Joint statement of Innabuyog, CHRA on Duterte’s rape jokes

“Inayan nan mangiyaamis si babai tay sya nan nalpuwam! Anaw nan annak mo ay babbabai ay maiyaamis to. (Never exploit a woman because through her, you came to life. Whatever wrong you do to a woman shall be done to your daughters.)” This declaration depicts how we, Igorots regard women with the highest respect. Women hold a vital role in the continuity of the race. In the Igorot culture, we say inayan, a word deeply rooted in the Kankanaey culture which serves as the guiding principle of a righteous person.

It is used as the voice of conscience. Thus, every father, mother, elder and especially someone holding the highest positions always emphasize the importance and significance of inayan to everyone and at the same time put it to practice. While the Cordillera is already well-integrated into the dominant Philippine society, we still retain our indigenous values and traditions that defines our being Igorot. Rape is considered the highest crime a man can commit against a woman.

Thus, it is lawa or taboo to mock, more so to incite the commission of rape through jokes. Those who commit such transgressions are dishonored, ostracized and shall surely reap the brunt of divine wrath. INNABUYOG Alliance of Indigenous Women’s Organizations in the Cordillera and the Cordillera Human Rights Alliance strongly condemn President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s latest rape jokes which distressingly elicited laughter from his audience, including mothers and daughters, during the graduation rites of the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) last May 26. His statement comes at a time when cases of violence against women and children (VAWC), including rape, is rampant in the Cordillera.

The Women and Children Protection Desk of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera recorded 76 cases of VAWC in just the first 2 months of 2019. Majority of the cases were committed in Baguio City. Attempted rape and acts of lasciviousness lead the recorded cases under the Anti-VAWC Law. Rape is the leading violation committed against children.

Thus, the president’s proclamation to pardon and condone PMA cadets who will commit rape, especially those who will commit “multiple rape of the women of Baguio” is a grave insult to the women of Baguio and the whole nation. It is the height of injustice when the commander-inchief of the armed forces shamelessly incites uniformed personnel who are sworn to protect the people to commit human rights violations.

His jokes make a mockery out of State obligations to protect and promote human rights, and how this government pushes the laws and ordinances passed to protect women from different forms of abuse and violence to ineptness. Baguio City’s Anti-profanity ordinance prohibits cursing, cussing and expressing insults or the use of foul language to express anger or any other extreme emotion. It is also ironic that at the time that the Bawal Bastos Bill which penalizes the harassment of women and members of the LGBT community through catcalling, wolf whistling or with sexist slurs has become law, the president was committing violations on this act. Is he going to be absolved of these crimes just because he is President?

It enrages us even more that every time the President does or utters something unbecoming of a Head of State, his cohorts are always quick to defend him. These statements being said by the highest leader of this land embolden state agents, including PMA Cadets, who will soon be occupying leadership positions in the military and police force to commit human rights violations such as rape and other forms of VAWC and human rights violations. According to a report of the PNP internal affairs there were 43 cases of policemen charged with rape since 2015. There is no room to be complicit with a macho-fascist tyrant in these times.

The President must be held accountable for the perpetuation of impunity, the increase in the cases of VAWC as well as the State’s abandonment of its human rights obligations in the country. With due respect to those who entered military and police service and their families because of their sincere intent to serve and protect the people, please remember that the State owes you more respect than to transform you into human rights violators and war machines. Your education has been paid for by the people and though you had equally noble dreams to realize, please remember that the protection of people’s rights and welfare must be at the core of your service.

It is your duty to disobey any order that willfully intends to infringe on human dignity. We call on and challenge all women graduates of PMA not just the 2019 Mabalasik class, to rethink who they are going to serve with “Courage, Integrity and Loyalty”. Would it be the marginalized and under-privileged majority or the whims of their commander-in-chief? We call on, not only the mothers, sisters and daughters in the Cordillera to condemn this deplorable act by the president.

We must resist the macho-fascist attacks of this regime against women. Let us continue to assert our rights and defend our honor and dignity.

 Innabuyog CH Cordillera Human Rights Alliance (CHRA)