I don't see any need for protesters making noise on SONA day, at least not in this present administration. Why can't we focus more on the good things happening in our country and its economy rather than dwell too much on the ugliness? Why not be part of the solution, man? Most of these protesters cannot even grow vegetables in their own backyard for the mere laziness of it all!
SONA NG BAYAN 2013: THE POLICE AND THEIR TRUNCHEONS DID THIS
Press Statement
23 July 2013
Reference: Marie Hilao-Enriquez, SELDA chairperson 0917-5616800
We at SELDA (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto)
condemn the Philippine National Police for seriously hurting one of
our leaders and other protesters in the rally that coincided with
Pres. Aquino’s 4th State of the Nation Address yesterday. It is
reprehensible that those fought the Marcos dictatorship and who paved
the way to where Aquino is right now, suffer the same police terror
not unlike the martial law days.
77-year old Rodolfo “Ka Rody” del Rosario, former political prisoner
during martial law and vice-chairperson of the SELDA NCR chapter,
suffered from head injuries after police hit him with a nightstick. He
was at the frontlines of the People’s SONA ng Bayan that asserted, in
a clear exercise of their right to assemble and to protest, to get
near Batasang Pambansa where Aquino’s SONA was held.
SELDA members, imprisoned and tortured during Martial Law, attended
the SONA rally to emphasize that no justice has been served for the
victims of human rights violations. This is now Aquino’s 4th SONA, and
after countless letters, lobbying efforts and rallies, the Human
Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act signed last February 25
remains ineffective and stagnant. Martial Law victims have yet to be
recognized.
We demanded justice not only for us victims of human rights
violations. We demanded justice for the greater majority of the
Filipino people who continue to struggle for their most basic human
rights. Yet, Aquino’s “inclusive growth” only pushed further the
rights of the people to food, shelter, healthcare, education, land and
livelihood to the sidelines.
The People’s SONA yesterday was a testament of the people’s right to
express their discontent because their basic rights are violated.
Only the few rich and powerful , who bleed the people dry, enjoy the
so-called growth. These are the same group of elites who are favored
by the Aquino government’s policies, at the expense of the people who
bear the burden of high prices, privatization of services, meager
wages, forced eviction, landlessness and the overall crisis passed on
to us by Aquino’s imperialist masters.
We protest the denial of a permit to rally, the use of concertina
wires, the blocking of the roads with container vans and fire trucks;
the truncheon-bearing police who mercilessly hit the protesters, the
illegal and arbitrary arrests and detention and the wounding of
rallyists—literally the same scene and horror during the times of the
dictatorship.
We demand that the PNP be made accountable for the violence that
ensued in yesterday’s rally. We also demand justice and accountability
for the illegal arrests and detention made by the police.
We deplore the statements made by the Commission on Human Rights,
which instead of ensuring that the police do not use force against the
activists, irresponsibly maligned the protesters by saying it is the
protesters’ fault that the police used violence against them.
By our collective action, we were able to topple down a dictator. We
were able to assert our democratic rights as a people. Amid the dire
conditions of the Filipino people, we shall continue to march the
streets and tell the real state of the nation and fight for justice
for the marginalized and oppressed Filipino people. ###
--
The Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) is an
organization of former political prisoners in the Philippines. Founded on
December 4, 1984, SELDA was initiated by newly-released political prisoners
of the martial law period. SELDA’s primary task is to work for the release
of all political prisoners and to see to it that humane treatment of those
who are still in detention are complied with by the Philippine authorities.
SELDA advocates justice for current and former political prisoners. It
calls for the mobilisation of resources in support of political prisoners,
former detainees and their families. It carries out legislative advocacy
for the indemnification and rehabilitation of political prisoners. SELDA
goes into partnership and builds solidarity with concerned individuals and
groups for the freedom and welfare of political prisoners and all victims of
tyranny.
SELDA National Office: 2/F, Erythrina Bldg., #1 Maaralin corner Matatag
Streets,
Brgy. Central District, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Tel: 632-4342837 Fax: 632-4354146
Email: selda.phils@gmail.com, selda_phil@yahoo.com.ph
Web: www.seldapilipinas.wordpress.com
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