Arroyo government and the military of the Philippines
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<br>should stop (political) killings immediately !
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<br>- On the occasion of the 21st anniversary of the People Power Revolution in the Philippines -
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<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. We, however, regret that it is difficult to celebrate and congratulate this historical day with Philippine people. Since President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office five years ago, more than 800 people and 200 people have been killed and remain missing, respectively in the country. The people in the country are suffering more with terrible human rights violations such as extrajudicial killings and disappearances. The situation of human rights violation in the country is more serious now than that under Marcos’ dictatorship.
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<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 little action to the cruel violence and even killing of workers, farmers, religious leaders, journalists, intellectuals, civil society activists, and community leaders who bravely initiated and carried out the second People Power.
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<br>We believe that the Armed Forces of the Philippines and private armed thugs have been involved in the indiscriminate and widespread political killings. We also believe that the background of these extrajudicial killings is the ongoing “war on terror” in collaboration with the US and the spread of Neo-liberalism. The reason is that most of the victims are against the US military hegemony and the spread of Neo-liberalism. In addition, proper investigation has not been conducted because they were labeled as ‘communists’ or ‘Islamic terrorists’ after their death.
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<br>The real problem is not the victims’ political ideology, but the attitude of the Philippine society, which tends to resort to violence and killing to solve social tension and conflicts, as well as the government that turns a blind eye to it.
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<br>We had already urged the Philippine government on 25 September last year to stop (political) killings and to investigate perpetrators. However, in spite of appeals from international community including South Korea, the (political) killings and violence in the Philippines are increasing rather than decreasing. On 3 October last year, Bishop Ramento of the Philippine Independent Church, known as godfather of Philippine laborers, was assassinated by an unidentified gunman, shocking many people. On 8 February this year, a leader of farmers, Dalamcio, was gunned down by an unidentified assailant in his home.
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<br>Despite the seriousness of the situation, the Philippine government repeatedly says, “Wait until the Melo Commission, (so-called) ‘the independent commission’ to probe the killings of media workers and activists, has finalized its investigation.” According to the Philippines mass media the Melo Commission clearly stated that the Armed Forces of the Philippines carried out some of the killings in its report submitted to the President in January this year. However, the government has not been willing to conduct a thorough, independent investigation of the military and bring those responsible to justice.
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<br>Therefore, judging from the fact that the killings are continuing regardless of the investigation of Melo Commission, lots of concerns has been raised as the Melo Commission is just an instrument to avoid domestic and international criticism on the killings. For the Philippine people and progressive leaders of various sectors who live under threat of killings and violence, we strongly urge Government of the Philippine as follows:
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<br>- to stop the human rights violation such as (political) killings and violence toward people and leaders of various sectors!
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<br>- to conduct a thorough and independent investigation of human rights violation such as (political) killings and violence, come up with the truth and bring those responsible to justice!
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<br>- to draw up immediate and effective measures to end (political) killings and violence!
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<br>- to implement the peace agreement signed with National Democratic Front in the Philippines (The NDFP) and with Muslim movement organizations.
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<br>23 February 2007
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