Member organization: Karapatan

"Just like the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the rest of the BS Aquino agencies, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has been a party to the commission of human rights by implementing Oplan Bayanihan, particularly in filing false charges against activists and in deodorizing the crimes of …

Manilakbayan, rights groups say DOJ commits, promotes rights abuses via Oplan Bayanihan Read More »

"The whitewash, cover up and lies of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, Malacañang and the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) on the recruitment of Lumad in the military and Civilian Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), nevermind if they are conflicting, are directed to one thing—to shield the BS Aquino government from accountability on the …

Conflicting lies of AFP, Palace, CHR to protect state perpetrators, Aquino—Karapatan Read More »

"Today, October 24, as ManiLakbayan heads to Metro Manila, its 700-strong participants also commemorate the first year of the killing of a fellow Lumad, Henry Alameda,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said, two days before the peoples of Mindanao are set to arrive at the National Capital Region. The ManiLakbayan, under the BS Aquino administration, …

Calls for justice ring as ManiLakbayan arrives in Manila Read More »

A local court issued the order for the immediate release of a political prisoner detained for more than eleven (11) years for trumped up charges filed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines.      Marilou Runes-Tamang, presiding  judge of Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 98, today ruled that political prisoner Eduardo Serrano is …

Political prisoner Eduardo Serrano must be immediately released – Quezon City court Read More »

Solidarity is not just a hashtag US-based lawyers, faith-based/ecumenical institutions, distinguished university professors and human rights advocates sent letters to Phil. President Benigno Aquino III and US authorities to express the concern of the international community on the killing of Lumad leaders Dionel Campos and Juvello Sinzo and Lumad school executive Emerito Samarca. 

"What should have been a hearing to finally determine whether “Rogelio Villanueva” is Eduardo Serrano, a political prisoner detained for more than 10 years now because of false charges, became a hearing to present witnesses who are obviously lying," Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said.       

“The findings of the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UN WGAD) regarding the ‘complaint’ of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo shows the BS Aquino regime’s wishy-washy prosecution and special treatment of GMA on the cases of plunder filed against her. Instead of giving due course to the strong criminal and civil cases filed by …

Arroyo is the human rights violator, not the victim Read More »

"Forty (40) days after the Lianga Massacre, AFP-backed leaders of paramilitary groups Bobby and Jojo Tejero are still sowing terror, and attacks against the Lumad continue. The warrant of arrest against the murderers has yet to be served, and the indigenous communities that forcibly evacuated from their communities have not gone back to their homes …

40 days since Lianga Massacre, murderers still sow terror Read More »

"Despite the killings and terror committed by its paramilitary groups, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has the nerve to ask for more budget to fund them," said Cristina Palabay, Karapatan secretary general on the plenary deliberations at the Lower House of the Department of National Defense’ budget.