Bayan challenges Noynoy’s clear-cut actions vs. poverty, injustices

When it was thought to be a SONA of truths and a start of great changes for the nation, less was heard than a “tell-all” of old stories.

It was not uplifting to hear again enumerations of corruption by the past administration for what could inspire people to do more and not just dream again is to see Gloria Arroyo suffer in jail. And on behalf of Gloria Arroyo’s victims of corruption and various human rights violations, we believe prosecuting Arroyo would indeed be a better start –off, a move which will make Pres Noynoy Aquino more of a president than of a mere man of words.

It is wise to be realistic than to go with the flow. There is no way the people can dream again with the priorities uttered by Noynoy in his speech. Noynoy has revealed himself as a believer and follower of US imperialist dictates, as a US-puppet in the making.

Take away the expose and “tagalog” speaking president, the essence of Noynoy’s SONA are retentions of US-dictated economic policies -- privatization, deregulation, and liberalization embody the framework of his policy making.

There were no mention of scrapping anti-people and anti -poor policies that were enacted during the previous administrations such as the E-VAT, Oil Deregulation Law, and the Visiting Forces Agreement and Mutual Defense Treaty.

With his support for the intensification of built-operate-transfer scheme, privatization of more Government Owned and Controlled Corporations (GOCC) and its heavy toll on the Filipino poor majority is clear to worsen.

Noynoy’s presidency is not far from ending-up like the conventional ones --- the type that is bound to exist and end with its term of office. For the 15th time that the country had a change in presidency, the people have not seen any President brave enough to breakaway from the controls and dominance of US imperialism.

There has not been a time that genuine land reform -- the total distribution of lands among the farmers and creation of a planned agriculture which products are for local sustainability rather than for exports -- was given a priority as a government policy.

Filipino workers continue to work at the mercy of greedy capitalists. While salaries and wages are nailed at its lowest rate amidst the skyrocketing cost of living, the workers remain unsecured as our own labor policies favor contractual employments.

Our indigenous peoples are up to now waging the struggle for their right to ancestral domain as their lands have been the targets for mining, plantation expansions and profit-driven dam and energy construction.

Noynoy could have said much about truths that is at the heart of every Filipino’s dream for genuine political change but he chose not to for having hailed from a landlord family owning more than half of Tarlac, other haciendas and private monopolies in the business industry and him, being a landlord himself, his own family is at stake.

There are bigger problems than corruption that cause inequities among the people. For more than hundred years now that our people and resources are exploited for foreign-vested interests, such is worse than corruption. It is hard to believe that Noynoy can address insurgency when he chooses to ignore the root cause of poverty and inequities in the country. For every Filipino who is perennially deprived of his rights to dignified job, food, shelter, education, and other basic social services, insurgency will continue to be a resort for his defense and assertions.

There is more to fear when we see Noynoy acting blind about the political killings which greeted his first 26 days in power. As the AFP’s commander-in-chief, he is not innocent about the operations of the institution he leads. It is his duty to stop the military’s brute and anti-people operations under Oplan Bantay Laya unless he wants to suffer for himself the same anger the people have for the former president.

Noynoy’s 6-year term is crucial at this point when everybody longs for genuine change. He’d better rethink his administration’s economic and political policies than his disappointing first SONA. The people’s demands and not just dreams are clear in reminding Noynoy of his mandate to uphold human rights and lead firmly as the country’s president. We don’t need him to act merely as a US puppet.

Bayan demands justice for US military murder victim Gregan Cardeño, pins US military personnel as suspects

Press Release
July 2, 2010


Davao City- In a march rally held late afternoon yesterday, human rights advocates lighted their torches to condemn the gruesome killing of a Filipino interpreter for US troops Gregan Cardeño and to demand for an independent probe of US military intervention and cover-up.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) spokesperson John Birondo, “We take up the issue of Cardeno who is a clear victim of the US military forces operating in the country, and whose case gives credence to the need for the scrapping by the Aquino administration of the RP-US Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) and the abrogation of the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT).”

Gregan Cardeño, a resident of Zamboanga City had allegedly committed suicide, on the eve of February 2, 2010 in his room inside the camp of 103rd Brigade of the Philippine Army in Camp Ranao, Saber, Marawi City. Gregan was supposed to leave for Cotabato City the day before to work as interpreter of Bahasa language for the US military troops under JSOTFP through Capt. Javier Ignacio, CO of MP-WESMINCOM. His employment was coursed through the Skylink Security and General Services.

Contrary to the police reports, BAYAN said its own investigation revealed a foul play in Gregan’s death. Bayan noted the results of the Fact Finding Mission conducted by human rights group Kawagib last March 2 to 4, 2010 that have triggered suspicion on the real cause of Gregan’s death.

“The autopsy alone would show evidences of several puncture wounds, contusions and hematoma in the head of the cadaver that could have been caused forcefully by other persons,” Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

Bayan noted that at 7:48 am of February 2, Gregan’s elder sister Carivel Cardeño received a text message from Gregan informing the latter that he was not brought to Cotabato but to Marawi City instead. At 4:00 pm of the same day, Gregan called his wife Myrna crying and telling her that he was doing a job different from being an interpreter. He further said that the job was difficult and he wanted to go home.

“What caused more suspicions were the inconsistencies in the statements of SPO3 Ali Guibon Rangiris on the part of the local police and Capt. Kay of the US military. Rangiris first reported to Gregan’s family that they saw his body hanging on the roof of his room. He later retracted his statement and had admitted that the body of Gregan was already lying on the floor when they arrived at the scene of incident,” Birondo noted.

“There are more to dig out in this case and we will know the truth no matter what it takes. This is just one of the many atrocities wrought by the presence of US military forces in the areas where the Balikatan exercises are being conducted,” Birondo stressed.

Bayan said “The case of Cardeno was a clear test for Pres. Aquino as regards to promoting genuine patriotism and respect for national sovereignty given that he has been a clear choice by the US government as its next puppet in Asia during the last elections. Pres. Aquino should act on Cardeno’s case now and revoke the VFA and the MDT. ”

Bayan urges Noynoy to pursue plunder case vs. Gloria Arroyo

Press Release

June 30, 2010

Davao City- On the occasion of President Aquino’s inauguration, Bayan along with various progressive organizations staged here today a rally urging the new administration to pursue plunder case against Gloria Arroyo.

Aquino’s inaugural speech, though indirect in pointing at Gloria Arroyo, promised to run after those who have wronged the Filipino people saying “there could be no reconciliation without justice”.

“Gloria Arroyo’s criminal acts are known facts that the Aquino administration should call for an immediate court trial. Indeed, we, the Filipino people deserve the justice that has long been denied of us,” Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

Bayan recalled the NBN-ZTE deal scandal, Hello Garci scandal, Fertilizers Fund scam, and extrajudicial killings among other criminal acts that Gloria Arroyo should be made accountable for.

“Millions of poor Filipinos are drowned to deeper poverty and inequities as corruption and various human rights violations became more evident under the Arroyo regime. She, her first family, and squarely corrupt allies in the cabinet and Lower House have undeniably profited from the anomalies they have prompted,” Birondo lamented.

“Gloria Arroyo is in no doubt guilty of the crimes charged against her since day one of her sham presidency. And at these most crucial times, the Filipino people expect the Aquino administration to stay true to its words and would be very uncompromising in its stand against Gloria Arroyo,” Birondo stressed.

“Only when we see the case rolling we can be a little optimistic with the Aquino administration. Nonetheless, our vigilance and assertions for equality and justice, especially on the issues of Hacienda Luisita and political killings will also remain uncompromising,” Birondo ended.

BAYAN scores no let-up in troops deployment in south minda; protests Diwalwal sell-out

Press Release

June 9, 2010

Davao City –The Bagong Alyangsang Makabayan (BAYAN) strongly condemned the continued troop build-up in the region, saying it is a portent of more human rights violations and other bloodbath to come in an area long beset with military abuses against civilians.

BAYAN also feared that the deployment is a cue to a forcible private mining firm takeover of the mineral-rich Mt. Diwalwal in Monkayo town in Compostela Valley—the newly deployed soldiers will serve as private armies to protect the interests of giant mining companies over the mineral reserves of the Diwalwal reservation.

ON FRIDAY, SOLDIERS FROM THE 84TH INFANTRY BATTALION reportedly ARRIVED IN HIJO BEACH IN MADAUM, AN ADDITIONAL FORCE TO THE 71ST IB WHO ARRIVED ON MAY 24..

JOHN BIRONDO, SPOKEPERSON OF BAYAN-SOUTHERN MINDANAO, TOOK A SWIPE OVER THE SUPPORT SHOWED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO THE DEPLOYMENT OF MORE TROOPS IN DAVAO DEL NORTE AND COMPOSTELA VALLEY.

“As Governor ARTHURO Uy gave clearance for mining activities to continue, the newly deployed troops will surely be part in the Diwalwal takeover, within Compostela Valley, as what military troops have been doing to serve big corporations’ interest. They will gear up for the clearing operations prior to the actual operations of the mining corporations,” said Birondo.

BIRONDO SAID THAT CONTRARY TO WHAT MAJ. GEN. CARLOS HOLGANZA, COMMANDER OF THE 10TH INFANTRY DIVISION claims, THE ADDITIONAL SOLDIERS IN COMPOSTELA VALLEY AND THE OTHER PARTS OF SOUTHERN MINDANAO will threaten CIVILIANS WHO ARE OFTEN ACCUSED OF state enemies, especially those resisting development agression in areas like Diwalwa..

“Whatever mining corporation should take Diwalwal, Philex and other bidders, would only extract the rich gold resource of the province at the expense of the small miners and settlers of the Diwalwal community. The take-over of large-scale mining firms contravenes our national sovereignty and patrimony because these firms are merely dummies of foreign mining firms," said Birondo.

He added that the additional troops reinforcement in the 10th ID indicates that the government is not at all considering lifting its abusive counter-insurgency all-out war policy in the region, even with the installation of the new Noynoy Aquino presidency.#

BAYAN CONDEMNS INCREASED MIL DEPLOYMENT

May 29, 2010

Press Release

Davao City --- Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) registers its strong condemnation towards the ongoing military deployment in Southern Mindanao Region and seeks for the immediate pull out of the military troops under the 10th Infantry Division.

BAYAN asserts that only the big multinational corporations will benefit from the presence of the military as it would implement the clearing operations necessary prior the actual operation of the mining corporations.

"Additional military troops, particularly the 71st IB which was just recently deployed in Compostela Valley, will speed up the implementation of multinational mining projects in this mineral - rich province and will undoubtedly result to the intensification of human rights violations in the region," said John Birondo, spokesperson of BAYAN.

"Military presence in remote lumad and peasant communities have time and again caused trauma, violence and various forms of rights abuses against the people especially to the children who are the most vulnerable victims of the military's all-out-war," said Birondo.

The group is alarmed over the likely internal displacement of lumads and farmers in areas targeted for mining and military operations.

“Military presence in so-called development areas will put the lives of the civilians in grave danger,”Birondo said.

“With the upcoming administration, we challenge the government to put an end to large scale foreign mining and realign its programs instead to national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform which are the ultimate fundamentals to a strong and pro-people development”, Birondo said.

Bayan: people’s movement for genuine change continues

Press Release

May 19, 2010

Davao City – Responding to persistent reports of widespread electoral fraud, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan said the people's movement will continue to strengthen to end systemic and centuries-old practice of corruption, abuse of power in Philippine politics and foreign domination.

“The recently concluded national elections, with all the flaws and taints of electoral fraud, have failed to assure our people of a moral and principled governance. The process alone was a manifestation of a rotten political system in the country dominated by old elite and traditional politicians,” Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

“As far as the monitoring of Kontra Daya is concerned, vote buying and harassment hounded the elections. As millions of voters were disenfranchised, the entire electoral process is not yet cleared from allegations of massive electoral fraud and the alleged corruption by no less than the officials of the COMELEC, “Birondo noted.

Bayan also belittled the military's General Holganza’s claim of defeat for local and national bets of the progressive bloc. “The people’s movement will never be defeated. With or without the elections, the struggle for justice and equality will continue to bring thousands of protesting people in the streets,” Birondo stressed.

“What is more evident is the fact that the military failed to cause the defeat of progressive partylist organizations. We also welcome the fact the “butcher” retired general Jovito Palparan have failed, so far, to sow violence in the city and prevent volunteers and activists from freely campaigning for progressive candidates,” Birondo said.

“Our representation of the people’s true voice recognizes no boundaries. We shall continue advancing the people’s agenda for land rights, just wages, housing, education, and basic social services no matter what,” Birondo added.

Bayan to sue military of electioneering

PRESS RELEASE

April 14, 2010

Davao City- In a picket rally led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today (April 14), the militant group revealed that they plan to sue the 69^th IB of the Armed Forces of the Philippines for culpable violation of the Omnibus Election Code which prohibits members of the AFP from directly or indirectly participating in any election campaign.

Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code states the prohibition of any member of Armed Forces of the Philippines, or any police force, special forces, home defense forces, barangay self-defense units and all other para-military units that now exist or which may hereafter be organized who, directly or indirectly, intervenes in any election campaign or engages in any partisan political activity, except to vote or to preserve public order, if he is a peace officer.

“ There is indeed a clear violation of the law here perpetrated by the members of the AFP. We will be submitting a formal complaint to our legal department in our national office for immediate legal action,” John Birondo said, Bayan Southern Mindanao Regional Spokeperson.

Birondo likewise pointed that the military violated the Article IX-B, Section 2(4) of the 1987 Constitution and Section 55 of the Administrative Code of 1987, which states that “No officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign” and “No officer or employee in the Civil Service including members of the Armed Forces, shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan political activity or take part in any election except to vote nor shall he use his official authority or influence to coerce the political activity of any other person or body”.

Birondo,who also serves as convenor of the Kontra Daya, an electoral watchdog revealed that there are already several complaints against the military not only in the region but all over the country.

Kontra Daya is a broad network of various organization and individuals; religious, artists, concerned citizens, activists, youth and students, lawyers, IT experts, and teachers who are committed against election fraud and the failure of election.

Earlier, Makabayan or Makabayang Koalisyon ng Mamamayan which is composed of the progressive candidates and partylists likewise bared cases of harassments and direct involvement of the military in campaigning against the progressive groups in Pantukan, Compostela Valley, Baganga, Davao Oriental and other parts of the region.

Birondo presented to the public and to the members of the media pictures which he took himself during a forum conducted by the elements of the 69^th IB at the Philippine College of Technology on April 6.

“The military conducted to batches of forum at a school. We also have a recorded audio of what transpired during the said forum, ” Birondo said.

In the said forum, the military urged the students of PCT not to join or support the progressive partylist groups which they said are "New Peoples Army fronts" and which purportedly use their respective “pork barrel” from Congress to support the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Representative Liza Maza of Gabriela and a senatorial candidate of Makabayan challenged the COMELEC to conduct a probe on the matter.

She pointed that “The malicious linking of progressive party-lists to the CPP-NPA is an old issue that has yet to be proven by those who seek to destroy the credibility of individuals and groups--individuals who aspirte to continue serving the people in and out of government," Maza said.

Maza said that Gabriela, Bayan Muna, and Anakpawis have not been receiving their respective Priority Development Assistance Fund – more commonly known as the “pork barrel” – since 2004 due to them as they are critics of the Arroyo administration.###

Bayan moves for disqualification of bogus partylists

Press Release

April 9, 2010

Davao City – Gearing for bigger moves, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan led here today a protest action against the entry and attempt for re-election of bogus partylists created and supported by Gloria Arroyo and the first family. Bayan and various groups will contest the false representation of such partylists through the filing of disqualification cases sometime next week.

The initial list of bogus partylists that will face disqualification charges are Ang Galing Pinoy, 1-Utak, Ang Kasangga, Batang Iwas Droga (BIDA), KABAYAN, PACYAW, Association of Labor and Employees (ALE), Abot Tanaw, APOI Partylist, BANTAY True Marcos Loyalists, Aangat Tayo, Abono Partylist, Abante Tribung, Alliance of People’s, ANAD. Organizations (APO), Makabansa (ATM), and ARARO.

“We are moving for their disqualification as the representations that they claim on behalf of the country’s marginalized sectors are all made-up. Their sole raison d' etre is to protect and promote the interest of the next Congress under the eminent leadership of the Congresswoman in the making Gloria Arroyo,” Bayan spokesperson John Birondo said.

“The attempt to realize House seats for these bogus partylists is part of a grand plan to ensure perpetuation of Gloria Arroyo’s top post in Malacanang. Gloria’s congressional bid is not the be all and end all of everything. The moves to change the country’s form of government from presidential to parliamentary will pave Gloria’s way to prime ministerial post, and she needs as many allies as possible to make this plan a done deal,” Birondo added.

Bayan cited for instance the parylitst bid of Pampanga representative Mikey Arroyo and recently resigned energy secretary Angelo Reyes who was nominated by transport group 1-Utak. Other groups believed to be associated with Arroyo are PACYAW which counts as its nominees Tourism Asst. Secretary Janet Lazatin and businessman Reynaldo Pineda, both allies of Arroyo from Pampanga. APO partylist has former Ilocos congressman Salacnib Baterina as its first nominee.

“We maintain that the partylist system can still be utilized by the marginalized sectors if only the marginalized sectors fight and struggle to avail of this right and privilege. We support groups that truly represent the marginalized sectors. It is ideal and effective in so far as the experiences of progressive partylists have led to the representation of pro-people agenda in the Lower House,” Birondo said.

“We are pushing for the disqualification charges as it has become evident that the partylist system is being exploited by politicians, big business interests, high-ranking military officials and Arroyo allies for their selfish interests,” Birondo stressed.

One year after Commander Parago's daughter's death Bayan: DCPO Taskforce Rebelyn inutile

PRESS RELEASE

FEBRUARY 24, 2010

Davao City - After a year of still unresolved rape and murder case of Rebelyn Pitao, Bayan and other human rights groups launched a protest rally at Camp Leonor today against the Davao City Police Office - Task Force Rebelyn concrete.

“Like other crimes which involves the military, Rebelyn Pitao's case remains bereft of justice. The police is not likely to pinpoint a clear suspect from the military intelligence community. This is more than a display of inutility on their part, this is an utter mockery of the rule of law,” Bayan SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

Rebelyn Pitao was abducted last March 4, 2009; a day later, her lifeless body--bearing several stab wounds and rape marks--was found in an irrigation ditch in San Isidro, Carmen, Davao del Norte.

“There is no justification to the crime committed against an innocent civilian like Rebelyn. She was murdered because she was the daughter of NPA leader Leoncio Pitao a.k.a. “Ka Parago” – a crime that is clearly against the International Humanitarian Law (IHL),” Birondo stressed.

“The police until now has taken no actions to, at the very least, hold under investigation the suspects who were identified members of the Military Intelligence Group (MIG) of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) and the Military Intelligence Battalion of the 10th Infantry Division,” Birondo said.

Bayan named Ben Tipait, Aldan Sulao, Helvin Bitang and Pedring Pedregosa of the Military Intelligence Group to be the suspects in the killing.

“There was a chance for the police to pursue the case against Ben Tipait when he was detained at the Buhangin police station last month for violating gun ban. But he was released immediately, a clear act of connivance with the MIG to protect its most trusted agents," Birondo noted.

“The immediate release of Tipait was very anomalous given that he was released on a Sunday -- a move to hide him away from investigations on Rebelyn’s murder case,” Birondo said.

“Rebelyn’s case is just one of the crimes committed by the Arroyo regime against thousands of innocent civilians. And even as Gloria Arroyo's days in power are supposedly numbered, her fascist regime through the Armed Forces of the Philippines is relentless in violating human rights and in committing crimes against humanity,” Birondo lamented.

"While these criminals enjoy the rule of impunity, the family of Rebelyn Pitao continues to struggle for the justice they have long been wanting," Birondo ended.

Bayan hits black propaganda vs. Ocampo, Maza

Press Release

February 26, 2010

Davao City - The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan slammed the military’s smear campaign against progressive senatorial bets Representatives Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza "setting precedence of partisan campaigning and political persecution under a culture of impunity."

“Only the military has the intention to employ such a smear campaign. They have been very vocal and active in campaigning against progressive organizations and its members whom they tag as fronts of the communist movement. This scheme is evidently laid down in their Oplan Bantay Laya,” Bayan-SRM spokesperson John Birondo said.

Bayan recalled the military’s Order of Battle exposed by no less than Satur Ocampo in an International Solidarity Mission last year which contained the names of activists in Southern Mindanao Region. Celso Pojas who was killed last 2008 was among the identified personalities in the list.

“If we are to think logically, all the political killings and harassments happening in all parts of the country are orchestrated by no less than the military.Their influence is of immense force that they can turn truths into lies and make crimes without getting apprehended,” Birondo said.