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Cagayan Valley HR summit calls for militancy

Amid escalating Human Rights Violations

GAMU, Isabela (Sept. 21) — A human rights summit here called on the people to brace themselves with intensified militancy against the increasing violations of people’s rights and the escalating economic crisis. The summit also tagged President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (PGMA) as the real monster, having the absolute power over the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) as its commander-in-chief.

At a march-rally on September 21, the 33rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by deposed dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the Cagayanos clamored for compensation of all victims of military atrocities and victims of martial rule, which they said PGMA has not given ample attention.

Close to 200 men and women from various towns, organizations, institutions, church groups and alliances of the four provinces of the Cagayan Valley Region trooped to the St. Ferdinand Cathedral in Upi, Gamu, Isabela last September 20-21 to discuss the region’s current human rights situation as well as its prospects.

Spearheaded by Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Human Rights) ­ Cagayan Valley and with the theme “further advance people’s struggle to promote and defend human rights amid ever-worsening economic and political crisis”, the summit divulged the flagrancy of human rights violations (HRVs) in the region under the PGMA’s regime.

Most of the human rights violations noted were committed in Isabela and Cagayan. Cases documented by Karapatan from January 2001 to July 2005 reached 1,543. Under these, 15,278 individuals, 1,917 families/households and 19 communities are said to have been victimized. According to Mr. Jigs Clamor, national deputy secretary-general of Karapatan, the number of HRVs increased rapidly in 2005.

The summit noted that there have been incidents that inflicted several HRVs on the people. One such incident is the food blockade in San Mariano, Isabela. A military camp was set up in the area and this alone terrorized residents, Karapatan reported.

Cited human rights violations (HRVs) include intimidation, illegal searches and destruction of properties to arbitrary arrests, torture, forced disappearances and manslaughter.

At one part in the conference’s program where some survivors retold their experiences, most victims are peasants and are active members, if not leaders, of cause-oriented organizations and alliances critical of the government. That they were also at the forefront of the anti-dynasty movement that toppled former Gov. Faustino Dy, Jr. of Isabela is likewise seen to be a motive for perpetuating violations against them.

Reginald Ugaddan, Bayan-CV spokesperson said 12 persons from these groups have been reported killed in a span of four and a half years. He said that progressive leaders have been tagged as “enemies of the state” by PGMA’s administration.

Moreover, the alleged perpetrators of such infringements on human rights largely come from either the military or police. According to the data presented, the AFP, particularly the 5th Infantry Division-Philippine Army through the different units under its command, are “instruments used by the state to insist on its anti-people projects and policies in the region by encumbering people’s resistance.” Through intensified military operations in the countryside, the AFP has proven itself as a danger to the life, freedom and property of people in the region.

Karapatan-CV likewise lambasted PGMA in her supposed ineptness at putting an end to this widespread desecration of civil liberties.

“GMA is indubitably accountable for each and every HRV case in Cagayan Valley and the rest of the country. It is her sworn duty to defend and protect the rights of every Filipino. Since her entry in Malacañang however, we have not seen her lift a finger to address even one complaint. What we are given instead is a lot more reasons to believe that she deliberately allows these crimes to happen,” said Fr. Emery Cadiz, chairperson of Karapatan-CV. On these grounds, they called for PGMA’s immediate ouster and the subsequent formation of a democratic transition council.

With “devising concrete steps for the defense and affirmation of human rights” as a main objective of the gathering, round-table discussions were held in the afternoon of Sep. 21, where participants drew ways to strengthen their ranks and resist violative attacks.

Among the resolutions made are plans for extensive education-drive on human rights, paralegal training, the putting up of local human rights centers and fortifying apt coordination among them, expansion of advocates’ network especially among students and professionals, lobbying exercises, alliance work and following-up of cases pending in several trial courts.

The need to re-convene and further broaden the “anti-DYnasty alliance” that also comprised a number of politicians was also stressed in the workshop.

The key to the issue lies however in bolstering unity and determination among the people through their organizations, they agreed.

“In a time like this when iron hands are obviously the rule, consolidating your ranks as people struggling for fundamental rights and legitimate aspirations is more a must than a may,” Karapatan-CV said in a press release. # Ge-Ann Malicdem and Bryan Balolong for NORDIS and Mary Grace Bautista/Karapatan-CV

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