August 29, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference:
Sarah Katrina Maramag
Vice-Chairperson/Media Officer, 09193486790

Eleanor de Guzman
Chairperson, 09282555423

Joma arrest will spark another 'red moon rising,' youth group warns

Youth group Anakbayan strongly condemns the arrest of former student leader Prof. Jose Maria Sison and the raid on the houses and offices of NDF personalities by the Dutch government.

Anakbayan warned that the arrest of the Kabataang Makabayan (KM) founding chairman would spark another 'red moon rising' in the ranks of youth and student democracy-fighters and civil libertarians.

"Youth and students who believe in the legacy and continuing relevance of the KM stand firm in their support for Prof. Sison," said Anakbayan chairperson Eleanor de Guzman

"We demand his release now, that the Philippine government be warned of coming up against a youth and student uprising similar to what Prof. Sison led during the 70s; a red moon rising for youth and student activists of the present generation."
 
Prof. Sison was arrested and detained by Dutch police under still undisclosed charges.

De Guzman said that their group has reason to believe that Dutch authorities in connivance with the Philippine government did the arrest and raids.

"Prof. Sison has long been a victim of political persecution since the Philippine government started pushing for his inclusion in the European terrorist listing. This move is yet another attempt to pin him down with trumped up, recycled charges that they have time and again failed to legally or politically corroborate," de Guzman said.

The youth group also called on all its affiliate and ally youth organizations around the world to express their strongest condemnation against Prof. Sison's arrest.

Anakbayan together with other youth and student organizations will stage an indignation rally at the Dutch Embassy in Makati tomorrow, August 29, to demand Prof. Sison's immediate release. ###