What independence?
Today, June 12, marks 60 years of Philippine Independence granted to us by our former US colonizers. But with the rise in extrajudicial killings of political leaders, worsening economic crisis, and increase in US military aid in the Philippines, is the country really a free nation? For over 300 years, the Philippines has been dominated by foriegn invaders, ransacked of their natural resources and exploited for the profit of multinational corporations. Indebtedness to the IMF and World Bank, US support of military training, aid and arms, and an agressive push to increase the number of overseas workers to recover from economic plunder is hardly a sign of a free and prosperous nation, but that of a nation that has been coerced into foreign dependency by the choke chains of imperialism.
Since President Gloria Macapagal has come into power in 2001, she has been responsible for more than 685 political killings. More than 250 have been identified as leaders of progressive leftist organizations who have tirelessly fought and advocated for the people of the Philippines. Half of these leaders have been women, most of whom were organized by Gabriela Philippines, an alliance of over 200 women's organizations, and 3 of which were members of the Gabriela Women's Party List, the only party list in the Philippine Government who advocates for the rights of women and children. Political repression continues with an average of 3 deaths each week, including men, women, children, church leaders and innocent bystanders committed by motorcycle riding assassins or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
The Philippine military under the leadership of their Commander in Chief, launched a campaign known as Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL), to eradicate all leftist progressive forces within 5 years. As the killings have become more frequent, from land dispute to charges of rebellion against parlimentarians, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her US backed regime must be stopped.
We women of Gabriela Network Seattle stand in full solidarity with the the people of the Philippines, especially those survivors and families of leaders that have perished. We demand justice for all victims of state repression and uphold human rights above political and economic interests for US imperialists and their cronies.
Stop political killings!
In militant sisterhood,
Gabriela Network Seattle
Since President Gloria Macapagal has come into power in 2001, she has been responsible for more than 685 political killings. More than 250 have been identified as leaders of progressive leftist organizations who have tirelessly fought and advocated for the people of the Philippines. Half of these leaders have been women, most of whom were organized by Gabriela Philippines, an alliance of over 200 women's organizations, and 3 of which were members of the Gabriela Women's Party List, the only party list in the Philippine Government who advocates for the rights of women and children. Political repression continues with an average of 3 deaths each week, including men, women, children, church leaders and innocent bystanders committed by motorcycle riding assassins or members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police.
The Philippine military under the leadership of their Commander in Chief, launched a campaign known as Oplan Bantay Laya (OBL), to eradicate all leftist progressive forces within 5 years. As the killings have become more frequent, from land dispute to charges of rebellion against parlimentarians, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and her US backed regime must be stopped.
We women of Gabriela Network Seattle stand in full solidarity with the the people of the Philippines, especially those survivors and families of leaders that have perished. We demand justice for all victims of state repression and uphold human rights above political and economic interests for US imperialists and their cronies.
Stop political killings!
In militant sisterhood,
Gabriela Network Seattle