Fast relief, rehab for calamity victims

During my trip to the Philippines in December 2012, I witnessed the devastation of communities in Compostela Valley. In the days following Typhoon “Pablo,” I met many who were frustrated by the slow pace of government aid efforts. It is sad to see Filipinos neglected by their government and deprived of much-needed relief such as the sacks of rice kept in the social welfare office amid massive hunger in the communities.

As a Kiwi caught in the path of the deadly typhoon, I join the cry for justice for murdered community leader Cristina Jose of Barug Katawhan (People Stand Up), an organization of victims of Pablo in Davao Oriental, who led protests against government neglect of Filipinos needing urgent relief aid.

On the evening of Dec. 3, I arrived in Barangay Osmeña in Compostela Valley. The local trade union organization, the Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement), had organized for me to spend a day with banana plantation workers. The workers were paid P5 (NZ 14 cents) for every banana stem they cut. They were only paid if they were able to harvest the bananas. With Pablo, they have lost not only their homes but also their livelihood. It will take a long time for them to recover.

We at Auckland Philippines Solidarity appeal to President Aquino to stop the armed forces from carrying out death sentences on community activists and to start ensuring fast relief and rehabilitation for calamity victims. The recent killings of Jose, Ati tribe leader Dexter Condez in Boracay, and other human rights defenders belie the claim President Aquino made, during his October 2012 visit to New Zealand, that the human rights situation in the Philippines has improved under his presidency.

As New Zealanders concerned for justice in the Philippines, we call for:

• a full and impartial investigation into the murder of Jose;

• an end to military operations in typhoon-affected areas;

• the turnover of the relief operations in those same areas to civilian authorities;

• the delivery of much-needed DSWD assistance to the typhoon victims;

• an end to impunity for those responsible for extrajudicial killings of community activists and members of people’s organizations.

Rice, not bullets, and justice for Cristina Jose!

Ensure economic relief for Pablo victims!

For the complete article on my Typhoon Pablo experience, please check out:

https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/HL1301/S00023/getting-caught-in-the-deadly-philippines-typhoon.htm

—CAMERON WALKER, spokesperson, Auckland Philippines Solidarity, ph.solidarity@gmail.com