Save the Life of Mary Jane Veloso! End Human Trafficking!

April 27, 2015

Reference: Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol spokesperson

Detained OFW Mary Jane Veloso must not be charged and executed, but rather be sent to her home country. She deserves justice and due process.

Karapatan-Bikol together with all other progressive organizations in Bicol call on the Indonesian government to halt the execution. Mary Jane is a victim of human trafficking and drug trafficking, not a drug trafficker.

Those who recruited and manipulated Mary Jane should be pursued, prosecuted, and convicted--not Mary Jane, who is a desperate and vulnerable victim of Human Trafficking.

To show our deepest support and campaign, progressive organizations in different parts of Bicol region hold symbolic activities and vigils that showed strong display of national solidarity for Mary Jane who faces the death penalty for a crime that she did not commit.

There were held vigils in Plaza Quince Martires and Balatas, Naga City. In Naga City: Candle Lighting was also held in Caramarines Sur and in Daet, Camarines Norte. Same support to Mary Jane are also visible in other provinces like Albay and Sorsogon.

We call on the Filipino people to remain vigilant and to keep up the public pressure on the Aquino government and the Indonesian government to stop the Mary Jane’s execution.

Let us continuously support the family of Mary Jane, her parents and two kids. No children should be made to suffer through their mother’s execution, especially be deprived with life for Mary Jane.

Because there are no economic opportunities in the country, Mary Jane was forced to work abroad, being the latest victim of human trafficking.
 
With connivance from labor recruiters and foreign employers, the government is being exploiting the migrants to human trafficking and drug trafficking, mostly from families of workers and peasants..

The Aquino regime just worsening the human rights violations on part of the OFWs because of encouraging the labor export policy that only favors foreign companies.This foreign companies only cover-up the country’s deepening domestic economic crisis.

Let the world know that the Bicolanos are among the Filipino people who stand for Mary Jane. Let us stand and end Human Trafficking!

Save Mary Jane Veloso!

Five Years of Lies, Arrogance and Injustice: Aquino Must Resign

Joint Statement of Karapatan-Bikol and National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers – Bicol

February 25, 2015
Reference: Vince Casilihan

Five Years of Lies, Arrogance and Injustice: Aquino Must Resign

Five years in office yet he has done nothing but lies and sweet talks. He has not shown the people anything except his arrogance. One more year remaining in this term yet the Aquino administration is good to go for failure of leadership. He has failed to bring peace, justice, and genuine development in this country. Instead, he started war and brought more brutal killings, poverty, and chaos.

The supposedly sweetheart “Oplan Exodus” deal between the US and the Aquino administration which resulted to deaths of SAF forces, Moro fighters, and a number of civilians, a.k.a. the Mamasapano encounter, is the last straw which cuts the thinning thread of patience and tolerance that the Filipinos and even the Bicolanos have with this present administration.

The circumstances surrounding the Mamasapano incident and Aquino’s disdain shows the now seemingly invisible hand of the administration in violation of human rights, peace agreements and International Humanitarian Law. It also reflects the string-puppet character of the present administration before the US while aggravating the people’s fury with the current poverty situation resulting from anti-people and neo-liberal economic policies like PPPs, pork barrel issues and other forms of corruption, and patronage politics, among others. It cannot be denied that there can be no peace, no justice, and no true development for the Filipinos and the Bicolanos under the Aquino administration.

The US-Aquino administration, instead of bringing peace in Mindanao and in other parts of the country, breached national sovereignty with the intervention of the US in an internal armed conflict and entering a Moro territory without proper coordination, thus jeopardizing the on-going peace negotiations with the MILF. The presence of drones and of US forces from the inception stage up to the retrieval operations already constitute violation of the sovereignty and independence of the country. This government followed the orders of the US in going against Marwan as part of the US-led war on terror policy and, worse, made the policy a part of its own thru the Oplan Bayanihan. Even the state’s own forces were placed in danger and became sacrificial lambs in heeding the orders of Uncle Sam.

The Mamasapano incident is not an isolated case of unjustified US intervention; violation of human rights, peace agreements and International Humanitarian Law; and of Aquino arrogance when confronted with controversial and people’s issues.

In the Bicol Region, the arrest of two (2) JASIG-holder consultants in the peace negotiations between the GPH and the NDFP who are supposedly protected with the safety and immunity guarantee shows that Aquino is not serious in any peace agreement. Not with the Moros. Not with the NDFP. Thus, Aquino does not want peace. He does not want to end armed conflict. With Aquino, there will be no peace in the Philippines.

The Aquino government have not been and is not set to honor any peace agreement and was in fact making an all-out war. The state forces, under the behest of its Commander-in-Chief Aquino, are the violators of International Humanitarian Law and CARHRIHL resulting to the death of two children and the father of the Mancera family in Labo, Camarines Norte; death of farmer civilian Garduque and arrest and detention of his wife Cynthia of Matnog, Sorsogon following an armed encounter in May 2014; killing of persons under hors de combat in an encounter on July 4, 2013 in Juban, Sorsogon also known as Juban 8, the manner of killing of whom were similar to the fate of the SAF 44; and the abduction and killing of Rodel Estrellado of Malilipot, Albay under the guise of an armed encounter in Bato, Camarines Sur. There is manifest injustice to these growing number of victims and families.

It is worth noting that the killings in Bicol started giving birth almost nine months after the conception of Aquino into office in June 2010. Rodel Estrellado was killed on February 25, 2011 and the Manceras on February 25, 2012, both ironically, during the celebration of EDSA People Power Revolution. This was followed by 56 more in the region. The numbers are increasing and, to date, not one of the victims of extrajudicial killings before and even during the Aquino administration obtained justice. Not one was even filed before any courts of law. Worse, most investigations were poorly conducted if not whitewashed. Justice remains elusive for the victims and their families.

The appeal “Walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni Aquino!” made during the Independence Day Celebration was the reason why Ateneo student Em Mijares is facing charges in the exercise of his freedom of expression on June 12, 2014 in Naga City. Instead of listening to the cry of this young man, Aquino placed him behind bars and filed charges against him. He is deaf when the Filipinos cry because of injustice. Clearly, the evident disdain of Aquino and his insensitivity to the feelings of the families of SAF is not new. He ignored the death of transgender Laude and reasoned out not having personally known the person to condole with the grieving family. In the recent case, Aquino’s acts towards the widows of the SAF44 depict that he is merely showing up to just indeed put up a show and does not really care for the victims of human rights violations; not for non-state forces, not for the state forces. Not only justice is elusive because the government allows it to be, even mercy and compassion are missing.

Amid the violation of civil and political rights, the Bicolanos are losing control over basic utilities with the impending privatization of electric cooperatives which started with the illegal management takeover of Albay Electric Cooperative by SMC through APEC in 2013. Since its takeover under the policy of Public-Private Sector-Partnership (PPP) of the government, Albayanos have been suffering from poor services, intermittent power supply, erroneous billings and unexplained fees. Health facilities and services remain scarce and poor, respectively. Many children cannot go to school because of lack of school facilities and teachers in far-flung communities and poor educational support in some nearby areas while youths cannot afford higher education because of from soaring tuition and other school fees.

Most Bicolanos wallow in poverty due to joblessness. Many farming families lost their lands because of incessant mining activities and land conversion. Communities in Rapurapu and other areas in the Bicol region are exposed to a bigger disaster from mining in the island municipality under the destructive Mining Act of 1995. Displacement of houses and livelihood likewise continue because of urban development and other activities. Farmers either do not have lands or do not receive farm support in their small farms under the CARPER Program. Worse, poverty exists and worsens despite huge pork barrel funds of 16 district representatives and 3 Ako Bicol representatives amounting to more or less 1.3 billion pesos per year which could have been translated to basic services. The spending of the released pork remains unexplained to date as with the PDAF and DAP expenditures at the national level. Victims of typhoons and other calamities die of hunger while the government boasts of their accomplishments in responding to typhoons and other disasters. The Filipino people are in deep poverty and the Aquino government have not been taking it seriously; there is no development in the Philippines. There is no plan for development for the poor Filipinos’ lives in the Philippines.

With this, we demand the following:
- Conduct of an independent and thorough investigation on the Mamasapano incident and hold those responsible liable;
- Prosecution of human rights violators;
- Pursuit of peace negotiations by addressing the root causes of armed conflict;
- Abolition of the pork barrel system and hold accountable those responsible for PDAF and DAP scams; and
- Introduction of economic policies that will favor the poor like genuine agrarian reform, nationalist industrialization and improvement of basic social services.

Aquino’s evident arrogance and insensitivity are drips of lemon to the wound of poverty and injustice. Sweet talking and false promises will not do this government any good. Someone must be made accountable for these violations and injustices and, for it to happen, Aquino must step down. We cannot wait for 2016 for Aquino to end his term. And so we say, Aquino must resign NOW!

Karapatan-Bikol: BS Aquino resign Now, Peace Process don’t Delay!

Reference: Vince Casilihan, Karapatan-Bikol spokesperson

Karapatan-Bikol urgently calls for the resignation of BS Aquino while supporting the peace process between the government and the MILF.

BS Aquino, Purisima and the US involvement are accountable for the Mamasapano Massacre that happened last January 25.Both Aquino and Purisima were deeply liable in the planning and execution of the various Oplans to capture high-ranking terrorists such as Marwan and Usman with a bounty of US$ 7 million from the US.

The operation called Oplan Exodus or also knownas Oplan Wolverine named by the dominant media led to the deaths of 44 SAF members, at least 18 from MILF and 5 from the BIFF, and several civilians including a child, and the death of ZulkifliAbdhir confirmed by the FBI and the PNP at 6:30 p.m. of February 4, 2015.

Karapatan_Bikolexpressed sympathies to the victims of the Mamasapano clash especially to the families of the police troops who were sacrificed by the Aquino Administration at the altar of the US Terror War.

The Aquino regime violated the international Humanitarian Law as one of the binding powers in the peace process. As the commander-in-chief, BS Aquino instead insists to follow orders from the imperialist country, the US.

BS Aquino ordered its police officials with no proper chain of commandin the Mamasapano operation which exposes the continuing US military interventionism in country through the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, the Visiting Forces Agreement, and the Mutual Defense Treaty.

With the US’ Aquino-Purisima-Ochoa friendship, Aquino gave authority in the said operation to former PNP Director Alan Purisima who was not supposedly be involved in the operation since he was suspended by the Ombudsman. They intentionally hide the operation of the SAF to the current PNP Director Leonardo Espina and DILG Secretary Mar Roxas.

So who is truly the devil in disguise in our country who can cheat and bait his allied officials just to fulfill the hidden task of his real Boss?

Despite the existing ceasefire agreement between the MILF and the government, Aquino and Purisima failed to coordinate with both peace panels. This only trigger to more bloody combat between the SAF, MILF and the BIFF.

With its continuing connivance with the imperialist country, more human rights violations are expected to come. The Aquino Administration is feeding its own people till death just to serve the US.

The Senate Hearing regarding the Mamasapano Massacre will just delay the peace process and the passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law. We need an independent investigating body to reveal the truth behind the anti-people decisions of the Aquino Administration.

Let’s fight for our rights! Let Aquino resign NOW!

MAS MATINDI AT MABAGSIK ANG KALAMIDAD NG OPLAN BAYANIHAN KAYSA KALAMIDAD NA DULOT NG KALIKASAN

KARAPATAN-SORSOGON
Santos St., Sorsogon City

Pahayag Sa Midya
Disyembre 10, 2014 

Isang insidente ng pagdukot ang naganap ilang araw bago lumagpak sa kalupaan ng Pilipinas ang Bagyong Ruby, at habang nasa kasagsagan ang paghahanda ng buong bansa sa inaasahang pananalasa nito.
Si Samuel Dollesin, 45 taong gulang, may asawa at residente ng Brgy. Lapinig, Gubat ay dinukot ng mga unipormado at armadong kalalakihan sa Sitio Palukso ng naturang barangay bandang alas sais y media ng hapon (6:30 NH) noong Disyembre 4. Pagkaraan ng ilang araw, noong Linggo, Disyembre 7, natagpuan ang walang buhay na katawan ni Samuel sa isang mababaw na hukay sa Brgy. Sugod, Distrito ng Bacon, Lunsod ng Sorsogon.

Ayon sa mga nakasaksi, ang mga armadong kalalakihan ay mga elemento ng Philippine Army. Kilala nila ang ilan sa mga ito sapagkat ang mga ito ay kabilang sa special operations team (SOT) ng Philippine Army na nagkampo sa kanilang barangay noong panahon ng administrasyong Macapagal-Arroyo. Gayunpaman, ang mga saksi ay natatakot lumantad dahil sa takot nilang sapitin din ang kapalarang sinapit ni Samuel.

Ang kapalarang sinapit ni Samuel ay pangkaraniwang karanasan ng mga mamamayang Pilipino sa iba’t ibang dako ng kapuluan. Ang karanasang ito ay pangkaraniwan sa isang lipunang militarisado na ang nagingibabaw na kalakaran ay ang paghaharing militar upang ipagtanggol at pamayanihin ang anti-demokratiko at anti-mamamayang interes ng mga dayuhang monopolyo at kasabwat nitong mga komprador at asendero.

Oplan Bayanihan ang tawag nila sa militarisasyon ng kanayunan at kalunsuran na bumibiktima sa libu-libong mamamayang Pilipino. 215 na ang bilang ng biktima ng EJK, at 213 ang nabigong EJK, sa ilalim ng Oplan Bayanihan ni Noynoy Aquino. Bukod pa ito sa libu-libong mamamayang biktima ng sapilitang pagpapalikas dahil sa walang pakundangang pambobomba at walang habas na pamamaril sa operasyong militar, mapaminsalang pagmimina at demolisyon ng mga maralitang komunidad sa kalunsuran. Samantala ang mga biktima ng kalamidad na tulad ng Sendong, Pablo, Yolanda, Glenda at Ruby ay patuloy na pinababayaan ng rehimeng Aquino. Sa kabilang dako, hindi ito magkandaugaga sa pag-asikaso sa mga dadalong opisyal ng APEC Informal Senior Officers Meeting (AISOM).

Mas matindi at mabagsik ang kalamidad ng Oplan Bayanihan kaysa kalamidad na dulot ng kalikasan. Ang mga bagyo, lindol at pagputok ng bulkan ay nagpapahinga sa pamiminsala sa mamamayan subalit ang Oplan Bayanihan ay araw-araw na pumipinsala sa buhay at ari-arian ng mga mamamayan.

Collectively Rise from Calamities and Fight Man-made Disasters!

Reference: Vince Casilihan

December 10, 2014

Karapatan-Bikol, the alliance of human rights advocates in the region, spearhead today’s commemoration of the International Human Rights Day. Protest marches will be held in various centers of the region to condemn the state’s attacks on the social, economic, and political rights of the people. In the face of continuing rehabilitation from successive natural calamities, the people most particularly battle man-made disasters in the forms of economic plunder, corruption, and militarization.

The Aquino government has remained the people’s foremost tormentor as it persists in carrying out anti-national and anti-democratic programs.  In order to defend and maintain its plunder and corruption, Aquino’s regime has unleashed Oplan Bayanihan to suppress and attack those who fight the government’s evils.

BS Aquino turns its back on the people and instead emboldens the AFP, PNP and other state armed groups to continue with their flagrant violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Across the countrysides of Bicol, 9^th Infantry Division and PNP Region 5 troops create virtual garrisons as they continue to position themselves in the middle of civilian populations, and occupy public structures such as schools and day care centers, chapels, and barangay halls. Needless to say, various other attacks on the people result from these military and police operations that plague the people for months.

On top of harassments, extra-judicial killings, abductions, and destructions of livelihoods instigated by Oplan Bayanihan, Bicolanos in particular likewise confront natural calamities, and the subsequent government’s criminal abandonment and misrepresentation of calamity victims in exchange of public funds. In the name of calamity victims, crooked government leaders cash in on hyped natural disasters, in the process uprooting the people from their homes and livelihoods, and leaving them in evacuation centers hungry and anguish-stricken.

Karapatan-Bikol calls on well-meaning citizens of the region to unite with the victims of the Aquino government and condemn its continuing violations of the people’s rights. Alongside the demands for putting an end to Oplan Bayanihan and punishing the fascist 9^th ID and PNP, we also state our claim for the punishment of calamity fund thieves, and the just relief and rehabilitation of disaster victims. ###

Statement of Political Prisoners in Camarines Norte

Major Angelo Guzman Reveals the Clown’s Pretense of Oplan Bayanihan

Press Statement

Reference: Vince Casilihan

November 19, 2014

Karapatan-Bikol joins the delegates of Manilakbayan 2014 and the militant organizations of Southern Tagalog region in condemning the Armed Forces of the Philippines – Southern Luzon Command’s attempts at sabotaging today’s picket protest at the gates of SOLCOM headquarters. Utmost denunciation is directed at SOLCOM Spokesperson Major Angelo Guzman, for taking the lead in disrupting and disrespecting the people’s legitimate mobilization.

SOLCOM Spokesperson Maj. Angelo Guzman taunting protesters.

Delegates of Manilakbayan, together with the people of Southern Luzon, held a picket protest to have the AFP hear the people’s demands for respect for human rights and international humanitarian law. Instead, they were responded with blaring Christmas music, with Major Angelo Guzman foolishly clapping and taunting the protesters.

Such act of the SOLCOM Spokesperson reveals the true face of Oplan Bayanihan’s psywar in Southern Luzon. The AFP’s purported reform in methods concerning respect for people’s rights proves to be empty, as demonstrated by Major Guzman’s unreserved display of contempt of the masses.

Karapatan-Bikol takes particular notice of this event because SOLCOM, being the chief implementer of Oplan Bayanihan in the regions of Southern Tagalog and Bicol, exposes its obstinacy in keeping true to being mercenaries of plunderers, big landlords, and pork barrel kingpins. Today’s incident at the gates of SOLCOM headquarters only tells the public that the brutalities of Oplan Bayanihan will continue in Southern Luzon, and that the AFP has at its charge Major Angelo Guzman to spread deceit, as was his erstwhile role with the 9^th Infantry Division.  And also with his strutting, the SOLCOM Spokesperson attempts to divert the people’s minds away from the root causes of the people’s dissent.

We ask Major Guzman: What peaceful Christmas is there when your senior officers order the distress of our families through abductions, death squad assassinations, and destruction of livelihoods? What joyous Christmas will the people have when you can still afford to clown around amidst the people’s condemnation of your organization’s brutalities and deception?

On the other hand, the AFP should retain buffoons with the likes of Major Angelo Guzman, and have him proceed with his clowning. This only inflames further the indignation of a people against poverty and oppression.   

But mind you, Major Angelo Guzman, the people’s outrage is not a laughing matter. ###

Take Our Victories to the Next Day of Protest!

A Statement of Congratulations and Continuing Fight

Reference: Ptr. Dan Balucio – BAYAN-BICOL

      Vince Casilihan – Karapatan-Bikol

November 18, 2014

BAYAN-BICOL and Karapatan-Bikol salute yesterday’s triumphant convergence of KADENA Bicolandia and Manilakbayan ng Mindanao. The coming together of the poor and oppressed people across various regions announces the certainty of victory in the fight against poverty and social injustice.    

More than 15, 000 Bicolanos from all over the region dominated the streets to articulate their solidarity with more than 300 marchers from Mindanao, while advancing other legitimate demands. Bicolanos and Mindanawans exchanged banners and reciprocally pressed for each other’s calls. Such mutual espousal of struggles eliminates sectarian views and cultivates in the people’s minds a comprehensive grasp of poverty and oppression plaguing the whole country. 

The main highways of Sorsogon welcomed the Mindanao delegates in their Luzon leg, with thousands of militant Sorsoganons lining up along major protest centers in the province. Albayanos on the other hand prepared a symbolic Kainang Bayan and shared the province’ prized Pinangat and Bicol Express. In Camarines Sur, a torch parade and a solidarity cultural night capped Manilakbayan’s Bicol phase. Meanwhile, the provinces of Masbate, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes each had their significant mobilizations as testament to the solidarity of Bicolanos with our Mindanawan comrades.  

The region has witnessed yesterday a swelling mass of people rising up against poverty and social injustice, particularly against the loathsome BS Aquino regime. This is on the account of the people’s fortitude in sharply evaluating their despondent conditions, and decisively taking action to command their paths and break away from the chains of an exploitative and oppressive system.

Days of ambivalence and being cowed are over. Today we send off our comrades to continue with their long struggle to Manila. Meanwhile, we return to our communities, our schools and workplaces, and proceed with our daily struggles as well. But in the weeks leading to the next day of protest, we carry on with arousing our fellow peasants, our fellow cultural workers and students, fellow workers and employees, and call for resistance against poverty and oppression. Let us persist in heralding the triumphs of a people united, and spark the righteousness of struggle. Then certainly, on the day that we once again take to the streets, what upheaval shall our voices resound!

Do not let our guards down! Fight the state’s continuing attacks on activists!

News Release

Reference: Vince Casilihan

      Karapatan-Bikol Spokesperson

November 16, 2014

“The policy of state terrorism continues, and so do the people intensify the fight against BS Aquino’s brutality and oppression.” Such is Vince Casilihan’s summarization of the human rights situation in the region, as Karapatan-Bikol condemns the most recent attack on activists.

On November 14, Antonio “Ka Tony” Salvador, a public utility jeepney driver and a respected leader of the militant transport organization PISTON, resisted his abductors as they attempted to put him in a van. The failed abduction took place at the Central Plaza Terminal in the town of Daet in Camarines Norte province. The brazen act happened at around 10 am, in full view of bystanders, passengers, and Ka Tony’s fellow drivers. With Ka Tony bravely resisting, his abductors sped away in the gray-colored van with license plate VCZ 455.

Karapatan-Bikol’s Vince Casilihan asserts that Ka Tony’s abductors are members of the state’s death squads, as they declared that they have placed Ka Tony under surveillance for a month, and have likewise threatened to arrest Ka Tony’s fellow drivers. “What is also revolting is how these state forces speak of killing in such unaffected fashion, as if murders were regular options in their menu,” Casilihan says. He refers to the pronouncement to Ka Tony by one of the failed abductors as they try to wrest him to the van: “Bakit ayaw mo’ng sumakay, hindi ka naman namin papatayin?” (Why won’t you get in (the van)? We won’t kill you.)

“Such flagrant assault on people’s rights demonstrates that there has been no letup in Oplan Bayanihan’s white terror,” says Casilihan.  “The 9^th ID Philippine Army and the Philippine National Police’ posturing on peace, human rights and international humanitarian law are all but shattered and discredited with their bloody trail of violations,” he adds.

Moreover, Casilihan censures the BS Aquino government in its reactionary approach to the people’s demands. He says, “In the face of biting hunger and loss of livelihoods, it is extremely repulsive that instead of heeding the people’s legitimate claims, Aquino sends his attack dogs to silence those who are most determined in advancing the welfare of the victims of poverty and state abandonment.”

In ending, Casilihan calls on the people to carry on, and leaves a caveat to BS Aquino and his armed forces. “Not only has the government failed in abducting and silencing a committed people’s leader. The BS Aquino regime has also beset upon itself the outrage and intensified struggle of Ka Tony, his fellow drivers, and the militant people of Camarines Norte.  The people know fully well that only through the strengthening of their ranks and heightening of their fight will they be able to bring together all the faculties in exposing and punishing a murderous regime.” ###

Unite our Marches in Booting the US-Aquino Regime!

Kadena Bicolandia con Manilakbayan

Press Release

References:  Ptr. Dan Balucio, Bayan Bicol

                     Vince Casilihan, Karapatan Bikol

November 16, 2014

BAYAN-BICOL and KARAPATAN-BIKOL, under the banner of KADENA Bicolandia, express their firm solidarity with hundreds of militant marchers from Mindanao in their Manilakbayan ng Mindanao 2014. This archipelagic journey of the peoples of the island aims to gather support for their struggle against massive and wanton plunder of the environment, and the corresponding militarization of communities.

Aptly hoisting the call “Food and Peace in MindaNow”, the march brings to the public’s attention the massive incursions by big foreign companies in mining, energy, and agro-business. These have targeted vast lands being tilled by peasants and Lumads, thus causing hunger and the destruction of the sources of peoples’ livelihoods, as well as the communities and the environment. Likewise, the call for peace befits the political situation in the regions of Mindanao, whereby in order to quell the peoples’ protests against plunder and destruction, and to secure foreign capitalist interests, the Aquino government has positioned around 55 combat battalions of the Philippine Army. Reinforcing these army battalions in attacking civilians are troops from the PNP, vigilante groups, and paramilitary units specifically formed to assist state forces in protecting and defending big foreign plunderers.

Manilakbayan ng Mindanao 2014 brings to the country’s seat of government in Manila at least 300 mass leaders, human rights victims and defenders who are Lumads, peasants, workers, women and children, church people, and other sectors. They will be nobly spanning major provinces of The Visayas, Bicol, and Southern Tagalog, and coordinate with solidarity activities on the road. BAYAN-BICOL and KARAPATAN-BIKOL, along with various other cause-oriented organizations in the region, welcome the marching delegates on Monday, November 17 in synchronization with KADENA Bikolandia, the region’s chain of protests against the Aquino regime’s ills. Our comrades from Mindanao, while drumming up their struggles, will also be linking up with the common fight of the poor and oppressed in the region.

With Bikol likewise suffering from the Aquino regime’s economic offensives and militarization, it is righteous to stand firm alongside the oppressed classes and sectors across the nation against our common persecutor. Millions of Filipinos yearn to break away from the destitution and cruelty being imposed by BS Aquino. As we gather nationwide dissent, a massive force of the people shall impel the ouster of a loathed regime.

It is in this same light that the heretofore monthly KADENA Bikolandia, of which BAYAN-BICOL and KARAPATAN-BIKOL are fervent campaigners, once more links the hundreds of mass action centers in the region. While KADENA Bikolandia supports and unites with the struggles of the peoples of Mindanao, Bicolanos likewise shout out their condemnation of BS Aquino’s criminal liability against the peasantry. Along with many other reproaches, we highlight our demand for justice to the Hacienda Luisita Massacre victims, who have not seen any perpetrator punished after ten years.

The Aquino government’s fundamental crime against the Hacienda Luisita Massacre victims is the denial of lands to the peasantry. And such is also the transgression afflicting the peasantry nationwide. In Bicol alone, the bogus CARP and CARP-ER continue to dispossess farmers of their lands through widespread cancellations of Certificates of Land Transfer, Certificates of Land Ownership Award, and Emancipation Patents. More so, Aquino negates the just transfer of the Php72 Billion Coco Levy Funds into the hands of coconut farmers, and instead drools to haul the said funds into the presidential pork barrel.

Similarly, just as the peoples of Mindanao are opposing militarization, Bicol’s communities also suffer from the brutalities and deception of Oplan Bayanihan. With the region being one of the priority areas of this disreputable counter-insurgency campaign, continuing violations of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law are being inflicted by the 9^th Infantry Division Philippine Army in its deceitful Peace and Development Operations across the region. And also, just as Aquino allows plunder and destruction in Mindanao, his Public-Private Partnership program in Bicol has done nothing but auction the region’s public assets – from minerals to energy to public utilities and services – to big foreign capitalists as well as big compradors that belong to the presidential clique.

With the nation being plunged deeper into the mire of poverty and injustice, it is therefore ever-righteous to carry on with our fight in expelling BS Aquino for his grave crimes against the Filipino people. We must defy fear and indifference and join the surge of the poor and oppressed in taking to the streets and fighting for justice and genuine progress.

Let hundreds of marchers unite with thousands and millions in triggering off tremors that will take down BS Aquino’s throne. Let our KADENA Bicolandia link with the nation’s struggle and render a despised regime its warranted ouster. ###