Press Release: Reference: Arman Albarillo, Sec.Gen.BAYAN-ST
Dec. 2, 2007 Contact number: 09217104859
Elements of 74th IB of the Phil. Army Hang Peasants,
Sow Fear Among Citizens in Quezon
Elements of the 74th IB of the Philippine Army continue to fester and terrorize the people of Pala-Ajos, Catanauan, Quezon. On the 20th of November, the said elements of the AFP hang upside down farmers named Felicisimo Helera and Vencio Mercado according to the internal refugees whom yesterday, Dec. 1, KARAPATAN – ST took into custody. The 23 internal refugees, 11 of whom are children, came from Bgy. Malaya, Catanauan, Quezon province. All are victims of the widespread militarization in the area who decided to leave their place because of extreme fear of the military.
According to Orly Marcellana, KASAMA –TK General Secretary, another peasant was brought to the camp twice (Nov. 12 and 19) and was beaten up until he collapsed. His wife who is now 7-month pregnant was also taken with him. She is one of the 23 internal refugee who said in an interview, “We were forced to leave our homes and our work because of fear of losing our lives. I saw how these heartless military have beaten up my husband. Even our goat has not escaped from their cruel hands. They killed it. I want none of it to happen to any of my kids and the baby inside my womb. ”
“This is a very clear form of fascism by the regime to women and children.” Janette Barrientos, Regional coordinator of GABRIELA – Southern Tagalog said while talking with the victims of militarization. “ These men in uniform act like savage fools. They are not thinking of the trauma they would inflict on the young people specially the children. This has happened time and again to communities being operated by the military. Fear is sown everywhere.” Barrientos added.
Arman Albarillo said, these human rights violations perpetrated by the elements of the AFP continue to escalate in Southern Tagalog. “ How many more would suffer torture, harassments, brutal killings, under this regime of terror? If you are poor, you are not exempted from these. If you are supporting the struggle of the people, you are either detained or killed. We condemn all these acts of terrorism by the state through its military. The people of Southern Tagalog will not be distressed rather will be made more resolved to continue their fight against fascism and tyranny.” Arman ended.
BAGONG ALYANSANG MAKABAYAN
SOUTHERN TAGALOG
306 Nat’l Highway, Brgy. Maahas, Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines
E-mail Address: bayanst@yahoo.com / www.bayanst.blogspot.com Tel #: (049)536-5378
Press Release: Reference: Arman Albarillo, Sec.Gen.BAYAN-ST
Dec. 3, 2007 Contact number: 09217104859
Southern Tagalog Launches Jail Visits
on International Day of Political Prisoners
BAYAN-ST together with different sectors and organizations in ST joins the world in its commemoration of the International Day of Political Prisoners’ today, Dec. 3, 2007.There are two jail visits done in line with this. One in Camp Vicente Lim to visit the Tagaytay 5 and another one in Lucena City to be spearheaded by KASAMA – TK and KARAPATAN – Quezon. The mob shouts and chants other particular calls like humane treatment to all detained persons and to stop militarization in the countryside where majority of cases of illegal and arbitrary arrests take place.
The onslaught of military operations and the implementation of the misnamed Human Security Act or the Anti-terror law in the countryside and even in urban areas are the major strategies of the government to suppress the democratic rights of the people. According to Darwin Bonrosco, staff of KARAPATAN – Quezon, there are already 7 political prisoners in the province alone, the last of who were detained last night, Dec. 1 at 8pm in Bgy. Gulang-gulang Lucena City. According to Glen Malabanan, Deputy Sec. Gen. of KARAPATAN – ST, there are already 35 political prisoners in their list.
The list of political prisoners is expected to escalate in this kind of system where the court, the jail, and the armed forces are controlled by the state. The continued repression of political rights would mean more Senator Trillanes, more church people like Bishop Labayen and more opposition leaders like Vice President Teofisto Guingona would be detained in the name of justice and truth.” Arman Albarillo, Secretary General of BAYAN-ST said.
“If the Arroyo regime continues its fascism, there would be more “ Juan dela Cruz” from the peasants and workers who would resort to join the armed struggle in countryside until this repressive state would not be replaced by a new and truly democratic one.”
“We call on all sectors to be with us in our struggle to free all political prisoners in Southern Tagalog and the rest of the country. We demand the government for the immediate release of all political detainees. We also ask the Supreme Court to review the cases of the political prisoners and differentiate them from criminal offenders. We call on the people to stay in the course of resistance against political deprivation and to continue to stand for truth and justice as we join hands to oust this fascist regime.” Albarillo ended.
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