FIL-AMS MARKED 2nd YEAR OF MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE OF 2009 IN LA (tags)
“Justice Delayed is Justice Denied.” Scores of Filipino Americans attended the photo exhibit and prayer memorial honoring the 58 Maguindanao Massacre victims on November 23, 2009 last Wednesday November 23, 2011at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA) Social Hall in Historic Filipinotown Los Angeles. The event was organized by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP)-US Chapter, the Filipino American Press Club of Los Angeles, Philippine American Press Club, Philippine Press Photographers-USA, Frontliners Media Group and F7, in cooperation with the Alliance Philippines (AJLPP), the Justice for Filipino American Veterans and People’s CORE.
Statement on Anniversary of Maguindanao Massacre (tags)
The Philippine Government's weak adherence to human rights reinforces warlords' culture of impunity
US-Arroyo Regime practices brinkmanship, Provokes public outrage. (tags)
“ The US-Arroyo regime continues its game of brinkmanship. It continues to anger and provoke the public outrage.” The Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) adds it strong voice to the vehement protest of the Filipino people over the clearance given by the Secretary of justice Alberto Agra to the Ampatuans and condems the US-Arroyo dangerous game of brinkmanship. Agra on Friday issued a resolution clearing Governor Zaldy Ampatuan of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and his cousin, former acting Maguindanao vice governor Akmad Ampatuan Sr.
Philippines: VILLAR-ARROYO IN ALLIANCE WITH AMPATUANS (tags)
Senator Manny Villar has a secret alliance with the Ampatuan clan, principal suspects in the brutal massacre of 57 people in Maguindanao province, and he has to explain how he intends to give justice to the Ampatuans’ victims, the Liberal Party demanded today.
174,000 still in Maguindanao evacuation centers (tags)
174,000 still in Maguindanao evacuation centers Philippine Daily Inquirer First Posted 00:15:00 12/22/2009 Filed Under: rebellion, Armed conflict, Evacuation(General) DATU PIANG, Maguindanao—Johana Maluba, 24, is not sure if she could be back to her home to give birth before the end of the month. The mother of four is one of the 174,370 persons or 38,874 families referred to by humanitarian agencies as internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Maguindanao. The IDPs are scattered around the 103 evacuation centers. They fled their homes when fighting between government soldiers and Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces broke out August last year. It was not clear, however, how many evacuated following the Nov. 23 massacre of 57 civilians, including 31 journalists, in Ampatuan town, allegedly led by Datu Unsay town Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. The incident led to the weeklong imposition of martial law in the province. Some of the evacuees, those who fled their homes in Shariff Aguak after the massacre, are living with relatives, while others have set up camps in nearby towns. For the evacuees, it is safer to be away from home. “I am afraid to go back to our own house because we might get caught in crossfire,” Maluba said as she waited in line for the relief goods being distributed by the Act for Peace, a humanitarian organization. Diosita Andot, chair of Act for Peace, said their main intervention for the Maguindanao evacuees remains focused on “early recovery and rehabilitation program.” She said several core shelters have been constructed for families whose houses were razed in last year’s fighting. Presidential Assistant for Mindanao Secretary Jesus Dureza, who also joined the distribution of relief assistance, tried to convince evacuees to go home. “It is now safe to go back to your own homes,” he told them. But Dureza said not all could be given a house and that the relief assistance “is just temporary and you cannot be given every day, so it’s a must that you go home and start making a living.” Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer, chief of the Military’s Eastern Mindanao Command, assured the evacuees that the police and military would respect the ceasefire with the MILF. “We will work to restore your normal lives,” he said.
Filipino journalists remember 'Maguindanao massacre' (tags)
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Dozens of journalists held a prayer rally Wednesday in Zamboanga City to remember and seek justice for the brutal slayings of 57 people, among them at least 30 journalists massacred last month in Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines.
ARROYO IS STILL WRONG IN SAYING THE RIGHT THING (tags)
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in defending her declaration of martial law in Maguindanao said:“we can only have justice when there is peace.” She was playing with words. Just like with everything else. GMA played with the Congress and let them hold a useless session just to pull the rug under them by “lifting” the martial law she declared beforehand. She played around with the Supreme Court by giving them a fait accompli and rendering the case “moot.”
Mga warlord, inaruga ng mga rehimeng tuta ng Imperyalismong US (tags)
Matagal nang kilala ang angkang Ampatuan sa pagiging mababagsik na warlord. Subalit pinasahol pa ito ng naghaharing rehimeng Arroyo. Bago maganap ang madugong masaker sa Maguindanao, mahigpit na nakapailalim sa kapangyarihang pyudal-militar ng warlord na angkang Ampatuan ang prubinsyang ito at ang Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM). Mula pa noong dekada 1930, sa panahon ng tuwirang kolonyalismo ng US ay naghahari na sa mga bahaging iyon ng Mindanao ang angkan. Mahigpit silang nakikipagtulungan sa mga pwersang militar, paramilitar at pulisya ng sunud-sunod na papet na reaksyunaryong rehimen. Pinakabase ng pampulitikang kapangyarihan nila ang sangkatlo ng mga munisipalidad sa prubinsya ng Maguindanao.
Nationwide Protests Demanding Justice for Maguindanao Massacre Victims (tags)
On the International Human Rights Day, and the whole week before that the Filipino American community was on the protest mode. The Alliance Philippines strongly expressed its militant support to the people’s movement in the Philippines oppose to the declaration of martial law and demanded justice for Maguindanao massacre victims by holding protests in key cities all over the United States from December 5 to 10, 2009. - Last December 5, Ugnayan ng mga Anak ng Bayan New York/New Jersey Chapter held their 5th anniversary celebrations by honoring the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre. The event was held at the Renaissance Charter Schoo at Jackson Height , new York City from 10:00 Am to 5:00 PM. - On December 8, a Community Forum led by the AJLPP, ANSWER-LA and AFFIRM was held at the FACLA Social Hall, 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, Ca 90026. A panel of speakers from different organizations condemning the massacre featured the event. A candle-light ceremony capped the tribute and honor to the 64 victims of untold cruelties. - On December 10, International Human Rights Day, scores of activists held a candle light vigil and a picket/rally at the Philippine Consulate at Wilshire Blvd. from 6:30 to 8:00 in the evening.
COMMUNITY FORUM AND MEMORIAL MEETING HELD , DEC 8 at FACLA (tags)
Scores of Filipino Americans and their American allies held a solemn memorial meeting to remember the 64 victims of the Maguindanao Massacre last November 23, 2009 last Tuesday night on December 8, 2009 at the Filipino American Community of Los Angeles (FACLA), 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026 In a candle light vigil, the 64 people who were killed in the most gruesome massacre in the most recent Philippine History last November 23, 2009 in Ampatuan, Maguindanao among them 31 media people were memorialized .
RALLY/VIGIL FOR JUSTICE, Dec 10 at Phil Consulate, 3600 Wilshire Blvd. LA (tags)
RALLY/VIGIL FOR JUSTICE, DISMANTLE THE WARLORDS AND PRIVATE ARMIES! NO TO US INTERVENTION IN THE PHILIPPINES! OUST THE US- ARROYO REGIME! THURSDAY, AT 6;30 PM DECEMBER 10, 2009 Philippine Consulate General, Los Angeles 3600 Wilshire Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90010
Resist Arroyo's martial law and brazen attempts to remain in power (tags)
EPCC news learned today that the National Democratic Front-Eastern Visayas today called on the people to resist Gloria Arroyo's proclamation of martial law in Maguindanao as well as her brazen attempts to remain in power. "Gloria Arroyo's martial law in Maguindanao is an attack on the people, not serving justice on the Ampatuan clan, and thus must be confronted with a strong movement of the people," said Fr. Santiago Salas, NDF-EV spokesperson. "It is in line with Arroyo's avowal to remain in power, through running for congress and other opportunist acts in her favor. The people must thus do their utmost and fight Arroyo and martial law today and in the coming months. The people must raise the clamor for Arroyo's ouster the more she remains intransigent." Fr. Salas averred that the martial law proclamation was a ploy in Arroyo's favor. "Declaring martial law will not render justice to the victims of the massacre or make the election better in Maguindanao, where many believed the Ampatuans and Arroyo connived in 2004 and 2007 for their mutual interests. It is instead an act of the superior taking charge over the messy affairs of the subordinate to ensure the survival of their common interests, especially keeping Arroyo in power.
Martial Law declaration in Maguindanao - most dangerous political power play for Arroyo (tags)
When will peace reign in Mindanao? Martial Law declaration in Maguindanao - most dangerous political power play for Arroyo With “looming rebellion” as the questionable legal basis for the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao, President Arroyo is setting the stage for the most dangerous political power play in her collapsing regime. Obviously, it is a pilot test that-depending on the public reaction-may as well be declared all over the Philippines. With regard to Maguindanao massacre, the Department of Justice filed rebellion charges against the Ampatuans-a device meant to justify the Martial Law declaration (existence of rebellion and related reasons) even if it is clear that the massacre was not a political case but pure and simple mass murder, a genocide. The rebellion charges may be intended to appease the Ampatuans instead of treating them as mass murderers.
Philippine Govt creating a climate of fear to put country under Martial law (tags)
Philippine Democratic Left Parties statements regarding Ampatuan Massacre and the declaration of Martial Law in Maguindanao
RESOLUTELY FIGHT ALL US-ARROYO SCHEMES TO PERPETUATE THEMSELVES IN POWER: NO TO MARTIAL LA (tags)
Los Angeles—“ We create crisis and manage it” - Mike Arroyo. The Alliance Philippines strongly expresses its militant support to the people’s movement oppose to the declaration of martial law and the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in the province of Maguindanao. Besides being late and delayed for a long time, martial law was declared for the wrong reasons. Legal observers suspects that the US GMA regime schemes to elevate the warlord clan of the Ampatuans as “ rebels”, By charging them with the crime of rebellion, GMA is giving them a way out . By elevating them from being common criminals, they can be pardoned by being charged with rebellion because it is a political crime.
NLG: Massacre part of the ‘killing pattern’ (tags)
-THE MASSACRE in Maguindanao on Nov. 23 that has left more than 50 dead, many of them women, follows the pattern of extrajudicial killings that has been plaguing the Philippines. Death squads have been murdering progressive activists with impunity. The death count has reached more than 1,000 since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s presidency began. Twenty-two lawyers and 15 judges had been killed before this massacre, and among the dead in Maguindanao are two women lawyers from the National Union of People’s Lawyers—Concepcion “Connie” Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo.
Dec. 8 Memorial Meeting: JUSTICE FOR MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VICTIMS at FACLA (tags)
COMMUNITY FORUM AND MEMORIAL MEETING: JUSTICE FOR THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE VICTIMS, NOW! TUESDAY AT 7: 00 PM DECEMBER 8, 2009 FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY OF LOS ANGELES (FACLA) 1740 W. Temple St. Los Angeles, CA 90026
THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE IN THE PHILIPPINES (tags)
A commentary on the Nov 23 slaughter of 57 civilians in Maguindanao, Philipppines, sketching the historical parameters of the event and the converging political and social forces involved, with a focus on the U.S. role in establishing the groundwork for the evils of the prevailing Arroyo state terrorism.
INT’L JOURNALISTS TO MONITOR MASSACRE CASE PROGRESS (tags)
AJLPP News learned today that Human rights and journalists organizations worldwide lashed out at the Arroyo administration yesterday for creating “a culture of impunity” that led to the massacre of at least 57 persons in Maguindanao province that included 30 journalists. An international delegation of journalists led by the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) will monitor the progress of the prosecution of those responsible for the carnage which the IFJ called as the biggest single atrocity against journalists in recent history. Amnesty International (AI) said the government must urgently ensure that witnesses are protected and safeguard vital forensic evidence to ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr, a member of the powerful Ampatuan family that has dominated local politics in Maguindanao province in the country’s restive Mindanao region, is now under arrest and faces multiple murder charges. He has denied involvement in the massacre.
AJLPP CONDEMNS THE US-ARROYO’S KID GLOVES HANDLING OF AMPATUANS (tags)
The Alliance –Philippines or the AJLPP condemns in the strongest posssible terms barbaric massacre perpetrated by the Ampatuan warlord dynasty in Maguindanao last November 22, 2009. The massacre victimized 62 ( at the present count) that includes 27 members of the Philippine press, 22 women who were all raped and mutilated and 15 bystanders who happened to be passing the scene. Arturo P. Garcia. West Coast coordinator of the Alliance said that "the AJLPP is one with the National Press Club (NPC) and other democratic forces in the Philippines in condemning “this senseless act of political violence. " “The massacre proved again the naked truth. That warlords and their dynasties led by the Arroyo dynasty in Pampanga is very much alive in the Philippines. Arroyo also heads the biggest private army composed of the AFP and the PNP in the Philippines” Garcia said The Alliance squarely blamed the US-Arroyo regime for the massacre and believes that this massacre is very common of the human rights violations under the US-Arroyo regime.
MILF, SUARA BANGSA MORO SCOFFED AT AMPATUAN CLAIMS (tags)
The AJLPP NEWS sources learned today that The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Suara Bangsamoro,scoffed at the claim of Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr. that MILF rebels were behind the Nov. 23 mass murder in Maguindanao. MILF vice chair for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar said Ampatuan’s claim was “absurd” and that “even a small kid would not believe it.” MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said it was “a mediocre attempt to divert the issue.” “Who would believe that?” Kabalu said.
Filipino Workers Condemn Maguindanao Massacre (tags)
APL dares gov’t to severely punish brains, perpetrators of Maguindanao massacre
Absurd,’ says MILF on Ampatuan claim that MILF behind the Maguindanao massacre (tags)
The Alliance-Philippines or the AJLPP learned today from news sources that the Moro Islamic Liberation Front branded as “absurd” claims by the prime suspect in the massacre in Maguindanao province that the Muslim rebel group was behind the killings. "This is absurd, even a small kid would not believe it," said MILF vice chairman for political affairs Ghadzali Jaafar.
Philippines: Abduction and killings of journalists and politicians must be investigated (tags)
A group of about 45 people (latest news figure is now 57) were ambushed and abducted by about 100 armed men, according to reports. The military recovered the bodies of 13 women and eight men—some of them mutilated.
MASAKER NG 57 TAO SA MAGUINDANAO, PATUNAY NG BUHAY ANG WARLORDISMO (tags)
Kung gaano kabilis ideneklara ni GMA ang “ national state of emergency" at iutos na ipaaresto ang demokratiko oposisyon tulad ni Crispin Beltran at mga rebeldeng militar, gaanong kabagal naman ang kanyang reaksyon sa mga gumawa ng karumaldumal na masaker sa Maguindanao. Ito ang pahayag ng Pesante-USA ayon sa tagapagsalita nitong si Melvin Barcenas ng Los Angeles sa mariin nitong pagkondena sa karumaldumal na krimeng pumuti ng buhay ng may aabot sa 57 katao noong Nobyembre 22. Ayon sa mga balita umabot na sa 57 ang nahukay na bangkay kabilang ang 21 babae, 21 sa napabalitang 34 na mamamahayag at maging mga walang malay na sibilyan na napadaan lamang. Ito rin ang pikamaraming myembro ng media na namatay sa loob ng isang araw sa kaysaysan ng mundo.
AF3IRM/GABNET STATEMENT ON THE MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE: (tags)
AF3IRM/GabNet condemns the murder of some 50 persons in Maguindanao, Philippines, including some 14 women, who appear to have been raped as well, and scores of media people. It is ironic that at the start of 16 Days of Activism against Violence against Women, the Philippines should once again make news around the world for an act so vile it boggles the mind.
AJLPP CONDEMNS MAGUINDANAO MASSACRE (tags)
The Alliance –Philippines or the AJLPP vehenemently condemned the barbaric massacre in Magunidanao last November 22, 2009 that victimized some members of the Philippine press. Arturo P. Garcia. West Coast coordinator of the Alliance said that "the AJLPP is one with the National Press Club (NPC) and other democratic forces in the Philippines in condemning this senseless act of political violence. " The National Press Club (NPC) and the Alyansa ng Filipinong Mamamahayag (AFIMA) denounced the abduction and massacre of at least 36 persons, including media men, in Barangay Masalay, Datu Abdullah Sangki town in Maguindanao.
GYERA SA MINDANAO-LUMALALA (tags)
Ayon sa pinakahuling ulat ng grupong Pesante-USA, parami nang parami ang bilang ng mga sibilyang Morong binibiktima ng mababangis na operasyong militar ng Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) sa ilang bahagi ng Mindanao. Ayon sa ulat ng International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) na nahalaw ng Pesante, noong Oktubre 29, sa mga evacuation center sa Datu Piang, Maguindanao pa lamang ay mayroon nang 55,000 indibidwal na nagsilikas sa kani-kanilang mga tahanan, mula sa 35,000 katao noong Agosto. Mula Agosto hanggang ikatlong linggo ng Oktubre, umaabot na sa 127,164 pamilya o 611,753 indibidwal ang naaapektuhan ng mga sagupaan sa pagitan ng MILF at AFP sa mga prubinsya ng Lanao del Norte, Lanao del Sur, Sultan Kudarat at Maguindanao.
US FORCES HELPING IN OFFENSIVES VS MILF (tags)
Moro group on Tuesday said US forces have been helping in the offensives against Moro Islamic Liberation front rebels in Maguindanao. But the military denied it even in the wake of photos taken by the Philippine Daily Inquirer which showed US forces holding an unmanned aerial vehicle during the early days of the offensive against the forces of MILF Commanders Ameril Ombra Kato and Wahid Tundok.
The Recent Philippine Supreme Court Split Decision, Splits the Public (tags)
The recent Supreme Court split decision on the TRO filed by GO Candidate Koko Pimentel clearly shows how polarize is the Philippine society. The decision again highlights that justice is partial and serves the status quo. The decision, religiously followed by the Filipino American community in the United States, clearly shows how divided the Filipino society is and it is reflected among the 14 justices of the Supreme Court. In its recent decisions especially in the 2007 national elections. It just repeated the injustice perpetrated against presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr in 2004 only now, it is against Koko Pimentel. Basically it refused to decide on the conduct of elections and refers the cases to the Presidential, the
AJLPP SUPPORTS FILIPINOS PROTESTS POLL FRAUDS IN MANILA (tags)
The Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace (AJLPP) –USA expresses its militant support and solidarity with the Filipino people's protest in Manila against the US-Arroyo regime, the COMELEC, cheating and violence during the last Philippine elections. This comes as Phillippine media reported that thousands braved strong rains and rallied yesterday near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the national canvassing of votes is being held, to protest what was described as "the Arroyo administration's orchestrated cheating" in the recently-concluded senatorial and local elections.
Protest Poll Fraud near PICC (tags)
Thousands braved strong rains and rallied this afternoon near the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC), where the national canvassing of votes is being held, to protest what was described as "the Arroyo administration's orchestrated cheating" in the recently-concluded senatorial and local elections.
10 MILF guerrillas slain in clash with Army (tags)
News reports said government security forces and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) guerrillas clashed in a remote village of a Maguindanao town Friday, leaving 10 rebels dead and a soldier wounded, a military spokesman said on Sunday.
Maguindanao gov withdraws militiamen from 5 town (tags)
Maguindanao Gov. Andal Ampatuan has ordered militiamen involved in clashes with Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels to stand down and pull out, a Malacañang official said yesterday. Jesus Dureza, national security adviser, said the order has brought back calm to Shariff Aguak and four other towns affected by the clashes that started on June 28. More than 20,000 people were displaced because of the skirmishes, which civilian officials said killed at least seven members of the Civilian Volunteers’ Organization (CVO) and three MILF rebels.
Atrocities creep into Maguindanao fighting (tags)
Pesante-USA/AJLPP prints new reports of atrocities that have begun to surface in Maguindanao as fighting between militia and rebels of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) continued to escalate. A lone gunman killed the wife of a senior MILF leader implicated in a failed attempt to kill the provincial governor, the military said Thursday.
Stop the war, Maguindanao folk cry (tags)
Pesante-USA/AJLPP joins the people of Mindanao in their urgent call to stop the US-Arroyo Regime's war against the people. “They are suffering and they want the fighting stopped,” Ruby Sahali, social welfare secretary of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, said of the more than 4,000 families displaced by fighting between militiamen and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) rebels in Maguindanao.The evacuees came from the towns of Shariff Aguak, where the hostilities started last week, and from Mamasapano, Datu Piang, Datu Unsay, Datu Saudi, Ampatuan, Sultan sa Barongis and SK Pendatun towns, where it spread.
AFP war widens into two fronts as Maguindanao battle goes on (tags)
Pesante-USA reprinted the news about the increased fighting in Mindanao. The counter-insurgecnyw ar being waged by the Arroyo goverment is escalating not only against the NPA but also against the Moro people in Maguindanao. THE Armed Forces’ war against rebels has widened into two fronts as fighting between government and Moro Islamic Liberation Front forces continued on Monday in Maguindanao province despite efforts of peace negotiators to end the clashes that have left dozens of people dead and wounded and displaced 3,000 families.