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On the warrant of arrest against legal activists from the Cordillera and Ilocos
We condemn the issuance of another warrant of arrest against legal activists from the Cordillera and Ilocos, this time on the trumped-up charge of Rebellion. Various leaders have been included in this warrant issued by Abra Judge Corpus Alzate on January 24, 2023. The respondents in the case apparently are not aware of these…
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Bayan opposes Austin visit and EDCA implementation
Bayan opposes in no uncertain terms the upcoming visit of US Secretary of Defense Llyod Austin and his meeting with Philippine defense officials. The visit coincides with plans to implement the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) in the Philippines with 5 agreed locations being readied. We view this as the return of US bases in…
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On the continuation of the ICC investigation in the Philippines
We welcome the decision of the International Criminal Court Pre-Trial Chamber to continue the investigation into the crimes against humanity that occurred in the Philippines under the term of Rodrigo Duterte. The ICC correctly observed that “the various domestic initiatives and proceedings, assessed collectively, do not amount to tangible, concrete and progressive investigative steps in…
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On the ILO High Level Tripartite Mission to the Philippines
For the third time in three months, the Philippine government’s human rights record is under scrutiny by an international body. The International Labor Organization High Level Tripartite Mission comes in the wake of the United Nations Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review in November 2022, and the visit of the UN Special Rapporteur on the…
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We stand with Bestang and the fight for truth and justice
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan expresses its solidarity with indigenous rights defender Sarah ‘Bestang’ Dekdeken, the secretary-general of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, who continues to face state-backed attacks because of her activism. We join human rights advocates in asserting that Bestang’s work as an activist is a shining example of her commitment to truth and accountability.…
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Foreign trips amid food crisis
Marcos Jr. leaves again for another foreign trip with a huge entourage as ordinary Filipinos grapple with soaring food and fuel prices and low wages. We are made to believe that these foreign trips are good for the country, even as government provides no real solutions to the crisis. In Davos, Marcos will boast of…
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Let Lula Lead!
BAYAN Statement on the US-backed right-wing attack on the Lula government 12 January 2023 BAYAN is one with the international community in standing with and commending President Luis “Lula” da Silva for swiftly and decisively overturning the right-wing Bolsonarista mob that stormed Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court and presidential palace on 8 January 2023. We…
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Stop the Bullets, Stop the Massacres!
BAYAN Statement on the Attacks on the People of Peru 11 January 2023 BAYAN stands with the people of Peru who continue to resist the right-wing coup d’etat that deposed President Pedro Castillo on December 7, 2022. We strongly condemn the rising death toll and brutal repression perpetrated by members of Peru’s national army…
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No to LRT fare hike
We have recently monitored news that the LTFRB has approved a substantial fare hike for the LRT 1 and 2. This means the boarding fare will increase by P2.29 and distance fare will increase by 21 centavos.the The new boarding fare will become P13.29, while the distance fare will increase to P1.21 per kilometer both…
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On the acquittal of Juanito Jose Remulla III
It is difficult to comment on the guilt or innocence of Juanito Jose Remulla III. We can however point out that he was accorded speedy trial and an opportunity to plead his innocence, unlike the many EJK victims in the sham drug war and unlike those who continue to languish in jail on false charges…