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National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada (NAPWC)
SIKLAB Canada (Overseas Filipino Workers organization
Statement
Overseas Filipino-Canadians condemn Philippine President Arroyo’s declaration of a state of emergency; say no to martial law and support
call for Arroyo’s ouster
February 24, 2006
As overseas progressive and peace-loving Filipino-Canadians across
Canada, we condemn the recent declaration by fake Philippine President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of a “state of emergency” in the Philippines.
Under Proclamation 1017, President Arroyo seeks to invoke her authority
under Section 18 of Article VII to “call out [the] armed forces to
prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion.” Although
the regime wants to downplay the attack against democratic, civil,
political and human rights of the Filipino people, this is a return to
de-facto iron-fisted martial law in our beloved homeland. We denounce
this action as the fake President’s latest and desperate attempt to hold
onto power as her regime has been wracked by the electoral fraud crisis
since the summer of 2005. Just as the dictator Marcos drummed up
allegations of unrest to justify the declaration of martial law in 1972,
President Arroyo is again creating an atmosphere of fear and red-baiting
by alleging that a coup attempt against her government is imminent. As
history has shown us, a state of martial law only serves to preserve the
authority of the ruling classes, legitimizes the use of state terror and
will further push the majority of the Filipino people into further
misery, poverty and exploitation.
We, overseas workers, women and youth, are outraged at the President’s
illegal and immoral declaration. We say no to martial law and support
the call of the Filipino people to oust President Arroyo now!
Ironically, the President chooses to make this declaration on the 20th
anniversary of People’s Power I. Thousands of our compatriots gathered
at the EDSA shrine today. We salute their steadfastness and bravery to
continue on with their militant actions despite violent dispersals and
mass arrests. We remember well the lessons and spirit of People’s Power
I and II – that it is the people’s ultimate expression of their
sovereignty to take collective action to transform their society and
struggle for national and social liberation. We fully support the
Filipino people’s call to resist martial law with people’s power!
We will stand in solidarity with our compatriots and we vow to educate
the community of overseas Filipinos in Canada and progressive and
democratic Canadians about the real reasons behind this declaration of a
state of emergency. We call on all to be vigilant in the coming days as
senior officials of the regime have stated that the declaration paves
the way for warrantless arrests, government takeover of utilities
(including media) and a ban on rallies. Let us come together as a
community of overseas Filipinos to extend whatever support is necessary
to defend our people’s democratic and human rights.
No to martial law!
Resist martial law with people’s power!
Oust GMA now!
Long live the Filipino people’s struggle for national and social
liberation!
Statement issued by:
National
National Alliance of Philippine Women in Canada
SIKLAB Canada (Advance and Uphold the Rights and Welfare of
Overseas Filipino Workers)
Vancouver
Philippine Women Centre of B.C.
SIKLAB Vancouver (Advance and Uphold the Rights and Welfare of
Overseas Filipino Workers)
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC) – Vancouver
Filipino Nurses Support Group
Toronto
Philippine Women Centre of Ontario
SIKLAB Ontario (Advance and Uphold the Rights and Welfare of
Overseas Filipino Workers)
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance (UKPC) – Toronto
Ottawa
Pilipinong Migrante sa Canada (PMSC)
Montreal
PINAY
Kabataang Montreal
SIKLAB Montreal (Advance and Uphold the Rights and Welfare of
Overseas Filipino Workers)
Philippine Women Centre of Quebec
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