CPP/Ang Bayan: Hold the US-Aquino regime accountable for military abuses and brutality

Propaganda article from the English language edition of the CPP online publication Ang Bayan (Dec 21): Hold the US-Aquino regime accountable for military abuses and brutality

The Aquino regime is guilty of grave violations of human rights nationwide. Thus declared the more than 20,000 people who joined protests in various parts of the Philippines to commemorate the 66th year of International Human Rights Day on December 10. Aside from the gatherings at Mendiola, Manila, there were protest actions in the cities of Baguio, Capiz, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Kidapawan and Digos and in Kalibo town in Aklan. In Manila, representatives of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle from Bolivia, Colombia, Indonesia, Spain, India and a number of African countries joined the activities.

December 10 also served as the culmination of Manilakbayan ng Mindanao. The people and revolutionary movement on the island are currently Oplan Bayanihan’s priority targets. More than 60% of AFP forces (from the Philippine Army, Marines and Special Forces) are now in Mindanao, while 22% are in Luzon and 18% in the Visayas.

The growing numbers of military troops in Mindanao have further aggravated human rights violations in the island. According to the latest reports, there have been up to 92 cases of extrajudicial killings in Mindanao. Most of the victims are Lumad defending their ancestral lands.

On December 3, representatives of Manilakbayan and KARAPATAN met with Michel Forst, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders (UNSR-HRD). They shared with Forst the situation of national minorities in Mindanao and other human rights victims under the Aquino regime’s Oplan Bayanihan. In response, Forst promised that his office would seek Aquino’s permission anew to conduct an investigation on the conditions of human rights defenders. The Philippine government has twice refused to allow UN special rapporteurs on human rights defenders into the country.

The rallyists also held the government accountable for the deaths of activists fighting widespread mining operations in Mindanao. KARAPATAN spokesperson Cristina Palabaya demanded a stop to the killing of activists, peasants and minority peoples and a halt to mining applications.

There have been 226 cases of extrajudicial killings under the Aquino regime, with 105 of the victims human rights defenders. KARAPATAN has also documented the following human rights violations during Aquino’s time: 26 cases of abduction; 104 victims of torture; more than 900 illegal arrests; five cases of rape; 46,799 victims of forced evacuation; 91,103 victims of intimidation/harassment; 11,166 cases of indiscriminate shooting; 401 victims of physical abuse; and 12,695 cases of destruction of property.

Meanwhile, political prisoners fasted from December 3 to 10 as part of the commemoration of International Day of Solidarity with Political Prisoners. Almost 100 political detainees from various jails joined the fast, including consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. Other political detainees launched noise barrages and hung streamers in high places in protest. Progressive organizations led by KARAPATAN and SELDA picketed the Manila Regional Trial Court and the Department of Justice on December 3 as part of their support for the political prisoners.

[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist Party of the Philippines and is issued by the CPP Central Committee. It provides news about the work of the Party as well as its analysis of and views on current issues. Ang Bayan comes out fortnightly and is published in Pilipino, Bisaya, Ilokano, Waray, Hiligaynon and English.]

http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20141221/hold-the-us-aquino-regime-accountable-for-military-abuses-and-brutality