On the Killing of Our Friend Farly Alcantara II, League of Filipino Students

Condemn the Arroyo Dictatorship and Imperialist Domination

February 17, 2007

Statement by the Anti-Invasion Asian Student Joint Action – Japan (AASJA)

On the brutal killing of Farly Alcantara II, a member of League of Filipino Students, we express our overwhelming anger and sadness. As the national student organization against imperialist domination over Asia Pacific, we, AASJA, have held the annual exposure trip to the Philippines together with LFS for more than 10 years. We have met many LFS members who always encourage us with their cheerful and serious engagement in the struggle for the people. AASJA and LFS have built solid and humane solidarity through many common experiences in the trip and other campaigns. We never tolerate this brutal murder to our friend. 

As many human rights organizations and other international institutions suggests, it is clear that the Philippine Army has been involved in the killings. Bicol region, where Alcantara was killed, is known to be one of the most militarized areas in the Philippines and two other LFS members were also shot dead in this region last year. It is highly possible that Alcantara was killed by the military.

Even though Melo commission submitted the report on the issue to the president, suggesting the military's involvement, the Arroyo administration is refusing to make it public, and on the other hand praising the military as "national heroes". Giving just words of "stop it", she has never done anything to punish responsible generals and to actually stop the killings. The situation seems getting worse. Unfortunately Alcantara's death is another proof of her deception.
 
We, AASJA, condemn the political killings by the Arroyo dictatorship with the strongest terms. We demand the Philippine government to stop "Oplan Bantay Laya" that is targeting non-combatants. We also demand punishment of responsible generals including Gen. Jovito Palparan and Gloria Arroyo as the commander in chief.
 
We also condemn expanding military support from the U.S. and economic assistance from Japan to the Arroyo dictatorship. That is the basis of the regime and the way of the imperialists to exploit and dominate Filipino people.

On the killing of Alcantara, we  plight to reinforce the solidarity with Filipino student movements who are fighting for the liberation from imperialist domination and tyranny. We will promote the broader campaign here in Japan to stop the political killings in your country. We express our commitment to down the Japanese imperialism that is supporting anti-people regimes in the region.


Justice for Alcantara! Justice for All Victims!
Stop the Political Killings of Non-Combatants!
Down with the Arroyo Regime!
Down with the Imperialism!
Long Live for the International Solidarity!
Long Live for the Solidarity of AASJA and LFS!
 
 * AASJA is the national student organization against imperialism. Established in 1994, AASJA has been engaged with campaigns against U.S. bases and deployment of Japanese military to other countries. AASJA is also a member organization of Asian Student Association since 2001.