DETAINEES SERIES

Letters From Prison

By: Temogen "Cocoy" Tulawie

December 9, 2012

Dear Fellow Human Rights Defenders, Peace Advocates and Friends of the Bangsamoro people,

Assalamu Alaikum Warrahmatullahi Wabarakatu!

I am writing from my prison here at the Davao City Jail where I had been confined for 332 days since my arrest last January 13, 2012. I join all of you in the observance of International Human Rights Day as we renew our universal commitment to respect, promote and defend human rights of all people everywhere in the world.

For the confines of my prison, my thoughts and prayers have never left my homeland in Sulu which is admittedly centuries-old behind from the significant gains of the human rights movement since the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948. My current incarceration speaks eloquently of the human rights situation in my beloved homeland. If I come to think of it, I may even be more fee inside my jail than my fellow brothers and sisters who could not speak up freely of what is really happening inside our tiny, embattled island. Like my imprisonment, my people are also living in a garrison controlled by warlords who are incidentally the government of the day. Sulu today is like a big prison where people could hardly speak up and criticize due to dire powerlessness amidst a culture of impunity.

It is a known fact that in Sulu, nobody will dare stand for human rights for fear that they will end up like Cocoy Tulawie, who is now languishing in jail, vanished and forgotten. Sige ka, magiging Cocoy ka, is the lesson that mothers are teaching their sons for fear that if young people will fight and stand for human rights, like Cocoy, they will also be punished and forgotten.

What is the message that my current imprisonment conveys to our people? That it is simply foolish to be human rights defender in Morolandia. That after all, human rights is not universal as it could never apply to Sulu. That it is wiser to keep quiet and submit to the oppressor if only to stay alive. But even those who remain silent are not also spared. No one is spared from the violence, summary killings, mass arrests, indiscriminate bombings, kidnappings and gang rapes. If you are lucky to survive it all, surely, a neighbour, a child, a sibling or a loved one will not be spared. One way or the other, we are all victims.

I am happy about the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro and join the millions of Moros who look forward to a new beginning in our political history as proud and distinct people. While hopes and expectations are high, I could not help my dismay with the fact that there is hardly anything in the framework agreement that deals about the situation of the political prisoners all over the country. While charged as ordinary criminals by government, it is a fact that political prisoners are being persecuted because of their political beliefs and primarily because of our commitment to human rights.

There can never be peace in Mindanao without justice. No amount of peace agreement signed will bring about peace if basic human rights are not protected and human rights violators continue to hold positions in government by simply switching political parties.

A wolf dressed in sheepskin is still a wolf. A warlord who turns “liberal” and sings the chorus of reforms cannot conveniently claim he has now the support of civil society organizations and present himself like a new convert of the peace process. Peace without justice cannot be sustainable as it is tantamount to surrender.

Despite the reform efforts in the ARMM and the “matuwid na daan” policy of President Aquino, it is disheartening to note that Suly has not experienced the promised reform as it is lagged behind in its crooked, violent, oppressive and corrupt ways of malgoverance.

Who will take the cudgel for human rights when the human rights defenders are already threatened, imprisoned or worst, killed? I am appealing to the United Nations and international human rights organizations to remain steadfast in your support for human rights defenders like me. Many of us have not even reached prison as they were summarily executed. I am also concerned with indigenous peoples’ leaders who are battling with corporate mining interest intruding into their ancestral domains. My heart bleeds for the mothers of the young Moro students from Basilan who suspiciously disappeared inside a Philippine airport; and for an ordinary Moro baker who was tortured by soldiers inside a military camp and instead of being protected is now the one being charged and detained by government?

How can we afford to celebrate human rights day amidst this façade of hypocrisy?

Human rights advocacy in the Bangsamoro society is a lonely fight. It is almost suicidal to promote human rights amidst a highly militarized society that only respect the rule of the guns. Yet, many of the human rights defenders took the risk so that our people can enjoy and assert our basic rights and freedom. Now behind bars, our only hope lies upon the solidarity and support of national and international human rights organizations especially the United Nations whom we know will never forget us in this condition of great despair and suffering. Your solidarity during this darkest period of persecution and legal harassments will concretize the concept of universality and connectedness of our struggle.

For my Bangsamoro brothers and sisters, let us all join hands in supporting the transition period that will pave the way for the establishment of the Bangsamoro government. Our collective right to self-determination can only be achieved if we close our ranks against the oppressors and tyrants of our society. Let us put an end to warlordism and violence and work together to ensure that genuine reforms will indeed happen within our communities and be truly experienced by our people.

Democracy icon and Nobel peace laureate Aung San Suu Kyi in her Nobel lecture said that “To be forgotten, is to die a little.” I feel inspired when she asked the world “not to forget other prisoners of conscience, both in Myanmar and around the world, other refugees, others in need, who may be suffering twice over, from oppression and from the larger world’s “compassion fatigue.”

I am incessantly praying that with Allah’s help, I will be able to return home back to the loving care of my family and the warm welcome of people in Sulu. Insha Allah.

Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie

January 14, 2013

Davao City Jail

Maa, Davao City, Philippines

STATEMENT OF TEMOGEN “COCOY” TULAWIE ON THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ARREST AND INCARCERATION AS A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER

Dear Friends, Comrades, Supporters and Fellow Human Rights Defenders,

Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmantullahi Wa Barakatuh!

Exactly one year ago, January 14, 2012, just at the stroke of midnight, I was with my two sons, Eeman (17 years old) and Ameer (13 years old) in a rented house at Catalunan Grande, Davao City when combined elements of the Regional Special Action Force and Regional Intelligence Unit of the Philippine National Police led by PSupt. Fernando Ortega forcibly broke in the door in order to arrest me. As the assaulting team was still alighting their vehicles, I already noticed them from inside the house and I immediately turn on the lights. The men were in full combat attire, with long high-powered firearms, bullet-proof vests and laser night vision goggles as they were under strict orientation that I am a highly dangerous target who possessed bombs and weapons.

There was still every chance for me to escape but I did not consider that option as it will just cause unnecessary commotion in the already quiet and sleeping neighbourhood. I peacefully submitted myself to the arresting team who then brought me to the Davao Medical Center for physical check-up which is standard operating procedure.

Due to direct threats against my life, I had been running the life of a fugitive since I left my hometown in Sulu in 2009. Since then, I had been sensibly imagining the day of my arrest and have also psychologically prepared my two sons, Eeman and Ameer, on what they should do when that event will actually happen. Both of them have clear instructions whom to call on, what to do, how to conduct themselves when I will be arrested. We had been talking about this fateful event for several times. But even with the amount of preparation, nothing in my imagination actually prepared me for that day. The first thing that crossed my mind was what if they will summarily execute me. The Philippine state is notorious in its record for summary execution and political killings and Davao in particular is also infamous for the Davao Death Squad and so the idea that I may never even reach the nearest police station scared me to hell. I tried so hard to maintain presence of mind and engaged the arresting team members in a conversation. I asked them to bring me to the nearest police station so they can duly record the conduct of my arrest into the police blotter. I recalled this standard operating procedure being taught in our past human rights seminars and I have never realized until such time that such procedure could spell life and death for a person in custody.

I was fortunate enough that the arresting team led by Col. Ortega faithfully observed the procedures in conducting arrest and dutifully brought to the Talomo Police Station. After that, I was brought to the Davao Medical Center for physical examination. There, I pleaded with Col. Ortega to return back to my house in order to check on the situation of my two minor children and to give them access to my whereabouts. Without hesitation, the good officer went back and was able meet my two lawyers who were already in the house frantically calling all police stations and military camps for my whereabouts.

Prayers throughout the night

As l left my children alone in the house that night, I prayed very hard and entrusted everything to Allah’s mantle of protection. I kept praying ‘ Hasbunallahu Wa Ni’mal Wakeel” I trust no one besides you Ya Allah. I recited this over and over again in the course of such perilous journey where anything could just happen. There were two critical roads which I greatly feared. Going out of the subdivision, we turned left towards downtown. At that juncture, I thought, if we will turn left towards Tacunan, then something will be very, very wrong as I could easily be executed there. I prayed so hard and invoked Allah’s mercy. It was such a relief that the vehicle turned right and we went towards the national highway. At that point, again, ahead because I knew that the Talomo Police Stiation is towards that direction. In fairness to the arresting team, they were indeed heading towards the nearest police station.

Private plane waiting

While at Camp Catitipan, I noticed that the arresting team was in a hurry and I asked why. One of them informed me that after conducting all the SOPs e.g. medical check-up, picture-taking, documents’ turnover, etc., I will already be turned over to the Military Intelligence Group who came all the way from Zamboanga City. The MIG reportedly has arranged for a private plane to take me to Jolo, Suly. The assigned officer of the PNP asked the MIG why they are so interested on Cocoy Tulawie that they are even willing to charter a private plane to transport him to Sulu. At that point, I realized that the Governor of Sulu is obstinate in delivering a very resounding statement. That it is simply foolish of me to fight against a highly powerful and influential politician who will never hesitate to spend millions in order to silence any dissent and take full control over his own fiefdom. The chartered private plane symbolizes power, machismo and ostentatious display of wealth which is simply a criminal act given the wallowing poverty and the suffering of the people in Sulu.

Despite a Supreme Court Order transferring the venue of the case from Jolo to Davao City, The MIG operatives from Zamboanga City simply wanted to deliver me to their patron so they could then collect the handsome reward. Since no amount of reasoning could convince the arresting team to wait until Monday when the courts are already open, my legal team had to call key cabinet members over the weekend just to delay my transfer to Jolo. It is noteworthy to mention here that the late Secretary Jessie Robredo readily helped us by instructing the PNP Superintendent in Region XI to suspend the transfer to Sulu to give my legal team a reasonable time to confer with the Supreme Court. The Chair of the Commission of Human Rights also burned the mobile phone lines to reach out to the Supreme Court even on a weekend.

One year after.

It has been a year that fateful arrest on January 14, 2012. A lot of things happened since then which can perhaps be the subject in forthcoming letters from prison. What is clear though is the fact that despite the sustained campaigns and legal strategies, money and political influence remain to be my foremost obstacles to freedom. It is sad to note that despite the rightness of my cause, the public sympathy, the earnest efforts of HR groups and the CHR, the international support and a solid legal defense, my accuser can still afford to prolong my incarceration by the simple excuse of delay and by paying off each and every legal remedy via known tricks of well-oiled law firms.

From the confines of my prison though, I have learned to respect time. Never have I fully understood the virtue “sabar” (patience) until I have lived the life of a prisoner. I have no choice but to follow routines like head count, search of contrabands, etc. It is also part of routine that I get to wear a yellow t-shirt all the time which for me could subconsciously rob me of my own identity. I realized I need to struggle to maintain my health, psychological well-being and the political will to sustain my fight not only for myself and my family but also for my people and other human rights defenders who are into far worst condition than the one that I am currently experiencing.

I have also learned to resign everything to God’s plan and mercy. Listening to the plight of hundred if inmates that I have encountered here, I realized that despite all the odd I am facing, I am even more fortunate than many of them. So that keeps me humble, patient and grateful with each day’s worth of blessing. In my long years as a human rights activist, it is only now that I have fully appreciated the importance of our shared advocacy and the global solidarity that connects our struggle. I feel overwhelmed by the love and support of leaders and organizations from Hong Kong, Germany , Ireland, US, the European Union and all over the world most of them I have never even met before.

Just last week, during one of the weekend visits of my family, my son Ameer cried when he learned that I will have to be transferred again from Davao City to Manila after the Supreme Court approved Gov. Sakur Tan’s petition for transfer of venue. He asked me why I seem to be helpless over my own situation now when all their growing years, they looked upon their own father as a fearless defender of the rights of others. In his desperation, Ameer asked me why I could not defend my own self?  Ameer’s question gave me a pang in the heart and almost crushed my spirit as a father. If I had not been tempered by the day to day survival measures of prison life, I could have just broke down and cried. Yet, I accepted his question for what it is worth. I know I have not given him a satisfactory response. I ma not have the answer now but I know deep in my heart that Allah will answer my prayers in His own time.

I wish to end this letter with a thanksgiving and a deep sense of gratitude for all your support, hard work, generous assistance, prayers and well wishes in the last 12 months when I had been robbed of my freedom. Thank you for working so hard for me and my family. Let us continue working together to defend all human rights defenders in the Philippines and all over the world. I have full faith that Insha Allah, I will be able to return back to Sulu as a free man in order to continue my important mission as a human rights defender of my people.

Sincerely yours,

Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie

Temogen “Cocoy” Tulawie is a human rights defender active in organizing in Sulu. He has been a leader of a local organization named “BAWBUG” which means “Serve, Respect and Protect” in the Tausug language. Bawbug was established to address the defense of the rights of muslim communities affected by military operations in Sulu.  He was also a member of Center for Humanitarian Dialogue (CHD) and a council member of Non-Violent Peace Force (NP), in the province of Sulu.

CAMPAIGNS

Pinky Pledge and the Remember ML Campaign

In April 2012, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) along with Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) started a Facebook Campaign to remember Martial Law, the atrocities of the era that is being currently re-written for the benefit of those who want to clean their hands for their roles in the grim regime and the heroism of those who fought the dictatorial rule of Ferdinand E. Marcos. It also meant to supplement the lobby efforts to ask President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to pass the bill for the compensation to victims of human rights violations during Martial Law.

The Facebook page #rememberML@40 brought an influx of photographs, starting with 40 Civil Society Organization leaders doing the Pinky Pledge, where a ribbon is tied to one’s pinky finger means a promise to remember, inform and inspire.

The page was updated regularly about information of related human rights cases and also with historical materials found in the Museum of Courage and Resistance of TFDP.  It also shared links of other articles related to the remembrance of the Martial Law years featured by other websites and blogs.

Special feature blogs were published regarding different sectors such as the youth, workers, women and other professionals who have sacrificed their freedom and lives during the dictatorship. The featured stories were from old publications of the PHRU and PUMIPIGLAS, both publications of TFDP in 1970’s.

The culminating activity for the campaign was held at Palma Hall of University of the Philippines Diliman in Quezon City on September 21, 2012, 40 years after the actual declaration of martial law. It started with a torch and candle parade of different youth organizations coming from Philcoa to a remembrance concert that featured different artists and bands including those who were known to sing in rallies and sorties during the 70’s.

The Palma Hall was the chosen venue for the event since the AS steps of the hall served as a historical landmark since it is where the youth activists of the seventies staged their Diliman Commune from February 1 to 9, 1971.

Simultaneously, events and activities were held in Cebu and Davao as well.

In Cebu City, 1,256 students of the National Training Service Program of Cebu Normal University (CNU) held a Forum and a Photo Exhibit. Martial Law victims and survivors were invited to speak about their experience. Mrs. Mildred Andrino, a mother whose four sons were victims of human rights violations talked about a mother’s plea and how she cannot find closure in what happened until she finds justice for what happened to her sons.

Ms. Auxillium “Inday” Olayer, told the crowd of her own ordeal as a former desaparacido victim, tortured and who was later surfaced in detention. She also dared the students not to forget the lessons of the martial law years and asked the students to continue in the retelling of the stories of the past.

In the afternoon, a mass was offered in memory of victims of Martial Law. Fr. Max Abalos, SVD of SANLAKAS, officiated a mass at the San Roque Chapel in Labangon where the memorial marker for Fr. Rudy Romano, a Redemptorist priest who disappeared in 1985.

In Davao, film showing of politically relevant films such as Sr. Stella L., Orapronobis, End Impunity and Batas Militar were done in Ateneo de Davao University while a Photo Exhibit was inaugurated in University of Mindanao, Matina Campus on September 9, 2012. Brief orientation on human rights violations during the Martial law years were provided to visitors of the exhibits.

The events culminated in a candle lighting activity at the Freedom Park in Davao City. 

On February 25, 2013 President Aquino finally signed the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013, at the People Power Monument in EDSA, in time for the 27^th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

CASE UPDATE

PNP Communication sheds light to an EJK case in Sarangani

The Philippine National Police responded to the urgent appeal posted by Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) to them based on the documentation of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP). The communication dated January 30 2013 gave an update to the case. 

The case is about the extrajudicial killing of Sumar Abdulwahab.

Sumar Abdulwahab, a Purok Chairman in Barangay Daliao Maasim, Sarangani Province was arrested by members of the National Bureau of Investigation on June 3, 2010 at 2:30 in the afternoon.

According to witnesses, Abdulwahab was sitting in his post in the Barangay Defense Force (PDF) when members of the NBI showed the victim a warrant of arrest before he was taken and handcuffed.

On June 4, according to Johaniya, Abdulwahab’s sister, she went to the office of the NBI in Lagao, General Santos City, together with their barangay kagawad. They were told that they can visit the victim the following day and that they should bring some belongings for Abdulwahab.

The next day, at around 3:00 PM, they were not permitted to enter the office of the NBI. They were only told that Abdulwahab broke the window of his detention cell and escaped.

The family was not convinced that Abdulwahab escaped especially when they were issued by the NBI a certification turning over his belongings that were allegedly left by the victim. The certification also stated that his arrest was virtue of a warrant for Murder, Multiple Frustrated Murder and Multiple Attempted Murder docketed under criminal case 551-2007/552-2007 for a Sumar Abdulwahab alias Aman Kabalu but had escaped detention between 11:00-11:30 PM on June 3, 2010.

On June 8, 2010, Abdulwahab’s family heard through the radio news that a man was found inside a drum by some scavenger in Malalag, Davao del Sur (a place far from their town). The family immediately went to the funeral parlor, and saw the dead body of Abdulwahab.

According to the funeral parlor personnel, the body was cemented, the hands of the victim were tied with a nylon wire, and he was wrapped in a laminated sack. They were also told that all of Abdulwahab’s teeth were extracted.

Abdulwahab was identified because of a picture of his child that he kept in his pocket.

In the post mortem report, it indicated that the victim had skull fracture and they had found a 5.2 centimeter wound at the back of his ear. The victim also had contusion at the right cheek.

On September 3, 2010, the AHRC published the appeal and forwarded their questions to the government and their other networks.

AHRC asked the NBI about the circumstances that could have led to Abdulwahab’s suspicious death. They questioned the NBI how come they brought the victim, who was a murder suspect in their office (which is basically a residential house) rather than in a proper detention facility.

The group said that by maintaining these types of de facto detention facilities, there is no assurance of security and safety both for the arrested and the officers detaining him.

They also questioned the NBI’s refusal to allow the victim’s sister to visit and have free access to the victim which is a breach of section 4 (b, 11) of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 (RA 9745) and Section 4 (b) the Rights of Person Arrested Detained or under custodial investigation (RA 7438).

In the response sent by the PNP signed by Police Director General Alan Purisima, it said that a case of Murder has been filed against the NBI Sarangani District Office  (SARDO) personnel in General Santos City Prosecutor’s office.  It also mentioned that a certain Mr. Edwin Rosal, a former confidential agent of NBI-SARDO had testified to the police regarding his knowledge about the killing. According to the communication, Mr, Rosal said that the arrest of Abdul was a case of mistaken identity after the NBI agents mistook him for Aman Kabalo, the real murder suspect and that the police believed the mistake could have prompted the NBI agents to kill the victim. The informant also allegedly supplied the identities of the agents involved in the murder. 

SIDE INSIGHT

Ang Magkampanya nang dahil sa'yo...

Kwento ng kampanyang laban sa pag-ulyanin sa kasaysayan

Ni Edgardo Cabalitan, Jr.

Saan mo hinuhugot ang ‘drive’?” Hindi man eksakto, pero ganito ko naaalala kung paanong sa gitna ng aming paghuhuntuhan ay walang kaabog-abog na naitanong ng kausap ko kung bakit ako interesado sa pangangampanya.  Magkasama kami sa isang ‘campaign coordinating committee’ na binuo sa inisyatiba ng TFDP at PAHRA upang mag-paalala sa publiko ng mala-teleseryeng kwento ng ‘Martial Law’ na naitago na ata sa baul ng pagkaulyanin ng marami kaya’t winawalang kwenta ng henerasyon ngayon. Pero kung naging teleserye nga siguro ay baka pumatok pa ngayon.  

Apatnapung taon na mula nang ideklara ng yumaong Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos ang batas militar sa bansa.  Kaya naman nagsama-sama ang mga grupong pang-karapatang pantao upang ituro sa bagong henerasyon ang kwento ng lagim na maging sa akin ay naikuwento din lang naman at nakasalubong sa mga babasahin.  Wala pa akong muwang nang panahong iyon kaya nga ang aking naaalala lamang ay ang pagbabawal sa king manuod ng “Voltez V at Mazinger Z” dahil mataas ang “bill” namin sa kuryente at ang pampaantok na “Gabi ng Lagim at Simatar” pagkatapos maghapunan.

Hindi nga naman katulad niya na inabot ang madilim na bahaging iyon ng ating kasaysayan, bukod pa sa nabiktima ang halos buong pamilya ng karahasan noong dekadang iyon,  samantalang ako ay hindi pa naman ipinapanganak nang magmala-eksena sa “The Ring” at “Saw” ang mga telebisyon.  Na nang matapos mag-estatik ay lalabas ang isang mukha ng tinagurian ng mga islogan na puppet ng kano. Ika nga sa mga video ay isinasailalim niya ang buong bansa sa batas militar dahil sa banta at panggugulo ng mga komunista. 

Habang karamihan ng kasama namin sa komite ay mga biktima ni Makoy, ako ni hindi pa nabubuo sa isip ng mga magulang kong ni hindi pa magkakilala noong 1972. Sa hinuha ko nga, ako ay nabuo dahil sa ipinataw na “Curfew” noon.  Kaya matapos gabihin sa panunuod ng sine ng aking mga magulang ay napilitan silang magtanan, presto ako ang resulta.

Naisip ko tuloy na ako ay nasa gitna ng henerasyong dumanas ng batas militar at ng henerasyong ‘target’ ng kampanya namin ngayon, ang henerasyong nabuhay matapos ang Edsa people Power ng 1986.

Kaya nga siguro, napaisip siya nang makita niyang ganoon na lang ang pagpupursige ko sa pangangampanya.  Medyo nakonsyus pa nga ako nang itanong niya sa ‘kin ito.  Binabasa pala niya ang aking mga sinasabi lagpas sa mga lumalabas sa aking bibig. 

Hindi naman sa hindi siya naniniwala, ngunit nagtatanong siya siguro upang magbaka-sakaling masagot ko ang pinuproblema ng ‘komite’ at ng karamihan sa amin.  Kung paano nga kaya makukuha ang pansin ng mga bata ng henerasyon ngayon at makumbinsi silang pahalagahan ang pangyayaring nagluwal ng kalagayang tinatamasa nila ngayon.

Nais nating kantiin ang interes nila  sa tinimplang makabagong teknolohiya at pamamaraan na may  kakumbinasyong tradisyunal na pagkilos.

Ang hamon ay pasikatin ang kwento ng mga karanasan ng panahon ng Martial Law sa panahon ngayon.

Isang kampanyang ididesenyong nakalengwahe sa panahon ng cyber-cyber at social-social, mga K-Pop-K-Pop at Gangnam-gangnam.  Ngunit nagkukwento ng mga isyung niluma man ng panahon ay nandiyan pa din na parang kulangot na hindi maalis-alis sa ulo ni Juan Dela Cruz.

Para sa mga nais guluhin ang kasaysayan, tatangkain ng kampanyang simulang igiit ang katotohanan sa mga kabataan upang salagin ang pagmamaliit sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng Marcoses.  Ang kampanyang “#rememberML@40 Never Again to Martial Law” ay kumbinasyon ng online at offline campaign.   

Na higit sa pagpapaalala at pagpupugay sa mga bayani ng pakikibaka at pagtatanggol para sa karapatan ng panahong iyon, ay panawagan din nating isabatas ang “Compensation Act for ML Victims.” Na higit pa sa danyos ay ang pagkilala ng pamahalaan sa mga biktima at pag-amin sa paglabag sa karapatang pantao.

Ang bentahe ng kampanya ay ang espontanyong pagsasama-sama ng iba’t-ibang NGOs upang magkaron ng iisang kumpas sa kampanya. Sa kabila ng may kanya-kanyang diskarte ang bawat kalahok na grupo ay nagsasalubungan ang mga ito sa “online o facebook page ng kampanya” at sa “every 21^st of the month symbolic mass actions” sa iba’t-ibang “landmarks” na naging bahagi ng mga kwento ng batas militar.

Nandiyang tumakbo ang mga aktibista mula Mendiola sa Maynila papuntang CHR compound sa Q.C.  Nasubukan ding mag-family day ng mga advocates at biktima sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas bilang pagpupugay sa Diliman Commune ng mga Lider Kabataan.  Nagpalipad ng saranggola at siyempre magpiket at programa sa mga kampong kilalang pinagkukulungan ng mga aktibista nang panahong iyon… ang Camp Crame at Aguinaldo sa Edsa.

Lumahok din ang ilang mga sektor at “peoples’ organizations” sa mga pangangampanya sa kani-kanilang kasapian.  Ang gimik na “pinky pledge” o pangungulekta ng mga pictures ng bawat grupo at indibidwal na “pledges to inform and inspire others about the truth” ay kusa nilang tinugunan na parang normal lamang na pagpupost ng mga pictures ng pakikiisa sa FB.

Naging mainam nga, simple at ika nga ay pakyut ang pangungulekta ng “Pinky pledge” sa hanay ng kabataan. Nagsipagsalihan ang mga mag-aaral mula sa iba’t-ibang kolehiyo at pamantasan sa iba’t-ibang panig ng bansa.  May partisipasyon ang mga kabataan mula sa mga iskwelahan at komunidad sa Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Visayas at Mindanao.

Naglunsad ng serye ng mga forum at talakayan ang mga grupong kasama ng #rememberML@40 Campaigns.  May mga nag-photo exhibit, film showing, candle lighting, torch parade at isang kunsiyerto na naging daan upang magtagpo ang bagong henerasyon at ang mga matatandang naging biktima at saksi ng kabagsikan ng Batas Militar.    

Setyembre 21, 2012. Habang umaalingaw-ngaw ang mga makabayang awiting pinasikat ng mga tibak nuon, ay napaisip akong bigla… Ano nga kaya ang resulta ng ating pagsisikap?

Naramdaman kaya ng mga dinala naming kabataan na galing sa iba’t-ibang iskwelahan at komunidad ang mga tono ng mga awiting pinanday at humubog ng opinyon, ng mga protesta, ng mga karanasan sa ilalim ng Diktadurya.  Ang mga mensahe ng Pinoy Rock, ng mga Reb Songs, ng mga Tula, ng mga Kwento ay “appreciated” kaya nila?   

Pebrero 25, 2013, Edsa People Power Anniversary.  Katulad ng Martial Law ay hindi na rin alam ng makabagong henerasyon ang mga kuwentong nagbigay buhay at tumulak sa pagkilos ng mamamayan sa EDSA na nagpabagsak kay Marcos.  Kung paanong nag-isang tono ang milyong-milyong mamayan sa awiting “Magkaisa” na nagpasikat sa isang mang-aawit na si Virna Liza.     

Nakakatuwang isipin, na ang pagsisikap ng naging kampanya ay masasabi ngang nagbunga na kahit papaano.  Pinirmahan ni Pangulong Aquino ang “Compensation Act for ML Victims.”  Bagamat ito ay resulta ng dekadang pakikibaka ng mga biktima gamit ang iba’t-ibang porma ng kampanyang akma sa iba’t-ibang panahon ang kampanyang #rememberML@40 Never Again to Martial Law ay isang bahagi ng mala teleseryeng nagdalaga’t nakapangasawa na ang mga batang bida bago natapos ang kwento.

Ngunit katulad ng block-buster na pelikula… ang kampanya para sa hustisya, ang pagmumulat para sa karapatang pantao, ang pagtatanggol sa kasaysayan ng pakikibaka ng maraming biktima, sa kabila ng ending ay siguradong may “sequel” pa, siguradong may part 2 na maaring magtuloy-tuloy at kelangan lang umakma sa panahon upang maging block-buster sa takilya.

Saan ko nga ba hinuhugot ang drive? Nagsilbi itong hamon sa mga nangangampanyang tulad ko sa panahon ngayon.  Ang drive ko marahil na bukod pa sa medyo kornik na sagot na ito ay bahagi ng aking paniniwala, o ‘di kaya naman ay ito ay dahil sa paniniwalang dapat mapakilos ang mamamayan para sa pagtatagumpay ng hangarin, ito ay isang buhay na katotohanan na namnam ko ang pangangailangang ipaintindi lalo na sa kabataan na katulad ko ay nakikinabang sa pinaglaban ng nagdaang panahon.

Bakit ako ganito mag-isip? Dahil may mga nagtiyagang magpaintindi sa aming herasyon at marahil ay akma ang kanilang ginamit na porma.  Sa panahon ngayon, magtitiyaga ba tayo sa pag-papaintindi sa mga kabataan?

Edgardo Cabalitan, Jr. is the campaign and advocacy staff of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

SPECIAL FEATURE

Youth for Rights: A new breed of Human Rights Defenders

by Orlando Gravador

Initiation

In the summer of 2009, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) invited 36 student leaders representing 7 colleges and universities from the National Capital Region for a Summer Human Rights Workshop. They were introduced to basic human rights concepts and principles on the first two days of the event and on the following days, they were given arts workshop in theatre, music, poetry and visual arts so they could express their views on human rights through their newly acquired artistic skills.

 This was the beginning of Youth for Rights (Y4R).

To consolidate the group after the workshop, they were assembled to a meeting to plan for activities to continue their advocacy for human rights and on July 2009, Y4R had their first major independent activity, an Electoral Forum in UP Manila.  They invited Mr. Ramon Casiple, a political analyst and Convenor of Consortium on Electoral Reforms (CER) to speak about the prospects of the first automated elections in 2010.

First Quest

In September 2009, five members of Y4R, who were permitted by their parents, were invited for an immersion activity in a site of conflict. They visited Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya were they visited victims of human rights violations related to mining. At that time, mining company, Oceana Gold was still on exploration stage and were convincing the residents regarding the benefits of mining. The members were able to speak with different community leaders who were opposing the large scale mining looming at that time. 

Ondoy

 

When typhoon “Ondoy” flooded Metro Manila, without urging, members of Y4R mobilized and volunteered in the packaging and distribution of relief goods to communities in Cainta, Quezon City, and Manila. They witnessed the devastation in the community of Barangay Bagong Silangan were the dead and the victims who escaped the flood were sharing shelter in a covered court.

Expansion

To expand the membership of Y4R, Human Rights Orientation and organizing were held in colleges and universities in Metro Manila. Members in UP Manila, Adamson University and University of Manila invited TFDP to conduct activities in their school.

By October 2009, TFDP sponsored another event to raise more young human rights defenders. Through an Inter-faith Youth Camp in Maramag, Bukidnon, youth from different colleges and universities in Mindanao were given human rights orientation and similar to the activity in Baguio, an art skill workshop was also provided to them. On the last night of the event, the youth mounted a theatre production that focused on different cultures in Mindanao and the pursuit of peace through diversity.

Defining the Youth Agenda for Human Rights

In 2010, during the election year, Y4R focused on defining a human rights agenda for the youth. It participated in a Presidential Forum in De La Salle – College of St. Benilde, sponsored by TFDP and Center for Social Action (CSA). Y4R also participated in a Youth Agenda discussion in UP Manila spearheaded by the Sigma Alpha Nu Sorority.

After the elections, Y4R continued to use art in campaigning for human rights issues. They became the force behind ADIK KA para sa Karapatang Pantao (Arte, Drowing, Indak at Kanta para sa Karapatan Pantao). They created a play that featured the human rights violations in a mining community. In Luzon, 27 students from Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM), De La Salle University (DLSU), St. Joseph’s College, Adamson University, Marikina Polytechnic College and University of Makati attended the theatre workshop in Los Baños, Laguna. After a month, they opened their show “Gintong Yaman ng Sinirang Bayan”, in Kasibu, Nueva Vizcaya, where they were given positive feedback by the leaders and residents, who were also victims of human rights violations due to mining.

Multiple shows were staged by Y4R at University of Makati, Marikina Polytechnic College and UP Diliman during a Knowledge Sharing Activity of The Asia Foundation.

 

The Y4R Mindanao also duplicated the same activity for their area. After a theatre workshop in Maramag, Bukidnon, attended by 22 students from Bukidnon State University, Central Mindanao University, Ateneo de Davao and Mindanao State University, they developed their own script that focuses on human rights violations related to dam development. They presented their play in a community in Kibawe, Bukidnon and at Bukidnon State University during the celebration of International Human Rights Day.

 Tech Savvy Human Rights Defenders

Y4R has taken lead on different online human rights campaign. During the 4 o’clock habit campaign for the release of Tatay Umbrero, it became instrumental for the popularization of the issue for the release of a political prisoner. Through the social media, it has made people realize the plight of prisoners in general and also the issue of political incarceration.

In 2012, during the 40^th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, it was also instrumental in popularizing the campaign to a younger demographic. They helped conceptualize and formulate a one-year plan of activities to remember the hardships and sacrifices of other human rights defenders in order for us to enjoy our current liberties.

They took part in the Remember ML@40 campaign. They encouraged other youth to visit and join the online campaign for Pinky Pledge, were people take pictures of themselves as a promise to remember, inform and inspire about the lessons of that era.

Currently, they are taking part in the Free our Defenders campaign, a campaign launched by TFDP in 2013 to highlight the issue of political incarceration.

Orlando Gravador is the Human Rights Education Staff of Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.