Thursday, June 8, 2023
manilastandard.net
ADVERTISEMENT
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Others
    • Pets
    • Pop.Life
      • Newsmakers
      • Hangouts
      • A-Pop
      • Post Its
      • Performances
      • Malls & Bazaars
      • Hobbies & Collections
    • Technology
      • Gadgets
      • Computers
      • Business
      • Tech Plus
    • MS ON THE ROAD
      • Sedan
      • SUV
      • Truck
      • Bike
      • Accessories
      • Motoring Plus
      • Commuter’s Corner
    • Home & Design
      • Residential
      • Commercial
      • Construction
      • Interior
    • Spotlight
    • Gallery
      • Photos
      • Videos
    • Events
      • Seminars
      • Exhibits
      • Community
    • Biyahero
      • Travel Features
      • Travel Reels
      • Travel Logs
  • Advertise with Us
No Result
View All Result
manilastandard.net
No Result
View All Result
Home News Headlines

Probe Cotabato slays, UN urged

Christine F. HerrerabyChristine F. Herrera
April 21, 2016, 12:01 am
in Headlines
Reading Time: 7 mins read
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on Email

SOME 200 civil society organizations from more than 60 countries have signed a statement urging Hilal Elver, United Nations Special Rapporteur on Right to Food, to investigate the killings of Kidapawan farmers and the government’s failure to address the plight of starving communities due to the El Niño phenomenon.

Spearheaded by the Peoples Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), several organizations from Europe, USA, Africa, Middle East and Asia have issued statements condemning the violent dispersal by police of the protesting farmers oin Kidapawan City on April 1.

These appeals came as the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas said calamity funds withheld by various government agencies should be released to help millions of farmers who are suffering from drought across the country.

The fight continues. Farmers from North Cotabato chant slogans Wednesday at a picket line outside the Senate in Pasay City, where senators resumed their inquiry into the violent dispersal of protesters in Kidapawan City on April 1. The dismissed police director of the province told senators that Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza ordered him to disperse the rally.

“The government is awash with funds, yet, it neglected and left drought-hit farmers and their families starving and abandoned,” said KMP chairperson Rafael Mariano as he lambasted what he described as the continuing criminal negligence of President Benigno Aquino III.

“A state of calamity has been declared in seven provinces, five cities and 24 municipalities. More than P10 billion worth of crops were destroyed in 373,491 hectares of parched farmlands. The drought will continue for at least three more months, affecting the May-June planting season. Farmers and tillers are hungry. Even sources of potable water are almost dried up. Under these dire conditions, farmers’ unrest is inevitable,” Mariano warned.

The PCFS said the Kidapawan incident falls into the jurisdiction of Elver, given the state’s alleged criminal neglect of the farmers, who were denied the fundamental right to be free from hunger. PCFS and its allied organizations have also participated in the globally coordinated protest action held last April 8 to condemn the violent Kidapawan dispersal internationally.

The Palace  on Wednesday  said the government was committed to upholding the fundamental rights of the people, and that the Kidapawan incident would not affect the country’s standing in the UN Human Rights Concil.

“The government is committed to protect and uphold the people’s fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression and assembly,” Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. told The Standard in a text message.

“The reported filing of a complaint arising from the Kidapawan incident does not affect the PH’s standing in the UN Human Rights Council as we are a staunch advocate of eight of the nine core human rights international treaties,” Coloma said.

The human rights group Karapatan  on Monday  filed a complaint against the government before the United Nations, asking it to investigate atrocities against protesting farmers in Kidapawan City, who were shot, beaten and arrested by police on April 1.

PCFS noted that police opened fire on the protesting farmers, killing two of them and injuring more than 100, while more than 80 people were also arrested, including three pregnant women, six elderly people and four minors.

The group also took note of anomalies in the distribution of calamity funds, and the failure by the government to provide food relief to the farmers’ families, which are under investigation at the Senate.

PCFS said initial reports from a fact-finding team of human rights groups showed evidence of a cover-up by the administration, local government officials and the police.

The UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food monitors the situation and identifies general trends related to the right to food and undertakes country visits which provide the special rapporteur with firsthand accounts on the situation in a specific country.

The special rapporteur also communicates with states and other concerned parties with regard to alleged cases of violations of the right to food and other issues related to his or her mandate.

Faith-based organizations, trade unions, farmers and indigenous peoples movements, research institutions and non-government organizations have signed the statement condemning the Kidapawan incident.

Data from the government indicates that at least P52 billion in Quick Reaction Fund, the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Fund and People’s Survival Fund are at the disposal of the government, Mariano said.

These, he said, should be released immediately to address the needs of the hungry farmers.

In Northern Mindanao, Mariano said, farmer-led protest actions spearheaded are expected to peak in the coming days as 7,000 farmers from the different municipalities and cities are united in demanding that the provincial government release much-needed subsidies.

Farmers from Misamis Oriental towns of Salay, El Salvador and Opol have also launched similar actions to press for their demands, he said.

The KMP also called on farmers and the people to continue seeking justice for the victims of the Kidapawan dispersal and to hold President Benigno Aquino III accountable.

At the Senate, members of the militant Anakpawis led a demonstration hours before a hearing on the Kidapawan dispersal was held.

The group urged the Senate to hold North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Taliño-Mendoza accountable for the death of two farmers as well as her abandonment of her constituents.

Mendoza is a close ally of President Aquino and Liberal Party presidential bet Manuel Roxas II.

“We urge the honorable senators to consider the root of the problem, if only the governor has addressed the concerns of the people, she was supposed to serve, delivered relief, no one would be compelled to protest, and deaths could have been prevented,” said Anakpawis Rep. Fernando Hicap said during the protest.

Hicap went to Kidapawan City on April 5 as part of the negotiating team for the immediate withdrawal of government forces around the United Methodist Church Spottswood compound, as well as to gather data on the violent dispersal.

Most of the 6,000 farmers that protested are members of Anakpawis.

At the hearing, Senate Minority Leader Juan Ponce Enrile pressed Philippine National Police chief Ricardo Marquez to attend the next hearing.

“We have to get that information in order to find out whether we have a government or not,” Enrile said.

Senator Aquilino Pimentel III, who heads the hearings, ordered PNP officials present to relay the Senate’s request to Marquez.

He said that based on the regional police director’s testimony, it was established that Marquez was appraised of the Kidapawan events.

“So Senator Enrile wants to know what they specifically did with the information and if it was relayed to Malacanang,” said Pimentel.

Earlier, Enrile was also angered that none of the invited Cabinet secretaries showed up for the hearing.

The Senate panel had invited Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, Interior Secretary Mel Senen Sarmiento, Social Welfare Secretary Corazon Soliman and Public Works Secretary Rogelio Signson.

“This involves an event that affected… 6,000 members of our national community. I supposed if they were invited, they should be here because that’s the purpose of their being members of their Cabinet,” Enrile said.

Alcala said he could not appear before the panel because he received “an urgent call,” a representative at the hearing said.

Enrile dressed down Region 12 Director Reynaldo Bungubung, Sarmiento’s representative.

“Could you explain why your boss could not attend a hearing like this? What is the impelling problem of your department that keeps him out of discussing a problem… as important as this one?” Enrile asked him.

“I supposed he’s attending urgent matters today, so I was advised to proceed here today,” said Bungubung.

“What are those urgent matters of the nation (so) earthshaking that prevent him from coming here to honor the invitation of a committee of the co-equal branch of the government? This is question of attitude and efficiency in government. Tell us. Does your secretary think that this matter is within the level of the regional director and not a responsibility of his excellency, the Secretary of the Department of Interior and Local Government?” he added.

When Soliman’s representative, Assistant Secretary Vilma Cabrera, informed the Senate panel that Soliman was in Mati, Davao Oriental, Enrile blurted: “Campaigning?”

Cabrera said she was consulting with regional officials about El Niño concerns.

“Oh come on, she’s distributing CCT,” said Enrile, referring to the government’s Conditional Cash Transfer program that gives the poor a straight dole.

Singson, also a member of the El Niño Task Force, said he had a prior commitment.

Enrile said he was disgusted at the way the government treated the problem, which was reflected by their absence before the panel.

At the same hearing, Public Attorney Office chief Persida Acosta urged policemen to release the Kidapawan farmers who remained under their custody.

She also noted that some of the protesting farmers have not yet returned to their homes due to fears of being arrested following reports that police were hunting them down.

Not only were the farmers starving, they were also being harassed, Acosta said.

Dismissed Cotabato police chief Senior Supt. Alexander Tagum said Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Mendoza instructed him to disperse the protesting farmers on April 1 after they had occupied a portion of the Davao-Cotabato highway for four days. He added that the order was to clear the highway so that motorists traveling between Cotabato and Davao could use the road.

But Tagum insisted he did not order his men to fire shots. He also said the victims could have been killed by the militants and that the police were still investigating the incident.

But Enrile expressed skepticism of a government-led investigation.

Mendoza said she was ready to face the consequences of her actions.

Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista told the Senate panel that as early as March 30, they tried to exhaust all means to convince protesters to leave peacefully.

Macon Ramos- Araneta and Sandy Araneta

Tags: El NiñofarmersKidapawan CityThe fight continues
ADVERTISEMENT
Christine F. Herrera

Christine F. Herrera

Related Posts

Simply the best: Rock queen Tina Turner has died at 83

byAFP
May 25, 2023, 5:40 am
0
8
Simply the best: Rock queen Tina Turner has died at 83

Rock legend Tina Turner, the growling songstress who electrified audiences for decades, has died at the age of 83, a statement...

Read more

Butler fuels Heat in 123-116 game 1 win over Celtics

byAFP
May 18, 2023, 12:57 pm
0
8
Butler fuels Heat in 123-116 game 1 win over Celtics

Jimmy Butler's 35 points and a scorching third quarter propelled the eighth-seeded Miami Heat to a 123-116 victory over the...

Read more

Paolo Duterte quits as Davao vice mayor

byF. Pearl A. Gajunera
December 26, 2017, 12:15 am
0
9
Paolo Duterte quits as Davao vice mayor

DAVAO CITY—The President’s son, Paolo Duterte, resigned Monday as vice mayor of Davao City after a series of scandals hounded...

Read more

36 bodies retrieved in mall fire; govt probe set

byRey E. Requejo
December 26, 2017, 12:14 am
0
8

DAVAO CITY—The Justice Department ordered a criminal investigation Monday into a shopping mall fire that killed 37 people, including call...

Read more

China: Islands ‘reasonably’ expanded

byJohn Paolo Bencito
December 26, 2017, 12:12 am
0
8

CHINA admitted expanding its islands in the disputed South China Sea, with continued construction in the challenged islands covering about...

Read more

28 killed in two road accidents on xmas

byFrancisco Tuyay
December 26, 2017, 12:10 am
0
8

TWENTY-EIGHT people were killed and dozens more were injured in two separate road accidents in La Union and Cotabato provinces,...

Read more

Print Edition

View More

Recent Posts

  • Zelensky denies Ukraine behind Nord Stream blasts
  • FWD Life Insurance appoints 2 new independent directors
  • 1 in 10 people suffer from peripheral neuropathy but 80% remain undiagnosed — experts
  • NBA Suns set to waive star guard Paul: report
  • MRC ALLIED, INC.: Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
  • ASIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER-ILOILO, INC.: Notice of Regular Meeting of Stockholders
  • Road to freedom
  • ‘Don’t tamper with Maharlika’

Advertisement

Latest News

ASIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER-ILOILO, INC.: Notice of Regular Meeting of Stockholders

byManila Standard
June 8, 2023, 6:00 am
0
8
ASIA PACIFIC MEDICAL CENTER-ILOILO, INC.: Notice of Regular Meeting of Stockholders

Read more

Road to freedom

byAvito C. Dalan
June 8, 2023, 12:55 am
0
8
Find non-traditional trade, defense partners, Marcos orders PH envoys

Philippine flags are up along Aguinaldo Highway in Dasmarinas, Cavite as the country prepares to celebrate 125 years of independence...

Read more

‘Don’t tamper with Maharlika’

byMacon Ramos-Araneta
June 8, 2023, 12:50 am
0
8
‘New office to end OFW illegal recruiters’

Senators warn economic team vs. changing provisions in IRR Senators vowed to keep a keen eye on economic managers crafting...

Read more

LGUs near Mayon brace for sudden evacuation

byCharles Dantesand1 others
June 8, 2023, 12:45 am
0
8
Find non-traditional trade, defense partners, Marcos orders PH envoys

Local government units near Mayon Volcano are prepared in case of a sudden evacuation, and the Office of Civil Defense...

Read more

Defense chief: PH not a pawn in SCS conflict

byCharles Dantesand1 others
June 8, 2023, 12:40 am
0
8
Defense chief: PH not a pawn in SCS conflict

Newly appointed Defense chief Gilbert Teodoro said the Philippines is not a pawn in the geopolitical maneuvering in the South...

Read more

Advertisement

ADVERTISEMENT
Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

ABOUT US

Manila Standard

Manila Standard website (manilastandard.net), launched in August 2002, extends the newspaper’s reach beyond its traditional readers and makes its brand of Philippine news and opinion available to a much wider and geographically diverse readership here and overseas.

Digital Edition

In tone and content, the online edition mirrors the editorial thrust of the newspaper. While hewing to the traditional precepts of fairness and objectivity, MS believes the news of the day need not be staid, overly long or dry. Stories are succinct, readable and written in a lively style that has become a hallmark of the newspaper.

Download – Today’s Paper

Search

No Result
View All Result

6th Floor Universal Re Bldg., 106 Paseo De Roxas cor. Perea Street, Legaspi Village, 1226 Makati City Philippines

Trunklines: 832-5554, 832-5556, 832-5558

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

No Result
View All Result
  • About
  • News
    • Top Stories
    • National
    • World News
    • Pinoy Abroad
    • Features
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Columns
    • Soundbytes
  • LGUs
    • NCR
    • Luzon
    • Visayas
    • Mindanao
  • Business
    • Corporate
    • Economy & Trade
    • Stocks
    • Money
    • Agri & Mining
    • Power & Tech
    • IT & Telecom
  • Sports
    • Basketball
    • Volleyball
    • Fightsports
    • Active
    • Sports Plus
    • One Championship
    • Columns
  • Entertainment
    • TV & Movies
    • Celebrity Profiles
    • Music & Concerts
    • Digital Media
    • Columns
  • Lifestyle
    • Food
    • Culture & Media
    • Fashion
    • Health and Home
    • Leisure
    • Shopping
    • Columns
  • Pop.Life
    • Newsmakers
    • Hangouts
    • A-Pop
    • Post Its
    • Performances
    • Malls & Bazaars
    • Hobbies & Collections
  • Technology
    • Gadgets
    • Computers
    • Business
    • Tech Plus
  • MS ON THE ROAD
    • Sedan
    • SUV
    • Truck
    • Bike
    • Accessories
    • Motoring Plus
    • Commuter’s Corner
  • Home & Design
    • Residential
    • Commercial
    • Construction
    • Interior
  • Spotlight
  • Gallery
    • Photos
    • Videos
  • Events
    • Seminars
    • Exhibits
    • Community
  • Biyahero
    • Travel Features
    • Travel Reels
    • Travel Logs
  • Pets
  • Advertise with Us

© 2021 Manila Standard - Designed and Developed by Neitiviti Studios.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Install Manila Standard Web App

Install App