Repression Being Misrepresented as Freedom, Says Fil-Australians

Filipino-Australians hit what they called the “increasing repression” and “draconian measures” in the Philippines and have demanded for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to step down, as they held protest actions in key cities of Australia.  With her in power, say Filipino-Australians, repression is being misrepresented as freedom. 

BY CAESAR BEN BASAN A. BAROÑA
Bulatlat

Filipino-Australians hit what they called the “increasing repression” and “draconian measures” in the Philippines and have demanded for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) to step down, as they held protest actions in key cities of Australia.

Filipinos and their supporters expressed rage over the policies of the Arroyo administration and showed their solidarity with the Filipino people in a rally at Federation Square in Melbourne, state of Victoria March 3. Displaying a flag of the Philippines and banners of the Philippines Caucus for Peace, Migrante-Melbourne, Gabriela Australia and Philippine Australian Youth for Action Group (PAYAG), the group said that Arroyo resorts to 'unconstitutional means to remain in power,' referring to Proclamation 1017 placing the Philippines under a state of national emergency.

They assailed curtailments on press freedom and the persecution of party-list representatives.  They also demanded the release of trade-union champion and lawmaker Crispin Beltran. They also called on the Australian government, headed by Prime Minister John Howard, to withdraw its support for the Arroyo government, which they called 'illegitimate.' The group stated their support for the formation of a transition council to replace Arroyo.

On March 6, another rally led by Migrante-Australia and participated in by Australian union members from the Philippines Australia Union Links (PAUL) and Action for Peace and Development in the Philippines (APDP), converged at the Philippine consulate in Sydney.

”Arroyo unleashed the demons that she has been harboring," said Edwin Subijano, Migrante-Australia head. He claims that these demons are "arbitrary arrests, dispersal of people’s assemblies and increased repression of individuals and organizations fighting for justice and genuine democracy in the Philippines.”

”The substance of Proclamation 1017 is tantamount to Martial Law,” he added. “Its lifting is not genuine.”

The group of protesters also agreed with the views expressed by urban poor leader Carmen “Ka Mameng” Deunida in an interview with ABC (Australian TV). Deunida reportedly said, “We don't see any development in the Filipino nation. Instead, we are being strangled, we are dying from poverty.”

The group enumerated the reasons for ousting Arroyo to include rampant corruption, election “theft,” human rights violations, below-poverty living standards and media control.

Afterwards, the group proceeded to the US embassy in MLC Square after the picket at the Philippine consulate.

At the U.S. embassy, Eva Tingson of the Philippines-Australia Women’s Association (PAWA) demanded justice for the alleged rape victim by U.S. troops in Subic.

Topsy-turvy
 
In a separate interview, Philippines-Australia Youth Organization (PAYO) head Danica Recto said: “We may be living Down Under but we have the correct perspective.  Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (GMA) is turning the Philippines upside-down. With her in power, everything is topsy-turvy. Repression is misrepresented as freedom.  She arrogated unto herself martial law-like powers purportedly to protect democracy. Who is she fooling anyway? We studied Philippine history.”

Recto added that the situation (in the Philippines) shouldn’t be surprising to people anymore. “Political rule that does not give priority to the rights and interests of ordinary people leads to tyranny and oppression,” she said, “that is why Arroyo has to go.” Bulatlat

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