Karapatan Negros Island, BAYAN – Negros, Movement Against Tyranny – Negros, and other civil society groups celebrated the International Human Rights Day earlier today by calling out the Duterte administration for its record of human rights violations in Negros Island.
Amidst this, military personnel were seen taking pictures of the protestors. A drone camera was also sighted hovering over the area.
The groups marched from Fountain of Justice towards Bacolod City Plaza to hold a program where speakers from various sectors spoke of their demands and sentiments towards this administration.
The program started with an invocation from Fr. RC Gumban of IFI, followed by a welcoming address from Fr. Melvin Fajardo, Coordinator of Human Dignity, wherein he spoke of the Duterte administration’s gross human rights violations as a slight against the teachings of God.
Multi-Sectoral Speakers
Danilo Tabura, spokesperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), then denounced Duterte administration for its failure to address the decades-old land problem of the farmers in Negros and on its continuous attacks on peasants and peasants leaders.
Spokesperson of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) Boyet Amacan also decried the plight of the worker sector amidst this pandemic, particularly their low wages, contractualization, and increased unemployment.
Bacolod City Councilor Wilson “Jun” Gamboa, Chairperson of Committee on Human Rights, criticized the dismal state of Negros’ healthcare system. He further states that one’s right to health is an inviolable human right that must be attained by everyone.
The urban poor sector, represented by Spokesperson Berlita Ante of Kadamay Negros, also forwarded their frustration towards the administration for its failure to give them enough financial subsidy and welfare amidst this COVID-19 health crisis.
Representing the fisherfolks, Spokesperson Ben Fernandez of Pamalakaya Negros also called on this adminstration to stop the attacks on activists and to focus on giving welfare and livelihood to the small fisherfolks who have suffered during this pandemic.
League of Filipino Students – Bacolod Chairperson RJ Ledesma also condemned the administration’s negligence towards the youth sector, particularly in its failed implementation of distance learning, which has led to a record-high case of drop-outs.
Human Rights Defenders
A statement from Bishop Gerry Alminaza of the Diocese of San Carlos was also read aloud.
“We lament of a humanity abused, wounded, deprived of dignity, freedom and hope for the future,” Alminaza writes, and he urges everyone to stand up for the human rights and dignity of everyone as a step towards genuine service.
Spokesperson of Movement Against Tyranny Negros Pepito Pico also spoke against the anti-terror law, which he claims is a “useless piece of legislation” which only acts against our right to freedom of speech enshrined in the constituion. He further calls this administration “fascist” and that the broad masses “will never be cowed” by their continuous threats.
Clarizza Singson, Secretary General of Karapatan Negros Island, recounted the gross violations on human rights in Negros. She states that Negros has become a lab rat for this administration’s crackdown on legal activists and human rights defenders, as seen through the Oplan Sauron and many other military operations.
Singson also decried the criminal act of red-tagging as it has become a precursor for the deaths of many activists. She also called on the immediate release of all political prisoners, as well as for justice for the various activists killed under this regime, like Zara Alvarez, Atty. Ben Ramos, Toto Pigas and many more.
“Ubuson man kita nga pamatyon, ubuson kita pangpriso, ubuson kita pangpigos pero maubos man ang kahadlok kg pagabuslan ini sg pagbato! Ari kita para magpadayon, Mabuhi kita para magbato kg maghimakas!” (They may kill each of us, and imprison the last of us. They may suppress us, but eventually our fear will pave the way towards resistance. We are here to take courage. We are alive now to resist and fight)
Clarizza Singson of Karpatan Negros Island
Ereneo Longinos, spokesperson of BAYAN – Negros, reiterated the calls of each sector and calls on the immediate ouster of Duterte for his criminal negligence and continuous attacks on the people of Negros.
In between the speakers, cultural presentations from BAYAN – Negros were also showcased.
To wrap up the event, the protestors threw tomatoes toward an effigy of Duterte, Lorraine Badoy, Gen. Antonio Parlade Jr. and Major Gen. Debold Sinas.
This program is also a culmination of the 10 days of activism spearheaded by Karapatan Negros Island wherein various activities were held as a build-up, including a silent protest during the International Day of Solidarity for Political Prisoners.
Despite the heavy downpour, the program continued as planned.
Paghimutad 