had her missionary visa withheld as a loud message to international solidarity advocates that they best stay away from Mindanao.  She was not the only one, as three United Methodist mission personnel Adam Shaw, Miracle Osman, and Tawanda Chandiwana based in Mindanao had also been denied visas. The Duterte administration forced their departure because they sided with the poor, which, in whatever small ways, showed solidarity and sparked courage with the very people Martial Law is to a strong-arm into silence. The departures of these loving missionaries from the country was sad for many, but what is more important is that we continue to follow their example of solidarity action with those who are resisting the repression of Martial Law in Mindanao.

The 3^rd extension of Martial Law in Mindanao—recently upheld by the Supreme Court—makes evident that democracy and human rights are still under attack in Philippines.  We only need to open our hearts, minds, and eyes to see that Martial Law in Mindanao aims to curb the freedoms and access to basic and social services of the poor and marginalized, in favor of the interests of the wealthy and political elite as well as foreign businesses.

When we choose to side with the poor, our eyes identify easily the threats that loom over the ordinary farmers, workers, Moro and Lumad of Mindanao.  Massive plantations exploit the workers.  Large-scale foreign, mining corporations displace communities as well as destroy forests, mountains, and surrounding watersheds. Factory and farm workers suffer under labor contractualization schemes.  Land-conversion intensifies.  The toiling majority of Mindanao are oppressed and those who rise to struggle for their rights, including their right to self-determination, are targeted for attack.

Martial Law in Mindanao has been marked by atrocities and violations of human rights. Under Duterte’s martial law, more than 11,500 Lumad have been displaced from their homes by military and paramilitary operations, with 111 trumped-up cases have been filed against parents, teachers, and Lumad leaders. Incessant rights violations have been perpetrated by state security forces against civilian communities, as the government seeks to vilify not only progressive organizations but any community or persons who stand up for their rights.

Just weeks back (February 2019), a disturbing flyer with a list of names was distributed in Cagayan de Oro that labels as communist many church people, including the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines and church leaders of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente.  This type of harassment, known as “red-tagging,” often foreshadows arrests under trumped up charges or, even worse, extra-judicial killings.  As church people, we more easily take notice of state attacks against church; however, a greater frequency and intensity of attacks are also being experienced by farmers, workers, national minorities, people’s lawyers, environmental defenders, human rights workers, social activists, and peace advocates in Mindanao. Malicious vilification and red-tagging is used much like “tokhang lists.”  The state seeks to influence the minds of the citizenry, that the rights of these persons “can, and even should” be violated.

We must awaken our minds to see the truth that Martial Law is an affront to democratic rights and civil liberties.  We need to educate others, so that more will stand in solidarity on the side of the poor, oppressed and marginalized.  We stand together and expose the falsehoods and manipulations of state actors who seek to perpetuate strife in Mindanao to prop up Martial Law. We must speak out to support the just calls of the farmers and workers for land to till and just wages for their labor.

As seen in the bombing in Jolo cathedral, all the military and police security operations did not mitigate that horrific travesty.  We will do better by the people of Mindanao if we work together to address the roots of the armed conflict and the historic injustices against national minorities.  Martial Law in Mindanao is not the answer.  We need to respect the rights of the people of Marawi and the let them rebuild their city.  We need to listen to the just demands of the plantation workers.  The farmers must have land to till. The Lumad children should be provided access to culture-affirming, quality schooling that helps them to exercise their collective rights as peoples.

Duterte’s government claims that Martial Law is necessary in maintaining a secure environment in Mindanao, but we can see that this has been part of placing the island under a cloak of silence and repression.  Anyone the least bit outspoken or attracting attention to the human rights abuses, like Sr. Pat Fox and other foreign missionaries who were denied visas, are attacked. By using bombings and engagement of Moro dissidents, the state scapegoats their blanket repression on the island.  Marital law is simply a tactic for the continuing repression and violations of human rights, with impunity.

We must continue solidarity missions and advocacy with the people of Mindanao, joining in the clamor to lift Duterte’s Martial Law!

O Israel, hope in the Lord! For with the Lord there is steadfast love, and with him is great power to redeem.  It is he who will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.  (Psalms 130:7-8, NRSV)##

Rebecca Lawson
Ecumenical Voice for Human Rights and Peace in the Philippines

Defend the Rights of Children, No to Lowering the Minimum Age of Criminal Responsibility

Arceli Bile, NCCP

AWIT, Metro Manila

 

Cases of violence against women and children continue to rise. Children continue to be “victims” of a government that neglects their rights.

One of the priority bills in the 17^th congress of the House of Representatives is the bill that seeks to lower the minimum age of criminal responsibility of children from fifteen (15) to nine (9) years old. This bill seeks to amend the Republic Act 9344 or the “Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act” of 2006 and was proposed by Capiz Second District Representative Fredenil H. Castro and Davao del Norte First Representative and now House Speaker Pantaleon D. Alvarez.

 

Proponents of the bill claim that the bill will protect children from being used by syndicates to commit crimes. They fail to recognize that children who have been exploited to commit crime should be treated victims  and not criminals. They fail to recognize that efficient law enforcement could actually be one of the best approach to address the problem. Passing the bill is a sure neglect of children’s right to protection and to develop their full potential. It does not promote the best interest of the children.

 

Despite opposition from different child rights advocates, human rights groups and psychologists and social workers, the House of Representatives passed the bill. The senate version of the bill  proposed changing the age of criminal responsibility from 9 to 12 is pending until the 17^th Congress resumes in May.

 

“Children in conflict with the law must be seen not in isolation with the context from which they come from. Most of our children are into the deep of poverty pushing them to do things that are detrimental to themselves, to their families, their communities and the society. Government must dig deep into the roots why children are in conflict with the law rather than pursue a punitive measure that will only exacerbate the already poor conditions of children. If there is something that is of urgent concern – it is the provision of a comprehensive program that is based on the real needs of children. Unless children are provided with food on the table, a secure and reliable jobs and decent pay for their parents, shelter and have access to education and health services, the number of children in conflict with the law will continue to rise.”¹

 

The government instead of adding to children’s vulnerability to abuse and violence should uphold its mandate to ensure that children’s rights are respected and upheld. Philippines as one of the signatories of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) should follow what has been spelled out in UNCRC that are inherent to child’s dignity and worth including that of the children in conflict with the law.

 

Arceli Bile

National Council of Churches in the Philippines

On Curbing Dissent

 

Merian Aldea

Office of Women and Gender Concerns-AMRSP

 

Using Security and Exchange Commission’s Memorandum Circular No. 15 (series 2018)
Guidelines for the Protection of SEC Registered Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) From Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Abuse (November 7, 2018) .

The Duterte Administration did it again!

This tyrannical move infringes on non-governmental organizations and foundations’ rights to organize and form associations, specifically on their freedom or capacity to freely conduct or perform their advocacies, as well as the right to privacy of the officers, members, clients or beneficiaries of any of those considered as non-profit organizations. This new memorandum is an extension of the mounting repressive policies insidiously implemented by the Duterte government in installments, so as not to betray its real intent of curbing all platforms for dissent.
In a statement, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) said this is part of the “continuing crackdown on dissent and opposition” that may “threaten the very existence of non-profit organizations, stifle their voices, and disrupt their advocacies.” The lawyers’ group said that the SEC, through this memorandum, can share information with law enforcement agencies and has enabled itself to “perform virtually any act necessary to conduct investigations of violations (not only those consummated but also those about to be committed), such as the power to subpoena witnesses, compel attendance, take evidence, and even enlist the aid and deputize all enforcement agencies — civil and military.”

 

We must call to scrap this memo due to its economic, political, military, cultural and psychological consequences for the Filipinos. This is militarization of NGOs and foundations, whose primary aim is to assist people in the margins of the society in their efforts to access a quality of life which currently beyond them.  These NGOs and foundations seek to do a task, where the government is failing significantly.##

 

(Collated by Ecumenical Women’s Forum, March 2019)

 

 

On Extra -Judicial Killings

Vernie Y. Diano
Women, Peace and Security Project (NCCP/Ecuvoice

 

“Thou shalt not kill.” In the language of human rights, this is a violation of the right to life. Both the Bible and human rights speak about high respect for the sanctity of life.

 

The painful truth is that the two and a half years, from July 2016 to February 2019, of the Duterte government are marred with extra-judicial killings arising from an anti-drug war and the systematic attempt to end the insurgency in the country.  Anti-drug war killings have already claimed approximately 20,000 victims, largely from the poor with only 76 cases prosecuted by the justice department. Meanwhile political killings documented by Karapatan Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights number to 257 civilians, with 159 in Mindanao, 49 in Luzon and 48 in Visayas. At least 37 women are included in this list: the number will be higher if the gender of those killed in the Jolo bombing was included. Victims come from the ranks of farmers, indigenous peoples, church, youth and students, environment and human rights defenders, government employees and workers. Of the cases documented by Karapatan, killings of farmers and indigenous peoples are the most in number.  The slaughter of thousands in the anti-drug war campaign and vicious anti-insurgency efforts of this government are systematic and heartless.  Killing civilians is an act of tyranny.

 

Reports and profiles on extra-judicial killings in Mindanao speak about the victims’ involvements: in resisting the three-term Martial Law; in asserting of their land rights in response to massive corporate expansion of mineral extraction, energy projects and plantations; and, in building or operating Lumad schools to assert their right to self-determination and access to knowledge and technology. EJK victims hail from the ranks of farmers, indigenous and Moro peoples. The killing of 27 churchgoers in the bombing of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulo only tells that Martial Law has not controlled “lawlessness” in Mindanao. Martial Law has made it more convenient for the police, military and paramilitay groups to roam around peasant, indigenous and Moro communities, increasing the ease of paramilitary groups like the Alamara to continue to commit violations against indigenous communities. The military apparently turns a blind eye on these murderous acts and do not stop these crimes. The Alamara are implicated in the killings of the young to the old, of men and women. They killed 15-year-old Lumad student Alibando Tingkas in January 2016 and 19-year old Obello Bay-ao in September 2017. They killed 60-year old Umayamnon tribal leader Matanem Pocuan in Feb. 2017 and Ande Latuan in July 2017. Aside from the killings perpertrated by the paramilitary groups are unsolved killings involving women human rights defenders like Mariam Uy Acob from the Moro Kawagib’s Human Rights Organization. Mariam was aboard her motorcycle on her way home on the evening of 23 September 2018, when two men aboard another motorcycle opened fire on her. Under the third extension of Martial law, two Lumad farmers Emel Tejero and Randel Gallego of Lianga, Surigao del Sur went missing on 24 January 2019, only to be found dead on 30 January 2019. The military claimed they were members of the New People’s Army, as if this claim can be a simple justification for a brazen act of tyranny. This government has branded everyone demanding for social justice and peace as enemies of the state. Legitimate dissent and activism have been labeled as terrorism under Mindanao’s Martial Law.

 

In Visayas, there have been 48 victims of political killings including lawyer Atty. Ben Ramos.  Many were involved in a peasant campaign for genuine land reform and free land distribution through the practice of “bungkalan” system in Negros. Farmers and farmworkers who have long worked in haciendas turn idle lands of haciendas into productive farms which they till in a collective and synchronized manner. The assertion for land to the tillers is the farmers’ response to the failed agrarian reform of government to redistribute land accumulated by sugar barons to actual tillers. A series of killings took the lives of strong women leaders like Elisa Badayos on 28 November 2017 and Heide Flores on 21 August 2018. The massacre of nine Sagay farmers that included two minors and three women on 20 October 2018 by a suspected private army of Hacienda Nene in collusion with police and military forces was used to justify the sending of more troops in Negros, Samar and Bicol by way of Presidential  Memorandum 32 to “suppress lawless elements.” The Sagay massacre was followed by another massacre of six farmers in Negros Oriental on 27 December 2018 in “Synchronized Enhanced Managing Police Operations” that conducted illegal searches and arrests in Guihulngan and Sta. Catalina, Negros Oriental. The operation—guised as anti-drug operations—clearly targeted the homes and communities of the Kaugmaon farmer’s organization. Farmers involved in the struggle for land and social-economic rights are vulnerable to state abuse, as the killing sprees of the government persist. When farmers and their lawyer are killed because of the cry of their stomachs, tyranny prevails.

 

The same trends of extrajudicial killings are observed in Luzon. Of the 49 cases of extra-judicial killings, most are where there are existing struggles of farmers for land as well as assertions of socio-economic rights and entitlements campaigns, in areas of corporate aggression. Bicol has had 23 killings, followed by Central Luzon with nine, and Southern Tagalog with seven killings. Incidents were also documented in Ilocos, Cordillera and Cagayan. The murder of peace advocate and consultant to the peace process Randy Felix Malayao is one poignantly ruthless attack on a sleeping target. Malayao was supposed to be protected under the Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) between the Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).  Malayao was assassinated while asleep inside a bus bound to his home province during a brief bus stop. His execution is a clear indicator of a tyrannical government.

 

When the state uses extra-judicial killing as a weapon against the poor, tyranny is present.  When it is used to silence peace builders and human rights defenders, tyranny abounds. Killing civilians without due process is reprehensible; killing those who are contributing in building a peace and just community is an act of tyranny.

 

( collated by Ecumenical Women’s Forum, March 8, 2019)