Philippines: The Punisher's dirty war on drugs (tags)
He’s been called a demagogue with a foul mouth backed up by bare-knuckle populism. But Philippines president, Rodrigo Duterte, aka “the Punisher”, has also embarked on a brutal drug war that is drawing international condemnation. Foreign Editor David Pratt reports.
Labor Day statements from the Philippines (tags)
LABOR URGED TO USE LABOR VOTE TO ADVANCE LABOR AGENDA . May 1 protest demands a stop to layoffs and contractualization.
Rites for hero Graciano Lopez Jaena turn into call for justice (tags)
The Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC) News learned today that the annual rites commemorating the 153rd birth anniversary of Ilonggo patriot Graciano Lopez Jaena in Iloilo City, in the island of Panay echoed a call for justice for 31 journalists who were murdered in Ampatuan, Maguindanao. Graciano Lopez Jaena was known to be an orator but he was also a writer. “If he were alive today, Graciano Lopez Jaena would be part of the ‘endangered species’—journalists being killed with impunity,” said Demy Sonza, former Iloilo vice governor and head of the Dr. Graciano Lopez Jaena Foundation Inc. “But he would have fought hard, uncowed by threats,” said Sonza. Sonza said Lopez Jaena offered an inspiration for Filipino journalists “to remain vigilant, stand up for what is right and expose what is wrong” like what the patriot did in his lifetime.
Leftwing leader claims escaping slay try in Iloilo City (tags)
A top official of the leftwing Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance, Bayan) in Panay narrowly escaped an alleged attempt to abduct or assassinate him, militant groups here claimed Wednesday. Aurelio Bosque, spokesperson of Bayan-Panay, said two unidentified men who were separately riding motorcycles followed him from their office in Jaro District, Iloilo City on Monday and pursued him until he and two companions sought refuge at a Kababayan Center.
Thousands protest against planned coal-fired power plant in Iloilo (tags)
Thousands join a protest against coal-fired power plant in Iloilo City ,Philippines which if built would contribute to global climate change and lock the country in a dirty energy cycle for years to come. Greenpeace together with students from St. Paul University to form a human formation that reads "QUIT COAL" at the protest rally March 5, 2008.
Walang katarungan sa ilalim ng rehimeng Arroyo (tags)
Ipinahayag ng mahigit 2,000 katao ang kanilang damdamin laban sa mga paglabag sa karapatang-tao sa mga plakard at istrimer nila. May mga nagsuot ng mga maskarang may tig-iisang letrang bumubuo ng salitang “hustisya.” Ilang metro bago ang Malacañang ay hinarang sila ng mga pulis na may suportang dalawang trak ng bumbero. Itinuloy ng mga nagmamartsa ang kanilang programa sa Morayta St. sa Sampaloc.
FARMERS, FISHERMEN, OTHERS WANT ARROYO OUT (tags)
Protesters carrying effigies of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, US President Bush, former Philippines Agriculture Secretary Luisito Lorenzo and Interior Secretary Angelo Reyes blocked Quezon Avenue in Manila, causing a traffic jam Thursday afternoon. "Hunger is spreading like wildfire. There is massive corruption in all agencies of the government and genuine land reform has not been implemented," said Danilo Ramos of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.