As part of our 10 year anniversary celebration we are launching our #10yearsIPON-photo campaign. Starting today we will post photos of IPON partners, friends and human rights activists that have been part of our project for the past 10 years. First is Jessie J. Colegado – vice president of PADATA. PADATA is an organization of indigenous people in Bukidnon, that IPON has been working with since January 2012.
Next in line for our #10yearsIPON photo campaign is Evangeline Silva, president of the national farmers’ rights organization PESANTE. Her late husband, Agapito Silva was a victim of extrajudicial killing in 2015. Conflict with local and regional power holders over land led to him being killed by police forces under questionable circumstances. This picture shows Evangeline with two of her seven children.
Our partner this week, for the #10yearsIPON photo campaign, is Zara Alvarez. She is a Human Rights Defender from Negros Occidental which suffers under two trump up charges against her, which were a result of dedication to uncover Human Rights Violations and report them. Temporarily, she was even in prison because of one of the charges. Both cases are still pending since they are constantly postpone for more than 1 ½ years now. For further information about her case have a look on our blog under https://iponnegros.wordpress.com/
Presenting Belinda Formanes (second from right) and the Climate Change Congress of the Philippines (CCCP) staff. CCCP is a multi-sectoral and community-based coalition of organizations, individuals and communities pursuing the struggle against catastrophic climate change within the context of asset reform and social justice. One of their major programs is a Policy Advocacy and Networking program on Agrarian Reform, Democratic Participation in Governance and Human Rights. Belinda has been a friend of IPON for many years and is most recently working with us on the case of Evangeline Silva, who was featured in the #10yearsIPON campaign on June 21.
Presenting members of TFM National. TFM or Task Force Mapalad is a national federation of farmers, farm workers and individuals working for agrarian reform and rural development. It was on request of Task Force Mapalad Inc. that IPON came to Negros in 2007 and was connected to our partners in Mindanao. Apart from referring cases to us, TFM National has been a long time network partner for our advocacy work on the national level. We are also working with the regional chapters TFM Negros and TFM Mindanao. So look out for more TFM pictures to come!
Datu Vergilio Aslag is the tribal and community chief from our Partner PADATA. PADATA is an organization of indigenous people in Bukidnon, that IPON has been working with since January 2012. Check our new blog article on PADATA (in german): http://bit.ly/2bpC1aN
The picture shows Eric Joseph A. Cornejo. For several years now, Eric has been a invaluable counselor and good friend from IPON. He supports the team with his knowledge and skills especially of the region Mindanao and stands for us with advice and help to the side.
Danilo A. Reyes is the Deputy Executive Director of the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC). AHRC is an independent, non-governmental body, which monitors and lobbies human rights since 1984. It seeks to promote greater awareness and realisation of human rights in the Asian region. Through exchange of information and perspectives during our projects on Red-Baiting and the Criminalization of Human Rights Defenders, Danilo has been a valuable ressource person and a good friend of IPON
Tobi Lorch is one of our long-term IPON members, former observer and virtual companion of Team Negros. Always on our side in difficult moments, in technical desperation, always a cool brain in passionate discussions. Thanks for being our comrade, we will enjoy the next ten years with you!
Regina Sonk and Lena Muhs are former observers and continue to support IPON in their work as virtual observer and project coordinator. As committed members they have contributed to the work of IPON in many ways and are a valuable support of Team Negros. Thank you
Dino Diaz has been active with Partido Manggagawan (PM) Negros since his youth. IPON has first met Dino as community organizer assigned to the Hacienda Salud Farmworkers Association (HASAFAWA). As such he followed Rolando Panggo, who was murdered due to his activism for HASAFAWA in 2014. IPON is working on both the HASAFAWA and the Panggo case.
Vilma Monera, who is the President from our Partner PADATA, is a respected and esteemed personality in Bukidnon. We look forward to continue working together with Vilma. „Panalsalan Dagumbaan Tribal Association“ (PADATA) is an organization of indigenous people in Bukidnon that IPON has been working with since January 2012. PADATA was founded in 2004 to fight for their legal land rights
Niklas Reese is a social scientist working on the Philippines. He grew up in Southeast Asia and was managing director of the Philippinenbüro e.V., a Germany-based NGO informing about the Philippines. It was with the Philippinenbüro that he published the “Handbook Philippines: Society, Politics, Economy, Culture”. After having taught Southeast Asian Studies in Passau and Bonn, he is now back in the Philippines working from Manila. Over the years Niklas has become a good friend and supporter of IPON.
Pilgrim Bliss “Bimbim” Gayo is a child rights activist for 20 years now. She was involved in campaigns promoting justice for children in conflict with the law and against death squad killings in Davao. She currently works as the country coordinator for a German child rights organization. Bimbim is a long-standing friend of IPON
