I have been working for a group of small human rights NGOs in Manila since the start of Jan'08. 'CRC - Children's Rehabilitation Center', 'Salinlahi Foundation - Alliance For Children's Concerns' and 'Children ACT (Against Corruption and Tyranny) Now Network'. I have been working with some amazing people, both colleagues and clients, who have been treated unfairly. Treated unfairly by the current Arroyo Government, here in the Philippines. But also, in my belief, by the rest of the world for neglecting to do anything.
In early 2007 the United Nations sent a man called Phillip Alston to the Philippines to look into extra-judicial killings prompted by the large number of reports they had received since 2001. At the end of his nine days here he submitted a report that included his findings and a list of recommendations.
According to the statistics given by 'IBON Foundation' (a respected Filipino research institution) at their recent Economic and Political briefing, there were then 69 killings and 26 enforced disappearances in the Jan - Oct period in 2007. Which shows that the UN's report, was just a report, and the crimes committed by the military/government in 2001, are the same crimes being committed today.
While working for a large British development organisation in the Maldives in 2005/06, I was instructed that it was against policy to have a political opinion of any kind, or to participate in any kind of political activity. Here in Manila I am coming into contact with many different well known international development organisations, and learning through their volunteers, interns, employees that the same policy applies in their organisations. This may be an effective policy in other countries, but as the problems here are created by the government, it is impossible not to be politically involved in some way, if you wish to tackle the real issues and make change. So who is fighting the fight? Small Filipino NGOs and community groups. The big problem being that they are ruled by the very people who are working against them. Hence making them at risk too.
I am creating this site so I can share the stories of the different people we work with. For now the goal being to spread the word of these crimes. With the hope to later involve you if we were to create a campaign for any of these people. If you read about a particular group you want to help, please let me know :
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