Arroyo government and the military of the Philippines
<br>should stop political killings immediately !
<br>- On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines -
<br>
<br>This coming February 25th is the 21st anniversary of ’the ‘People Power’ revolution, when the Philippine people brought down the corrupt and incompetent regime of dictator Marcos. However, we are saddened by the fact that we can’t celebrate and congratulate the Philippine people on this historical day. Since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office 5 years ago, more than 800 people have been killed and more than 200 people remain missing in the Philippines. The people in the Philippines are suffering more than during the time of Marcos’ dictatorship with terrible human rights violations such as political killings and severe violence.
<br>
<br>The Arroyo Government took political power in 2001 after another wave of protests swept the country in the wake of former President Estrada’s impeachment trials, commonly known as the second “People Power” revolution. Since then she has taken the attitude of an idle spectator in regard to the cruel violence and even killings of laborers, farmers, religious leaders, journalists, intellectuals, civil society activists, and community leaders who contributed to the second coming of People Power.
<br>
<br>It is clear that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and privately armed thugs are involved in the indiscriminate and widespread political killings. The background of this law-defying violence is the ongoing “war on terror” in collaboration with the US and the extension of neoliberalism. Most of the victims are against the military hegemony of the US and neoliberalism. They are even denied their legitimate rights as citizens of the Philippines, as their deaths are not investigated on the grounds that they are “communists” or “Islamic terrorists”.
<br>
<br>The real problem is not the political background of the victims, but the attitude of the Philippine society, which tends to resort to violence and murder when trying to solve social conflicts.
<br>South Korean civil society organizations urged the Philippine government on September 25th of last year to stop political killings and to investigate offenders. However, in spite of appeals from all over the world including South Korea, the political killings and violence in the Philippines are increasing rather than decreasing. On October 3rd of last year, Bishop Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church, the so-called godfather of Philippine laborers, was assassinated by an unidentified gunman, shocking many people. On Feb 8th of this year, a leader of farmers, Dalamcio, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant in his home.
<br>
<br>Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Philippine government just repeats that the Melo Commission, the governmental truth commission, has been investigating the political killings and will release the results later. However, in January the Melo Commission clearly stated in its report to the Arroyo government that the Armed Forces of the Philippines carried out some of the killings. The Arroyo government has not been willing to conduct a close, independent investigation of the military and bring those responsible to justice.
<br>
<br>Therefore, seeing that the political killings are continuing regardless of the investigation of Melo Commission, we can not help but think that the Melo Commission is just an instrument to avoid domestic and international pressure. For the Philippine people and progressive leaders of various sectors who live under the threat of political killings and violence at the moment, we strongly urge the Philippine government as follows:
<br>
<br>- The Philippine government should stop the human rights violation such as political killings and violence toward people and leaders of different sectors!
<br>
<br>- The Philippine government should conduct a thorough and independent investigation of human rights abuses such as political killings and violence, come up with the truth and bring the responsible offenders to justice!
<br>
<br>- The Philippine government should devise immediate and effective measures to end political killings and violence!
<br>
<br>- The Philippine government should implement the peace agreement signed with National Democratic front in the Philippines (The NDFP) and Muslim movement organizations.
<br>
<br>February 23rd, 2007
<br>
<br>All Together, Bucheon Migrant Workers’ Center, Buddhist Solidarity for Reform, Church and Society Committee of The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea Peace Community Movement Centre, Citizen's Solidarity for Participation & Autonomy of Chungbuk, Citizen's Alliance for Environment of Bundang, Citizens for Decent Housing, Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, Citizens' Solidarity for Human Rights, Young Korean Academy, Citizens' Institute for Environmental Studies, Dasan Human Rights Center, Daegu Gyeongbuk Independent Film Association, Environment & Life, Friends of Asia, Green Korea United, Goyang civilian community, Imagination For International Solidarity, Incheon People's Solidarity for Democratic Reform, Jeju Solidarity for Participatory Self-government & Environmental Preservation, KFEM Cheonan-Asan, KFEM Daejeon, KFEM Gwangju, KFEM Jeju, KFEM Seoul, KFEM Siheung, Korea Environmental Education Center, Korea Federation for Environmental Movements, Kore!
a Network of Civil Society Organization Daejeon, Korea Sexual Violence Relief Center, Korea Women's Associations United, Korea Zero Waste Movement Network, Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, Korea Yough Corps, Korean House for International Solidarity, Korean NGOs' Asian Center, Korean Progressive Network 'JINBONET', KwangJu Human Rights Activities Center, Lesbian Counseling Center in South Korea, MINBYUN-Lawyers for a Democratic Society, National Clergy Conference for Justice and Peace, National Parks Conservation Network, Nawauri, People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, Sarangbang Group for Human Rights, Seongdong Community Center for Health & Welfare, Seoul Migrant Workers Center, Solidarity for LGBT Human Rights of Korea, Solidarity for Peace and Human Rights, Suwon Women's Association, Korea Women's Hot Line, Taegu People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, The Korea Greens, The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea, Weerye Grass-Roots Democrac!
y, With Migrants, Won-buddism Human Rights Commission, Wonju Sharing H
ouse, Wonright Organizaion.
<br>
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