Apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas takes you around the Philippines

Black Eyed Peas band member Allan Pineda Lindo, a.k.a. Apl.de.ap promotes the Philippines in a video created jointly with the Department of Tourism. “Take U to the Philippines” started airing last October 1, 2009 at music channels all over the world. Apl.de.ap is a Filipino-American born in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Melissa tells her story of abduction and torture

In this two part video, listen to Melissa Roxas as she narrates the story of her abduction and torture by alleged members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines last May 19-25, 2009. Earlier today, she held a press conference (4:30 PM June 27, Los Angeles timezone) to describe the human rights abuses she endured while being held for six days in an alleged military camp. The press conference, which was held at the Echo Park United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California was streamed live over the internet.

Melissa Roxas, an American human rights advocate of Filipino descent, is the first known American citizen to have become a victim of abduction and torture in the Philippines, a country which has drawn international condemnation for state-sponsored human rights atrocities. She is a member of BAYAN USA and HABI ARTS, a cultural group also based in the United States.

You can watch part two here.

Pursue Justice for Melissa, Juanito and John

From Joel P. Garduce’s notes.

Pursue justice for Melissa Roxas, Juanity Carabeo, and John Edward Handoc through to the end!

The unprecedented surfacing of abducted activists MELISSA ROXAS and JUANITO CARABEO, who were kidnapped by likely state security forces along with still-missing JOHN EDWARD HANDOC (who was misreported earlier to have been surfaced already) was a clear democratic victory for freedom-loving Filipinos–and their mass movement–who dared come together in various ways (including raising a collective hue and cry right here in Facebook) to condemn the terrorist acts against the three.

Melissa was tortured by the military

Here’s an update on the abduction of Fil-Am activist Melissa Roxas and companions Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc. Bayan and Karapatan held a press conference earlier today showing Melissa’s affidavit and announcing her filing of the Writ of Amparo.

Fil-Am activist surfaced; New case of abduction

In a Twitter post a few minutes ago, Bulatlat.com reported that US citizen Melissa Roxas, a Fil-Am activist abducted by suspected death squads of Arroyo regime, has been surfaced. Her two companions, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, are still missing though. Bulatlat follows-up on the abduction with this article.

About two hours ago, Bulatlat.com reported a new case of abduction. “Mario Espiritu,organizer of peasants and workers in Mindoro Oriental, has been reported missing by Karapatan-Southern Tagalog” reports Bulatlat in an earlier Twitter post. “Espiritu,52, has been missing since May 23, Glen Malabanan of Karapatan-ST told Bulatlat.com. A quick reaction team has been sent by Karapatan-ST to search for Espiritu. The team is now in Mamburao, Mindoro Oriental.”

UPDATE: Melissa Roxas was tortured by the military

Campaign to surface Melissa, Juanito, and John Edward

UPDATE: Melissa Roxas was tortured by the military

Please join the Facebook cause for the campaign to surface Melissa Roxas, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, the three activists abducted by the military in La Paz, Tarlac last May 19, 2009. Join the FB cause by clicking here.

You can also sign the online petition addressed to US President Barack Obama; US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney; US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; US Senator Barbara Boxer; and California State Assemblywoman Jackie Goldberg.

Bayan calls on Gov’t to surface Fil-Am activist

Melissa Roxas, a Fil-Am activist was abducted by the military last May 19 with Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc.

Re-posting an urgent news release from BAYAN (sent today) regarding the military’s abduction of Melissa Roxas, a Filipino-American activist doing volunteer work in the Philippines. (see Facebook cause and online petition for the campaign to surface the three activists here)

UPDATE: Melissa Roxas was tortured by the military

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan is calling on the Arroyo government, the Department of National Defense and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to immediately surface Melissa Roxas, an American citizen of Filipino descent, and a member of BAYAN-USA and the cultural group Habi Arts based in Los Angeles, California.

Roxas was abducted last May 19 at around 1:30 pm in Sitio Bagong Sikat, Bgy. Kapanikian, La Paz, Tarlac. She was with two other volunteers, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc.