August 5, 2006 Dear Friends, International Solidarity Greetings! The present human rights situation in the Philippines worsened as the Arroyo government, beset with a worst economic and political crisis, intensified its political repression and state terrorism against the political activist and the people. From 2001 to June 2006, there are 692 political killings and human rights violations (HRVs). Fifty four percent of the victims were mostly peasants and peasant organizers who fight against landlessness, usury, high land rent, and high cost of production inputs in the countryside. In almost all instances, the military misrepresents the victims or their organizations as “terrorists”, communists, rebel sympathizers or ‘enemies of the state’ to justify their violent attacks. The cruel attacks are committed with impunity, sometimes near or close to military or police detachments, with no police investigations carried out, and no perpetrators arrested or brought to justice. In fact, the suspected perpetrators are even promoted. General Jovito Palparan is a case in point who was promoted from Colonel to Major General by President Arroyo and awarded the Presidential Citation for Valor in May 2003. There are 7 cases of Massacre in 2005. One of this is the Palo massacre in Leyte on November 21, 2005 that killed 10 farmers and hurt 30 more perpetuated by the 19th IB of the Philippine Army. In Eastern Visayas, within the last 3 months of Gen. Jovito Palparan’s assignment in 2005, thousands of farmers in 21 barrios in Samar were displaced and 36 were killed from February to August. There are 166 extra-judicial executions in Central Luzon since Arroyo became president. Most of the victims were farmers. This year alone, 31 have been killed by government death squads. Sixty per cent of all murders and forced disappearances in the entire country from September 2005 to the present occurred in Central Luzon and coincided with Palparan’s transfer. Never in the Marcos time happened that way. These political killings and persecutions are due to their active work and involvement in the struggle for genuine agrarian reform, national sovereignty and against imperialism. Hon. Rafael Mariano, KMP National Chair and Anakpawis party list representative (together with Reps. Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino, Joel Virador and Liza Maza) collectively called ‘Batasan 5’ are now charged of rebellion by the Department of Justice. Imelda Lacandazo, KMP Vice-chairperson and a member of KMP National Council, receive continuing death threats since February 2006 from the military, she and her children were forced to vacate her house during Palparan’s stint in Mindoro. The life of Danilo Ramos, KMP Secretary General and concurrent APC Secretary General, is in great danger since March 2006 because of KMPs expose on the Arroyo government’s P728 million fertilizer fund scam. A certain Christopher Artuz and five more men are tailing him and believe to be assigned by the military. Wilfredo Marbella, KMP Deputy Secretary General for Internal Affairs, was forced to leave his province in Bicol in December 2004 and transfer in Manila because of the serious death threat against him from the military assigned in his province. A military detachment was also built in front of Marbella’s residence. Randal Echanes, KMP Deputy Secretary General for External Affairs, were included in the 59 individuals charged by the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management with rebellion a few days after Pres. Arroyo declared a state of national emergency on February 24, 2006. Clearly, these political killings and persecution were meant to silence the voices of peasants who speak against a status quo supported by its imperialist master. ‘War on Terror’ becomes the name of the game in trying to suppress the growing peasants’ and peoples’ resistance. Worst, Pres. Arroyo declared all out war against the New Peoples’ Army with a budget of 1 billion peso on June 2006. Public Information Officer of KMP in Misamis Occidental, was killed in Oroquieta City on June 17, 2006, he was the first victim of Pres. Arroyo’s all-out-war against the NPA. This declaration on the part of the executive has given her military minions to further escalate the killings. Even if PP 1017 has been lifted in March 3, 2006 the Arroyo regime is directed towards a dictatorship as it continues to implement such repressive actions. Despite this, there is a growing resistance not only against the political repression itself but also against the anti-peasant, anti-people, anti-neo-liberal policies, the corruption and election cheating of the current administration, particularly against Mrs. Arroyo and her cohorts in government and the military. The broad mass movement is growing with elements from the political opposition, all coming together in coordinated mass actions and calling for Mrs. Arroyo to step down from the presidency. The use of state terror and repression has not dampened the people’s will to fight for justice and democracy. We are inviting you to attend the International Peasant Solidarity Mission (IPSM with a theme “Defend Peasant Rights! Fight Political Repression!” which is to be held from August 6 to 8, 2006 in Manila. The IPSM aims to bring to the attention and get support of the international community on the ongoing political killings, political repression and human rights violations committed by the US-Arroyo regime against peasants and their organizations in the Philippines. Result of the IPSM will be reported during the “Media Forum” on August 8, 2006 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at Balay Kalinaw, University of the Philippines, Diliman, and Quezon City. Your presence is highly appreciated. The IPSM is organized by the Asian Peasant Coalition (APC), Kilusang Magbubukid ng Filipinas (KMP), Tanggol Magsasaka and the KMP3. Please send your confirmation or inquiry to Rhoda Gueta, APC Secretariat, via email at roda_g04@yahoo.com with cc to kmp@tri-isys.com. Thank you so much. For the Asian peasants, (Sgd.) DANILO RAMOS APC and KMP Secretary General