Philippines: Filipino people should resist the Arroyo regime’s repressive measures and persevere in the fight for change

References: Carol Araullo, chairperson
Renato Reyes, Jr., secretary general

Filipino people should resist the Arroyo regime’s repressive measures and persevere in the fight for change

On the birth anniversary of the great hero Andres Bonifacio, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) calls on the Filipino to wage resistance against the repressive measures of the Arroyo regime in its desperate bid to stay in power and ignore popular clamor to resolve issues hounding the Arroyo presidency.

The latest Makati stand-off is the result of long festering problems involving the legitimacy, corruption and human rights abuses of the Arroyo government. So long as the current regime refuses to accept accountability for these heinous acts, the people will continue to clamor for a change in leadership.

We join our many countrymen in condemning the repressive acts that ensued after the Makati stand-off. We deplore the patently illegal imposition of a curfew which violated the constitutionally guaranteed right to travel. We condemn in the strongest terms the arrest and manhandling of members of the media who were covering the Makati standoff.

The curfew and the arrest of media personnel were calibrated to sow a state of fear among the populace. The government wants to send a chilling effect on the people a few hours before a scheduled peaceful protest action in Liwasang Bonifacio. We say no to repressive measures! No to a return to martial rule!

It is during these dark and seemingly uncertain times that we as a people must unite and remain steadfast. We must vigorously defend and exercise our constitutional rights, even as these rights are being attacked and curtailed. This includes the aggressive exercise of the right to peaceably assemble and air our grievances and the right to free expression.

We call for the immediate release of Vice-president Teofisto Guingona, Bishop Julio Labayen and other civilians who were arrested during the Makati standoff.

We call on the people to stay the course of resistance and to continue to stand for truth and justice as we reject morally bankrupt regime. ###

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