Stop Illegal Detentions of Filipino Trade Union Activists, Stop NZ Aid to Philippine police, military – APS

20th February 2009

Auckland-Philippines Solidarity, a group of New Zealanders and Filipino activists advocating for human rights in the Philippines, today condemned the new charges of murder filed against trade union solicitor, Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr., and five other trade union and social justice activists, barely a week after they had been released from three months imprisonment.

"We are outraged at the continuing human rights abuses targeting trade union organisers and political activists in the Philippines. Contrary to claims of undergoing human rights training, it's clear that police and military forces have little regard to human rights as they continue to arrest and detain innocent civilians. We therefore urge the New Zealand government to think twice before pledging NZ aid for the Philippine police-military in the next 5 years," Luke Coxon, APS spokesperson and union organiser in Auckland, declared.

In May 2007, former NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark raised concern on the human rights crisis in the Philippines and pledged NZ aid to the Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo government to help address the situation. NZAID provided NZ$120,000 to fund the training by New Zealand Police for the Philippine police on topics of basic ethics and human rights, among others. A key priority for NZAID during 2009 will be to "review the expiring country strategy and complete the development of a new strategy, to shape NZAID's engagement in the Philippines over at least the next five years."

"It's clear that human rights in the Philippines will not improve as long as foreign aid is used to fund brutal police-military operations targeting critics of the corrupt government," Mr. Coxon stated.

Atty. Remigio Saladero Jr., is a pro-bono lawyer for the exploited workers of Nestle Philippines, DOLE Philippines and other companies. Saladero was first arrested on Oct. 23 last year at his house by combined elements of police and members of the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Atty. Saladero, and six others were arrested by police on charges of multiple murder and multiple frustrated murder in connection with an ambush by communist guerillas from the New People's Army (NPA) in March 2006 in Mindoro. On Feb 5th the Calapan City Regional Trial Court quashed the original charges and ordered their release. A week later another case was filed against Saladero, and the other activists, alleging their involvement in the killing of a member of the paramilitary Civilian Auxiliary Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU) in Rizal, July 2008.

ENDS

© Scoop Media