League of Filipino Students - UPLB
Official Statement on the Escalating Human Rights Violation in the Province of Quezon
May 14, 2012
Oppose US-Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan! Stop Militarization, Save the People of Quezon!
The League of Filipino Students-UPLB highly condemns the massive deployment of the Philippine Army in the province of Quezon that causes numerous human rights violations.
The province of Quezon is very rich in natural resources, both in agriculture and mineral deposits. It is no wonder why investors and big businessmen eye the lands of the province to gain huge profit. The Aquino administration uses the state and its power to uphold the interests of these ruling classes by deploying the Philippine military in the projected areas. The armies then are operating in the guise ofpeace and development; but their true nature lies in the spirit of suppressing people's uprisings and protests.
While this is not new for the rotten Philippine government, the recent deployment in Southern Quezon is indeed alarming because of the numerous battalions operating in a given area.
"A case of abduction in Macalelon town in March 27, 2011 was already reported to Karapatan. Unidentified armed men allegedly took farmer Felix Balaston to the 85th Infantry Battalion's camp. He remains missing to date.
Just recently, last March 22, 2012, some drunk members of the 74th Infantry Battalion were reported to have manhandled some youth in San Andres town namely Rey Rodrigo (16 y/o), Reynaldo Delos Santos(18y/o) and Elmer Desuyo(21 y/o).
Other cases of threat, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest and detention perpetrated against local farmers are also being verified by KARAPATAN-ST."[1]
Such cases are just among the multiple human rights violations caused by the Aquino administration and its counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan. The Aquino administration must face the reality that the Filipino people, in the end, will realize their legitimate rights and fight for it. Also, the reality that there is no insurgency happening; that there is indeed a civil war between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines - two political formations fighting to seize the political power. But the truly nationalistic and patriotic should be aware that only one of these two upholds the democratic rights of the Filipino people.
It is in this light, we call on the Filipino youth to join and integrate among the ranks of the masses of farmers and workers as they uphold the national democratic struggle of the Filipino people; it is only then that a society with justice and genuine freedom is achieved. The streets may serve only as the arena for our diplomatic protests. But the countryside, where the youth can be really armed, serve as the true arena - the battlefield - where legitimate calls turn to legitimate and diplomatic rights.
Oppose US-Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan!
Stop Militarization, Save the People of Quezon!
---
[1] STOP MILITARIZATION, SAVE THE PEOPLE OF QUEZON! - KARAPATAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG PRESS STATEMENT http://www.facebook.com/notes/karapatan-southern-tagalog/stop-militarization-save-the-people-of-quezon/289933094429974
Official Statement on the Escalating Human Rights Violation in the Province of Quezon
May 14, 2012
Oppose US-Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan! Stop Militarization, Save the People of Quezon!
The League of Filipino Students-UPLB highly condemns the massive deployment of the Philippine Army in the province of Quezon that causes numerous human rights violations.
The province of Quezon is very rich in natural resources, both in agriculture and mineral deposits. It is no wonder why investors and big businessmen eye the lands of the province to gain huge profit. The Aquino administration uses the state and its power to uphold the interests of these ruling classes by deploying the Philippine military in the projected areas. The armies then are operating in the guise ofpeace and development; but their true nature lies in the spirit of suppressing people's uprisings and protests.
While this is not new for the rotten Philippine government, the recent deployment in Southern Quezon is indeed alarming because of the numerous battalions operating in a given area.
"A case of abduction in Macalelon town in March 27, 2011 was already reported to Karapatan. Unidentified armed men allegedly took farmer Felix Balaston to the 85th Infantry Battalion's camp. He remains missing to date.
Just recently, last March 22, 2012, some drunk members of the 74th Infantry Battalion were reported to have manhandled some youth in San Andres town namely Rey Rodrigo (16 y/o), Reynaldo Delos Santos(18y/o) and Elmer Desuyo(21 y/o).
Other cases of threat, harassment, intimidation, illegal arrest and detention perpetrated against local farmers are also being verified by KARAPATAN-ST."[1]
Such cases are just among the multiple human rights violations caused by the Aquino administration and its counterinsurgency program, Oplan Bayanihan. The Aquino administration must face the reality that the Filipino people, in the end, will realize their legitimate rights and fight for it. Also, the reality that there is no insurgency happening; that there is indeed a civil war between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines - two political formations fighting to seize the political power. But the truly nationalistic and patriotic should be aware that only one of these two upholds the democratic rights of the Filipino people.
It is in this light, we call on the Filipino youth to join and integrate among the ranks of the masses of farmers and workers as they uphold the national democratic struggle of the Filipino people; it is only then that a society with justice and genuine freedom is achieved. The streets may serve only as the arena for our diplomatic protests. But the countryside, where the youth can be really armed, serve as the true arena - the battlefield - where legitimate calls turn to legitimate and diplomatic rights.
Oppose US-Aquino's Oplan Bayanihan!
Stop Militarization, Save the People of Quezon!
---
[1] STOP MILITARIZATION, SAVE THE PEOPLE OF QUEZON! - KARAPATAN-SOUTHERN TAGALOG PRESS STATEMENT http://www.facebook.com/notes/karapatan-southern-tagalog/stop-militarization-save-the-people-of-quezon/289933094429974
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