The Philippines in 2008

Youth Prisoners

2008-04-10T18:30:00.000-07:00

In 2001, eleven boys aged 14 to 17 were taken from different parts of the Mindanao Province by the military. They were taken to either a military base or a police station, and they have all stated that they received similar treatments of being blindfolded and tortured for at least three days. Tortured in the forms of severe beatings, water treatment (suffocation), electrocution and harming other family members in their presence. During these sessions, the boys were constantly being told to admit to crimes that they knew nothing about. Only later to find out, that the crimes in question were committed by members of the ASG.

The ASG, Abu Sayyaf Group is a well known Muslim terrorist group that have made their name through kidnappings, bombings and other forms of violence on the government.

In 2001 the government initiated a crack down on the ASG, promising to abolish its estimated 400 members within a year’s time. Following this statement, the military started extracting anyone they suspected had links to the ASG from the Mindanao Region. Some of the 11 boys share similar names to wanted ASG members, this was evidently enough for them to be charged with numerous accounts of kidnapping and bombing, for some in cities that they had never seen. Taufic who was only 14 at this time, was charged for attacks that took place two years prior his arrest, which meant he allegedly committed those crimes at the age of 12.

Despite the fact that these boys were all minors, and it is illegal to put them in a normal prison with adult prisoners, that is what was done. Aside from the few that are brothers, they did not know each other before being moved to Camp Bagong Diwa, a prison here in Manila. Here the 11 boys became friends, sharing similar experiences to one another and being the only prisoners that were minors.

In 2005 there was an alleged jailbreak, which resulted in 22 prisoner casualties. One casualty being 17 year old Ahmad Saheron, one of the eleven boys. Another being a 79 year old man who could not walk and was found shot dead still in his bed. All 22 casualties were Muslim.

The surviving 10 boys are still imprisoned seven years since their abduction. One has been convicted of 20 counts of a life sentence, giving him a sentence of 400 years. According to the other boys this sentence, alike their initial arrest was given without proof of any kind, but only the pointing of a finger by the military. The other 9 boys have not been convicted, but do not have the financial support to pay for legal aid. They should be granted one hearing a month, but there have been separations of over a year between hearings for some. I am told that the legal system in the Philippines is “Innocent until proven guilty”…in theory. However in reality, “Guilty until proven innocent”, if you don’t have the money, you remain guilty.

These boys were charged at a time when the government needed someone to accuse. Many were presented to the media as an achievement for the government’s Anti Terrorism efforts.

Seven years on, one is dead, one is sentenced to 400 years in prison, and the others are looking into a very uncertain future.

Bimbas Jan 23rd 1987
Jammang June 3rd 1984
Arman March 12th 1985
Omar Nov 15th 1985
Saltimar Dec 7th 1984
Ikram Jan 19th 1987
Taufic Sep 4th 1987
Ahmed April 10th 1985
Kuzair May 3rd 1986

For the individual stories of some of these boys click on the 'Youth Prisoners:Individual Stories' Link on the right of the page.

We were prohibited from taking photos of the actual cells, which the boys tell us sleeps five to seven inmates. These photos were taken outside the walls after our last visit on May 31st 2008.

Internal Refugees

2008-04-04T18:41:00.000-07:00

A group of families from the Quezon Province are currently seeking refuge in Manila.

Since 2001, the military have been paying random visits to farmers from this community. The visits consisted of intimidation, interrogations, physical abuse and occasionally toucher. The aim of these visits, were to collect more information about the whereabouts of the ‘NPA – New People’s Army’, a communist group that has been active for the past 38 years. Seen as a threat by the government, the military have been put under orders to erase them from existence. However it is clear to most rural communities that the NPA wishes to commit no harm to the Filipino people, quite the opposite, they long for equality, land reform and for the country to obtain real independence from US without strings attached (not the current situation with the US created Visiting Forces Agreement, widespread knowledge of the corruption in Government and the many trade policies that benefit America and continue to drag the Philippines down). The NPA has been known to offer health care and education to the many rural communities that are neglected by the government, but is still feared by many due to the governments constant stander of "communist forces" and accusations of crimes unrelated to them. A tactic used to take the local and international focus off the countless crimes committed and that continue to be perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines, under the rule of the Arroyo Government.

At the beginning of November 2007, the military set up a detachment in the Barangay Hall (community hall), in the center of town. After setting up the detachment the military conducted a census, visiting every house determining the number of male residents. Some of the farmers were invited to the detachment. These meetings were similar to those in the past, farmers were interrogated and forced to admit involvement with the communist group, that they are supporters or that they are helping the armed group. Some of them even experienced torture and were asked to go back to the detachment several times for the same treatment.

Community meetings were held by military wherein the military declared that those residents who are supporting or helping the NPA would be arrested, as this was one of the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Law enacted by the current president.

This went on the whole month of November 2007, until this group of farmers and their families fled from their homes in the hope of escaping the military. Many feared for their lives, as the amount of political killings and disappearances of civilians perpetrated by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and other state agents had continued to rise since 2001, in the Quezon Province and nationwide.

According to the statistics given by IBON foundation at a recent Economic and Political briefing, there have been 69 killings and 26 enforced disappearances in the Jan–Oct 2007 period, and a total of 887 killings since 2001 (See 'IBON - Human Rights Briefing' Link on the right of screen).

Many believe these groups of farmers are targeted because they are part of strong and unified communities, often pro-land right reform. It has been a trend of the military to tag members of legal progressive organizations or even ordinary citizens as members of the NPA, making them targets of the Government’s Anti-Insurgency Program. The military is the perpetrator of numerous Human Rights Violations under the rule of the current Arroyo Government, and to date there has been zero rectification for these crimes.

Like many others, this group of Quezon farmers and their families are now internal refugees, currently homeless living in Manila. They have spent many nights camping on the street outside the Government Department of Agrarian Reform, with the hope for land rights, the hope for safety and the hope for change.

A Manila church group has allowed these 69 refugees to sleep in an old house they own, but I am told that offer will soon end. For the first few months food was given from different NGOs, but these groups (CRC being one) are non-profit and have limited resources, so all have stopped but one who still occasionally gives canned goods and candles.

"That is our biggest problem. We don't have rice (for the canned goods), and we don't have money for rice. We are worried. We need food and medicines for the children," one of the mothers said.

There is a massive unemployment problem in the Philippines so finding work has not yet been possible. On our visit today (Thursday 28th Feb '08) we could see that chicken pox has spread through the children and many of those that are not infected are suffering from other illnesses.

We are currently asking for help in the forms of donations, fundraising, spreading awareness, and encouraging others to write to the Arroyo Government.

(Obtain a letter on the link ' Letter to the President)

We are a small NGO trying to help these 12 families as best we can, but are well aware their story is not an uncommon one. There are many more groups who have been displaced in the same manner by the same government.

These stories of oppression need to stop.

Please help us with your support and participation.

Photos of some of the 39 children, taken on 20th Feb '08. Parents encouraged the use of the children's photos, but asked that no photos be used of themselves for security reasons.

IBON Foundation - Human Rights Briefing

2008-03-26T05:36:00.001-07:00

Taken from 'Birdtalk' - Economic and Political Briefing, January 14 2008

Please click on the text for the full size version.

FREE RANDALL ECHANIS! And All Political Prisoners!

2008-03-25T00:25:00.000-07:00

(More information will be added shortly)

Children ACT Now - Easter Truth Hunt

2008-03-23T02:10:00.000-07:00

NEWS RELEASE

23 March 2008

CHILDREN’S EASTER “TRUTH-HUNT” MARKS BEGINNING OF POST LENTEN ANTI-CORRUPTION PROTESTS

After the Holy Week break, protests against corruption of the Arroyo government starts anew with an Easter Truth-Hunt spearheaded by the network of child rights advocates, Children Act Now! About 100 children together with parents and child rights advocates gathered at the Rizal Park to search for “eggs” where statements and situations that convey truths, untruths and grey areas that would require children to analyze and discern based on their values, were discussed.

“Easter in the Christian tradition celebrates the resurrection of Jesus and symbolizes hope and rebirth. The Easter egg symbolizes the beginning of life. Now is a good time to emphasize to the children that a rebirth of our society can start with finding the truth amidst all the lies that our government wants us to believe,” said Sophia Garduce, Co-Convenor of CHILDREN ACT NOW! Network and Executive Director of Association for the Rights of Children in Southeast Asia (ARCSEA).

Garduce said that this activity marks the start of their network’s renewed campaign to help children be more critical and active in discerning proper moral values that is continually being corrupted by the Arroyo government by its acts. As an example, she cited the sell-out agreement made by the government with China regarding the Spratly’s Islands. “For a few billion dollars of kickback, the Arroyo government is even willing to sell our patrimony. The moral value that this conveys to our children is that money can buy everything and money is more important than your country. Through the corruption of values, perhaps more than the corruption of funds, our children’s future is slowly being stolen from them.”

The child advocates’ network hopes to initiate more activities in the communities, churches and other venues as part of their anti-corruption and truth-telling campaign. They plan to coordinate with other groups having similar objectives in order to reach more children across ages and classes. “Children should not merely be observers but actors as well in this struggle. After all, it is their future that is at stake,” Garduce ended.

Children ACT Now!

2008-03-14T22:27:00.000-07:00

Children ACT Now!
(Children Against Corruption and Tyranny Now!)

A Network of Child Rights Advocates against Corruption and Tyranny

E-mail address: salinlahiphilippines@yahoo.com.ph Telefax: 439 3104

Children ACT Now is a growing network of child rights advocates uniting under the goal of educating children and child rights advocates on the issue of corruption and good governance , specifically relating to its impact on child rights advocacy. To date, this has grown to 24 child-focused NGOs and People’s organizations, including groups from Mindanao and the Visayas.

The Children ACT Now network held its first major activity last February 25, 2008 at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani grounds with the theme Wright or Rong? Children Speak Out Against Corruption. This activity focused on allowing children to express their views and opinions on the corruption-ridden Arroyo administration. 90 children aged 14 to 18 years old, and 200+ children aged 5 to 13 years old participated in the event. The younger children participated in a play-discussion activity while the older children participated in a workshop-discussion activity before regrouping for a cultural program where songs, dances, short plays and story telling on positive values and the issue of corruption were the fare.

A children’s walkathon against corruption entitled Arangkadang-kadang ng mga Bata at Kababaihan laban sa Magnanakaw sa Malakanyang was likewise held on March 2, 2008 at the UP Diliman campus grounds. It was participated in by more than 200 children, who reportedly enjoyed the activity as for most of these children, it was a first experience to “race” and “run” using the kadang-kadang (coconut shells as stilts), while running after a Gloria Arroyo-look-alike with a bagful of money.

The Kadang-kadang event, which portrays a kind of unity walk for children, was covered extensively in the media for 3 days and Malacañang issued a statement that organizers violated some law because it is forbidden for children to join rallies. Eventually however, Children ACT Now was able to assert the participation rights of children taking in consideration children’s evolving capacities, even in national issues such as the ZTE scandal, as this directly affects children’s lives. This was affirmed by DSWD Secretary Cabral who stated on television that: 1) there was no violation of a law in this particular case; 2) involving children in rallies is a venue for them to learn more about broader social issues; and 3) this is not the first time children have participated in rallies, and it will not be the last so long as social conditions warrant dissent among people.

Amidst the continuing unfolding of events related to the expose of the ZTE corruption scandal, there is a need to convince a growing number of child rights advocates to make a stand against corruption and contribute to the clamour for good governance and a social system that truly respects the rights of children. We also need to develop creative ways to provide children access to information related to this issue and venues to express their views and opinions. Further, we need to develop among ourselves, child rights advocates, the qualities of dynamism and activism vis-à-vis social issues, if we want to effectively teach our children the value of active citizenship.

There is a proposal for the next major activity that the Children ACT Now network can take on. It is a story-telling session for children aged 4 to 13 years old, tentatively slated on Easter Sunday, March 23, 2008. This story-telling activity could be held in conjunction with a modified “easter egg hunt” dubbed the “easter truth hunt.” A tentative venue for this event is the Philippine Educational Theater Association auditorium near E. Rodriguez / St. Joseph’s College.

Many among us believe this is only the first step for us child rights advocates to work together beyond sectoral and programmatic issues on child rights advocacy, as what we need to work on further is the building of a society that is governed by principles of equity and social justice, and that is respectful of children and their rights. We hope that this multiplies and we successfully contribute to the building of a future generation that has the capacity to responsibly exercise its civil and political rights.

Sincerely,

Alphonse Rivera
OIC, Salinlahi Alliance for Children’s Concerns
and Co-Convenor, Children ACT Now

Sophia P. Garduce
Executive Director, ARCSEA
and Co-Convenor, Children ACT Now

.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

ASSOCIATION FOR THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN SOUTHEAST ASIA • CHILDREN’S NETWORK AGAINST CORRUPTION AND DECEIT • CHILDREN’S REHABILITATION CENTER-NATIONAL OFFICE • CHILDREN’S REHABILITATION CENTER-PANAY • CITIZEN’S DISASTER AND RELIEF CENTER • CITIZEN’S NETWORK FOR JAPANESE-FILIPINO CHILDREN • CPCD • FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES FOR EMPOWERMENT AND DEVELOPMENT, INC. • KABIBA MINDANAO ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S CONCERNS • KALAYAG-BICOL • KONKOKYO PEACE ADVOCACY CENTER INFORMATION OFFICE • MAPALAD-KA FOUNDATION • NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES IN THE PHILIPPINES-PROGRAM FOR EDUCATION AND NURTURE • OPEN HEART FOUNDATION, INC. • PARENTS’ ALTERNATIVE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT • PEACE FOR LIFE FOUNDATION, INC. • PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION • SALINLAHI ALLIANCE FOR CHILDREN’S CONCERNS, INC. • SAMAHAN NG MAAGANG PAGKATUTO NG BATA • SAMAHAN NG MARALITANG KABABAIHANG NAGKAKAISA • TASK FORCE ON URBAN CONSCIENTIZATION-AMRSP • TRI-FARMERS’ PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC • TUASON COMMUNITY CENTER FOUNDATION, INC. • VIRLANIE FOUNDATION, INC. • and many others

PHOTO GALLERY

1: Wright or Rong – Children Speak Out Against Corruption - February 25, 2008; Bantayog ng mga Bayani grounds, Quezon City. (The anniversary of People Power One, The fall of President Marcos)

2: Arangkadang-kadang ng mga bata at kababaihan laban sa magnanakaw sa Malacanang (Walkathon Against Corruption) - March 2, 2008; UP Diliman Oval, Quezon City.

Photos by Rainbow

The Vitas Community

2008-02-14T20:29:00.000-08:00

With a slaughterhouse on one side, a black stagnant body of water on the other and a Manila City garbage site at the entrance, this is not the place you imagined raising a family.
For all residents of the Vitas Community in Tondo, Manila, this is the case, but due to forces outside their control they all ended up living here.

The majority of homes in Vitas are part of a Government Housing Project. These sites were set up by the government to supply homes to those families whose houses were taken from them or destroyed by the hand of government acquisition.
Told that they would be forced to leave their original homes, but new homes would be provided for them, they found themselves in Vitas.

However the positioning of these blocks could not be worse. Flies, sounds and smells of malnutritioned cows and pigs waft in the windows, as all the flats on the left side literally back onto an open slaughterhouse. A rubbish and petrol filled black lake is what backs onto the flats on the right side, and a Manila City rubbish dump is what faces the entrance. Which to state the obvious is not the most ideal environment for young children or people of any age for that matter to live. Knowing that these homes were for families with up to 10 children, this site was chosen by the Government.
The community has electricity but no plumbing which can prove to be difficult for those living on the upper levels. Obtaining fresh water and disposing of the old is a daily job for all residents. A unit consist of one room measured on average at 4 by 8 meters. Most families have put up dividers using plywood or cardboard to create separate sections for the children and a toilet.
There is one health center in Vitas, however it is only open once a week and has a select amount of patients it can take on that day.
On the far side of the lake is a hill known as Smokey Mountain. In the past this hill was the original garbage dump site, which is what has given it its height, however these days the city garbage is delivered to the space at the front of the community. This explains the floating rubbish, smell and colour of the lake that borders this community.

But of all the shocking facts about Vitas this one takes the cake.
Residents are forced to pay rent for this arrangement.

Their original homes were taken or destroyed without their consent, they are then brought here only to be told that this is your new home, the rates are as follows.

Most of the residents are in the below minimum income earning bracket. Working in areas such as pedi-cab drivers, tricycle drivers, jeepney drivers, construction laborers, carpenters, messengers, security guards, laundry workers, street food vendors or housewives, owning small "Sari Sari" (variety) stores that they operate from their homes. I am told that most available work is menial and irregular, so many are unemployed for long periods. Then there are those families who find themselves scavenging at the dump site across the road.
So the idea of finding somewhere else is not an option. Most struggle to pay their monthly rent payment as their focus is more on feeding/clothing the family, finding work and sending those children that attend school, to school.

Those families that continue to miss payments are eventually removed and join the many homeless living on the streets of Manila today. Or move to the local city dump site and join the many "working homeless" who reside there. Their flat is quickly filled by the next group of families on the waitinglist, of those who have had their home taken away by the government.

It is the view of the ‘Concerned Mothers League’ (a unified group of mothers from the Vitas community) that Government Housing Projects such as this, exist not to fulfill Government promises, but to generate funds from the lower class.

The Concerned Mothers League is located on the rooftop of one of the housing blocks in Vitas. In this cage style construction there is a small collection of donated books and basic first aid facilities. The group gets together to discuss women’s issues, community issues, empowerment, and to hold small educational events for women and children in the community.

When talking to them about education and the issues involved in sending their children to school, they brought up these problems.
That the price of school text books is way too expensive when you compare it to an average daily income in the Philippines. So most mothers are forced to buy books with other families, meaning that in the average classroom of a lower class school there is a 3 to 1 ratio at best. 3 children to one book. Which is not very practical when it comes to filling in answers in the text book.
The mothers explained that most children are considered lucky to finish primary school, even more so to attend secondary school, and it is extremely rare for them to go to college. There are no admission fees to most primary and secondary state schools. However there are fees for such things as tables, chairs, light bulbs etc. These fees are what they call "expected donations", it is called a donation however it is unofficially compulsorily as in the past students have been asked not to attend for not submitting a donation.
When a child has an exam, they are not permitted to attend the exam without first purchasing the exam paper.
I am told that the Government started a "Food For School Program" for elementary, which in theory was a great idea. It was created with the aim to encourage more children to attend school. As many children start working at an early age to provide for their family, they are not able to attend school. This program offered a kilogram of rice per day to a child that attends all classes.
"However the problem is that this offer only extends to one child per household, and in a family of nine children that is not a big incentive" said one of the mothers from CML, who does have nine children.
Also the rice itself is of the poorest quality, not nutritional or clean, according to the mothers. So this program which was a great idea, in practice doesn’t work. Children are still needed to join the workforce early to help their family survive.

The Concerned Mothers League works with ‘Anakbayan’, a group of male and female youth leaders aged 15 to 19 from the Vitas Community. This group takes care of the local youth, encouraging them to steer clear of drugs and encourages them to have a political voice and participate in mobilizations and protests.

In recent weeks the military has entered Vitas, setting up a base outside ‘Permanent House’, one of the housing blocks. They have initiated curfew and spread fear community wide. At one community meeting held by the military a short film was shown entitled "Know Thy Enemy". In this video the military tagged many organizations and groups, branding them as fronts for terrorist groups. Some groups mentioned were small trusted NGOs who offer medical help and education to the Vitas community, or civil society groups clambering for change, promoting land rights and policy reforms.

The military presence in Vitas is just another reminder that this government does not take well to anyone who might disagrees with the way they do things.
And that terrorism is something they know far too well.
It is a clear message of - be silent.

As for the community, they continue to scramble to pay the rent, feed the family and find time to laugh.

We are currently collecting money for school books and medical supplies.

Letter to the President

2008-02-12T00:16:00.000-08:00

_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________

President Gloria Arroyo,

It has become a well known fact that the people of the Philippines are suffering under your rule. Human rights violations perpetrated by the military continue without rectification. Poor health care and educational services. A worrying percentage of the population who are unemployed or earning well below minimum wage.

It angers me that you allow these problems to continue.

I demand change.

I demand justice and an end to human rights violations.
It is unacceptable that the military is able to commit crimes such as murder, kidnapping and torture without fear of punishment.
I demand change.
I demand justice and an end to human rights violations.

I demand land rights for farmers.
75% of the population are farmers and less than 30% own land. Many families have become displaced due to government endorsed projects or the military forcing them away from their homes and onto the streets.
These people are the masses. They deserve to be taken care of.
I demand change.
I demand land rights for farmers.

I demand an improvement in basic services.
Money needs to be extracted from the armed forces and placed into education and healthcare. More policies need to be created to protect the people and prevent western businesses from taking advantage.
I demand change.
I demand an improvement in basic services.

The rest of the world is watching you
and expects change.

We will be to keeping track of your actions,

Yours Sincerely,

___________________

Postal Address of the President

2008-02-11T00:31:00.000-08:00

Please make a copy of the 'Letter to the President' on the previous page.
Fill in your details ie - Name, Address, Country at the top, and sign at the bottom.
Then send it to :

President GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO
Malacañang Palace
JP Laurel Street, San Miguel
Manila NCR 1501
Philippines

PLEASE email
fat_traffic@hotmail.com
once you have posted the letter.
We want to keep track of the number of letters sent for a possible press release in the near future.

The Filipino people need support
in order to pressure this corrupt government to make change.
Send a letter!

Youth Prisoners:Individual Stories

2008-02-04T17:35:00.000-08:00

On Monday 4th Feb we went to visit the 9 remaining guys at Camp Bagong Diwa prison in Manila. Here are some of their experiences over the last seven years.

BIMBAS
Just turned 21 years old.

In 2001, Bimbas was 14 years old and attending his first year of high school. One day he went to the local ‘Queen’s shop’ with his sister to buy supplies for a school project. There he was arrested by two soldiers, who when asked why they were arresting him, told him that they just wanted to ask him some questions. They then covered his eyes and shackled his hands. The next thing he saw was the inside of the military camp.
They kept him there for eight days, torturing him “not everyday, but almost”. Everyday telling him to admit that he was ‘Abubakar Babs Macrohon’. The soldiers did not say that the man he was being accused of was part of the ASG, but Bimas thought he might be. He said that after eight days he could no longer keep up with the torture so he said he was that man.
He was accused of being a wanted terrorist.
At 14 he was thrown into a provincial jail for 9 months, during this time he turned 15. In 2002 they moved him to Camp Bagong Diwa, an adult prison in Metro Manila, and he has been here ever since.
Since his move to Manila his family has not been able to visit as the journey is very expensive and too far.

In the 2005 siege (alleged prison break) Bimbas was shot behind his left knee and in the head. He said that he was sleeping at the time, he awoke to find tear gas in his sell. He went outside to find air and water and only then realized that he had been shot. He said that the ‘Special Action Force’, then rounded everybody up and took them outside where they were all beaten, Bimbas and other wounded inmates included. He was then locked in his sell without treatment for three days. It was 6 months before he was operated on.
Bimbas told proudly and with eyes wide open that one of his friends was shot eight times in the chest and lived. It was during this siege that Ahmad Saheron, another youth prisoner was killed.

When asked what for the future?

Bimbas replied (in Tagalog),
“I have hope. I want to eventually get out and finish college. Live a normal life”.

Bimbas is a smiling, lively, constantly giggling 21 year old.
He has spent his teenage years and now early twenties in a very small prison in Manila. Still without being convicted of any crime.

Picture taken from a Booklet on the Rights of the Filipino Child written in 2005

....................................................................

ARMAN
Is now 22 years old.
IKRAM
Is now 21 years old.

In 2001 Arman was 16 and a third year high school student, attending Zamboanga Del Sur School of Arts and Trades. His younger brother Ikram was also attending school, a different school from his. Ikram was 14 years old. Their parents owned a used clothing store, known in the Philippines as an ‘Ukay Ukay’.
During the school holiday period in November, Arman and his brother went to Cotabato City to work with their uncle to earn some extra money for the family. Their uncle sold dried fish and had an ‘Ukai Ukai’ also. Throughout the holidays Arman worked in the clothing store and Ikram sold dried fish with his uncle. In the first month they made 2000 pesos and because of that decided to stay. This meant that they would miss school which started in January, but making money for the family seemed more important.
After six months they decided to go home. When they told their uncle he understood and said he would drive them in his van. Their cousin also joined them.
On the way to the port the van was stopped by a man in civilian clothing and a group of marines. The group checked the van, and one of the Marines said they could go on, only then to be stopped by another Marine who instructed the group to arrest them.
They were arrested and taken to Camp Shiongco, in Cotabato City.
There was no warrant, and they were given no reason for arrest.
At this military base they were all blindfolded, shackled and tortured for three days. The torture consisted of both physical and emotional, constantly being told that they were going to be shot, that other family members would be killed, and to admit responsibility for the General Santos City, Fit-Mart Mall bombings. Never mentioning however, any connection with the Abu Sayyaf Group. Arman was forced to listen to his brother’s screams as unknown military officers cracked his fingernails using wire cutters, in an attempt to get what they want form the group. As the family was blindfolded for the whole three days, it was not possible to know who was committing these crimes.

After these three days the group was presented to the media as the ones responsible for the Fit-Mart bombings. Before being presented to the media they were instructed to fix themselves up, take showers etc.

I have been told that this is the reality of the legal system for most big cases here in the Philippines. The military points the finger and throws you in front of the media before there have even been an official arrest.
When I asked Arman why he thinks they would target him, Armen replied “The Military just use us to further their career. A sergeant becomes a general, they move up the ranks”.

After the media presentation Arman, Ikram, their uncle and their cousin were taken to Camp by Taskforce Tugis. There they were beaten and tortured once again, officers tying ropes around their necks like dog colors and kicking their hands and knees. “Treated like animals”, Arman said.
The next day they were moved to General Santos City Jail, and they stayed there for 1 year and 10 months. As this jail was not too far from home, they were regularly visited by relatives. All four were given the same charges, they were charged with multiple murders and multiple frustrated (attempted) murders.

In 2004, all four were moved to this Manila prison, Camp Bagong Diwa.
Arman says that since before they were arrested, and up to today there is still no evidence to connect him or his family to those crimes, and that he has been kept for 6 years without conviction. He says with amazement and some frustration “Its unlawful”!

I am told by the guys that the prison itself is not so bad. “Christians on the upper floors, Muslims on the ground floor”. They respect each others wishes, sell food to one another and are quiet for each other’s prayer times. However I get the feeling that other prisoners are not the main threat they face in here. The building itself is much smaller than the measurements of an average basketball court, with four levels of identical cells on the left and the right as you enter. There is a small space in the center of the prison that stretches from one end to the other at the face of all the cells, and in this space there is a cage where visits take place. They are not permitted to go outside.

When asked what Arman wants for the future

he replied (in English and Tagalog),
“I want Freedom.
I want to finish school.”
“Most of my old classmates are now professionals, and if I get out I will still be a year 3 student”, he laughed, shaking his head.
He says that some of his old classmates come and visit him nowadays as they now live and work in Manila. “They know I’m innocent”.

“I want a family with many kids”, he said. Which was followed by, “Every night”! Which made the other guys laugh when he translated, and lead me to believe that kids were not really what this 22year old is wanting right now, just the after effect. He confirmed this moments later by adding. “I want a Bachelors Degree in Making Babies”.

Arman is the only one of the remaining 9 guys that still has a decent understanding of English. He is an intelligent, gentle and open 22 year old and has managed to keep his faith, optimism and a sense of humor through the 6 years behind bars.

I was unable to talk to Ikram about the future due to time constraints.

Both brothers have seen their mother only once since 2004, as the journey is to far an expensive for her.

Photo of Arman
.......................................................................

TAUFIC
Is now 21 years old.
KUZAIR
Is now 22 years old.

In 2001, Taufic was a 14 year old elementary school student from Zamboanga City. He has nine other brothers and sisters, one being his slightly older brother Kuzair. Taufic is the second youngest child, and Kuzair the third. Their father died when they were young and their mother has a “Sari Sari Store” (general store). Taufic and Kuzair often stayed at their older brother’s apartment due to lack of space at their mother’s house.
One Saturday morning at around 2:30am, they woke to find men in their brother’s apartment. Four armed men without uniforms rounded up Taufic, Kuzair, their older brother and the nephew of the wife of their brother, and then proceeded to search them and the house allegedly looking for a gun. They did not have a warrant for arrest. When they did not find a gun, they took the family downstairs where more armed men were waiting. They then literally threw them into the back of a van and transported them to Southern Military Camp.
This abduction took place on a Saturday, Taufic was meant to graduate elementary school on the following Monday.
At the military base they received blindfolded torture for 3 days, involving kicking, punches to the stomach and being slapped using long guns. There was never any mention of the Abu Sayyaf Group.

After those 3 days, they were taken to Zamboanga Hall of Justice, so their captives could check their records. All their records were clean. They were then taken to Basilan Court (a jail) where they were meant to be given a hearing, but instead where hidden there for 4 months. Their family was not informed of their arrest.

It was in 2002, after those four months that they were moved to Camp Bangong Diwa, here in Manila. Coincidently, on the same day as Bimbas.
It was only after arriving at this Manila prison, that they discovered they had been accused of being members of the ASG, and were being charged with kidnapping. Taufic was very scared when he first arrived, firstly as it is an adult prison, but secondly because he couldn’t understand how people could think he was capable of committing those crimes.
He was charged for kidnapping that took place two years before his arrest, which means that he allegedly conducted those kidnappings at the age of only 12.
Kuzaire said that he was happy when he arrived because of the size of the place. The previous four months had been spent in extremely cramped conditions, and this place was a step up in his eyes.

Taufic is a quiet yet animated 21 year old. He enjoys talking once he gets going and appreciates the company, guidance and humor of the other guys.

Kuzair is shy but likes being involved. He is 22 years old, and as his story is the same as his brothers, he let Taufic share it, adding in information when he thought it was needed.

Time restraints stopped us from continuing.

Photo of Taufic

Photos of Bimbas, Arman and Taufic were taken at an Art Workshop held by CRC, with permission given by prison heads. The photographing of cells was prohibited. These three photos were taken by Alex Felipe ©2008 alex felipe, for use please contact alex.felipe@gmail.com or for more photos go to www.flickr.com/photos/alex_felipe

Camp Bagong Diwa, Manila.