February 12, 2016

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan - SMR 

One billion Rising Revolution 2016 here at Rizal Park Davao City. 

‪#‎LabananAngAbuso‬ ‪#‎1billionrising‬ ‪#‎Rise2March8‬ ‪#‎RiseforClimateJustice‬

Press Statement: Stop the Harassment of Progressive Leaders! End Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan Now!

July 9, 2014

Stop the Harassment of Progressive Leaders! End Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan Now!

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Mindanao Region decries the increasing harassment and surveillance of prominent members and spokesperson of their allied organizations.  Two succeeding incidents involving progressive leaders and suspected security forces indicates to us that the militarization of Mindanao under Aquino’s Oplan Bayanhian has intensified, spilling over from the countryside and into urban centers.

On Sunday, University of the Philippines-Mindanao professors Myfel Paluga and Andrea Ragragio reported being followed by suspicious men while on their way back to Davao City from General Santos City from a research reconnaissance.  Motorcycle riders tailed their vehicle while they were on the road, while men in plainclothes monitored them at their stops, they said.

On Tuesday, a similar incident happened to Gabriela spokesperson May Ann Sapar yesterday morning on her way to their group’s office.  She had spotted a suspicious man loitering outside her home early yesterday; the same man got into the same jeepney she rode away from her house.   The man then sat beside her, with a short firearm visibly tucked in his trousers.

Paluga and Ragragio were active during the Defend Talaingod, Save Pantaron campaign on behalf of the Talaingod Manobos who evacuated here to Davao City last April.  Ragragio is also the spokesperson of Pagbabago! Southern Mindanao Region and Abolish Pork Movement.  Sapar, as Gabriela spokesperson, has been involved in numerous issues about the plight of the urban poor, peasant and worker women in the region.

They are all visible and vocal leaders of people’s campaigns, and their advocacies have often brought them at odds with the State’s security forces.  We believe that government agents are the only people who would have the means and the motives to harass these progressive personalities.  BAYAN-SMR condemns in the strongest possible terms the continuing policy of not distinguishing between members of legitimate people’s organizations and those deemed as enemies of the state.  This policy has resulted in countless human rights violations through the terms of Estrada, Arroyo, and now, Aquino.  We demand the immediate cessation of all forms of intimidation directed towards our members, and no less than the end of Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan all over the country.

Support the Kahusayan People’s Struggle; Fight the impunity of landlords like Quiboloy

DAVAO CITY ---Bagong Alyansang Makabayan in Southern Mindanao Region (Bayan-SMR) unites with the tribesmen and community of slain Bagobo K’lata leader Datu Dominador Diarog in their struggle from the fierce attempts of Pastor Apollo Quiboloy to grab the land that is home to their tribe.


Their case is a classic struggle faced by the national minorities in the country who have, since time, been frequently victimized in various ways, but principally by attempts to evict them from the land on which they derive their means of living, their cultural values and life systems.

The death of Datu Diarog in 2008 was a tragic culmination of his almost decade of struggle in defense of the fertile agricultural land beneath Mt. Apo which is home to the Bagobo Klata tribe.

Since 1999, Quiboloy was able to occupy 5,000 hectares of land covering portions at the foot of Mt. Apo particularly in Brgy. Tamayong, Brgy. Manuel Guianga, Brgy. Sirib, and Brgy.Carmen in the City.  These lands have been either converted into ‘prayer mountains,’ extravagant mansions, pine tree plantations, and just recently a gherkins (small cucumber) plantation is being planned in Sitio Kahusayan.

But Quiboloy was never successful in his attempt at fully taking over the land since Datu Diarog refused to yield their 5-hectare stead in Sitio Kahusayan, Brgy. Manuel Guianga in Tugbok District, which is within Quiboloy’s claim.

The Diarog’s land has been fenced off, their house burned, and Datu Diarog himself was talked into by Quiboloy’s men, one of them was identified by Diarog family members as a certain Greg Canada, to sell the land at P50,000 per hectare, but still they persisted and held on to their land.  

Such harassment incidents preceded Datu Diarog’s death three years ago on April 29, 2008, when armed men strafed his house, killed him with armalite bullets and injured some of his family members, his wife and his then five-year-old daughter.

Since the Datu’s death, there was never a day that his family and his diminishing tribesmen in Sitio Kahusayan live away from coercsions and brutal attempts of eviction.

Just this month, three backhoes had been escorted to the village by military personnel from the 84th Infantry Battalion. These soldiers have been deployed in the area for several months now as “Peace and Development Teams.”

Members of the Diarog clan have in several times, too, figured in the harassments perpetrated by these soldiers, who are so-called ‘PDTs.’  These harassments are either in the form of being tagged as rebels, or being sought out by the soldiers themselves.

The attacks never ended in Datu Diarog’s death; and neither did his surviving tribesmen’s resistance.

The place claimed by Quiboloy is not just the sacred ground of indigenous peoples whose protection are ensured in the very laws of the country and in international covenants, but a sacred conservation ground too, being part of the declared Mt. Apo protected area.

It is lamentable that amidst these deplorable incidents, we have yet to hear government institutions act on the matter: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the City Government of Davao itself.

It is appalling that these institutions, by the very fact that Quiboloy has continued amassing of wealth, unhampered, is a tragic proof of their tolerance of such beastly deed. We have been calling on them for action, but it seems they too are rendered inutile.

This forces us to turn our appeals on the Davaoeńos. We call on you to rally behind our lumad brothers and sisters of Kahusayan; to rally in opposition to this blatant violation of human rights and dignities of lumad peoples who are our very own fellow Davaoeńos.

To fight on their side is to fight to end the impunity of these giant oppressors in our midst. 

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 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 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.###

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.

Bayan discounts military’s investigation that cleared suspects on Rebelyn’s Killing, hits TF Rebelyn

PRESS RELEASE

March 13, 2009

Davao City – Bayan discounted 10^th ID’s claim that Corporals Melvin Bitang and Orly Pedrigosa are clear from any accountability on the killing of Rebelyn Pitao saying “ it is idiocy for the military to think that they can change the tides and make the people believe that the accused are indeed innocent.”

“The people’s sympathy is evidently pointing on the suspects’ involvement in the crime and the military cannot simply dismiss the allegations by using the results of their own investigation as proofs of the suspect’s innocence. How in the world would the masterminds of Rebelyn’s killing say that their men are guilty?” Bayan-SMR spokesperson John Birondo said.

“Commander Parago’s accusation against these suspects can not be simply dismissed as unfounded neither the military can claim that the killing is an isolated case. Such crime has been happening under the military’s Internal Security Plan which launched Oplan Bantay Laya 1 and 2 as the main policies for the execution of the relentless political killings nationwide,” Birondo stressed.

“We instead dare the leadership of the 10^th Infantry Division of the Philippine Army to surface and submit the 12 suspects on the killing of Rebelyn Pitao for appropriate investigations including the investigation that will be carried out by an independent body,” Birondo added.

Bayan also hits the seemingly hollow police investigation of Task Force Rebelyn on the killing.

“We never believed that the creation of Task Force Rebelyn can be infringing of a state policy that subjects innocent civilians to abduction, torture, and worse, callous deaths,” Birondo said.

“The police can only make a pseudo investigation on the killing of Rebelyn Pitao for it can never be sincere in exposing the hard truth that the military is behind the abduction, rape, and killing of Commander Parago’s innocent daughter,” Birondo added.

Bayan recalled Task Force Pojas that the Davao City Police created to investigate last year’s killing of peasant leader Celso Pojas. To date, the crime remains unresolved while justice remains elusive for Pojas’ family and the people he had served in his lifetime as defender of peasant rights and welfare.

Bayan dares 10th ID to surface 3 abducted NPA combatants

PRESS RELEASE

February 6, 2009

Davao City – In a picket rally today at Camp Panacan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) dared the leadership of 10^th Infantry Division under the command of Major General Jogy Leo Fojas to surface 3 NPA combatants who by statements of their families and other witnesses were abducted last January 26 of this year.

Bayan also noted the writ of amparo which the families of Ruel Cabales, Catherine Guinoo Cacdac, and Nelson Carbajosa had filed before the Regional Trial Court, Branch 3, last January 29.

"We reiterate the fact that only the military has the motive to do the abduction. And our conclusion that the incident was abduction is based on the statements of the witnesses and the victims' families which were strongly and consistently stated during the hearing of the writ filed before the RTC," Bayan spokesperson John Birondo said.

"This is nothing new to what they have long been doing to members of progressive groups whom they accuse of being the legal fronts of the communist movement. Time and again, they kill, abduct, and torture those they tag as enemies of the state and act as if nothing happens. They are unstoppable in sowing terror in various communities where helpless civilians used to dwell in peace," Birondo added.

"The crux of the issues here is the respect for human rights which the military should accord to any member of the New People's Army considering that the same is being accorded to any member of the military in cases that they are held prisoners of war," Birondo said

"This is in respect to national and international declarations such as the Geneva Convention and Comprehensive Agreement on the Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Laws (CARHRIHL) which the government especially the AFP is not innocent of," Birondo stressed.

Birondo added that "the military's lame denial of the abduction clearly speaks of the military's filthy schemes that are meant to liquidate all movements against the Arroyo government, be it the New People's Army or legitimate people's organizations in the country."

"Gloria Arroyo's bankrupt regime is bound to fail in its battle against insurgency and all other forms of oppositions as it can never quell the people's outrage for justice and equality. For as long as there is inequality in land distribution and the workers remain exploited, insurgency and the people's movements will inevitably topple down this regime," Birondo added.

Bayan to head-on cha cha moves, urges public's vigilance

Press Release

February 5, 2009

Davao City – Unsurprised by the decision of the House committee on constitutional amendment to railroad charter change, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) expressed here today its readiness to head-on with any move that seeks to amend the constitution.

Bayan also warned the public to be as vigilant as ever considering that Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her political allies are known masters of deceits, power greed, and shameless manipulators of evil practices in the government.

"The Arroyo administration has uttered so many lies in the past and for so many times was caught doing so. Its offhand posturing on the issue of charter change won't buy any trust from the people, whom it deceived during the "Hello Garci" controversy, the NBN-ZTE deal scandal, and many others that have not yet come out to the open," Bayan spokesperson John Birondo said.

"What can be more obvious than to see Cong. Prospero Nograles, the speaker of the House and Gloria Arroyo's staunchest ally in the House of Congress, doing the groundwork for the final operations of charter change that Malacañang can deny its participation in it?" Birondo added.

"More incredibly, Sen. Juan Ponce Enrile's "ok statement" for a constituent assembly to merely discuss and approve amendments on economic provisions of the constitution can expunge the fact that charter change is Malacañang's only hope for Gloria Arroyo's term extension," Birondo stressed.

"The design and machineries for charter change are now evidently working to destroy all legal impediments to its completion. The arguments on how charter change will be taken-up, either by constituent assembly or constitutional convention, would require the Supreme Court's intervention and it is no co-incidence that the upcoming appointments of SC's new justices will happen amidst the railroading of cha cha," Birondo warned.

"This goes to show that Gloria Arroyo's upcoming appointees in the Supreme Court are designed to be seated in their positions to ensure that a constituent assembly be formalized to take-up cha cha," Birondo added.

"The people's real pulse is to end Gloria Arroyo's presidency and her machinations of anti-people policies. The kind of charter change that the Arroyo administration is lobbying won't save our nation from the crises that they, themselves, have caused to happen," Birondo said.

Bayan stressed the urgency of social change that roots from the needs of the people for stable jobs, higher wages, land to till, decent shelters, affordable prices of basic commodities, access to social services for health, food, and education, and the respect for human rights.

"We are set to begin our barangay forums this month to educate the people of Davao about the real contents of charter change vis-à-vis the worsening global financial crisis. This effort is in cooperation with the city's local government units and other people's organizations under Bayan," Birondo announced.