AP: U.S. lawmakers told of Philippine murders (Military killing activists)

[ellisonz]

U.S. lawmakers told of Philippine murders
By FOSTER KLUG, Associated Press Writer 57 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - As the number of leftist activists murdered in the Philippines rises, Bishop Eliezer Pascua points to a constant among people speaking out on political matters in his country: No one feels safe.

Pascua, in testimony prepared for a congressional hearing Wednesday, said more than 830 activists are estimated to have been killed since 2001, when Gloria Macapagal Arroyo became president. The dead include reporters, lawyers, doctors, teachers, students and priests. Everyone, he said, is afraid.

"I admit that I have that fear," said Pascua, general secretary of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines. "You can all imagine the chilling effect among the people."

The hearing of the Senate Foreign Relations Asia subcommittee comes a day after Bayan, the largest left-wing group in the Philippines, asked U.S. lawmakers to halt military aid to the country because of the killing of leftist activists.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070314/ap_on_go_co/us_philippines_killings;_ylt=AgKtabMKbFUIt3AN.P0P920Bxg8F

-------------

"Part of an anti-terrorist push"

I wonder how this has gone under the radar in the US until now.

[oblivious]

1. The US is conducting anti-terror operations with a govt that uses terror against its own people.

Let me think about that for a minute while my head stops spinning.

[IndianaGreen]

2. But Gloria Arroyo is such good pals with Bush, they are both champions of their respective elites.

One thing that the Democratic Congress should take a close look at is at how the US military is being used, under the pretext of the GWOT, in combat operations against legitimate insurgency movements such as the Moro Islamic separatist and the New People's Army.

The Philippines is controlled by its own axis of evil: the military, a reactionary Catholic Church, a few hundred wealthy families.

[oblivious]

3. That's a very concise and accurate analysis.

[ellisonz]

4. Well it will be an interesting hearing...

:mad:

:puke:

[IndianaGreen]

5. Both major parties have been in cahoots with the Filipino elites

Like you, I doubt that anything substantive will ever come out of the hearings. I also doubt that the Democratic Congress has the stomach to look at the counter-insurgency role US troops are playing across the globe under the guise of GWOT.

[Judi Lynn]

6. U.S.: Philippine Murders Must Be Stopped

U.S.: Philippine Murders Must Be Stopped

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: March 14, 2007
Filed at 8:48 p.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Bush administration said Wednesday the Philippines' president has not done enough to deal with security forces under her command who are involved in political killings.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo did win praise for recent efforts to stop the murders. But a State Department official said Arroyo bore ultimate responsibility for the security forces' actions and the increasing attacks on people speaking out against the government.

Rights groups estimate that more than 830 activists have been killed since 2001, when Arroyo became president.
(snip)

This week, the largest left-wing group in the Philippines urged the United States to stop military aid to the Philippines because of the killings of activists.

At the Senate hearing, Sen. Barbara Boxer asked John whether the U.S. should link the military aid to improvement in the country's human rights record. ''It's really important that we do not have blood on our hands in this country,'' said Boxer, D-Calif.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-US-Philippines-Killings.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[saigon68]

7. Well at least they have the Catholic Church

[sofa king]

11. Um, yeah. That's the Senate, not the U.S.

See, the "U.S." is evil, as its executor is the second coming of Caligula. The Senate's passing interest in human rights in the Philippines contradicts the war that George W. Bush is currently--and of course, illegally--prosecuting there in the Sulu archipelago.

I'll bet the one nickel I have to rub together that a big chunk of those activists were killed in part because they were pointing out that the Philippines' Constitution has been amended to prevent the stationing of foreign combat troops on Filipino soil....

...Which is happening as we speak.

[ellisonz]

8. Follow Up

AP: US seeks tougher Philippine action to stop extra-judicial killings

US seeks tougher Philippine action to stop extra-judicial killings
by P. Parameswaran Wed Mar 14, 11:10 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States on Wednesday sought tougher action by the Philippines to end a wave of military-linked extra-judicial killings, as a congressional panel examined the problem at a special hearing.

------

Senator Barbara Boxer (news, bio, voting record), who chaired the hearing, said "it remains to be seen" if the Philippine government's assurances to solve the killings "will be followed by real and tangible actions."

------

A special UN Human Rights Commission rapporteur Philip Alston also alleged that rogue military personnel were behind most of the killings and that the military was in denial over the killings, calling for a thorough investigation for the culprits to be brought to justice

------

"It is disturbing to note that even though hundreds have been killed so far, to date there has not been a single conviction," T. Kumar, rights group Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific advocacy director, told the hearing Wednesday.

------

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070315/wl_asia_afp/usphilippinesrightsmilitary_070315031051

[Judi Lynn]

9. AFP report much more informative, by far.

It's such an old, old pattern, which has played out all over South and Central America, as well. Very recognizable characteristics. Described in very familiar terms in the article:

Rights groups say over 800 people have been killed since 2001 during the administration of President Gloria Arroyo, who has vowed to take steps to end the murders of the journalists, church leaders, political figures, human rights activists and trade union leaders.
(snip)

Also from the article:

"It is disturbing to note that even though hundreds have been killed so far, to date there has not been a single conviction," T. Kumar, rights group Amnesty International's Asia-Pacific advocacy director, told the hearing Wednesday.
(snip)

Thanks for the additional material. It's sad to see the same thing happening all over the world to the poor, the helpless, the exploited and to those who attempt to come to their aid.

It doesn't really take a genius to figure this out. Only an a-hole would defend murder of the poor, and downtrodden.

[ellisonz]

10. Ha, I hadn't noticed you'd posted the update already!

I'm actually reminded of the Phoenix program. There's something like 600 US soldiers, +800 contractors, +CIA/etc in the Phillipines roughly...who want's to bet they either turn a blind eye or help in the cover up?

It's an African and Asian story too.

I'm almost ready to endorse isolationism! :puke: