Ugnayan ng Kabataang Pilipino sa Canada/
Filipino-Canadian Youth Alliance
Statement

Statement read at rally denouncing Pres. Arroyo's declaration of state of emergencyPhilippine Consulate, Vancouver

February 24, 2006

Militant Greetings From Ugnayan Ng Kabataang Pilipino Sa Canada\Filipino Canadian Youth Alliance. 

We stand here today in solidarity with the people of the
Philippines and all Filipinos around the world to
demand an end to the recently declared state of
emergency in the Philippines.  This desperate call by
the US-Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo regime is a slap in the
face to all freedom loving Filipinos and peoples
across the globe.

As overseas Filipinos we recognize that our fellow compatriots in the Philippines are suffering under the current fascist rule of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her administration.  And as Filipino youth we recall the spirit and legacy of the First Quarter Storm in which thousands of Filipino youth and students marched and rallied daily to lambast and rid the Philippines of future dictator, Ferdinand Marcos. As Filipinos here in Canada we recognize that we are products of the ever worsening socio-economic crisis in the Philippines.

Nearly 3,000 Filipinos leave the Philippines to find work abroad due to dire poverty, exploitation of labour and corruption in the government.  The current situation in the Philippines epitomizes the ails of our people, ails that have been brought upon us by the now military rule of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Our family and friends in the Philippines now face warrantless arrests, are prohibited from freedom of assembly, are stripped of their freedom of speech and face truncheons, tear gas and bullets from the military if
they try to assert any of these rights. Rights
that are guaranteed by the constitution of the
Philippines.  And who does this shameless
President blame for her recent call?  So called
Conspirators who have merely stated the truth of her
corrupt leadership, so called rebels who are victims
of low wages and unemployment. She blames the people of the Philippines for the so-called State of
Emergency which is in fact a euphemism for martial
law. 

Is it a coincidence that right before the anniversary of EDSA 1 & People Power, that our fellow Filipinos are again faced with the impending martial rule once imposed by dictator Ferdinand Marcos?  We can only say this for sure, that just like EDSA 1 the people will triumph in overthrowing Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!!!

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!

Pahirap sa migrante,
Patalsikin si GMA!!!
Pahirap sa masa, Patalsikin si Gloria!!!

Kabataang Makabayan! Lumalaban
Lumalaban Kabataan! Makabayan