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Cordi HR advocates, militants observe Int’l HR Day

BAGUIO CITY (Dec.10) — Human rights advocates and militant groups of the Cordillera and Ilocos Regions marched through the streets here before a rally to commemorate International Human Rights Day on December 10.

Militant groups like the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA), Innabuyog–Gabriela, Anakbayan Cordillera, Bayan Muna, Tongtongan ti Umili (TTU) and representatives of Iloocs Human Rights Advocates (IHRA) and Artists belonging to different groups denounced the latest killings of Albert Terredaño and Jose “Pepe” Manegdeg.

In the program held at the Igorot Garden succeeding the rally, speakers from the different groups shared their stand to call for justice not only for the two recent killings but for all the victims of human rights violations in the country.

Innabuyog – Gabriela Secretary General Vernie Yocogan – Diano said that the fight against the abusive government particularly the AFP, PNP and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s (PGMA) administration has become stronger this year as the violations continue to rise in number. She added that the violations are not only limited to the series of killings but generally, to the government’s inability to provide a good life to its citizens, especially women and workers.

She condemned PGMA’s silence on these issues. Also, Diano questioned the top-ranking government officials of Ilocos and Abra for not commenting on the latest killings of HR advocates Manegdeg and Terredaño. She concluded that this is only an indication that the politicians are becoming distant form these conditions and their people, whom they should purposely serve.

CHRA Secretary General Randy Kinaud said that in the past years, advocates tried to march on the streets to voice out their plea for justice yet they were dealt with illegal dispersals, arrests, and detention by the Police forces. He also added that they tried asking for justice the legal way but the cases filed are still unresolved. They are losing trust and hope in the government’s capability to resolve the human rights problems in the country.

CHRA recorded over 101 cases of human rights violations with 2,111 victims here in the region from 2001 up to the present. The cases include killings, mass evacuation, rape, abduction, physical injury and imprisonment. The group maintains that elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police are the perpetrators of the said human rights violations.

Aldwin Quitasol of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU)-Cordillera mentioned the cases of worker’s rights violation particularly by the Lepanto Mining corporation. He said that 100 workers lost their jobs this November and the corporation is still purging more workers this month.

He emphasized that although Christmas is getting near, PGMA has not given the workers of this country a gift that they deserve.

“Wala nang tatamis pa sa mga manggagawa kundi ang isang lipunang walang pang-aapi at pagsasamantala at lahat ay nakakaramdam ng biyaya,” (There is no better life for workers than a society without oppression and exploitation) Quitasol said.

The militants also remembered and reiterated the call for justice for the martyrs of the people’s movement here in the Cordillera. Among the martyrs remembered were Wendy Segbu, Peter Dangiwan, Johnny Camareg, Yanco Gaoilan, Lazaro Sabado, Etfew Chadya-as, Luis Putol, Romy Sanchez and the latest victims of political killings Jose “Pepe” Manegdeg and Albert Terredaño.

The program concluded with a concert from the various artists in the city namely: Ridaw, Jenifer Cariño, Salidummay, Tanghalang Bayan ng Kabataan sa Baguio (Tabak), Sining ng Paglaya (Silay), SOTANA, and Binhi, who were involved in the Karbengan album, as part of the International Human Rights Day Celebration this year. # Katherine del Rosario and Rhea Urbano/UP Interns for NORDIS

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