NEW ZEALAND – Auckland Philippines Solidarity (APS) appealed to President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to stop the armed forces from carrying out death sentences to community activists and start ensuring fast relief and rehabilitation for calamity victims.
A Kiwi caught in the path of Typhoon Pablo echoed the cry for justice for murdered community leader Cristina Jose of Barug Katawhan (People Stand Up), an
organisation of victims of typhoon Pablo in Davao Oriental that led protests against government neglect of Filipinos needing urgent relief aid.
“The recent killings of Councilor Cristina Jose, Ati tribe leader Dexter Condez in Boracay and other human rights defenders belie the claim of Pres. Aquino during his October 2012 visit to New Zealand that the human rights situation improved under his Presidency,” Cameron Walker, APS spokesperson stated.
“As a foreigner caught in the path of typhoon Pablo during my trip to the Philippines, I witnessed the devastation of communities in the Compostela Valley. In the days following the Typhoon I met many who were frustrated by the slow pace of government aid efforts. It is sad to see Filipinos neglected by their government and deprived of much-needed relief such as the sacks of rice kept in the social welfare office amid massive hunger in the communities,” Walker stated.
Walker recalls, “On the evening of Monday December 3rd I arrived in Barangay (village) of Osmeña, in Compostela Valley, southern island of Mindanao. The local trade union organisation, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement), had organised for me spend a day with banana plantation workers. The workers were paid 5 pesos (NZ 14 cents) for every banana stem they cut. The people of Osmeña are only paid if they are able to harvest the bananas. With Typhoon Pablo, they have not only lost their homes but also their livelihood. It will take a long time to recover.”
New Zealanders concerned for justice in the Philippines call for:
*A full and impartial investigation into the murder of Cristina Jose.
*An end to military operations in typhoon affected areas and for the relief operations to be handed over to civilian authorities.
*Typhoon Pablo victims to be provided with the assistance they require from the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
*End to impunity for those responsible for the extrajudicial killings of community activists and members of people’s organisations.