May 30, 2004
On behalf of the National Council and the National Executive Committee of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, we extend our warmest solidarity to the conference ‘Labels, Laws and Liberation’. We agree with the objectives of the conference to deepen our understanding of anti-terrorism legislation by taking the case of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison as one example. We hope that our collective understanding of these issues and developments will lead to heightened resistance against continuing attacks against the progressive movement here and around the world.
The previously held national elections here in the Philippines again gave us a glimpse on how labels and laws are being manipulated and used against legitimate people’s movements. From the onset of the elections, the national government went around town accusing six progressive partylist organizations as ‘communist-fronts’ funneling funds to the armed struggle. To use the parlance of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, these legal partylist organizations are aligned with what they call ‘communist-terrorists’ represented by the CPP-NPA. However, not one shred of proof was revealed by the accusers.
There is not yet any anti-terrorism law in the Philippines but the government attacks on the progressive movement have been vicious nonetheless. The communist-tag on Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Anak ng Bayan, Gabriela, Suara Bangsamoro and Migrante Party has been accompanied by direct physical attacks meant to ‘neutralize’ and eliminate these organizations. For the government, it is all right to kill activists since they are part of the ‘communist threat’ anyway.
There have been 43 Bayan Muna deaths recorded under the Arroyo administration. Leaders of Anakpawis have also been assassinated before, during and after the elections. Members of Anak ng Bayan have been abducted on several occasions. The Arroyo regime has exhausted all means, from direct violence, intimidation of voters and outright fraud to prevent the victory of the progressive partylist organizations.
However, we are pleased to inform you that the government’s campaign of repression did not succeed. Our progressive partylist organizations were still able to top the partylist elections. Cases have also been filed against the National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and officials of the AFP for their concerted efforts against Bayan Muna and other progressive parties.
In the final analysis, it is the strength of the mass movement, which will frustrate and defeat the vicious attacks of imperialism and their puppets. We stand in solidarity with you today in defending the democratic rights of Prof. Jose Ma. Sison and in defending the growing ranks of the progressive movement. We stand in solidarity with you in our common goal to end imperialism and to bring about peace, justice and freedom.
Mabuhay kayo mga kasama!