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