News Release
August 30, 2007
For reference:  Garry Martinez, Spokesperson (0921-722-9740)
 
Migrante hits brutal dispersal of protest at Dutch emba
 
Migrante International today denounced the Philippine National Police's vicious dispersal of the BAYAN-led protest march towards the Dutch embassy this morning in Makati City.
 
The Arroyo administration has set the PNP on over-kill with regards to protests at the Dutch Embassy.  We have every right to mobilize and express our indignation over the blatant violation of ILPS Chair Prof. Sison's rights by the Dutch and Philippine governments says Garry Martinez, Migrante International Spokesperson after the dispersal in Makati.
 
Martinez recounted that during the dispersal scores of activists, including himself, were beaten by police with truncheons and shoved to the ground with police shields.  
 
The police yanked and stole one of our flags and they even forced their entry into another group's jeep to take their leaflets and the lunch they prepared for today.  All these actions, including threats to arrest rally organizers are signs of Arroyo's desperation he added.
 
But her regime's attempts to stop the rallies and silence the people are futile.  Across the Philippines and around the world, progressive overseas Filipinos and their local supporters are gearing for even bigger mobilizations to denounce the Dutch, Philippines and US political persecution of Prof. Jose Maria Sison and other Filipino political refugees,  said Martinez.
 
After the protest at the Dutch Embassy, the BAYAN-led rally joined the march towards the Liwasang Bonifacio to mark the International Day of the Disappeared. 
 
Migrante International is a member organization of the ILPS and heads its Study Commission on the Rights of Refugees, Migrants and other Displaced Peoples.  #