Democracy Now! reported today that 20,000 Japanese protesters rallied against new military base in Okinawa: "In Japan, over 20,000 protesters gathered on the island of Okinawa on Sunday to rally against a plan for the US Marines to build another permanent base off the coast of Okinawa. The US operates more than a dozen US military bases all over the Japanese island, which has been described as an “unsinkable aircraft carrier.” President Barack Obama will be visiting Japan later this week."  This is huge news, especially for the many activists, both from the Philippines and the U.S., who lobbied for withholding military aid to the Philippines until respect for basic human rights is satisfactorily demonstrated by the Arroyo administration. How the government will respond to this negative international attention and how it will affect the lives of people on the ground remains to be seen... This victory for those on the side of justice should not be cause for letting guards down, but rather should be met with increased vigilance and advocacy. US Congress Withholds Military Aid to the Philippines Due to Human Rights Abuses PUBLISHED ON NOVEMBER 5, 2009 By RONALYN OLEA Human Rights Watch Bulatlat.com The United States Congress has withheld the US$2-million military aid to the Philippines in 2010 due to human rights concerns. The US House of Representatives recently adopted House Resolution 3081 stating that the US$2-million Foreign Military Financing Program for the Philippines may not be released until three conditions have been met by the Philippine government. These include taking effective steps in implementing the recommendations of United Nations Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary and arbitrary executions; investigation and prosecution of military personnel who have been credibly alleged to have violated human rights. Read Full Article.  Join SFCHRP on November 12 for a night of live music, stand-up comedy, and urban art at Siberia Lounge in San Francisco. Doors open at 9:00 PM and the party doesn't end until 2:00 AM. This 21+ event is not to be missed! $7-20 sliding scale, with all proceeds benefiting relief and rehabilitation efforts for typhoon victims in the Philippines. FEATURED PERFORMERS:  KAPAKAHI is about celebrating diversity in all its fun, funky glory. Just like the multi-cultural mix of musicians that make up the band, their music is a fresh and progressive mash-up of Reggae, Ska, Hip-Hop and funk and their energetic stage show grabs the attention of whatever crowd they're in front of. They aptly dubbed the title “Urban Aloha” to describe their sound and vibe. Forming in San Francisco in 2005, Kapakahi has grown into a regional touring act with an expanding fan-base from San Diego, to San Francisco, to Hawaii to the Pacific NW. So, regardless of any label placed on them, Kapakahi's genre-bending style aims for ONE thing: to get your ass moving on the dance floor! Sample their music at: www.kapakahimusic.com and myspace.com/kapakahi. Attention, Kapakahi fans. Kapakahi will be raffling off a goodie bag with their CD and other prizes and donating the proceeds to the Bayanihan for Ondoy relief and rehabilitation effort through SFCHRP! Make sure to visit their merch table before or after their set for a chance to win.  KAT EVASCO is a stand-up comedian based in San Francisco, CA. She has performed at the Purple Onion comedy club as part of the Five Funny Females comedy tour and other venues. Check her out at: www.rooftopcomedy.com/comics/KatEvasco. DJ JOEDOBO DJ POSOULE CONTRIBUTING ARTISTS: Check out the second floor to bid on high-quality, affordable art from talented Bay Area visual artists. List of participating artists: - Alexis David - Robin David - Julius Dimanlig - England Hidalgo (Kwatro Kantos) - Lian Ladia (Kwatro Kantos) - Michael Luat - Marcius Noceda (Kwatro Kantos)  Michael Luat, 2008 Silent auction closes at 11:45 PM. Winners will be announced at midnight. You need not be present in order to win. To donate artwork, please send an email to sfchrp@yahoo.com on or before November 10, 2009. Today- SFCHRP tabling at SF Vegan Bake Sale! 10/17/2009
SFCHRP will be collecting donations for Typhoon Relief Efforts in the Philippines today in the Castro District of San Francisco. Read more about it here. Come out and support! Special thanks to Laura of Vegansaurus.  SFCHRP is co-sponsoring a fundraiser for victims of Typhoon Ondoy this Tuesday at Poleng Lounge! Come out and invite all of your friends.   *** PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY *** Statement October 1, 2009 Reference: Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org GOV'T POLICIES WORSEN "NATURAL" DISASTER BAYAN USA Statement on Typhoon Ondoy/Ketsana & Arroyo's Response The worldwide outpouring of aid and support for the over 1.8 million victims of Typhoon Ondoy (international name: Ketsana) in the Philippines this week leaves Filipinos in the United States reeling with anger in response to the Arroyo government's utter ineptitude in providing adequate disaster relief. This anger towards the Arroyo administration is justifiable for a number of reasons, the most obvious of which are the Philippine government's evident corruption of billions in national disaster funds in order to fatten up the Presidential international travel budget and subsequent insistence that donations coming from abroad be channeled through government agencies. But in the case of Ondoy, the Arroyo government's hands have extended past the budget purse-strings and into crafting disaster-prone policies as well. Not Just a Natural Disaster The vast, heavy floods that swept through Metro-Manila devastating over 319,811 families and killing at least 240 people slammed tons of pressure that left properties in ruins. But contrary to claims of Malacanang, these killer floods did not come solely from unpredictable heavy rainfall and winds, but from deadly landslides originating from the neighboring provinces. For years, the Philippine government has denied links between mining and logging activity and landslides in order to protect the investments of multi-national corporations (MNC) in the Philippines. But other mining authorities, such as the British Columbia Geological Survey Branch, admit to a direct link between heavy mechanical activity launched by foreign corporations in resource-rich countries like the Philippines and the weakening of bedrock along slopes that can result to slope failure and eventually a fatal landslide. In addition to ensuring nothing less than maximum devastation when disasters like Ondoy strike, irregular warming of the Earth's surface caused by greenhouse gas concentrations resulting from dense MNC activity also contribute to the altering of regional climate patterns, such as the generation of typhoons. Charter Change While illegal mining and logging continue throughout the Philippines under the Arroyo administration, the Arroyo clique relentlessly campaigns for changes to the 1987 Philippine Constitution that would allow 100% foreign ownership of Philippine territory. Intensified foreign mining, logging, deforestation, land conversion and marine fishing throughout the Philippines coupled with poor infrastructure will only leave Filipinos vulnerable to more calamities such as Ondoy. Support People's Needs, Not Corruption In this time of urgent need for the vast majority of Filipinos impacted by Ondoy, BAYAN USA appeals to supporters around the world to think twice before donating financial support to Philippine government-led initiatives such as those spearheaded by consular offices around the world. The reason why overseas Filipinos are choosing NOT to remit through government channels is because of the Philippine government's proven and historical track record of taking advantage of monetary donation drives in response to calamities as ample opportunities for graft. The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo is one glaring example of this. In fact, to this day, more than Pph 7 billion (USD $280 million) in public funds allocated for post-eruption disaster relief remains unaccounted for. The Philippine government makes billions in the US dollars every year from the remittances of overseas Filipinos. Let's not give them a chance to make more money off the victims of Ondoy. There are more reliable and credible people organizations both in the United States and in the Philippines, who not only organize communities for social reforms, but are now working tirelessly to divert donations from the government's corrupt hands and bring direct relief to the most impacted areas without any discrimination or bias. Visit www.bayanusa.org or www.bayanihan4ondoy.wordpress.com to learn more about them. Democracy Now! coverage on Xe, the private military company formerly known as Blackwater: Blackwater Worldwide and the Private Security Industry Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill Come through and invite all of your friends!  International Day of the Disappeared Sunday, August 30, 2009 1:30pm - 4:30pm **FREE** San Francisco Public Library - Main Branch Koret Auditorium 100 Larkin Street (by Grove Street) San Francisco, CA Get Map and Directions On August 30th, various community groups are coming together to commemorate the international day of the disappeared to draw attention to the increasing political abduction, extra-judicial killings and imprisonment of people from the Philippines, Palestine, Mexico, Iraq and other parts of the world with speakers, live music, film documentaries and cultural performances. The observance of the date was started by the Federation of Association of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared (Federación Latinoamericana de Asociaciones de Familiares de Detenidos-Desaparecidos, or FEDEFAM) based in Costa Rica in 1982. The tradition has been adopted by many human rights advocates and organizations worldwide. Please join us on this important day to remember and demand justice for all the victims and press the U.S. government to take necessary actions to help end enforced disappearances and all forms of political persecution and repression by stopping all military aid in the philippines and other countries. Let us not forget the victims, let us make the voices of the disappeared heard and let us unite in demanding an end to human atrocities. For more info, please contact Angelica Cabande from SF CHRP at sfchrp@yahoo.com. Sponsored by: SF Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (SF CHRP), San Francisco Public Library Filipino American Center, Iraq Vets Against the War (IVAW), People of Color Action Theater (POCAT), Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN), Action and Resistance Collective (ARCO), San Francisco Bay Area Food Not Bombs Special thanks to No Worries Catering, Charlie Stewart, and San Francisco Bay Area Food Not Bombs for providing delicious vegan food for the event. GMA is met with protest in San Jose, CA 08/13/2009
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is met with protest by BAYAN-USA members outside the Four Seasons Hotel in San Jose, California. To Those Who Mourn for Tita Cory... 08/03/2009
 From our NYCHRP kasamas: Statement August 3, 2009 Reference: Peter Arvin Jabido, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, email: nychrp@gmail.com To Those Who Mourn for Tita Cory... A Letter from the NY Committee from Human Rights in the Philippines To Those Who Mourn for Tita Cory, The NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines sends its condolences to the Cojuanco-Aquino family and joins the Filipino people in mourning the death of former Philippine President Corazon "Cory" Aquino last weekend after a long and brave battle against cancer. During the three-year exile of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino in the United States to seek medical treatment, the Aquino family settled in Boston and traveled frequently to New York City, where there still remains the legacy of an anti-fascist, anti-dictatorship, pro-democracy movement of overseas Filipino professionals. Many from New York City supported the Aquino family as the movement to oppose the Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos can also be attributed to uniting broad ranks of Filipinos overseas as well as in Manila and throughout the Philippines. By now, Cory Aquino's story is well-known. From the shadow of her murdered husband, this "mere housewife"-- as described by Marcos-- rose to become the first woman president of the Philippines and in Asia. The combination of Ninoy's tragedy and Cory's victory not only fast-tracked the toppling of a 20-year old dictatorship, it brought various Filipinos from different social standings together and was a wake-up call to the possibility of collective action and nationwide unity in order to make it happen. It also led to the release of hundreds of government critics who had been imprisoned and tortured by the Marcos government for political beliefs, as well as the exploration of peace prospects through negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, who have been in engaged in a 40 year old civil war. These, perhaps, should be the most-remembered and lasting contributions of "Tita Cory", as she was fondly known. Though Tita Cory's presidency had its notable shortcomings-- including a fraudulent land reform program that led to the shooting of indignant farmers calling for genuine land reform along Mendiola Bridge in 1987, as well as human rights violations committed by the same Armed Forces of the Philippines responsible for Martial Law-- these cannot deny its strong pursuit of reforms in the name of restoring democracy after Marcos. These include the formal closing of the former permanent US military bases after nearly a century of establishment, the restoring of the Philippine Congress as a pillar of democracy that had been dismantled under Marcos, and the creation of the 1987 Philippine Constitution to include specific provisions that limit foreign intervention and promote Philippine sovereignty as well as safeguard against executive abuse of power in the form of martial rule. Though moral conviction against tyranny and corruption made Tita Cory stand apart from previous Philippine administrations and earned her the support of the Catholic Church, it also subjected her to the wrath of destabilizers within her own government and military that sought to bring her down. In the end, Tita Cory's popularity withstood several attempts at military coup d'etat to overthrow her. Even after retiring from the presidency, Tita Cory publicly stood up against gross government corruption traced to both the administrations of Joseph Estrada and most recently with Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. Now the pro-sovereignty provisions to the Philippine Constitution that Cory's administration introduced stand to be erased due to a relentless campaign for greed and power under Arroyo, as exemplified through Arroyo's Charter Change. Though many have compared these two women presidents of the Philippines and pointed out their incidental similarities, let us focus on what makes them starkly different. While Cory's administration saw the formal closing of the permanent US military bases, Gloria's administration seeks to formally restore them. While Cory publicly opposed corruption, Gloria is guilty of committing and promoting it. While Cory framed the 1987 Philippine Constitution seeking to restore democracy, Gloria threatens democracy by seeking to change it. While Cory freed political prisoners who were illegally detained and tortured, Gloria continues to illegally detain and torture critics of her regime. While Cory stood up against Marcos, Gloria is emulating Marcos. While Cory proved her moral credibility with the people, the church and international community, Gloria has lost all moral credibility with the people, the church and the international community. In her final years, Tita Cory was one of the few from the Philippine political elite who asked Arroyo to step down from the presidency. She remained firm to this position to her deathbed. The fight inspired by Tita Cory in 1986 is far from over. Genuine democracy in the Philippines has yet to be restored and realized. Let the movement that Tita Cory inspired not be in vain. In the midst of another tyrannical government, let us again unite from Manila, to New York City, to the far-flung provinces of the Philippines against corruption, rising fascism, and dictatorship. As millions now gather to mourn, let us mourn as Tita Cory would want us to-- not just by tying yellow ribbons or flashing the "L" hand signs, but by continuing the people's movement in aspiration for genuine sovereignty, democracy, and peace. Towards Unity & Nationhood, The NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines --- Related Articles: An Appraisal: Cory Aquino and Human Rights Cory Aquino's Place in History Huling Pampulitikang Pahayag ni Cory: Pahayag Hinggil sa Con Ass Progressive Groups, Leaders Recognize Cory's Role in Fight Versus Tyranny The Hacienda Luisita Massacre, Landlordism and State Terrorism |