Demands for release of Sen. De Lima mount amid witnesses’ retractions
- Published: 15 May 2022 15 May 2022
Demands for the immediate release of jailed Philippine senator Leila de Lima is mounting, following the retraction of two major witnesses accusing Sen. De Lima of involvement in the illegal drug trade. Philippine human rights alliance Karapatan called on 3 May for the immediate release of Sen. De Lima, describing her arrest and continued detention as a “case of political persecution and repression.”
Read more: Demands for release of Sen. De Lima mount amid witnesses’ retractions
ARMAS publishes Golden Edition anthology of Philippine revolutionary art
- Published: 15 May 2022 15 May 2022
Philippine revolutionary organization Artists and Writers of the People (ARMAS) published in April 2022 the Golden Edition of its cultural journal Ulos, in celebration of its 50th anniversary, and in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Communist Party of the Philippines and the New People’s Army. The Ulos Golden Edition contains 50 poems, songs, short stories, news rapportage and essays penned by revolutionary writers in the last five decades, adorned with selected illustrations from revolutionary artists.
Read more: ARMAS publishes Golden Edition anthology of Philippine revolutionary art
NDFP celebrates 49 years
- Published: 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines celebrated its 49th Founding Anniversary on 24 April. Messages of congratulations poured in from the NDFP allied organizations, led by the Communist Party of the Philippines: “Let us celebrate the achievements and victories of the NDFP in its work of uniting the Filipino people and mobilizing them along the path of the national democratic revolution.
US reports on systemic rights abuses by Duterte regime
- Published: 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
The US Department of State chided the government of President Rodrigo Duterte for its systemic human rights violations when it released its 2021 Country Report on Human Rights Practices on the Philippines on 12 April, claiming “credible reports that members of (Duterte’s) security forces committed numerous abuses”. The report cited unlawful or arbitrary killings, including extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, torture, harsh and life-threatening prison conditions, and arbitrary detention committed “by and on behalf of the government”.
Read more: US reports on systemic rights abuses by Duterte regime
CPP sends out rescue and rehabilitation teams for Typhoon Agaton victims
- Published: 30 April 2022 30 April 2022
The Communist Party of the Philippines declared on 11 April that it is dispatching units of the New People’s Army to carry out rescue and rehabilitation efforts in areas affected by Typhoon Agaton, in parts of Eastern Visayas, Cebu Island and northern Mindanao. CPP Chief Information Officer Marco Valbuena said, “The NPA must immediately prepare rescue, medical and construction teams composed of Red fighters, militias and local activists to respond to any urgent needs of the people.”
Read more: CPP sends out rescue and rehabilitation teams for Typhoon Agaton victims
International Magnitsky sanctions campaign launched vs. Philippines ‘Dirty Dozen’
- Published: 15 April 2022 15 April 2022
The International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines announced on 29 March the launching of an international campaign for Magnitsky Sanctions against 12 top human rights violators in the Philippines, dubbed the ‘Dirty Dozen’. The ICHRP aims to work with the national governments of Australia, Canada, the European Union, United Kingdom and United States to hold these 12 Manila government officials accountable for grave human rights violations.
Read more: International Magnitsky sanctions campaign launched vs. Philippines ‘Dirty Dozen’
CPP denounces US-RP Balikatan war exercises
- Published: 15 April 2022 15 April 2022
The Communist Party of the Philippines on 30 March condemned the ‘Balikatan’ war exercises between the Armed Forces of the Philippines and US military forces, denouncing these as part of the heightening US military intervention in the Philippines and an outright violation of the country’s sovereignty.