Philippines Canada Task Force on Human Rights
Statement on the Canadian National Day of Action for Human Rights in the Philippines

Stop state-sponsored terrorism in the Philippines!  Expose and oppose the US-Arroyo regime’s “dirty war” in the Philippines

July 6, 2007

Today we take to the streets as concerned Canadians and Filipino-Canadians to expose  the “dirty war” being waged by the Philippine government against its own people.  On this Canadian National Day of Action for Human Rights in the Philippines, we express our outrage against the corrupt, repressive and militarist U.S.-Arroyo regime.  We call on Canada to withdraw all support for this plunderous and murderous regime, including a halt to all military aid and the redirection of overseas development assistance towards progressive community-based groups like KARAPATAN (Alliance for the Advancement of People’s Rights) that advocate genuine development and uphold human rights and the dignity of life.

Since President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo came to power in 2001, Karapatan has documented 869 extra-judicial killings, 180 enforced disappearances and thousands more forcibly displaced by increasing militarization of communities.  This campaign of state terror is under the framework of the U.S.-led imperialist “war on terror” and the Arroyo regime’s counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya (Operation Freedom Watch).

The gross and systematic violation of human rights by the state and the targeting of unarmed civilians is bound to worsen with the implementation of the Philippine’s anti-terrorism law, known as the Human Security Act, on July 15, 2007.  We know too well of the harsh impact of Canada’s anti-terrorism legislation and are certain that the Human Security Act will curtail civil liberties and human rights in the Philippines.  The law gives license to the U.S.-Arroyo regime to detain people without charge for three days, allows increased electronic surveillance and the labeling as “terrorist” of organizations struggling for national liberation.  It is hypocritical for a state engaged in state-terrorism against its own people to pass such a law.  The  implementation of this draconian law is setting the stage for increased military intervention by the U.S. to suppress the growing struggle of the Filipino people for national and social liberation.

It is in the spirit of international solidarity that we respond to the call of national democratic organizations in the Philippines for an immediate end to the political killings in the Philippines and an end to state-sponsored terrorism in the Philippines by the U.S.-Arroyo regime. We cannot help but be moved by the pain of their families and be outraged by the brutality of a regime that is so desperately trying to suppress the Filipino people’s inherent right to their sovereignty, genuine peace and democracy and liberation.

As a junior imperialist nation, Canada plays a role in directly supporting the U.S.-Arroyo regime through the provision of $22 million in foreign aid.  Canada profits from the plunder of the Filipino people’s national patrimony, particularly through its mining corporations.  This plunder in turn aggravates and exacerbates the chronic and deepening economic crisis in the Philippines, which forces thousands of Filipinos to migrate to Canada each year.

We are aware that Canada directly supports the U.S.-led imperialist “war on terror” as Canada supplies military troops, training and dollars to this effort, particularly in the occupation of Afghanistan.  As the Philippines was named by the U.S. as the “second front” in this permanent and borderless war, there is also the danger that Canada will be drawn into supporting direct U.S. military intervention in the country.

Thus, we call on all peace-loving and progressive Canadians and Filipino-Canadians to join us in actions to expose and oppose the U.S.-Arroyo regime’s reign of terror in the Philippines.  Let us study, support and propagate the verdict of the Permanent People’s Tribunal which found both Arroyo and U.S. President George W. Bush, Jr. and their respective governments responsible for gross and systematic violations of human rights, economic plunder and transgression of the Filipino people’s sovereignty.  Let us do our part to bring pressure on the Canadian government to withdraw its support for such a heinous regime.

Let us continue to express our full and unconditional support for the struggle of the Filipino people to win their national and social liberation.  Their perseverance in their struggle gives hope and inspiration to the overseas Filipino community in Canada, to the oppressed and exploited peoples in Canada and to oppressed peoples and nations everywhere as we continue to wage anti-imperialist and democratic struggles against our common enemy, imperialism and all reaction.

Repeal the repressive and anti-people Human Security Act!
Stop state-directed killings and abductions in the Philippines!
Stop Canadian aid to the repressive, militarist U.S.-Arroyo regime!
Justice for all victims of state terror in the Philippines!
Stop US meddling in Philippine affairs!
Support the continuing struggle of the Filipino people for national liberation!
Long live international solidarity of the people against imperialism and reaction!

National Statement, 6 July 2007
Philippines-Canada Task Force on Human Rights:
• Centre for Philippine Concerns – Montreal
• Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines – Ottawa
• Philippine Network for Justice and Peace – Toronto
• Centre for Philippine Concerns – Winnipeg
• B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines - British Columbia