Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  The mining companies usually hire military and paramilitary personnel to be their security forces. So when these abuses are committed, the mining companies are involved directly or indirectly. Cases have been filed in the local courts but no actions have been taken. Cases have even been filed by the commission on human rights against the military forces with the Southern Command--the armed forces of the Philippines--but still no action has been taken.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Yes, TVI Pacific and Crew Development are in Mindanao.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Good afternoon. Since Arroyo assumed power, 98 women have been killed for political reasons, with 30 abducted and 24 detained. My party, the Gabriela Women's Party, is a key target of the political repression. The president of Gabriela has been charged with rebellion and was forced to seek the protective custody of Congress for two months.