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What Our Readers Say
Reactions
to “Remembering Braveheart” I’m
Ida, Isaias’ girlfriend. My grief is deep and at times seemingly
unbearable. The only thing that keeps me going is the thought of the
braveness and commitment of my love to continue struggling even as he knew
the danger he was in, and the thought that we are many to continue the
march towards justice. He
only reached 23. We just started to plan our future together. Now, upon
reading this article, I realize Isaias was greater than I actually
understood while he was still alive. I love him endlessly, and I know he
loved me. And he loved the people so much he was willing to risk his
life fighting for the rights of others. That makes me love him even
more. (May
23, 2004) We
needed this article. Salamat. ida.cathrine.ruud@changemaker.no ---------------------------------- Mataimtim
na pabaon sa isang bayani ng ating panahon. Ang artikulo, sa
palagay ko, ay kabilang sa mga klasiko ng peryodismong nakikibaka
ng kabataan. Magaan at maluwag ang pagkakasulat kaya't madaling
maisaloob ng mambabasa. Ang pagkakahanay ng mga detalye ay
nagpapahiwatig ng buong-pusong pagsanib ng manunulat sa bayaning pinaksa
ng artikulo. (May 23, 2004) Salamat. Dr.
Bienvenido Lumbera ---------------------------------- We
will continue our efforts to expose the assassination program of the
Arroyo government in Mindoro. (May
23, 2004) In
solidarity Peter
Murphy Kilusan.net Kilusan.net
is a newly-founded website dedicated to bring forward, in the
information highway, the Filipino people's struggle for national freedom
and democracy in the Philippines. Kilusan.net
finds that your commitment to outstanding, insightful, and honest
coverage is what real responsible journalism is all about.
Your news and articles are reflective of the genuine life and
struggles of the Filipino people and thus deserve to be projected in the
widest coverage possible. Kilusan.net
would like to solicit permission from Bulatlat.com to regularly
post some or selected news and articles from your site to Kilusan.net. Kilusan.net
will be very glad to credit the writers and publisher of these articles
as soon as this request is granted and the posting becomes possible. Kilusan.net
is very pleased as well to advertise Bulatlat.com in its website
through permanent links, banners or sections, depending on Bulatlat.com's
preference. Kilusan.net
will highly appreciate Bulatlat.com's consideration of this
request. Thank
you very much. (May
23, 2004) For
the Filipino people, THE
KILUSAN.NET Abused
OFWs I
am an OFW working in a US hospital. I read about the abuses of the
Filipinos in Saudi. I hope that their families will also fully
understand how hard it is to work abroad and they should know how
and where to invest, budget and have a plan on how to spend the
hard-earned money. Please, please save and spend very very wisely. (May
17, 2004) Liza Is
There An AKBAYAN-AFP-Palace Conspiracy? I
belong to AKBAYAN. I deeply regret that you published stories full of
accusations against my party. It's really unfair to associate AKBAYAN to
"state-directed fraud and terrorism" bluntly. AKBAYAN firmly
adheres to democratic pluralism. It is not our policy to keep any group
from gaining a voice in the parliament, so long as its ways are within
legal and moral bounds. It's very unfair for every democracy-loving
member in my party to be accused of taking part in the "systematic
plan of the Macapagal-Arroyo administration and the military to deny the
six party-list groups of their hard-earned victories." I
challenge ANAKPAWIS, ANAK NG BAYAN, and other "progressive
parties" crying foul to produce evidences linking us to the
AFP-PNP's anti-"progressive parties" operations. If not,
AKBAYAN's name deserves to be stricken off the "order of
battle" of these six "progressive groups." And
to Bulatlat.com: You are described by your readers as outstanding and
insightful. I may agree with them. But one thing is lacking. Are you
balanced in presenting facts and sides? (May
18, 2004) Dong
B. Calmada Election
results now! We
want to know the election results specially the gubernatorial race. Sana
bulatlatin ninyo ang lahat na kasamaan ng mga taong matakaw sa
kapangyarihan (I hope you expose all the evils of those who are greedy
for power). Keep up the good work, and we await more news. (May
18, 2004) Orlando
Bautista Militant greetings
Hi
to Mr. Bobby Tuazon. You are really a best writer. We
personally met somewhere in Cavite. Keep up the good work. To
Bulatlat writers, ISANG TAAS KAMAONG PAGPUPUGAY SA INYO! (May
18, 2004) Dodi
ccvpnxya On
Donato Continente, Political Prisoner Amazing
article! I was fortunate enough to speak with Donato Continente in 1997 when
I was still in Miriam College and immediately established a
connection with him. He told me the story back then and as soon as
I saw the article it brought back the same feeling of disgust towards
the people in power in the Philippines. This
article is a motivation for me and I hope for everyone who
reads it to be aware and help in the struggle for
freedom. I have never met anyone as free as Donato Continente I
guess the cliche is true "When the body is confined, the mind is
free" Mabuhay
ang Filipino (Long live the Filipino)! (May
15, 2004) John
Garcia Hoping
for the recovery of Tatay Pido We
are sad to hear about the shooting of Tatay Pido. We are hoping
that he recovers soon. (May 13, 2004) Tessie
Wilms Wounds
of Tatay Pido “Tatay
Pido” Gonzales --- provincial chairman of the Pambansang Lakas ng
Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA), Pamalakaya national
vice-president, and the provincial president of the Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (BAYAN) --- sustained four gunshot wounds from .45 caliber
pistols. He was shot in the nape and the bullet exited his right cheek;
one bullet grazed his cheek, another his chest. He was also shot twice
in the leg, and one bullet entered his stomach. He was rushed to the
Gumaca Regional Hospital, a public hospital and later on transferred to
the San Diego Memorial Hospital. His condition is now relatively stable,
and doctors are highly optimistic of his chances for full recovery. (May
13, 2004) Ina Silverio Good
photos of May 1 rally Very
refreshing photo of May 1 rally participants dipping their feet into the fountain
of the Liwasang Bonifacio monument. I wish there were some kids who,
instead of dipping their feet, could have dunked their heads into the
fountain because of the intense heat. I
have seen so many photos of people cooling off in beaches, under
the coconut trees, by the river, etc., but none can really beat your
photo of the week (May 4, 2004). Hope
you have more photos of activists or protesters that bring forth
smiles or laughter from the readers. (May 4, 2004) Rita
Baua Reaction
to thesis of Anticipatory Self-Defense by Peter Mark I
am currently working on my doctoral thesis at the University of Lagos
Nigeria and I recently read your article on anticipatory self-defense
and though I agree that the principle is susceptible to a subjective
interpretation, it leaves countries like the United States who face very
credible threats of terrorist attacks at the mercy of international
politics. How can the world expect the USA to leave the safety of its
citizens to a body like the Security Council which famously takes its
time to arrive at decisions after several compromises and arm twisting?
I know it will lead to anarchy if nations are able to determine when an
attack is imminent and strike but isn’t it more dangerous to give
terrorists a free rein because they are certain the world bodies
concerned will not take action at the appropriate time? (May 4, 2004) Oghogho
Makinde Repression
of progressive Party-list Groups The
“communist” label to legitimate progressive party-list groups is an
act of cowardice by the AFP. Palace officials are afraid that these
groups will occupy seats in the Congress because their presence would
hinder the implementation of the imperialist-authored socio-economic and
political policies in the Philippines. Exposing the issues that confront
the country is actually a genuine act. Uphold the rights of the
progressive partly-list groups! Stop political repression and
abductions! (April
28, 2004) rodne2umvelt@yahoo.com Reaction
to 20 Questions for Bush Very
interesting questions. However,
part of the 8/6/01 briefing has been released, so you might want to
update that question. (April
27, 2004) Robert
Murphy American
interested in CPP-NPA I
only wish I was in Boston when Mr. Jose Maria Sison gave this speech. I
just graduated from the Evergreen State College in Olympia WA, where I
studied for two years US imperialism/foreign policy, revolutions, and
liberation movements. I am currently reading a book called "Red
Revolution, Inside the Philippine Guerrilla Movement" by American
journalist Gregg R. Jones. It as published in 1989 by Westview
Press. It's a little dated so I am wondering what's happening with
CPP and NPA now? How did Mr. Sison come to be a professor in the
Netherlands? Are the NPA gaining support now? I went to the
Philippines and studied independently one year ago. I wished I
could've interviewed the NPA but it would have been pretty dumb for some
blond American to go marching into the mountains of Palawan looking
for the NPA. I am interested in the Philippines, specifically the
historic connections between the US and the Philippines. It's
wonderful to come across online journals such as these. It's
obviously essential to be able to hear both sides to every story. Too
frequently do articles such as this remain unread. (April 26, 2004) Diana
Henion On
the MV Explorer This
story should be brought out in the open. Nobody knows about the details
of this "accident". There
ought to be some venue to bring this out! Francisco
J. Colayco What’s
happening to Bulatlat? Yuck!
Bulatlat is posting an interview with this embedded *&%$^ who won
the Pulitzer price because of her photograph’s propaganda value. What
happened to you guys? (April
19, 2004) Edwin Three-part
article on imperialism I
read the second and third parts of your 3-part article on US Imperialism
(from May 2003). It was an excellent article. I would like to read the
first part, but when I tried to access it, I got a dead link. I would
very much like to read it. Parts 1 and 2 make reference to a number of
figures that do not appear on the pages. I would like very much to see
any figures associated with this article. I
am a scholar of International Relations, concentrating in a World
Systems/Regulationist approach to International Political Economy. I
find Mr. Quintos' writing very insightful and I would be interested in
contacting him directly. If you could provide me with contact
information for Mr. Quintos I would very much appreciate it. (April
6, 2004) Andrew
Hoffman A
society suffering from extreme apathy The
result of apathy is lawlessness, a society and a country going down the
brink of chaos and mob rule. This is a country that
is quickly losing the right to exist as a sovereign country worthy
of respect of other LAW ABIDING countries. Criminals are at large
in the Philippines. The worst criminals are in control of the
government. Why such helplessness? (April 8, 2004) Misotoma55@aol.com CPP
and NDF not terrorists, but… I
don't believe that the CPP and NDF are terrorists but I don’t believe
in what they are fighting for. Let’s face it. The Philippines will
never be a communist state. Filipinos are born to be free and
cannot subscribe to a Stalinist way of living. I was just wondering if any
of the young Filipinos that you recruited to go along your protest,
march etc. knows what a communist Philippine life will be. Well, I
do because I lived that life and I didn't like it. My grandfather was
active for a long time. I pray to God for the end of this conflict but I
don't think that the peace will come from you. My family suffered from
your hands. I will wait for the end of the communist Philippines just
like Berlin and Moscow. You're not worthy of my tears. I’ll see you in
the end. Reply if you have the guts. (April
5, 2004) MA
ELENA BAURA More
updates, please! Militant
greetings! Right now I'm here in Italy on some sort of vacation. Thank
you very much for the message. I really want more updates coming from
our country. I was once an activist in my university campus and I really
miss it, especially the democratic forms of fighting and beyond. Keep it
up at patuloy sa walang hanggang pakikibaka. I salute Bulatlat! (April
10, 2004) Maria
Fe Fillalan FPJ
or the Queen of Taray? FPJ
has been showing his true colors during this campaign. Who would
want to have a bully as president of RP? On the other hand,
the other leading candidate is not only the Queen of Taray, but is no
better than the gambling drunk she replaced. (April
2, 2004) Filipinos
deserve better. Adelbert
S. Batica Feature
AKAPIN Also! Your
news clips featured only two party-list groups. How about the others who
quietly work on their platforms? I believe you could also feature
the Alyansa ng May Kapansanang Pinoy (AKAPIN) which is working for the
rights of the differently abled specially on the occasion of the
anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta for the Disabled last
March 24. (Mar
26, 2004) Atty.
Jessica Siquijor Congratulations, Bulatlat.com Congratulations
on your Third Year Anniversary celebration. Indeed, Bulatlat
writers and staff must be credited for their investigative
reporting and for inspiring us all to work together for national
liberation, justice, freedom and democracy. Mabuhay
Kayong Lahat. (Feb. 1,
2004) Edwin
Mercurio Davao
Death Squad Well,
actually, how can local authorities stop the said "Davao Death
Squad" from killing the said-to-be criminals of Davao City when it
is considered or should I say the local authorities considered these
vigilantes as an arm to eliminate the city's criminals! (Jan.
28, 2004) ROSARIO
BENITEZ Correction I
found your piece on US intervention in the Philippines, on the whole,
accurate and enlightening. But for future reference, allow me to
point out a minor error: Diego
Garcia is not American but rather British. The British allow the
Americans use of that island and the U.S. has a small military
contingent stationed there. I was formerly assigned at Subic
Bay during my Navy days in the early 1970's. I have a friend who was
assigned at Diego Garcia for awhile. Yes, I'm an American by birth and
citiizenship. But having been educated at the University of the
Philippines (I graduated in 1986) and having lived here for more than 22
years, I appreciate your viewpoint. I
invite you to read my piece in the Philippines Free Press under the
headline "Policies That Work" that was published in the 29
August 2003 issue. You might like to comment on it.
(Jan.
28, 2004) Regards, Gary
L. Satre Remembering
the Mendiola Massacre I
was there too. I saw when they started firing. 'Till this day, I will
never forget. To Itoy, I am glad you made it, and for who did not, you
are the true hero. (Jan.
27, 2004) On PTV4 During
the term of my father, former PTV-4 Network Manager, Ramy Diez, he was
cirticized by some sectors for being strict in the implementation of
fiscal control/security measures, changes he made in the management
policies, projects that he undertook, the termination of some employees,
etc., but looking back, I now realize the importance of such
decisions. I
always saw my father as some kind of "berdugo" ,
even during the time of Minister (Greg) Cendaña when he undertook
a massive reorganization of the then ailing MBS-4 and National Media
Production Center. I hated him for having fired friends and officemates
(I was a technician with the NMPC at the time) and putting me in a bad
situation. But
they were necessary moves. My father took on the task of rebuilding
PTV-4 after Dodie Limcauco's lackluster (sorry, Dodie) term. The
station was plagued with all sorts of problems at the time, from a teetering
tower threatenin to fall on the Bureau of Soils building to
Marcos-vintage VTR machines. Armed
with more than 40 years of radio and TV broadcast experience, my
father upgraded the technical facilities, improved the network's
nationwide performance and made it productive again. My
father was by all means no saint but in his whole term as Press
Undersecretary, RTVM Chief and later Network Manager, he has never
allowed us, his children to abuse the power that came with his
position. He never saw eye to eye with then PTNI chairwoman Lulu
Illustre but they worked well together and did a good job at that. After
the Ramos administration, we rejoiced the appointment of Jun Jison, a
distinguished media man but that was short-lived due to his failing
health. The
real start of the downfall was when people of the Erap
administration and his relatives began turning PTV into their cash
cow. The
Arroyo administration's gang may not be corrupt but their obvious lack
of expertise, inefficiency and stupidity will surely cause its
untimely demise. I
praise the PTEA for taking action now. It
is time to stop the bleeding. The
station's management should look back and restudy it's original mission
and vision as a real government television station. (Jan.
26, 2004) Ramon
P. Diez, Jr. Insightful Just
a quick note to let you know that I find this article
"In 2003, Arroyo
May Create More Jobs, But…" written
by Danilo Arao very informative and insightful. I used the data
presented in a paper that I'm doing for my class on women and
development. (Jan.
24, 2004) Thank
you very much and more power, Mavic
Cabrera-Balleza Looking for quality education Obviously
you're based in Manila. Marami pang paghihirap dito with regards sa
education and the fact that no less than CHED said we have to prepare to
pay to get quality education. Sa primary and secondary level here in
Bicol there are still schools that RENT OUT textbooks, that's how poor
they go. Some only orders textbooks according to the number of students
who can afford to buy. You have to go to the city schools to get quality
education, the rest is what you see is what you get. I hope our country
will get to the level na even public schools sa provinces can rival
private schools with sincere government support. I hope also it
materializes in my lifetime or my children's. (Jan.
23, 2004) Sincerely Gov't must act now If
we cannot clean up a small oil spill in the world famous Apo reef, and
if this can happen there, what more the accidents caused by mine
tailings, deforestation and destruction of our environment. Government
must act on this now and not wait. We
call on the DENR and other government agencies. (Jan.
22, 2004) In
solidarity, Ecological
Society of the Philippines Bushvote.com I'm
one of the administrators at Bushvote.com I thought it would be nice to
introduce myself seeing as were both in this to support a mutual cause. I
think what your doing is significant and I also think that we could help
each other. If you could post a Link to BushVote.com on your site I
would be more than happy to return the favor. Note:
Bushvote.com is operated by the Take Back America Fund. The site receives
approximately 60,000 visits a day. Bushvote.com is a non-profit site.
It's primary goal is to allow people to securely make contributions over
the internet. Thanks
for your time. (Jan.
19, 2004) Sincerely,
Dustin
Simmons Retired red fighter Kabayan. To
everyone working at Bulatlat.com and for us millions miles away
from home, thank you so much, you feed our hungry soul with important
news and information's back home. Tears and fist full of rage running
into my guts and remembering the suffering of our people, for those who
up there, fighting on the hill and mountains, I salute you. Hoping one
day we all be free. No one can take away that Hope, that is all we have.
One day when my child grew up, I will tell her stories about the what
great heroes for who chose to die to fight for freedom rather than to be
slave. Re water crisis article Water
sources belong to the state and should not be privatized. (Jan.
18, 2004) AIQPH11@aol.com Insane alumni Thank
you so much for all these news. I
used to be a professor of political science in Diliman, the same
university that has been degraded by the insane actuations of many of
its alumni. I subscribe to many Yahoo lists also and we exchange
information in cybersspace in our desire to do something about our
miserable situation. (Jan. 3 2004) Cesar
Torres, San Francisco Bay Area Least racism in Canada
All immigrants when you come to any country in the world suffers from all forms of racism, Canada is no exception to racism. In the the early 30's and after the 2nd world war, Irish, Polish, Italians, Ukrainians, etc.....suffered from the same problem all immigrants are encountering even today...It is still true that Canada is one of the very few countries in the world where you can still walk anywhere in every city in the 10 provinces of Canada anytime, without fear of getting mugged or shot. What
happened in Vancouver is of crime of hatred, because it was done by
another racial group, called Indo Canadian
group (Asian Indians, Sri Lankans, etc...). The Canadian Press called
them this name Indo Canadians, because they don't want to upset this
group as they are VERY strong Politically. In the
Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Asian Indians serving this outfit can wear
Turbans, students are carrying Kirphan (dagger or knife) because they
say it's for religious reason. When they first came to
Canada, the first thing they did was to be strong. Politically, in other
words they VOTE as one. It is proven that all politicians that tried to
control them or adhere to Canadian Laws went down to defeat during
elections. What was done? The assholes that these groups of people voted
changed these Canadian Laws ( provincial and federal). There was an incident here in Toronto, Ontario where a Filipino shot a Sri Lankan during a party only about last September 2003. Again the victim was described as Indo Canadian and the Filipino, Filipino... I
came to Canada ( Toronto ) in 1970 when I was 17 years old and I did not
suffer any form of racism in school or outside of school, there were
only 4 Filipino students in my school ( Jarvis Collegiate) at the time.
For the last 15 years schools here (elementaries and high schools) the
white students are outnumbered by students of immigrant descent
(Chinese, Filipinos, Jamaicans, Sri Lankans, Russians, Kenyans,
etc...), and there is more violence that ever before. Canada
is no exception when it comes to racial or any forms of violence, at
least we have the LEAST racism or violence of any country in the world.
(Jan. 2, 2004)
Ray Santos IT,
Computer Operations, Supervisor Corporation
of the City of Toronto. 703
Don Mills rd.. Tel#
416-397-7561 <rsantos0@toronto.ca> Filipinas, The movie I watched the movie before the awards night and I had wished the jurors would choose this as the best story and everyone in the cast deserves an award. Am happy with the outcome of the awarding night. I just wish more viewers would see this film. (Jan. 1, 2004)
Genevieve
B. Fellizar Shining example Surfing
in the internet I have found just now your article about Pedro Dungoc
(written by Arthur Allad-iw of Nordis). Anti-war Filipino legislators This resolution by peace-loving Filipino legislators should be sent to U.S. legislators who oppose this imperialist war in Iraq. This would let them (U.S.) know there are others who stand with them in solidarity. Too bad there are so few U.S. legislators who share an anti-imperialist vision. (Dec. 27, 2003) Tim
McGloin Tacloban radio station Bombo
Radyo-Tacloban is the 2nd radio station owned by Bombo Radyo
Broadcasting Company which was shut down right after forming a union.
The reason is not new. Income losses was the same reason used by the
government when they shut-down WSM-FM in Manila, now Star-FM. I
absoluteley agree with the union organizers that the move by the
management is a blatant union busting. They should fight all they to the
end. Bombo Radyo-Tacloban is not the only provincial radio station
managed by Bombo Radyo that gives meager salaries. As a former
employee based in Manila, I would say 80 percent of their employees are
paid a little over minimum wage. However a lot of these people are
working 10 to12 hours a day, sometimes seven days a week without
overtime-pay. (Dec. 25, 2003) The poor's future Well,
we can't blame our government for what had happen to our fellow
countrymen since it's really hard to attend to their needs knowing the
fact that our country is facing complex problems. iIbelieve that we make
our own future and as citizens, we must not always depend on the
government, we must make our own step in fighting poverty. Thus, in the
end we will be benefited. All I can say is that we must have
self-discipline and we must work hard in shaping our future...I'm not
blaming the homeless for I think they are also victims of wrong
governance. But if we will always depend on our government, well, we'll
end to nothing. (Dec.
22, 2003) "junbote" On ex-Navy Capt. Vizmanos It
was very good ! I luved it! Make
more articles based on Danilo Vizmanos. (Dec.
7, 2003) "Dan
Mark" Well-written HR report Greetings
of justice and peace! We
would like to thank you and commend you for the well-written article on
the real human rights situation of the country: "The Philippine
Human Rights Situation: A Grim Reality" by Ms. Dabet Castañeda. However,
we would like to point out certain corrections on the article made. 1)
It was pointed out that two of the nursing political detainees were
captured along with their children in February. -
All three nursing mothers gave birth inside Jail - Zeny gave birth in
February this year. Irene, in September 2001 and Lyn-lyn in July this
year. All of them are still incarcerated in jail with their babies. 2)
The updated political prisoners statistics (as of Nov.15) indicate that
there are a total of 308 detainees all over the country, not 330 as
mentioned in your article. Thank
you very much and more power! (Dec.
2, 2003) Yours
truly, Girlie
Padilla |