Philippine News Digest 42
10 - 16 November 2002
Contents:
Millions still caught in child labor trap
NGOs seek release of 35 youths from adult jails
Clergymen oppose return of mining in Eastern Samar
Millions still caught in child labor trap
Millions of children are still forced to labour in dreadful
conditions, a new study reveals. In a landmark global survey the
International Labor Organization (ILO) shows that despite significant
progress to abolish child labor an alarming number of children are trapped
in its worst forms. The report, titled A Future Without Child Labor, says
that in every eight children in the world, some 179 million children aged
five to 17- is still exposed to the worst forms of child labor,
endangering their physical, mental or moral well-being. Source:
Children's Rights Information Network Number 16, October 2002.
NGOs seek release of 35 youths from adult jails
A coalition of non-governmental organizations is
seeking the release of 35 minors who are serving time with adult
detainees at the Baguio City Jail, north of Manila. The PREDA Jail Monitor
Team visited the said jail on October 30 and found the minors subjected to
harsh conditions. While some of them are undergoing trial, charges have
yet to be filed against most of them which is a violation of the
memorandum of agreement between the Juvenile Justice Network and the
Department of Justice. The agreement requires the DOJ to entrust juveniles
suspects under the care of their parents or a state rehabilitation
facility if the suspects are undergoing trial. The PREDA Jail Monitor Team
aims at not only providing these minors with their basic needs but also to
change the law to which they are subjected. Source:
Vincent Cabreza and correspondent reports, Philippine Daily Inquirer
Northern Luzon Bureau, 13 November 2002.
Clergymen oppose return of mining in Eastern Samar
The bishop, priests and deacons of Eastern Samar issued a formal
protest against the decision of the Department of Environment and Natural
resources allowing the resumption of mining operations in the island due
to the destruction caused by the mining operations on the environment. The
clergy members claimed the Hinatuan Mining Corp. left behind huge craters
that have “adversely affected” local fishing and threatened to cause
flooding in the area. Two months ago, a spillway of an abandoned mine in
San Marcelino, Zambales collapsed flooding low-lying villages with mine
wastes and other chemicals. Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 November 2002.
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