Bayan Muna congratulates the US People and Pres. Barack Obama

Bayan Muna congratulates Sen. Barack Obama on his election as 44th president of the United States of America.

We especially congratulate the people of the United States for overcoming age-old bigotry and racial prejudices in electing their country's first African-American president.

Sen. Obama's victory signals a rejection of George W. Bush's rabid pursuance of neoliberal economics, unilateralism in foreign policies and naked military aggression that are a bane to the whole world. Such a victory opens up hope that somehow, US foreign policy might change for the better.

The challenge now is for Pres. Obama to fulfill his promise of real change, in particular the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq and other places where they have conducted unilateral military action, and the dismantling of notorious detention camps in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and more constructive policies with regards to Iran, Syria, North Korea and other states labeled by Bush as the "Axis of Evil." He should stop the US government's policy of labeling and persecuting national liberation groups as "terrorists."

We would be pleasantly surprised if Pres. Obama's mantra of change would entail a review of US policy on the Philippines, particularly the removal of US troops and facilities from Philippine soil, the abrogation of unequal and onerous economic and political agreements like the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and Mutual Defense Treaty of 1951, as well as a fundamental revision of RP-US relations based on the principles of mutual benefit and respect.###

Stop The Killings Network - CANADA: The Statement of Deepak Obhrai at the House of Commons

The statement of Deepak Obhrai at the House of Commons (Canadian Parliament) on behalf of the Government.

Obhrai in his position as Parliamentary Secretary is the counterpart of the Philippine Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs (or deputy to Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson)

Mr. Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, CPC): Mr. Speaker, the Philippines faces serious human rights challenges, notably the ongoing extrajudicial killings and the apparent culture of impunity. Canada raised these concerns on April 11 during the Human Rights Council's universal periodic review of the Philippines.

Canada also encouraged the Philippines to ensure that its security forces are aware of human rights and their responsibility to protect human rights defenders.

Canada is encouraged that the Philippines has expressed its commitment to end extrajudicial killings through undertaking initiatives such as Task Force Usig, the Melo commission, and the visit of UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston. We also commend the laudable role of the Supreme Court in the preservation of human rights and in the pursuit of justice.

We encourage the Philippines to work at implementing the recommendations and to make progress on convictions. Canada supports the Philippines in implementing measures to promote and protect the human rights of all Filipinos.#

Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) letter to the Hon. Maxine Bernier

Canadian Union of Postal Workers
377, rue Bank Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 1Y3. www.cupw-sttp.org

1301-A-100
May 6, 2008

The Hon. Maxime Bernier
Minister of Foreign Affairs
125 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa, Ontario K1A-OG2

Dear Minister Bernier,

Re: Harassment of Rep. Satur Ocampo and Two Other Members of Philippine Congress

On behalf of the 55,000 members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW), I am writing you to urgently request Canada's intervention with respect to the murder charges against Rep. Satur Ocampo and two other members of the Philippine House of Representatives.

The charges were filed on April 18 upon Mr. Ocampo's return from a visit in Canada, during which he appeared as a witness before the House of Commons Sub-Committee on International Human Rights. We are especially concerned about this development because Mr. Ocampo was also an international guest at CUPW's 23rd Triennial Convention during the week of April 13 to 17, along with two other Philippine parliamentarians, Mr. Crispin Beltran and Ms. Luz Ilagan.

The two parliamentarians who are charged with Mr. Ocampo are Rep. Teodoro Casino and Rep. Liza Maza who were also returning from travel overseas during which they spoke about the human rights situation in the Philippines. Mr. Casino was in Geneva for the United Nation's Universal Periodic Review of the Philippines and both he and Ms. Maza attended the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in South Africa where they reported on the continuing cases of political harassment against them.

CUPW believes that the Philippine Inter-Agency Legal Action (IALAG) is behind these charges in order to punish Mr. Ocampo and his Party List colleagues for daring to speak to the international community about the human rights abuses in the Philippines and for urging Canada and other governments to take action to ensure these abuses cease, particularly the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances of activists. The IALAG, headed by National Security Advisor Mr. Norberto Gonzales, is named in the report of the UN Special Rapporteur, Prof. Philip Aston, as responsible for the filing of spurious charges against progressive opposition leaders.

CUPW has been made aware that this is not the first time that bogus charges have been used to harass Mr. Ocampo and other Party list legislators:

• On february 2007, Mr. Ocampo was arrested and detained for 18 days during an ongoing election campaign on charges of murders he allegedly committed in 1989. The Supreme Court dismissed the case.
• In 2006, "rebellion" charges were also dismissed against Representatives Ocampo, Casino, Beltran and Maza. Each of them spent two months under the protective custody of the Philippine Congress to prevent their arrest while Beltran was put under hospital arrest.

We are gravely concerned about the safety of these Members of Congress. These charges have been laid amidst the continuing and alarming climate of political killings, enforced disappearances and government inaction to end impunity. We strongly condemn the harassment and threat of arrest of Rep. Satur Ocampo and his co-accused parliamentarians.

CUPW therefore adds its voice to that of ther unions, human rights organizations, faith groups and social justice coalitions who are urging the Canadian government:

1) To send a representative from the Embassy in Manila to the May 12th hearing of Mr. Ocampo and his co-accused parliamentarians and to have the embassy continue to monitor the threat against them;

2) To express concern and condemn the ongoing harassment of Mr. Ocampo and these members of the opposition in a strong public statement;

3) To call on the Government of President Arroyo to implement the recommendations of the UN Special Rapporteur, and in particular the recommendation to abolish the Itner0Agency legal Action Group.

We further request that a report on this situation be presented to the members of the House of Commons Subcommittee on Inetrnational Human Rights, who met with the Philippine legislators during their visit to Canada.

Sincerely,

(SGD) Dennis Lemelin
CUPW National President

cc: Members of the house of Commons Sub-Committee on International Human Rights:
Mr. Scott Reid Hon. Jason Kenney
Mr. David Sweet Hon. Irwin Cotler
Mr. Mario Silva Ms. Diane Bourgeois
Mr. Wayne Marston

Paul Dewar, NDP M.P.
Ken Georgetti, President, Canadian Labour Congress
CUPW National Executive Committee
CUPW National Union Representatives
Specialists

The latest IPU Resolution on Batasan Six

Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 182nd session (Cape Town, 18 April 2008)

110

PHILIPPINES
CASE No. PHI/01 - CRISPIN BELTRÁN CASE No. PHI/04 - TEODORO CASIÑO
CASE No. PHI/02 - SATURNIÑO OCAMPO CASE No. PHI/05 - LIZA MAZA
CASE No. PHI/03 - JOEL VIRADOR CASE No. PHI/06 - RAFAEL MARIANO

Resolution adopted unanimously by the IPU Governing Council at its 182nd session (Cape Town, 18 April 2008)

The Governing Council of the Inter-Parliamentary Union,

Referring to the case of Mr. Crispin Beltran, Mr. Saturniño Ocampo, Mr. Joel Virador, Mr. Teodoro Casiño, Ms. Liza Maza and Mr. Rafael Mariano, who, apart from the latter, are all incumbent members of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, as outlined in the report of the Committee on the Human Rights of Parliamentarians (CL/182/12(b)-R.1), and to the resolution adopted at its 181st session (October 2007),

Referring also to the Committee's report on its mission to the Philippines carried out from 18 to 21 April 2007, Taking into account the information and documents provided by the source at the hearing held on the occasion of the 118th IPU Assembly (April 2008), Inter-Parliamentary Union – Reports, Decisions, Resolutions and other texts 111

Recalling that on 1 June 2007 the Supreme Court dismissed the rebellion charges that had been brought in February 2006 against the incumbent and former parliamentarians concerned as being politically motivated and that, as a result, Mr. Crispin Beltran, who had been arrested on 25 February 2006, was released; that those charges had been brought by the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG), set up for the purpose of targeting perceived or supposed enemies of the State, and that the political parties to which the parliamentarians concerned belong and they themselves are regarded as such by that Group,

Recalling that, during the Committee's mission, the Assistant Chief State Prosecutor stated that the incitement to sedition case, which had initially been brought against Mr. Beltran, had been quashed; considering in this respect, however, that while the judge at the time had set aside his arraignment in this case on the ground of a pending motion for cancellation of arraignment, a new judge, Judge Manuel Sta. Cruz, on 10 July 2007, decided that the case against him should be continued and ordered his immediate arraignment, despite the pending appeal against the court order to proceed with the case; that Mr. Beltran has moved for the nullification of his arraignment and for the recusal of the judge; recalling that Mr. Beltran strongly denies having made the alleged seditious statement at a rally on 24 February 2006, a fact which media coverage and witness statements could easily prove, but that the prosecution dismissed this defence argument during the inquest proceedings,

Recalling further that, on 16 February 2007, a multiple murder case was brought against Mr. Ocampo and others, that he was arrested on 16 March 2007 and subsequently released on bail by the Supreme Court on 3 April 2007 pending the Court’s decision on his petition for certiorari and prohibition; noting that the Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the petition,

Recalling that, in January 2007, a disqualification case was brought against the political parties of the parliamentarians concerned on the basis of yet another murder case (Nueva Ecija case) whereby the parliamentarians concerned, apart from Mr. Beltran, allegedly conspired together and planned the elimination of the supporters of another political party, Akbayan, an accusation which they strongly refute; considering that while the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) dismissed the disqualification petitions for “lack of merit”, the murder case is proceeding and that the panel of public prosecutors submitted it for resolution on 14 November 2007; that, according to the sources, the due process rights of the defendants have been seriously violated in the preliminary investigation insofar as the prosecutors denied their request for a clarification hearing, which was necessary in their view to establish the identity of the complainants who appeared with covered faces throughout the investigation phase, to clarify inconsistencies in their statements, and to verify whether their statements were voluntary since they are in the custody and under the control of the military; noting that the cases were submitted for resolution by the prosecution on 14 November 2007 and that, although public prosecutors are required to resolve cases within 60 days after their submission for resolution, this has still not occurred,

Considering that, on 17 May 2007, Mr. Casiño was charged with obstruction of justice for allegedly preventing the arrest of an alleged CPP/NPA member, Mr. Vincent Borja; noting in this respect, however, that according to the sources, given the incidence of extrajudicial executions and abductions implicating the military, Mr. Casiño wanted to ensure respect for the right to liberty and security of the person concerned for whom the soldiers, who were not in uniform, had no arrest warrant, by asking the soldiers to present a warrant and accompany the arrested person to a military camp until he was transferred to the police; the Office of the City Prosecutor has yet to give its ruling on the matter,

Considering lastly that in March 2008 a petition for Writ of Amparo was filed against top officials of the CPP and Mr. Ocampo, which is pending at the Regional Trial Court of Basey, Western Samar, Branch 30, in connection with the alleged abduction of Ms. Elizabeth Gutierrez by communist rebels on 24 October 2007; a Writ of Amparo is designed to providing victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances the protection they need and the promise of vindication for their rights;

however, according to the source, the petition in this case has been filed with strong intervention from Inter-Parliamentary Union – Reports, Decisions, Resolutions and other texts

the military or State forces with the intention to abuse the use of the Writ of Amparo; in this respect, Lt. Col. Jonathan Ponce, Commanding Officer of 67th Infantry Battalion was quoted as saying: “This [the petition] could be a test case of the effectivity of the Writ of Amparo. They have used this against us.

We will apply the same to them.”,

Bearing in mind that, in the report on his mission to the Philippines, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions recommended inter alia that the IALAG be abolished, that the criminal justice system refocus on the investigation and prosecution of those committing extrajudicial executions and other serious crimes, and that the Supreme Court exercise its constitutional powers over the practice of law to impress upon prosecutors that they have a duty to the public to uphold and protect human rights by acting to ensure the effective investigation of cases and protection of witnesses, and that they should provide reasoned decisions for probable cause determinations,

1. Remains deeply concerned at the various criminal cases still pending against the parliamentarians concerned, in particular the fact that a new case had been brought againstRepresentative Casiño for what appears to have been merely his attempt to prevent an arbitrary arrest and ensure compliance with the law, which constitutes nothing more than exercising his duty as a member of parliament; is also concerned that a Writ of Amparo is now allegedly being used in bad faith against Mr. Ocampo;

2. Fears, given the political motivation behind the previous rebellion charges brought against the parliamentarians, that all these proceedings are part of an ongoing effort by the Government, inter alia through IALAG, aimed at removing them and their political parties from the democratic political process;

3. Remains confident that, in dealing with these cases, the prosecution and judicial authorities will abide by their duty not to proceed with any case on the basis of political considerations, recalls in this respect the Supreme Court’s ruling in the rebellion case in which it reiterated “the importance of maintaining the integrity of criminal prosecutions in general and preliminary investigations in particular” and stated the following: “We cannot emphasize too strongly that prosecutors should not allow, and should avoid giving the impression that their noble office is being used or prostituted, wittingly or unwittingly, for political ends”;

4. Wishes to be kept informed of the proceedings in the cases in question, including, where appropriate, through the intermediary of a trial observer;

5. Calls on the House of Representatives to exercise its oversight power and to monitor closely the proceedings in the cases in question in order to ensure due administration of justice;

6. Also calls on the authorities, and in particular on both houses of Parliament, to ensure follow-up to the recommendations of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, and would appreciate information on parliamentary action taken to this end;

7. Notes finally that Mr. Joel Virador, who is no longer a member of parliament, has no further charges pending against him; consequently decides to close his case;

8. Requests the Secretary General to convey this decision to the competent authorities, including the National Human Rights Commission, and to the other parties concerned;

9. Requests the Committee to continue examining this case and report to it at its next session, to be held on the occasion of the 119th Assembly of the IPU (Geneva, October 2008).

Philippine UPR Watch - Geneva Account (by Rep. Teddy Casino)

RP made to account for killings, disappearances in UN

My trip to Geneva, Switzerland as part of the Philippine UPR Watch delegation culminated yesterday in a picket-protest in front of the United Nations headquarters.

After listening to Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita deliver the Philippine National Report to the UN Human Rights Council, I joined some 30 Filipinos and Swiss citizens who had put up a picketline right outside the UN gates to dramatize our people's continuing quest for an end to the killings, disappearances and the impunity by which human rights atrocities are committed in the Philippines.

The Philippine report, presented by no less than Sec. Ermita with his extraordinarily large contingent of bureaucrats flown in from Manila, was a self-serving, selective and totally one-sided depiction of the Philippine human rights situation.

The aim of the report was to depict the Arroyo administration as a vanguard defender of human rights and good governance in the country.

I was particularly flabbergasted to hear Sec. Ermita boast of the government's superlative gains in fighting graft and corruption in the Philippines.

I almost fell from my seat listening to him expound on government efforts to strengthen the Ombudsman and Sandiganbayan, the success of its electronic procurement system, and effectivity of its lifestyle checks.

In the light of the latest swine scam and the NBN-ZTE deal, this is chutzpah of the highest degree, inspired by no less than a cheating, lying and stealing President.

Fortunately, not all countries took this line hook and sinker. At least 16 countries -- including the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom -- expressed concern on the extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances and, in typical diplomatic language used in the UN, practically told the Philippines it was not doing enough on the matter, especially with regards to the recommendations of UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions Philip Alston.

Other issues of great concern to the international community were the violations of the rights of Filipino migrant workers and those of women and children.

In other words, the Philippine government's attempt to downplay the killings and disappearances and project the image that the situation was improving did not wash. In part through the efforts of the Philippine UPR Watch, the truth came out and the Arroyo government was held to account for its failures by the international community.

I am leaving Geneva with the knowledge that the world is watching the Philippines and is in solidarity with its quest for truth, justice and accountability.