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July
30, 2002
'Strong Republic' - Martial Law Resurrected!
In an apparent move to please the United States, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will ban rallies during the visit of US Secretary of State Colin Powell and present her government as a true and trusted ally of the US in the fight against "global terrorism". The "no rally" pronouncement clearly shows that the Arroyo administration is more willing to wage war against political dissent than waging war against poverty that it promised to do.
In her State-of-the-Nation Address, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo said that "criminals are criminals, whether of the common kind or the kind that kill in the name of political advocacies." Such a statement is but a step away from criminalizing political dissent! Two days later, she suspended the "maximum tolerance" policy in dealing with anti-government rallies.
Now in pushing for the enactment of anti-terrorism bills in the Congress, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has confirmed beyond any doubt that she is bent on criminalizing dissent by broadening what constitutes a "terrorist act". Even a cursory look at the proposed measures would reveal the danger that basic human right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression can be curtailed. It will even further restrain workers' right to form unions, collectively bargain and to wage concerted actions.
This seems to be a sneak preview of what she really meant by a "strong republic." Perhaps she meant to say "strong-arm republic"?
It is no wonder that the proponents of anti-terrorism bills are firm believers of the ideology of National Security State!
Gloria Macapagal Arroyo just could not wait for Congress to enact a bill that could bring back the dark years of the Marcos martial law regime.
The Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) strongly condemns this utter disregard of the people's civil liberties and political rights enshrined in the Constitution. We will continuously advocate and fight for the rights and welfare of the working people even if the Arroyo administration has shown its autocratic and despotic tendencies, especially during the forthcoming visit of the US Secretary of State. The APL, along with its allied organizations, vows to hold a series of mass actions starting on Wednesday, July 31, in Congress to expose the "hidden agenda" behind the anti-terrorism bills; and on Saturday, August 3, the day that Mr. Powell will land on Philippine soil.
In the Star Wars movie "Episode II: Attack of the Clones", the call for a strong republic was the pretext used by Supreme Chancellor Palpatin in building his evil empire! In the same vein, Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, with the backing of the US government, has used the same call in building a so-called strong republic. The APL warns: "Beware of the dark side of the force!"
Posted at the
APL Website on 30-July-2002
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