Toronto-based Filipino community seeks justice for Negros 19

Photo by Harold Calimag

Photo by Harold Calimag

The concerns shall be transmitted to the Philippine government, stressing that the petition and recommendations will be sent to the concerned agencies.

TORONTO — Filipino progressives, solidarity groups, and human rights defenders met with the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto to submit a petition demanding justice for the Negros 19 massacre victims and adherence to international humanitarian law.

The objectives of the dialogue were to share the concerns of Filipino community organizations, to ensure that their position on the situation in Negros is formally submitted, and to hear how the community can support each other, as well as how the Philippine Consulate can respond.

Deputy Consul General Kerwin Tate and Consul Rodney Jonas “RJ” Sumague represented the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto. The dialogue was also attended by Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chairperson, Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos who is currently on a speaking tour across Canada to share the Filipino peasants’ struggle.

Kim Garcia, BAYAN Toronto coordinator, said, “We are gravely concerned and appalled at the recent attacks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on communities in Negros. Nineteen were killed [and] nine of those were civilians, including researchers and students.”

During the April 19 attack, over 100 families or more than 600 individuals were displaced due to strafing. Garcia said that the attack was extremely concerning as it is a grave violation of international humanitarian law. She stressed the community’s call for an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation.

Qandeel of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP Toronto), citing international humanitarian law, raised concerns about violations, including the failure to uphold the principle of distinction and civilian safety. Given the pattern of abuses in communities, they called on the government to cooperate with investigations. They echoed calls for the Canadian government as regards Canadian troops on the ground in the Philippines conducting Balikatan exercises.

Meanwhile, Ramos discussed farmers’ rights to land, citing the Negros 19 and Sagay 9 massacres, as well as the history of land struggles. He said that funds from the Canadian government are being used for counterinsurgency. Beyond calls for justice, he called for an end to militarization in the Philippines and urged the Canadian government to review the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), saying it endangers the lives of Filipinos.

Rev. Won Hur of the United Church of Canada said, “As a church, we are called to work for justice, human rights, and human lives, wherever they may be. We will not stand silent.”

Hannah Sabit of Migrante Ontario said, “Ang mga pamilya namin sa Pilipinas ay directly affected ng patuloy na paghihirap at kawalan ng nakabubuhay na sahod. Land grabbing, landlessness. Yung parehong isyu na patuloy na nagpapahirap sa Pilipinas ay parehong dahilan kung bakit umaalis sa Pilipinas (Our families in the Philippines are directly affected by the continuing difficulties and absence of living wage. Land grabbing and landlessness. These same issues that continue to make the Philippines suffer are the very reasons why Filipinos leave the country).” Migrant workers contribute remittances and have the right to go home safely. “Kami pong mga migrante ay affected at ang concerns sa Pilipinas ay concern din dito (We, migrant workers, are also affected and the concerns in the Philippines are our concerns too).”

After hearing the concerns of the Filipino community, Sumague said that the concerns shall be transmitted to the Philippine government, stressing that the petition and recommendations will be sent to the concerned agencies.

Tate said the matter has been under consideration and that once received, it will be officially handed to the concerned Philippine agencies.

After the meeting, the groups protested outside the consulate to call for justice for Negros 19. (RTS, DAA)

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