Thanks to Trublue for telling us about Jaylord Langbayan in his comment here. Jerome, an Igorot kid from Aurora is going to represent the Philippines in a special UN session for children. Here’s the report from Philippine Star (via ABS-CBN).
16-year-old Igorot student to represent RP in UN special session By RAINIER ALLAN RONDA The Philippine Star
A 16-year-old senior high school student at the Dipaculao National High School in Aurora province will be a delegate to the UNGASS+5, a commemorative event to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Children and its “A World Fit for Children” document.
We’re publishing the reflections of Dom-an Macagne-Manegdeg on the killing of her husband Jose “Pepe” Manegdeg. Pepe was an NGO/church worker who was killed in Ilocos Sur two years ago. His case remains unsolved and according to this update, Dom-an and her family are now facing threats apparently because they continue to seek justice for Pepe.
Gloria and her ilk will, of course, deny that activists are being killed in the Philippines but these killings are real.
Update: The Digital Chain has a post on the profile of child abusers here. And Padma published a poem by Chinee Palatino which tackles child sexual abuse. Both are must reads.
*** Physical and sexual abuse of children is being reported more often in the Cordilleras. Here’s a report on child abuse cases in Mt. Province for the first seven months of 2007. Here’s another one that notes the increasing number of child abuse in Ifugao. And here’s a 2004 report for the whole region predicting a doubling of child abuse cases.
Quote of the Year: “I am an officer of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and at the same time a lawyer. I will not allow myself to trample upon the rights of the accused gentlemen officers and be a party to the denial of their Constitutional rights. And by these, your Honors, I ask to be excused from these proceedings.” — Major Basilio Pooten
***** When I first read the story about Major Basilio Pooten (center) and his refusal to be used as a tool for injustice, I wondered if he is from the Cordilleras but I didn’t have the time to check it out.
Earlier, we told you in this post that Atty. Trixie Cruz Angeles, lawyer of Capt. Ruben Guinolbay, would be willing to answer questions regarding her client. Some of you posted your questions which she has graciously answered. Thanks Atty! More power to you and our your client and the other officers.
Atty. Angeles also writes a column for the Inquirer. The following are must reads: Piercing Presidential shields (on holding Gloria accountable for her illegal acts) and Mural Rights (on the NPC mural controversy, artists’ rights, and press freedom).
Now, it turns out that the Empire is also holding captive another kailiyan in its smelly dungeons. Thanks to Ellen Tordesillas who sent us these photos and who alerted us about Capt. Joey Fontiveros. Here’s Ellen’s note: Continue reading →
The task force created by the Kalinga provincial government to look into the land dispute in Rizal which led to the deaths of nine people has now issued its findings. Here’s a story by Estanislao Albano Jr. first published at the Manila Bulletin. The Philippine Information Agency has a similar report here.
Task force bares its findings on bloody Kalinga demolition Says mayor’s order to demolish houses legally defective By ESTANISLAO ALBANO JR.
Our thanks to Ellen Tordesillas who sent us these photos of our kailiyans, Capt. Ruben Guinolbay and Capt. Dante Langkit, two gallant military officers who are on trial for their alleged participation in the aborted withdrawal of support from Gloria Arroyo in February 2006. [Edited: We originally stated that they are under trial for the Oakwood mutiny which is not correct. Thanks Ellen.]
We have been blogging about Captain Guinolbay, so we’re sure you already know him. In case you missed our previous posts, you can read them here, here, and here. We initially didn’t know about Captain Langkit so we haven’t done much blogging about him. In fact we only heard of him during the past elections when his twin brother ran for Congress in Kalinga. Thankfully, Ellen has some information for us: Continue reading →
We are reprinting the statement presented by Dr. Constancio Claver, husband of the late Alice Omengan-Claver on the occasion of the First Anniversary of her Killing (28 July 2007). To date, the assassination of Alice Claver remains unsolved just like the many extra-judicial killings of leftist-activists and media people.
We agree with Chandu that President Arroyo should be held responsible for these murders. Chandu and his kids have now applied for political asylum in Canada. We hope the Canadian government grants them their request.
Here’s a video of photos taken during and after the Rizal land dispute tragedy. It is sad, shocking, and not safe for the weak of heart. For us, the saddest portion of the video would be that picture of a handcuffed old man who was, from the looks of it, attempting to eat (or was he attempting to drink?).
