New Yorkers #StandWithDavao

Union Square Vigil Calls for Justice for Davao Bomb Victims

NEW YORK--  Members of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP) in New York and New Jersey convened a gathering at Union Square Park on the night of September 6th, in solidarity with the victims of the recent bomb explosion that claimed 14 lives and injured 70 more in Davao City, Philippines, the previous Friday, September 2nd.

The event was part of a series of solidarity events for Davao across the US called for by ICHRP. “We call for swift justice for the victims, and we pray this is an isolated incident,” stated Jessica Tulloch of ICHRP.

“We recall over a decade ago the Abu Sayyaf group was also publicly linked to a series of mystery bombings in Mindanao that paved the way for increased US military presence, which has resulted in increased human rights abuses in the country. We call for an independent investigation with no foreign meddling or intervention. More than anything, we hope this tragedy in Davao does not lead to the derailment of the ongoing peace process between the Philippine government and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines, which just concluded a successful first round in Oslo is set to continue in early October to tackle social and economic reforms,” Tulloch continued.

“I have been to the Philippines and I have seen what the mainstream media is not reporting-- the rampant militarization, the poverty. Instead, the media is focusing on sensationalism and drumming up another excuse for US intervention in Mindanao, using anti-terrorism and Islamophobia as a pretext,” stated Nerdeen Kiswani of Students for Justice in Palestine.

Ms Loida Nicolas Lewis speaking at the vigil.

“I am here in solidarity with the people of Davao and of the Philippines. Let us stand with President Duterte and the Filipino people in our search for peace and progress in the country,” stated Loida Nicolas Lewis of US Pinoys for Good Governance, who also joined the vigil.

With 15 member organizations in the US and 71 worldwide, the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines is a global network of organizations outside the Philippines, concerned about the human rights situation in the Philippines and committed to campaign for just and lasting peace in the country. For more information, visit humanrightsphilippines.net or email ichrp.usa.northeast@gmail.com