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Resist Terrorism of the US-Arroyo Regime!
by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Thursday, Jul. 15, 2004 at 9:49 AM
Even as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declares her supposed mission to give "humanitarian aid" to the people of Iraq by maintaining a standing group of Filipino troops there, back home police and other state forces are in a rampage violating the civil, political and human rights of Filipinos.
The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), its allied people's
organizations, cause-oriented groups and institutions and political
parties express the strongest, most vehement outrage against the
brutality of the Philippine National Police (PNP) unleashed
yesterday afternoon at the historic Plaza Miranda against our
leaders, members and protesters.
What was intended to be a peaceful demonstration in front of a
church and in a place declared to be a "freedom park" to dramatize
support for the family of abducted overseas Filipino worker Angelo
de la Cruz and their call for the immediate pull-out of Filipino
troops from Iraq deteriorated into a blatant display of police
brutality and state fascism. This solely courtesy of the PNP and
other state armed machineries.
After the demontrators lit candles, offered prayers and formed
themselves into a human peace sign, the police under the command of
Col. Miranda and Major Sapitula and under the supervision of
Generals Bulaong of WPD and De Leon NCPRO went completely berserk
and beat defenseless protesters like mad dogs.
Many among our ranks were injured, arrested and remain unjustly in
police custody. Two of our main leaders, Bayan Vice-Chairperson Dr.
Carol Pagaduan-Araullo and spokesperson Renato Reyes Jr. sustained
bloody head wounds and were repeatedly beaten with dos-por-dos
pieces of wood and canes. Our members were water-cannoned and chased
through the streets of Quiapo and Quezon Boulevard.
Up to now Reyes and three others remain detained at Bicutan.
Bayan cannot help but note the brutal irony and hypocrisy in what
happened.
Even as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declares her supposed mission
to give "humanitarian aid" to the people of Iraq by maintaining a
standing group of Filipino troops there, back home police and
other state forces are in a rampage violating the civil, political
and human rights of Filipinos.
With the RP contigent of the supposed humanitarian and peacekeeping
team in Baghdad is Col. Jovito Palparan, the infamous butcher of
Mindoro island.
With the violent dispersal of a peaceful congregation of people
yesterday, the the US-Arroyo regime has raised the ante of
political repression on the democratic mass movement. It can no
longer contain the worsening economic crisis of the country and the
heightening discontent of the people thus it has used its fascist
machinery to preempt peaceful protests of the people.
Through all this, however, Bayan remains undeterred.
We firmly stand by the family of Angelo de la Cruz in their anger
and we urge the rest of the Philippine nation to unite with them as
well.
We denounce the Macapagal-Arroyo administration's unabashed support
to the US government's continuing attacks against Iraq and its
people, and vow to sharpen and broaden the scope of our protests
against both the puppet government and the puppet master.
We condemn the fascism of the US-Arroyo regime and its violations
against the people's civil, political and human rights!
We also demand that all commanders and its rank and file including
those in civilian clothes directly reponsible for the brutal
dispersal be immediately relieved.
Pull-out Filipino troops from Iraq now!
Withdraw support to the US-led occupation of Iraq
Resist Terrorism of the US-Arroyo Regime!
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