Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Bishop worried with rights abuses in Pantukan
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NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
October 7, 2009
DAVAO CITY – Bishop Delfin Callao of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente and convenor of the Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP) expressed dismay over the spate of human rights abuses reported in Pantukan town, Compostela Valey.
"I am worried that in barely five months after we have documented and reported grave human rights abuses in several areas in the region, the same pattern of abuses are now stalking farmers in another Comval town, this time in Pantukan," Bp. Callao said.
The EJP led a high profile International Solidarity Mission last May which probed the areas of Paquibato district, New Bataan town, Mt. Diwalwal, and in Sta. Cruz. The Mission was attended by Rep. Satur Ocampo and more than 300 foreign, local and national delegates.
The EJP supported the filing of petition by Pantukan farmers and the residents which called for the immediate pull out of the military in the area and the indemnification of the victims for the damages and human rights abuses committed by the elements of the 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (10th ID, AFP).
The municipal chapter of Anakpawis Party list and the victims together with Karapatan and EJP, were supposed to file the petition yesterday but the filing was stalled after they were informed of a pending schedule for the reorganization of the Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC).
According to Bishop Delfin Callao, EJP spokesperson, "The Mayor informed us about the recent MPOC re-organization and after discussions with him we informed him that we shall file the petition within this week.”
The group revealed that in less than three weeks, there were already 1,042 victims of human rights abuses in Pantukan, Compostela Valley. This was found out during the fact-finding mission conducted in the areas of Pantukan, Compostela Valley last October 3 and 4.
“The situation is getting worse. The reports of the human rights violations committed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines continue to increase and have even spread to other municipalities such as in Pantukan and Maragusan in Compostela Valley Province, Talaingod in Davao del Norte, and Bagangga and San Isidro in Davao Oriental,” Bishop Callao added.
“With an alarming situation like this we really have to push for immediate response, on our part we are planning to conduct another national fact-finding mission in order to conduct investigation on the affected areas and provide assistance for the victims of the human rights violations,” Bishop Callao said.
EJP will spearhead a National Fact-finding Mission to look into the effects of this relentless deployment of military troops in Davao Region which will take place within this month.###
For reference:
BISHOP DELFIN CALLAO
Spokesperson
Exodus for Justice and Peace (EJP)
0915- 288-3601
300-5397
This post was written by: Exodus for Justice and Peace
Exodus for Justice and Peace is a clergy-led peace group. Follow EJP on Twitter
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