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'RP showing culture of impunity'!

MANILA, Philippines - The Washington-based nongovernment organization Freedom House expressed shock over the killings of civilians and journalists in Maguindanao last Monday, which showed a prevailing climate of impunity in the Philippines and the government’s inability to protect the freedom of expression.

Freedom House, which has been monitoring political rights and civil liberties in the Philippines since 1972, strongly condemned the killings, saying it added to the worst violence in recent history where 57 people, including 13 journalists, were killed and buried in shallow graves in Ampatuan town, Maguindanao.

The victims included the wife of Vice Mayor Ismael “Toto” Mangudadatu of Buluan, Maguindanao and two of his sisters, two female lawyers and 13 journalists who covered the supposed filing of certificate of candidacy of the vice mayor, who will run for governor of Maguindanao and challenge a scion of the Ampatuan clan in the May 2010 elections.

“These killings are of the most shocking and brutal nature and must be addressed immediately and thoroughly by the government,” said Jennifer Windsor, Freedom House’s executive director.



She said the country is becoming known for a culture of impunity and the government has a responsibility to demonstrate a commitment to reversing this trend.

Freedom House noted that in the past several years, there were significant declines in freedom of expression and political rights attributed to electoral fraud, corruption, and government intimidation of the political opposition.

The organization said the government, which has close ties with the Ampatuan family, has imposed a state of emergency in two provinces and has promised to investigate the killings.

“The foundations of a strong and healthy democracy are under grave threat,” Windsor said.

Australian Ambassador Rod Smith expressed concern that the increasing lawlessness in Mindanao would slow down the Australian government’s development cooperation activities and prevent the benefits of programs from reaching the people in the Southern Philippines.

“Australia is a committed development cooperation partner of the Philippines. We are deeply concerned, however, that signs of increasing lawlessness in parts of Mindanao will inhibit our development cooperation activities and prevent the benefits of these programs reaching those who need them most,” said Smith in a statement.

Australia condemned the senseless and brutal killing of civilians and journalists in Maguindanao on Monday.

Foreign lawyers condemn Maguindanao massacre

The Lawyers Rights Watch Canada (LRWC) and the Asian Legal Resource Centre (ALRC) condemned yesterday the execution of two human rights lawyers, journalists and civilians in Maguindanao, saying it has left members of the human rights community around the world in shock.

Human rights lawyers Concepcion Brizuela and Cynthia Oquendo were among the 57 people killed in the massacre in Maguindanao on Monday.

The LRWC is a committee of Canadian lawyers who promote human rights and the rule of law internationally by engaging in education and research and providing support to lawyers and other human rights advocates, while the ALRC is a Hong Kong-based nongovernment organization.

They called for the creation of an international body to conduct a thorough investigation of the Maguindanao massacre.

Reporters without Borders said at least 22 journalists were killed in the attack, the largest killing of journalists in a single day.

The groups pointed that since 2001, over 800 people have been killed in the country, all of them in some way seen as opponents or critics of the government. Philip Alston, United Nations Special Rapporteur for extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions, made a number of recommendations in 2007 to prevent extrajudicial killings.

Sen. Loren Legarda has called on the United Nations Office for Human Rights to step in and pressure the government to give justice to the victims of the Maguindanao massacre.

“As a United Nations office mandated to promote and protect human rights, may I request you to take this matter up with your constituency of nations in order to put pressure and to seriously hold the government of the Republic of the Philippines accountable for immediate justice to the victims of the massacre,” Legarda said in a one-page letter sent to the UN agency. – With Christina Mendez

By Pia Lee-Brago
The Philippine Star Read more On "'RP showing culture of impunity'!"!

Maguindanao Massacre suspect surrenders!



AMPATUAN, Philippines (AP) – A scion of a powerful clan suspected in the massacre of 57 people in an election caravan in the southern Philippines turned himself in Wednesday amid mounting pressure on the government to crack down on lawlessness and warlords.

The dead from Monday's massacre include the wife, family and dozens of journalists and supporters of a gubernatorial candidate who wanted to challenge the rival Ampatuan clan, which has ruled Maguindanao province unopposed for years.

Andal Ampatuan Jr., a town mayor who allegedly stopped the convoy with dozens of police and pro-government militiamen, surrendered to presidential adviser Jesus Dureza in the provincial capital of Shariff Aguak, said military commander Lt. Gen. Raymundo Ferrer.

Read more On "Maguindanao Massacre suspect surrenders!"!

Maguindanao Under Stae of Emergency due to the bizarre massacre!




Maguindanao , Sultan Kudarat provinces, and Cotabato City, were placed under a state of emergency.  President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo issued the order on Tuesday, November 24, 2009.

A gruesome massacre on the wife of Maguindanao Vice Mayor Datu Ismail “Toto” Mangudadatu and her convoy happened on Monday, November 23, 2009.  At least 57 people, including 12 journalists, in the area were found dead.

Read more On "Maguindanao Under Stae of Emergency due to the bizarre massacre!"!

ABS-CBN and GMA7 statements on Maguindanao Massacre

Here is the official statement of ABS-CBN regarding the Maguindanao massacre:


“Three days have passed since more than 50 people, including journalists, were brutally murdered in Maguindanao, and we have yet to see government take decisive action.

“This unprecedented scale of violence erodes our faith in the rule of law. It sends a chill through journalists who continue to shine the spotlight on these killing fields.

“We at ABS-CBN urge the authorities to hold the guilty parties accountable and show that justice is blind to politics.”


Here is the official statement of GMA 7 regarding the Maguindanao massacre:


Read more On "ABS-CBN and GMA7 statements on Maguindanao Massacre"!

Efren Peñaflorida CNN Hero of the Year is back in the Philippines!


He was welcomed as Hero in his country! Read more On "Efren Peñaflorida CNN Hero of the Year is back in the Philippines!"!

Order of Sikatuna given to Manny Pacquiao!

Manny Pacquiao was awarded the highest honor that Philippines can give an individual which is usually given to Prince, Ambassadoors and Diplomats. He was given the award for his ecxellence in Boxing. Manny received the Order of Sikatuna which was also given to US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton.



  Read more On "Order of Sikatuna given to Manny Pacquiao!"!

Get to know the real Edu Mnzano for Vice-President!



Edu Manzano is the official Vice-Presidential candidate of Sec. Gibo Teodoro who is the administratins bet for President for 2010 elections!

MANILA, Philippines—Eduardo Manzano ran for vice mayor of Makati in 1998, but his citizenship was brought up by his rival's supporter as ground for his disqualification.

Manzano was born in San Francisco, California on September 14, 1955, and acquired US citizenship by operation of the US Constitution. Manzano however insisted his Filipino citizenship as he was born to Filipino parents.

Read more On "Get to know the real Edu Mnzano for Vice-President!"!

Tom will be forcely evicted!




Kahit bumalik na si Tom sa PBB Double Up House mapapatawan pa rin siya ng force eviction dahil sa violations nya!

Abangan live mamaya!
Read more On "Tom will be forcely evicted!"!

Pinoy Big Brother Magazine out now!


You can buy your copies now of the Pinoy Big Brother Magazine at your favorite newsstands and bookstores!

Read more On "Pinoy Big Brother Magazine out now!"!

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto free live streaming!


We are giving away the links to the Free Live Streaming of the Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight this Saturday, November 14, 2009!

Click here for the free live streaming of Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto fight! Read more On "Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto free live streaming!"!

Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto facts revealed!





Factfile on Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto 12-round WBO welterweight title fight on Saturday at MGM Grand hotel and casino:


Read more On "Manny Pacquiao vs Miguel Cotto facts revealed!"!

Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Video 1!

Read more On "Pacquiao-Cotto 24/7 Video 1!"!
 

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