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MILF won’t break ties with NPA
 
ZAMBOANGA CITY - The separatist Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) last week said it will not cut its ties with the communist New People's Army (NPA) just to please President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"The MILF and the NPA are allies and we will not break our ties with them,” MILF spokesperson Eid Kabalu said. “This is internal on our part and the Philippine government cannot dictate us what to do and what not to do."

Kabalu was reacting to the President’s demand that the MILF should shun the communist guerrillas because of their “terrorist and criminal activities.”

Military officials claimed the NPA has been training separatist Muslim rebels in explosives and guerrilla warfare in exchange for weapons, mostly rocket-propelled grenades.

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KMU slams labor chief for violent dispersal

The militant Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU – May First Movement) slammed Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas for the violent dispersal of the workers' camp-out at the Department of Labor and Employment (DoLE) compound in Intramuros, Manila.

"The dispersal at DoLE clearly reveals the anti-worker character of the Macapagal-Arroyo government exhibited by no less than her minion, Sto. Tomas,” KMU secretary general Joel Maglunsod said. “Instead of addressing legitimate labor concerns, DoLE resorted to unrestrained violence against workers asserting for higher wages, better working conditions and regular employment."

Around 8:30 pm, July 14, members of the Western Police District (WPD) dispersal unit, Special Weapons Action Team (SWAT) and Intramuros security guards, stormed picket line set up by the protesters in front of DoLE and forced 100 workers away from the building grounds. Police and SWAT members armed with Armalite and other high-caliber firearms chased the workers near the Round Table in Manila. Workers were forced to seek refuge at the Philippine Independent Church on Taft Avenue. 

Maglunsod said the camp-out protest at DoLE was meant to condemn the worsening state of trade union repression and abuse of workers' rights. "Instead of listening to the reasonable grievances raised by workers, Sto. Tomas once again brandished her suppressive and brutal leadership style in the same manner that she allows police and military to assault picket lines and workers strikes in many companies."

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Protestant Church asks GMA to urge EU to de-list Sison, CPP-NPA as terrorists

The National Council of Churches in the Philippines (NCCP), a fellowship of 10 mainline Protestant and non-Roman Catholic Churches and 10 service-oriented organizations, has asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to urge the European Union Council to de-list the Communist Party of the Philippines, New People’s Army as foreign terrorist organization and to remove the "terrorist" tag imposed on Prof. Jose Maria Sison. 

Writing. Macapagal-Arroyo on July 4, the NCCP said that only through the removal of terrorist tag can the peace talks proceed. 

“Principled discussions between contending parties can go a long way in identifying and, hopefully, excising the roots of injustice and un-peace which have long plagued our people,” the letter signed by NCCP General Secretary Sharon Rose Joy Ruiz-Duremdes said. “If peace and prosperity are top priority in the government's agenda, and we would like to believe that it is, we expect that you will leave no stone unturned nor waste no time in ensuring that the conditions for just and lasting peace are laid down.  The place to start is to take away the unfair ‘terrorist’ label on the CPP, NPA and Prof. Jose Maria Sison.”

In a recent meeting, the NCCP’s Executive Committee passed an official position expressing dismay over the action of the Council of the European Union.

The NCCP declares peace building as the centerpiece of its apostolate. The council has been involved in the peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) as a Third Party Depository since 1997. 

Bulatlat.com

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