22
November
2008
Gabi ng Linggo, bisperas ng Mayo uno. Excited akong naghanda ng mga dadalhin ko. Backpack na naglalaman ng extrang damit, towel, note book, sunglasses at isang boteng tubig.
Lunes, handa na ako. Nag-aalangan pa rin ako dahil baka hindi ako payagan. Inumpisahan ko na ang panliligaw kina Mami at Dada (tawag ko kay daddy). Naglinis ako ng bahay para payagan, pero sangkatutak na sermon pa rin ang ipinabaon nila nang malaman na sa Plaza Miranda ako pupunta. “Anong oras ka na naman makakauwi? Ikaw ang liit-liit mong tao… mag-iingat ka,” sabay abot sa akin ng pera ni Mami. Medyo nasanay na ako sa ganoong eksena tuwing hihingi ako sa kanila ng pamasahe, umaatikabong sermon. Naiintindihan ko naman sila dahil alam kong nag-aalala lang sila sa ‘kin.
Tirik na tirik ang sikat ng araw, nakatayo ako sa tapat ng Quiapo Church. Maaga ako ng dalawang oras sa usapan namin, kaya nagpasiya muna akong sumama sa hanay ng Health Alliance for National Democracy (HEAD), isang samahan ng mga makabayang doktor. Tumulak na kami papuntang Liwasang Bonifacio (LB) at doon na lang mag-kikita ng mga kasama ko. Pagdating sa LB, parang reunion ang pagse-selebreyt ng Labor Day. Umaalingawngaw ang chant para sa P125 dagdag sahod ng mga nag-rarali para sa matagal nang kahilingan ng mga manggagawa.
Pagkatapos ng programa sa LB, nagpasya ang bulto na pumunta ng Mendiola kahit na may banta na idi-disperse kami. Nagsimula na ang martsa. Namangha ako sa haba at dami ng sumamang mga manggagawa’t mula sa iba’t ibang sektor. Sa umpisa marahan ang lakad. Takbo! Sigaw! nakahihingal, para akong nag-jogging sa tanghaling tapat. Pagdating namin sa recto nagkaroon ng konting komprontasyon sa pagitan ng dispersal unit ng PNP (Philippine National Police) at raliyista.
Nagpahinga at nag-poetry reading kami dahil matagal na di umuusad ang hanay. Kahit na may halong kaba dahil nakatutok sa amin ang water canonon, binigkas ko ng malakas ang tulang “May arte rin ang pagtanggap ng di sapat na sahod” ni Ferdinand Jarin.
“Bonna magiging am.
Pampers magiging lampin.
Wafers magiging tigpi-pisong otap…
Siguradong matatapos ang pamimili’y
bitbit mo na ang supot ng alternatibs”
Sa aking pagsulong kasama ng mga manggagawang lagi’t laging pinagsasamantalahan, marami akong natutunan. Kung sa iba’y ingay ang kanilang isinisigaw, sa ‘kin ito’y mga taludtod na tugma sa paglaya. Ang kalyo’t magaspang nilang kamay ay ang tunay na metapora ng buhay. Ang kanilang laban ay saknong-saknong na berso ng tagumpay.
“Matiyaga mong tinigkal ang kalawal
sa naghihingalong makina, kinumpuni.
Ilang ulit ka ring napitpit subalit di sumuko sa pagpanday.
Bukas, tiyak luwalhati sa karamihan ang makinang ‘yong binuhay.”
Posted under DICTUM
22
November
2008
Naging abala ang marami
sa paggawa,
pagbebenta at pagbili
ng mga palamuti na isasabit sa
kani-kanilang bahay.
Habang ang pamilya ni Karen Empeño,
ay abala sa pagsabit ng “MISSING”
sa labas ng kanilang tirahan;
Hindi Krismas layts, kundi kandila
ang sinindihan ng kaanak ni Sherlyn Cadapan;
Sa hapag na may hamon at keso de bola,
plato ni Jonas Burgos ang walang laman.
Posted under oyran0ysulober
6
November
2008
As of November 3, almost 30 activist leaders from the Southern Tagalog chapter of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and its allied organizations as well as party list groups are facing arrest warrants for criminal charges of multiple murders and frustrated multiple murders while facing separate charges of arson. First to be arrested was Atty. Remigio Saladero, chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno and a resident of Antipolo, Rizal. Three others were subsequently arrested, including a bed-ridden peasant leader.
The trumped-up charges have targeted many of the prominent leaders of the mass movement in Southern Tagalog. This marks a renewed legal and political offensive against the most consistent opponents of the Arroyo administration. It should be recalled that the Southern Tagalog region was among the worst hit by the wave of extrajudicial killings and abductions of activists from 2001-2007. The targets then were activist leaders, union leaders, peasant organizers, environment activists and urban poor organizers.
As of March 2008, human rights group Karapatan -Southern Tagalog has documented 167 victims of extrajudicial killing and 31 of enforced disappearance in the region.
The Southern Tagalog 27
On September 30, 2008, volunteers of the human rights group Karapatan in Batangas stumbled upon a complaint filed against 27 persons who included activist leaders and members of progressive people’s organizations in the Southern Tagalog region. The original complaint was filed on August 12, 2008 at the office of the Batangas Provincial Prosecutor’s Office by a certain Marlo Timbreza on behalf of Globe Telecom Inc., regarding the bombing and burning of a Globe cell site in Lemery, Batangas last August 2. Timbreza alleged that the respondents committed arson, (deleted Article) the destruction of private property other than arson and conspiracy to commit rebellion.
The August 12 complaint named 19 respondents which included prominent activist-leaders Bayani Cambronero, 8th party list nominee and Southern Tagalog regional coordinator of Bayan Muna; Rolando Mingo, Vice President of the nationwide transport group PISTON, and president of the Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organiztion; Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Legal Counsel, member of PROLABOR law office, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and the National Union of People’s Laywers (NUPL); Agaton Bautista, Anakpawis, Batangas provincial coordinator; Noriel Rocafort, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) - Batangas secretary general; Isabelo Alicaya, Chairperson of the Fisherfolk group PAMALAKAYA-Southern Tagalog and the Haligi ng mga Batangueñong Anak Dagat (Habagat).
Also included in the original complaint is Romy Aguilar of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) in Rizal who is now in a wheelchair due to diabetes.
The complaint would later be amended in September 5, 2008 to include 8 of the 9 grassroots activists who were abducted and tortured by elements of the Calabarzon PNP’s Regional Special Operations Group last August 31, 2008 in Tartaria, Cavite. They include 63 year old Renato Alvarez, Chairperson of the Katipunan ng mga Magbubuikd sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka), who experienced torture at the hands of his abductors.
The supposed witness to the crime of arson is a certain Arvin Leviste who claims to be a Deep Penetration Agent of the military who infiltrated the organization and planned and worked with the respondents in the burning of the cell site.
The Mindoro Case
On October 23, 2008, Atty. Remigio Saladero was reported missing. Later, his colleagues would learn that he was being detained in Camp Vicente Lim in Calamba City by virtue of a warrant of arrest.
The next day, Nestor San Jose, another ST 27 respondent would also be nabbed in Teresa town in Rizal.
The warrants of arrest were issued by Judge Tomas Leynes of the Calapan City Regional Trial Court in accordance with a criminal case filed against Atty. Saladero, San Jose and 70 others.
It was only then that lawyers discovered this separate case of multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder filed against 72 persons, including most of the Southern Tagalog 27.The information cited an NPA ambush in Puerto Galera, Mindoro Oriental in March 3, 2006.
Around 30 of the 72 accused are active leaders, and members of progressive people’s organizations in Southern Tagalog.
On October 27, 2008, in a court proceeding regarding Atty. Saladero’s case, provincial prosecutor Josephine Caranzo-Olivar admitted that no preliminary investigation was conducted when the names of the 71 were added to the amended information. . This means that no inquiry was held to determine if there was probable cause against the additional 71 individuals.
The same day, Crispin Zapanta also among the 72 accused, was arrested in Antipolo City.
Saladero, San Jose and Zapanta are now detained at the Calapan City Provincial Jail.
On November 4, Anakpawis Provincial Coordinator and spokesman of the Katipunan ng Magbubukid sa Kabite (Kamagsasaka-Ka) Rogelio Galit was arrested by the PNP in his house in Kaong, Silang, Cavite. Galit is bedridden and is suffering from diabetes.
Also included in the complaint are human rights victims themselves. They include Arman Albarillo, who lost both his parents after they were murdered by military forces, and Orly Marcellana, who’s wife Eden Marcellana (Karapatan ST Secretary General) was killed in Mindoro by soldiers under Gen. Jovito Palparan. Albarillo has been a consistent complainant in the impeachment cases filed against Mrs. Gloria Arroyo.
IMPLICATIONS
The current legal offensive against progressive leaders and activists in Southern Tagalog is not an isolated incident. It has been preceded by similar baseless criminal charges against Bayan and other mass leaders such as in the provinces of Negros and Davao. It should also be recalled that trumped-up murder charges were filed against Rep. Satur Ocampo, peasant leader Randal Echanis and other progressives in relation to alleged mass graves in Hilonggos, Leyte. Rep. Ocampo is out on bail while Echanis is detained at the Manila City Jail.
The cases against the ST activists is particularly alarming because of their wholesale and sweeping nature: Almost all high-profile regional and provincial leaders have been charged. Even more disturbing are the legal shortcuts that were resorted to by the prosecutor in implicating 72 respondents without the benefit of any preliminary investigation and the hasty issuance of arrest warrants by the Calapan RTC .
It appears that the principal impetus for the filing of these new cases against the 72 is consistent with the communist-labeling/demonizing being resorted to by the Arroyo regime and the state security forces. The cases portray and subsequently accuse legal activists to be members of the New People’s Army, the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Phililppines. But instead of filing rebellion cases against them, they are instead charged with common crimes such as murder and arson.
Like in the previous rebellion cases against partylist lawmakers and activists, the current multiple murder and frustrated multiple murder charges were filed through highly irregular procedures thereby denying the accused their right to due process.
These trumped-up charges have all the imprints of the Department of Justice, the InterAgency Legal Action Group (IALAG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
What the Arroyo regime could no longer accomplish through extrajudicial killings and abductions, it now tries to accomplish through the filing of non-bailable criminal charges. The objective is clearly to neutralize the activist leaders by detaining them illegally or forcing them to go into hiding. At the same time, there is the intention to terrorize the remaining leaders, activists and the political mass base of Bayan and other progressive organizations and party list groups.
It is therefore necessary that freedom loving Filipinos oppose this crackdown on progressive activists with the same vigor as when we opposed extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances. Four people have already been arrested and there is a great possibility that there may be more in the near future. While the issue is being fought in the legal arena, it is of crucial importance that people rise up and speak out against these abuses and outright political persecution and repression. It is important that pressure be made to bear on the Arroyo regime to put a stop to its drive to put democratic and nationalist leaders behind bars and out of commission.
Activists included in the list of the accused 72:
- Arman Albarillo
- Secretary General, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog
- Signatory in the 2008 impeachment complaint against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
- In April 2002, Arman’s parents Expedito Albarillo (Bayan Muna municipal Coordinator) and Manuela Albarillo (Gabriela member) was brutally killed by suspected elements of the 204th brigade, then led by Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan. Before his death, Expedito was incarcerated for 9 months Judge Tomas Leynes regarding an alleged murder case.
- After his parents’ death, Arman, his family and relatives became internal refugees who had to fled their hometown in Mindoro due to continuous threats by the military.
- Bayani Cambronero, 48 yrs old
- 8th Partylist Nominee and Southern Tagalog Regional Coordinator, Bayan Muna Party
- A student activist leader during his college days in UP Los Baños, Bani was Chairperson of the University Student Council
- After leaving college, Bani joined the labor movement. He bacame the Deputy Secretary General of Pagkakaisa ng mga Manggagawa sa Timog Katagalugan-Kilusang Mayo Uno (Pamantik-KMU) and the Executive Director of the Institute for Workers Leadership Development.
- former Secretary General of Bayan-ST
- ST 27 Respondent
- Orly Marcellana,
- Secretary General, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (Kasama-TK)
- Chairperson, Bayan-ST
- In April 21, 2003, Orly’s wife, Eden Marcellana and colleague Eddie Gumanoy were abducted in Mindoro Oriental, along with 9 other human rights volunteers, while they were conducting a Fact Finding Mission. The following day, the brutally murdered bodies of Eden and Eddie were found in a shallow ditch near the Strong Republic Nautical Highway, Suspects to the crime were elements of the 204th brigade then led by Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan.
- Romeo Legaspi,
- Chairperson, PAMANTIK-KMU
- National President, Organized Labor association in Line Industries and Agriculture (OLALIA-KMU)
- President, Nagkakaisang Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Honda ( NLMH- OLALIA),
- Chairperson, Anakpawis-Timog Katagalugan
- Rolando Mingo,
- President, Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organization, (STARTER)
- Vice President, Pinagkaisang Lakas ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide (PISTON)
- ST 27 Respondent
- Doris Cuario
- Secretary General, Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights – Southern Tagalog (KARAPATAN)
- Helen Asdolo, 41 yrs old
- Secretary General, National Alliance of Women’s Organizations in the Philippines (GABRIELA) - Southern Tagalog
- 5th partylist nominee, Gabriela Women’s Party
- Atty. Remigio Saladero
- Legal Counsel, KMU
- Founding Member, National Union of People’s Lawyers
- Labor Lawyer, Pro-Labor Legal Assistance Center (PLACE)
- Regular columnist, Pinoy Weekly
- ST 27 Respondent
- Emmanuel Dionida
- Board of Director, LEADERS (Labor Education Advocacy Development Research Services Inc.)
- Despite his “Polio,” Emmanuel has been active in the labor movement for almost 2 decades now
- Dina Captillo, 28 yrs old
- Spokesperson, Karapatan- Batangas
- Staff, Gabriela-Batangas
- Former Chairperson, League of Filipino Students – Philippine Normal University Chapter
- Former Chairperson, Student Christian Movement – Philippine Normal University Chapter
- Member, Alliance of Concerned Teachers
- ST 27 Respondent
- Renato Alvarez, 63 yrs Old
- Chairperson, Katipunan ng mga Magsasaka sa Kabite/Kilusang Magbubuikd ng Pilipinas (Kamagsasa-Ka/KMP)
- Chairperson, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Tartaria (SAMATA)
- ST 27 Respondent
- Nestor San Jose, 53 yrs old
- Rizal Provincial Coordinator, Anakpawis
- Coordinator, Makabayang Organisasyon ng Tsuper at Operator sa Rizal (MOTOR) –PISTON
- ST 27 Respondent
- Crispin Zapanta, 60 yrs old
- Chairperson, Bayan Muna – Antipolo City
- Romeo Aguilar
- Secretary General, Kalipunan ng mga Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) – Rizal
- Organizer, Bayan Muna Rizal
- Former Chariperson, Bagong Lakas ng Nayon (BALANA)
- Romeo is suffering from diabetes and is now confined to a wheelchair
- ST 27 Respondent
- Rogelio Galit
- Spokesperson, Kamagsasaka-Ka
- Public Relations Officer, Kasama-TK
- On the night of November 3, 2008, Rogelio was arrested by 15 armed men in plainclothes at his house in Kaong, Silang, Cavite. Galit, who is already bedridden due to his diabetic condition, was forcibly taken despite his condition and brought to the PNP Regional Headquarters in Camp Vicente Lim. The following day, Galit was brought to Calapan City Provincial Jail
- Luz Baculo
- Secretary General, Pamantik-KMU
- National Council Member, KMU
- Pedro Santos Jr.,
- Secretary General, Anakbayan-Southern Tagalog
- Regional Coordinator, Kabataan Party
- Convenor, Youth Act Now – Southern Tagalog
- Jojo Bernardino, 49 yrs old
- Secretary General, Bayan-Laguna
- Secretary General, Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa sa Probinsya ng Laguna (ALMAPILA)
- Former Chairperson, Bisig at Lakas ng Manggagawa sa Kapalaran Bus Line
- Berlin Justo
- Calamba City coordinator, Bayan Muna
- Secretary General, Calamba Federation Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association
- Former Baranggay Councilor, Brgy. Palingon, Calamba City
- Agaton Bautista, 36 yrs old
- Batangas Provincial Coordinator, Anakpawis
- Secretary General, Samahan ng mga Magbubukid sa Batangas (SAMBAT)
- Leng Jucutan
- Staff, Kongreso ng mga Magsasaka Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo – Quezon (KOMPRA)
- Amelita Sto. Tomas, 53 yrs old
- Chairperson, Gabriela-Cavite
- Cavie Provincial Coordinator, Gabriela Women’s Party
- Samuel Dizon
- Coordinator, Samahan Pang-transportasyong Rumuruta sa Kalahang Probinsya ng Laguna (SPARKPLAG) – Piston
- Lucio Amarante
- Staff, Transport Organizer, STARTER-PISTON
- Henry Halawig
- Paralegal staff, Banzuela Law Office
- Former Borad of Director, OLALIA-KMU
- Emmanuel Assuncion
- Municipal coordinator, Bayan Muna
- Vice Chairperson for External Affairs, Spokesperson, Bayan=Cavite
- Council of Leaders Member, former Public Relations Officer, former Secretary General, former Chairperson, Solidarity of Cavite Workers
- Karen Ortiz
- Deputy Decretary General, Cavite Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace (CEMJP)
- Former Provincial Coordinator, Student Christian Movement - Cavite
- Former Cavite Provincial Coordinator, Kabataan Party
- Former Provincial Coordinator, Anakbayan-Cavite
- Sheryll Villegas
- Secretary General, Bayan-Cavite
- Former Provincial Coordinator,Anakbayan-Cavite
- Rommel Valdez
- Chairperson, Samahan ng mga Magsasaka sa Intsikan
Posted under Uncategorized
16
November
2007
haay. hindi ko alam kung bakit hindi ako makatulog. samantalang kanina, pag tapos ko kumain at maglakad ng napakalayo… inaantok na ako. but no…ngayon wala na. kahit nakakabord na ang ginagawa ko ngayong gabi, wit parin dalawin ng antok. haay.
sana nga sumakit na lang ulo ko ngayon dahil sa kakaisip, para itutulog ko na lang 2. pero wala e. kahit na andami kong iniisip. balewala. basag 3p.
haay. ano na ba ang nagaganap sa akin? hindi ko rin alam e. basta ang alam ko, nagtytype ako ngayon. nakikinig ng music. nagiisip kung ano ang itytype ko. parang.. ganito lang.. oo tama, tama, tama. ganyan nga..
haay.. sana andito ka.
Posted under ang pagaantay
9
November
2007
dahan-dahan dumampi
ang malamig mong haplos
sabik sa iyong bisig.
Posted under ang pagaantay
23
September
2007
kailangan ko ng isang baso na may yelo..at magiging kulay ginto ito… tapos, aapaw ang bula..
*hik*hik*
tara..samahan mo ako..
T_T
Posted under ang pagaantay
17
August
2007
Halos mag-iisang taon ko na rin siyang nakasama. Tandang-tanda ko pa noong una kami nagkakilala, buwan ng Hulyo iyon nung nakaraang semester sa Student Lobby, isa siya sa mga maraming estudyante na naglalakad kasama ang mga kaklase. Naghahagilap ako ng mga estudyante na gusto mag-apply sa Tekno, lumapit siya sa akin para magtanong kung paano mag-apply, agad ko naman siyang binigyan ng application form para kanyang sagutan.
Nag-aalinlangan pa siya nung una kung tatanggapin niya ang form, dahil wala pa raw siyang karanasan makasali sa isang publication. Ipinaliwanag ko naman, na matutunan din niya kung anu-ano ang mga basic journalism skills. Na kumbinsi ko naman siya at pagkatapos ininterview. Araw ng staff writer examination nang muli ko siyang nakita.
Tulad ng maraming nagnanais makapasa sa exam, isa siya sa mga naging teknopips. Simula noon, madalas ko na siyang nakakasama sa mga gawain sa pub. Noong una, nahihiya pa siya sa akin, mukha raw kasi akong mahirap i-approach. Agad ko naman siyang nilapitan upang makausap, para matanggal ang ganoong pag-tingin at ipinaliwanag na walang dapat ikahiya, sapagkat buong taon kami magkakasama sa paglalathala ng mga isyu ng mga EARISTian.
Dumating ang araw ng Journalism Skills and Training Program (JSTP) ng tekno. Sa tatlong araw naming JSTP, mas lalong humigpit ang aming pagkakakilala sa isa’t isa alinsunod sa mga bagong kaalaman sa pagsusulat. Nakita ko ang kagalakan sa kanyang mga mata, dahil malaki ang naitulong ng mga workshop na ibingay ng speakers. Dispiras ng huling araw ng JSTP, kagrupo siya sa isang pangkultural pagtatanghal. Isang art performance ang aming inihanda tungkol sa sistema ng edukasyon sa Pinas. Nagbigay muna ako ng maigsing discussion kung bakit naging komersyalisado, kolonyalisado at mapanupil ang edukasyon sa bansa bago kami magpraktis.
Isang artikulo sa kultura ang aking ini-assigned para sa kanya, ito rin ang unang-una niyang task sa ilalim ng Features and Culture bureau na hawak ko. Dumaan sa matinding editing ang artik namin, para mas lalong maging maganda ang kalabasan nito. Kahit na nahihirapan at hindi pa gaano gamay ang pagsusulat ng kultura, pursigido siyang mapag-tagumpayan ito para ma-educate ang kapwa mag-aaral. Hindi rin siya nagpakulong sa apat na sulok ng EARIST at publikasyon, bagkus, sumasama din siya sa pag-cocover ng mga rali sa lansangan, para alamin at ipaabot sa mga kamag-aral ang mga isyu ng mga kabataan at iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan.
Saksi ang mga pinilas na pahina ng kalendaryo sa kanyang pag-unlad, at habang lumilipas ang araw, nasusubaybayan ko ang kanyang patuloy na pag-unlad. Mas lalo siyang na nauhaw sa usaping ekonomya’t pulitika, kung kaya’y higit pang nagpakasuhay para ipagpatuloy ang malayang pamamahayag. Dumating ang araw ng enrolment, hindi ko nasilayan ang kanyang anino. Sa kabila ng maraming text message na ipinadala ko, hindi ko nakita sa inbox ang kanyang pangalan.
Hanggang isang gabi, pinuntahan ko siya sa kanilang bahay at aking nalaman dahil sa biglaang pagtaas ng matrikula, hindi siya makakapag-enrol ngayong taon. Kahit na kumuha pa siya ng scholarship mula sa publikasyon, hindi kayang tustusan ng kanyang mga magulang ang napaka-taas na tuition and other fees sa isang State College and University (SUC), tulad ng EARIST. Isa siya sa libu-libong kabataan ang tinanggalan ng karapatang makapag-aral, sa isang SUC na binansagan pa man ding “for the poorest to poor” na institusyon.
Itigil ang pagtaas ng matrikula at iba pang bayarin, ibalik ang iligal na sininggil sa mga iskolar ng bayan!
*para sa isang teknopips na hindi nakapag-enrol at isang bumalik sa probinsiya para ipagpatuloy ang pag-aaral- sa EARISTians na biktima ng TOFI at sa kanilang magulang- lalo’t higit sa libu-libong out of school youth sa bansa
Posted under DICTUM
