Rights Groups Warn vs Prolonging Arroyo
Regime
To commemorate the 58th
anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
human rights groups held a mobilization Dec. 8 to call for justice for the
victims of political killings and enforced disappearances under the Arroyo
regime, as well as to oppose the moves to amend or revise the Constitution
through a constituent assembly.
BY ZOFIA LEAL
Bulatlat
For militant groups,
the current moves at the House of Representatives to amend or revise the
Constitution to change the form of government and remove term limits for
the head of government and for legislators should be opposed, as these
would prolong what they described as the “murderous” Arroyo regime.
Cause-oriented groups
led by Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights), Selda
(Society of Ex-Detainees for Liberation against Detention and for Amnesty)
and Desaparecidos aired this view in a Dec. 8 rally held in Manila to call
for justice for the victims of political killings and forced
disappearances under the Arroyo regime, as well as to oppose the moves to
amend or revise the Constitution through a constituent assembly.
For this year alone,
Karapatan has recorded a total of 185 victims of extrajudicial killings
and 93 enforced disappearances. The number of forced disappearances for
this year is the highest under the Arroyo presidency. Since 2001, there
have been 797 victims of summary executions and 207 victims of enforced
disappearances.
|
AGAINST A PROLONGED ARROYO REGIME: The
Dec. 8 rally in Manila that commemorated the 58th year of
the Universal Declaration of Human Rights had an anti-charter change
component, as the protesters were convinced that amending or revising
the Constitution would serve to prolong what they described as
Arroyo’s “murderous” regime. PHOTO BY ZOFIA LEAL |
Families of victims
of enforced disappearances delivered a compelling presentation about the
story of the abduction of their loved ones and the struggle that they are
facing now. One victim, Armando Portajada, has been missing since 1987.
The families of the victims were firm in saying that what they need is
justice and not just sympathy.
From Plaza Miranda in
Quiapo, Manila, the protesters made their way toward Mendiola – a few
steps away from the presidential palace – but were stopped by police at
the corner of C.M. Recto Avenue and Nicanor Reyes Street. A brief
stand-off ensued until the protesters decided to continue the program.
A “citizens’ arrest”
of congressmen pushing for charter change through a constituent assembly
was presented by protesters wearing masks bearing the face of House
Speaker Jose de Venecia and other administration representatives.
“Instead of focusing
on solutions to the worsening human rights situation in the Philippines,
administration congressmen have chosen to speed up the train that will
change the Charter and extend the term of the murderous Arroyo regime,”
said Karapatan secretary-general Marie Hilao-Enriquez. “Like thieves in
the night, these ‘con men’ who dare claim to be the people’s
representatives in Congress have robbed us of our rights to genuine
representation and suffrage.”
Different tactics
Anakpawis (Toiling
Masses) Rep. Rafael Mariano, a member of the House Committee on
Constitutional Amendments, was also at the mobilization. Mariano explained
how the House majority were using different tactics just to push for the
constituent assembly.
Militants from
Southern Tagalog also came to the mobilization. Members of
Karapatan-Southern Tagalog began on Dec. 6 a three-day cultural caravan
that culminated in their arrival at Manila.
In Southern Tagalog,
there are already 143 cases of extrajudicial killings under the Arroyo
regime. Based on data from Karapatan, Southern Tagalog has the third
highest number of extrajudicial killings for this year.
“With the passage of
the con-ass, we know that more injustice will come our way due to more
projects that would lead to demolitions and economic displacement,
including human rights violations as the government uses force to advance
foreign interests. We believe that the desolate plight of the toiling
masses will become worse as the selfish interest of JDV (Jose de Venecia),
GMA (Gloria Macapagal- Arroyo) and their foreign backers will be protected
and maintained,” said Arman Albarillo, secretary-general of Bagong
Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance)-Southern Tagalog, in
a statement distributed during the rally.
A flag dance from
Southern Tagalog activists closed the program. By 4 p.m, the militants
declared an organized dispersal and marched toward España Street.
Bulatlat
BACK TO
TOP ■
PRINTER-FRIENDLY VERSION ■
COMMENT
© 2006 Bulatlat
■
Alipato Media Center
Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided
its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.