Saturday, September 22, 2007

Bayan leads noise barrage; calls to junk HSA

(A Press Release sent to CDO Journal by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan on September 21, 2007)

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - BAGONG Alyansang Makabayan-Northern Mindanao Region spearheaded a simultaneous noise barrage to drumbeat their call to junk the Human Security Act of 2007 around 6pm yesterday (Sept. 21) in Capistran-Abejuela Sts., Divisoria and in Licoan this city.

“As we commemorate the dark martial law period, we not only remember the victims of human rights violations during the Marcos dictatorship but we also continue to condemn the existing dictator in Malacañang who already claimed the lives of 863 members of progressive organizations, human rights advocates, mediamen and churchpeople and the more the 200 victims of enforced disappearance”, Kristin Lim, Deputy Secretary-General of BAYAN-NMR said.

Lim also claims that since Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was installed as president through the People Power I in 2001 and until her reign as fake president up to the present, there were already 5 victims of extrajudicial killings in the region, the latest being Dalmacio “Daki” Gandinao and Siche Gandinao both from the highly militarized Salay, Misamis Oriental and members of Bayan Muna.

“It is frustrating to note that not one of the agents of the AFP who were pointed as perpetrators of the said vicious killings in the region was arrested and trialed. The military and police were quick enough to wash their hands of their crimes and even quicker enough to blame the NPA. The lack of will and the insincerity of the state to stop the intensifying human rights violations shows that the armed agents of the state can brazenly attack us with impunity,” Lim further added.

Moreover, the group believes that these incidents will further bolster with the implementation of the Human Security Act of 2006.

“In the pretext of going after terrorists, the state, through the Human Security Act of 2007, can go after groups who continue to pursue Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s ouster. However, there is no other way for a dictator to go but down”, Lim finally stated.


Reference:
Kristin Lim
BAYAN NMR Deputy Secretary General
Address: # 266 Pinikitan, Brgy. Camaman-an, Cagayan de Oro City Contact # 09216771894 email:
ram_oxbow@yahoo.com

Sunday, September 16, 2007

No let up in defense after Joma release


CAGAYAN DE ORO Journal (Ben Balce / Sept 16) – The military here yesterday (Saturday) said there would be no letup in the government’s security efforts in the wake of the release of communist leader Jose Ma. Sison in The Netherlands.

The army’s 4th Infantry Division said it would intensify its proactive defense and would continue securing vital installations in this part of the country.

“Even if he (Sison) is now free, still there will be no letup in our operations against his men in the region,” said 4th ID spokesperson Maj. Samuel Sagun.

Sison was released from jail after a Dutch court found insufficient evidence to hold him on murder charges he gave out orders to kill two other communist leaders in the country.

Sagun said the Armed Forces, including the Joint Task Force Kilat here, would pursue internal operations against the New People’s Army (NPA). 4thID commander Maj. Gen. Jose Barbieto heads the task Force.

Sagun downplayed reports that Sison’s release would adversely affect the military campaign against communist rebels.

Rebels are reportedly contemplating on launching attacks to cripple vital installations, particularly in the Agusan provinces.

But Sagun said the 4th ID has no information that the NPA was planning on undertaking a major operation in Regions 10 and 13.

“But our troops continue to be ready,’ said Sagun.

Neither is Sison’s release a threat to Northern Mindanao or Caraga’s peace and order situation, he said.

“Whether he is in jail or not, our regions will continue living peacefully,” said Sagun.

Sagun also said the National Police in Northern Mindanao headed by regional director Chief Supt. Teodorico Capuyan has greatly contributed in the campaign against the communist insurgency here. The 4th ID and Camp Alagar have recently signed a memorandum of agreement in connection with the anti-communist insurgency campaign.

“The joint AFP-PNP campaign against insurgency started early last month. We have scored so much not only in terms of combat operations but even on civil-military operations,” said Sagun.
Sagun said soldiers her were optimistic about President’s Arroyo’s objective to rid the country of communist insurgency by 2010.


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