SPECIAL TOPIC- THE BILL OF RIHTS AND THE CASES OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mendiola Massacre

(13 peasant rallyist killed) “We wanted genuine reforms with free land distribution for peasants, fully abolishing the unjust arrangements of centuries prior. We looked for government officials to discuss our demands, but we found no one.” -Rafael Mariano, Anakpawis Partylist Representative (2004-2013)

Right Wing Vigilantism

refers to extralegal actions, often violent, carried out by individuals or groups with conservative or nationalist views. ‘

Alsa Masa

Frontrunner of Vigilantism. was a right-wing vigilante group established in early 1984 in Barangay Agdao, Davao City. Its main purpose was to fight against the New People's Army (NPA), a communist insurgent group active in the area.

Red-tagging

also known as red-baiting. This means that certain people, like lawyers, judges, leaders of organizations, union and student representatives, journalists, and activists, are being unfairly labeled as “terrorists” or “communists.”

Frenchie Mae Cumpo

is one of the many journalists “red tagged” by the Philippines regime. She was charged for illegal firearms possession and terrorism financing.

Martial Law

In September 1972, Marcos declared martial law, claiming that it was the last defense against the rising disorder caused by increasing violence.

People Power Revolution

Mass demonstration in 1986 that ousted the Marcos Regime.

Duterte’s Regime

publicly stated that he had ordered the police and military to "kill" and "finish off" communist rebels, urging them to "forget about human rights." Two days later, the Philippine armed forces killed nine individuals and arrested six others in raids against a red-tagged group in Southern Tagalog.

Marcos Jr.’s Regime

Marks the return of the Marcos family to power. Although he promised unity and progress, red-tagging remains a tool for suppressing criticism.

Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020

was passed by the Senate to “prevent and stop” terrorist attacks in the country by directly targeting individuals or the “enemies of the state”

Martial Law

is the temporary imposition of direct military control of normal civil functions or suspension of civil law by a government, often in response to a crisis such as war, rebellion, or natural disasters. During martial law, the military may take over law enforcement functions, civil liberties can be suspended, and constitutional rights such as habeas corpus (the right to challenge unlawful detention) are often curtailed.

The 1973 Constitution (Article 7, Section 9)

The President shall be commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and, whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, insurrection, or rebellion. In case of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion, or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, he may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law.

Presidential Proclamation 1081

Dated September 21, 1972 "Now, therefore, I, Ferdinand E. Marcos, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested upon me by Article VII, Section 10, Paragraph (2) of the Constitution, do hereby place the entire Philippines as defined in Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution under martial law...'

Lorena Barros Case

At the age of 28, student-leader was wounded during an armed encounter with the Philippine constabulary in 1976. Medical treatment was promised by her captors if she would cooperate with them, but she said she would rather die for her beliefs. She was then shot in the nape.

Macli-ing Dulag Case

Recognizing the critical role that he played in opposing the construction of the Chico Dam in the Cordilleras, government soldiers murdered _____ in his own house, surrounding it in the night and showering it with bullets.

Unnamed Journalist Case

Police officers beat a newspaper journalist as his colleagues come to the rescue during a media protest in July 1980.

Sag-Od Massacre

In a blind search for a "Kumander Racel," suspected as a New People's Army commander, members of the Special Forces-Integrated CivilianHome Defense Forces team raided the town of Bo. _____, Las Navas, Northern Samar. Unable to give information on the whereabouts of the person-in-interest, the town's men, women, and children were divided and slaughtered by their captors

Bulacan Martyrs

A meeting of five militant farmers was raided by the Philippine Constabulary. They were later found dead, their bodies riddled with bullets. The PC insisted they were "casualties from an encounter."

Escalante Massacre

Fully-armed soldiers, policemen, and paramilitary forces first tried to disperse the crowd using water cannons from the fire trucks. In blatant disregard of the life, safety, and health of the people, they released tear gas and fired several rounds from a machine gun. Twenty people were found dead in the aftermath, including several farmworkers and student-leader

Albert Enriquez Case

was on his way home when two armed men dragged him from the tricycle he was riding into a car. He shouted, I am __________. Tell my parents I’ve been picked up by the military”

William Begg Case

In March 1975, Begg was with a team of guerrillas that had gone to meet a doctor in Villarey, Echague, Isabela, when they were attacked by a battalion of AFP troops. In the exchange of fire that followed, four of his comrades were killed, while Begg himself was hit in the leg. Assessing his situation, he urged the others to leave him behind so he could cover their escape. He was apparently captured alive; when his body was eventually recovered, it bore the marks of severe torture