3 MIN READ

By INNABUYOG-GABRIELA
www.nordis.net

Today is Mother’s Day. It is a day designated in honor of women’s motherhood and their contributions in shaping society. As mothers and women, we commemorate this day by honoring the 1870 ‘Mother’s Day Proclamation’ forwarded by the precursor of the celebration, Julia Howard Howe, calling on all women to unite for world peace.

The call for peace, peace based on justice is still significant at present where the world is reeling from the ravages of centuries old injustices exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As women and mothers, INNABUYOG expresses its alarm over events the last few weeks that placed Cordillera women human rights defenders (WHRDs), mothers and sisters who are working for a future where social justice and peace reigns, in greater risk.

These events could already be the implementation of the Regional Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee (RLECC) resolutions passed earlier this year, specifically RLECC-CAR Resolution 4, s.2021: Proposing the implementation of “tokhang” style operations against “known leftist personalities in the government, media and other entities” – a resolution that would put mothers,

On different dates in the months of March and April, we have learned that WHRDs in Baguio City were sought by individuals who identified themselves as belonging to the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO). Some of these individuals engaged the family members and relatives of the WHRDs via Facebook and in their residence, asking for the WHRDs’ whereabouts and the work they do. Said members of the PNP proceeded directly to the office where some of the WHRDs work, without observing official protocols in conducting visits such as being in uniform, properly identifying themselves and presenting official communication.

We do not believe that these are isolated events. What we foresee is the implementation of the RLECC resolutions that endanger the lives of these women who are clearly social activists, their families, and the communities they serve. In fact, we do not know yet if there are similar but unreported incidents in other parts of the region. We call on others who have experienced similar conduct by state agents to come out in the open.

We urgently appeal to the signatories of the RLECC resolutions, among the government line agency directors, to recall their signatures. We especially appeal for such among the women executives who signed the resolutions.

We believe that these resolutions are affronts to the people’s constitutionally-guaranteed human rights and fundamental freedoms. We reiterate the statement of the Cordillera Movement against Tyranny (MAT) that the above resolutions violate people’s rights to free speech, assembly, privacy and to life:

Resolution 1, s. 2021 implicates that activists and other entities are “front organizations” of the CPP-NPA-NDF. This is most concerning especially when the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), along with the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), are actively targeting critical personalities and organizations based on mere suspicion and unfounded allegations. Urging government units and agencies to condemn such is tantamount to the demonization and criminalization of critical thinking and legitimate dissent.

Resolution 2, s. 2021 hinders our constitutionally-enshrined right to protest and assembly, by letting the police and military have a say for its approval. Having police and/or military concurrence to public gatherings and assemblies is virtually the same as letting their dictates reign over our democracy.

Most concerning is Resolution 4, s. 2021 which warrants “Tokhang” against identified “left-leaning personalities.” This repurposing of the dreaded and controversial tactic employed in the government’s brutal campaign against drugs will only further normalize the unjust persecution, violence and killings already being done with impunity. Without the distinction between innocent “left-leaning” individuals and armed insurgents, this resolution’s clear goal is not to end the present insurgency but only silence and criminalize dissent.

On March 30, an unsigned draft RLECC resolution entitled RLECC Resolution No. 06, s. 2021:  A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PBGEN R’WIN PAGKALINAWAN, RLECC CHAIRMAN TO FILE A LIBEL CASE AGAINST AISAH MARIANO, DEPUTY SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE CORDILLERA PEOPLES ALLIANCE (CPA) was brought to our attention. RLECC Resolutions 1, 2 and 4 are breaches to human rights protected by the Philippine Constitution and this recent resolution against Aisah Mariano is an affront to free speech. Previous to this draft resolution, former ProCor Director Pagkalinawan filed a cyberlibel case against Ms. Sarah Dekdeken, CPA Secretary General for her statements quoting communities in Kalinga for implying the connection of Pagkalinawan to the demolition and desecration of the Cordillera Heroes Monument in Tinglayan in December and January.

We are appealing to the public for support, to demand for the recall of the RLECC resolutions, before any harm happens and before more mothers, sisters, concerned citizens of Baguio and the Cordillera are subjected to these tokhang-style strategies that could lead to further human rights violations. 

Asserting the highest standard of respect for human rights is a community effort and we trust that citizens of Baguio and the Cordillera will rise to the challenge to take this on. #