This story
was taken from Bulatlat, the Philippines's alternative weekly
newsmagazine (www.bulatlat.com, www.bulatlat.net, www.bulatlat.org).
Vol. VI, No. 6, March 12-18, 2006
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 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. Afterwards, the group
proceeded to the US embassy in MLC Square after the picket at the Philippine
consulate. Topsy-turvy © 2006 Bulatlat
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Alipato Publications Permission is granted to reprint or redistribute this article, provided its author/s and Bulatlat are properly credited and notified.
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.
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.
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.
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