Quezon City – Tanghalang Balangay, a community-based theater group composed of around 20 young people from Bagong Silang, Caloocan City performed during the program held after the actual run of the activity: Basta Run Against Torture V. The group performed in front of 500 (est.) participating individuals belonging to different civil society organizations and government agencies.

This was the group's first performance since their formation last June 2011. The group was formed through a theater workshop organized by Balay and facilitated by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). The formation of a theater group for young people is hoped to provide them with a meaningful endeavor – one that cultivates their talents and skills – as well as a therapeutic activity for torture victims and youths who are vulnerable to experience such experiences due to the compounded problem of poverty. On a larger view, the formation of a theater group is also hoped to be a mechanism to prevent young people from entering a life of violence and illicit activities which in turn greatly increases their risk of experience torture or cruel treatment from state authorities. As such, the formation of a theater group may contribute in the prevention of torture and rehabilitation of its effects through a therapeutic means and art.

Good morning to all runners and participants in this BASTA Run Against Torture 5!

Thank you all for joining this activity in commemoration of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture on June 26! Congratulations to everyone for braving the rains in order to get our message across: FREEDOM FROM TORTURE, NOT FREE TO TORTURE! Greetings to the contingents and representatives of the different participating organizations – the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and of course, our very own Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

Greetings!

The Armed Forces of the Philippines is one with the different government agencies and civil society organizations in the observance of the UN International Day in Support of Victims of Torture. It is noteworthy, that our efforts in promoting and protecting human rights continue to gain ground as our IPSP [Internal Peace and Security Plan] "BAYANIHAN" is now in full throttle.

23 June 2011, 10:00 AM – a consultation meeting with torture survivors regarding the National Rehabilitation Program for Torture Survivors at the Trimona Healthy Dining was held. The activity was held in lieu of the fact that the formulation of the rehabilitation program for torture survivors is already under development. The formulation of a "comprehensive rehabilitation program for victims of torture and their families" was required as stated in Section 19 of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009. The development of the rehab program shall be spearheaded by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Justice (DOJ), Department of Health (DOH) and human rights organizations (i.e. Balay Rehabilitation Center).