A Philippine Human Rights NGO providing Psychosocial Services and Rehabilitation to Internally Displaced Persons and Survivors of Torture and Organized Violence.
Today, Balay marks the International Day in Support of Victims of Torture with deep sadness and anger. We join those who mourn and denounce the death of Genesis Argoncillo, 22, and call on authorities to hold accountable those who allowed his death to happen.
Balay expressed dismay over the arrest of thousands of civilians following the order of President Duterte of a crackdown against “tambays” or nighttime idlers in streets whom he considers as “potential trouble for the public” last June 13. The intensified police operations have resulted to 7,290 arrests in Metro Manila and the suspected death due to torture of a detainee in a police lock up jail in Quezon City, a week after the chief executive issued the directive to police officers.
As a network of humanitarians, peace advocates, and human rights defenders, we call on concerned local government units and the military authorities to uphold humanitarian protection and to take steps to ensure civilian safety and welfare in the ongoing military campaign against the members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in and around the Liguasan Marsh in North Cotabato and Maguindanao.
Balay has called on concerned local government units and the military authorities to uphold humanitarian protection and to take steps to ensure civilian safety and welfare following the reported deaths of a pregnant woman and a 14-year old boy at the height of mortar shelling operations initiated by the armed forces against members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in the areas around the Liguasan Marsh in North Cotabato and Maguindanao. since June 10.