March 14, 2006

Amid the broad resistance to Presidential Proclamation 1017 Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo finally withdrew PP 1017 on March 3. This, however, did not the GMA regime’s state terrorism, as it continues to attack political activists, progressive partylists, including the media. The lifting of PP 1017 did not abate the worsening national crisis. After the lifting, the crackdown of legal-left organizations prevails.

To date, Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran of the Anakpawis partylist is imprisoned. Several media outfits, such as the Tribune and Inquirer have been threatened, while radio program Ngayon Na, Bayan under the DzRJ has been suspended. And shortly after the lifting of PP 1017, Bayan Muna-Aurora’s Joey Estriber was abducted, while teacher Napoleon Pornasdoro of Bayan Muna Quezon was slain. Bulacan province has now become the killing fields of militants, with the latest killing of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)’s Santiago Teodoro.

Meanwhile, three political killings were carried out in 2005 in the Cordillera and Ilocos regions. Human rights group Karapatan reports that of the 179 cases of politically motivated killings recorded in 2005, 67 were political activists. They were leaders (regional or provincial coordinators), members or known supporters of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and people’s organizations. Anakpawis suffered the highest number of casualties with 33 killed. Bayan Muna came next with 30 killed. Four were women and youth activists. In addition, five members of Anakpawis and three members of Bayan Muna were disappeared.

Cordillera political activists are under siege with the confirmation of military “hitlist”— an order to liquidate prominent leaders of the Cordillera Peoples Alliance, Bayan Muna Cordillera, Alyansa dagiti Pesante iti Taeng Kordilyera (Apit Tako), and Mankayan-Quirino-Tadian-Cervantes Danggayan a Gunglo (MAQUITACDG, an inter-municipality alliance of anti-mining communities in Mankayan and Ilocos Sur). GMA did not withdraw PP 1017 because she gives high regard for civil liberties. She yielded to the broad anti-PP 1017 sentiment due to severe pressure from groups, organizations, churches, institutions and individuals calling for the defense of civil liberties. She succumbed to the popular position for her to immediately withdraw PP 1017. The purpose of PP 1017 to weaken and lessen political demonstrations against the GMA regime through violent dispersals and warrantless arrests did not materialize.

In fact, PP 1017 has only intensified the people’s outrage and mobilizations against the regime. The truth is, had it not been retracted, GMA’s ouster could have been fast-tracked. After it has been lifted, the tyrant in Malacañang said she will not think twice of declaring it again. What the people have seen with the policy of PP1017 is a remake of Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law. What PP 1017 has proven is that this administration has a fascist-dictator nature, which it can always implement when GMA deems necessary. What PP 1017 has proven is that in her most desperate attempt to cling to power, she will always resort to fascist measures, totally undermining the fundamental rights of the people.

After the withdrawal of PP1017, there is no guarantee that this administration will no longer implement fascist policies, what is more threatening is that GMA can still revive PP1017 in the future, with a different name but with more stringent measures, because, as long as the question of legitimacy and the clamor for her ouster remain, GMA will exhaust all means to stay in power.
Even with the lifting of PP 1017, political repression and killings haunt the people’s movement. As long as we are under the illegitimate presidency of GMA, the monster of Malacañang and her cohorts will continue to govern with an outright disregard to human rights, as GMA now thrives on fascism to prolong her stay in power, as manifested by the Anti-Terrorism Bill, Calibrated Preemptive Response, EO 464, and now, the move for Charter Change.

It is therefore necessary for the people to stay on guard and continue being vigilant. Let us not be cowed with these fascist attacks. Let us collectively defend our hard-earned civil liberties and continue with our resolve to oust the GMA regime.

NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!
STOP POLITICAL REPRESSION AND KILLINGS!
OUST THE FASCIST REGIME OF GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO!

Tongtongan Ti Umili-Cordillera Peoples Alliance
March 14, 2006