[asia-apec 981] International Human Rights Day in the Philippines

[BAYAN]

>KARAPATAN
>Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights
>10 DECEMBER 1998
>
>Rights Group rates Estrada administration’s
>human rights record on International Human Rights Day
>
>In a rally at the historic Mendiola Bridge, dubbed as "December 10, a Day
>of Celebration, Mourning and Struggle", the human rights alliance,
>KARAPATAN, rated the human rights record of the Estrada administration.  
Marie Hilao-Enriquez, secretary-general of KARAPATAN, lamented
>that, "Contrary to his promises that he will be the protector of the poor,
>the record of the Estrada regime scored a 'perfect' score as the new
>protector of the rights and interests of multinational corporations,
>landlords, and big business."
>
>"Even as the international community celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the
>Universal Declaration of Human Rights, four leaders and members of peasant
>organizations have been killed in Leyte, Bohol and Toledo City, Cebu.  One
>of them, Roberto Kinney, was killed in Mandaluyong for leading peasant
struggle
>in San Rafael IV, Noveleta, Cavite against 
>land-grabbing by the Dalahican Agro-Marine Corporation and the
>First Noveleta Realty and Development Corporation.  Likewise, police and
>military forces attacked communities in San Jose del Monte,
>Bulacan, Mandaue City, Cebu, and Florida Blanca, Pampanga, to enforce 
>landlord and developer claims."
>
>"In Bohol, counter-insurgency operations were conducted to stifle the
>resistance of peasant organizations against the Cebu-Inabanga Water Deal.
>While in Capiz, military operations involving the 3rd Infantry Battalion,
>PA are forcing peasants to give way to mining operations. From November
>12-14 in Brgy. Puray, Rodriguez, Rizal, during operations conducted by the
>6th and 9th Army Scout Rangers, the soldiers arrested Cresencio Cruz and
>repeatedly hit him with rifle butts until he involuntarily defecated. Cruz
>became lame as a result of the beatings."
>
>Enriquez added, "While these are occurring, 139 political prisoners
>continue to languish in jail even after the government signed the
>Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International
>Humanitarian Law with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. The
>Estrada administration is a disappointment. While Aquino and Ramos
>released a substantial number of political prisoners upon assumption into
>office, President Estrada has not yet done so."
>
>"And now, President Estrada’s coddling of the Marcos family and their
>cronies has emboldened Imelda Marcos, the Iron Butterfly, to openly
>claim the corporations which they acquired with Filipino tax payers’ money
>during Martial Law. As we, the victims of the Marcos
>dictatorship, watch as the circus unfolds with the infighting among
>the Marcos family and their cronies, we cannot help but seethe with anger.
>They are committing a double injustice to the victims of human rights
>violations under Marcos.  Instead of helping the Marcos victims with their
>rightful claims, in fulfilment of its commitment to the Comprehensive
>Agreement on HR & IHL with the National Democratic Front,
>the Estrada regime facilitated the dismissal of 27 graft charges against
>the Marcos family."
>
>Enriquez averred, "We are in black today because KARAPATAN together with
>people's organizations under BAYAN are in mourning this December 10.
>Exactly one hundred years ago, Spain and America signed the Treaty of
>Paris.  In said treaty, the Philippines was annexed by the United
>States of America as its colony. And since then, even with the changes in
>the seat of power, all succeeding regimes only served to pursue the
>interests of US imperialism and its local allies.  

>And the record of the Estrada administration during the last five months
is essentially no different. The only variation is in the style.  Cory
Aquino feigned innocence.  Fidel Ramos mastered dissembling.  And Estrada
is wont to play the tough guy film actor. Thus, it is not surprising that the
>Estrada administration is currently pushing for charter change and the
>National ID system, tasks which were left unfinished by the Ramos
>administration."
>
>Enriquez added, "If there is anything to learn from the history of the
>framing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the continuing
>subjugation of the country to US imperialism which started with the Treaty
>of Paris, and the Estrada regime’s record on human rights, is that 
>people’s rights can only be attained through ceaseless struggle."#
>
>	 ---------------------------------------------------------
>	 B A Y A N
>	 Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or New Patriotic Alliance
>	 No. 23 Maamo Street, Sikatuna Village
>	 Quezon City, PHILIPPINES							      	
>	 Telephone: (63-2) 435-9151       Telefax: (63-2) 922-5211
>	 Email:   <bayan at iname.com>
>	 Bayan webpage URL:                                 
>	 http://www.bigfoot.com/~bayan-phils 	      	
>	 -----------------------------------------------------------
>