Free JOMA Now! Filipinos and Allies Protest at the Dutch

Consulate to Demand an End to Political Repression

Los Angeles – Protests took place internationally as Filipino organizations and allies demanded the immediate release of Professor Jose Maria (JOMA) Sison after his unwarranted arrest by Dutch police on false charges of multiple murders.

Police falsely accuse Sison of ordering the murders of Romulo Kintanar and Arturo Tabara, from the Netherlands, in 2003.  Without any warrants, Dutch police snatched computers from the National Democratic Front (NDF) International Information Office and the houses of international refugees, including the Sison household.

BAYAN USA condemns Sison’s arrest as political and not criminally motivated.  Sison will face trial in the Netherlands on August 31.  Sison has been a staunch fighter of people’s rights in the Philippines and worldwide, and is the current chairperson of the International League of Peoples’ Struggle (ILPS) and the Chief Political Consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

In Los Angeles, over 30 Filipinos and various solidarity organizations gathered at the Dutch Consulate in an emergency action called by BAYAN USA and its member organizations Anakbayan Los Angeles, Habi Arts and Pilipinos Organizing Workers for Empowerment and Respect (POWER). Protesters shouted “Free JOMA Now!” and “Dutch government – shame on you!” while carrying a banner with JOMA’s picture and the words “Defend Filipino Progressives” strung across. 

Speakers reminded the public that this is not an isolated incident. “The arrest of Professor Jose Maria Sison is part of the ongoing attacks against those who seek to expose the true injustices perpetuated by the Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s administration backed by the US-Bush regime,” stated BAYAN USA Deputy Secretary General and Anakbayan LA member Kuusela Hilo.

As one of the most famous and vocal critics of the Philippine government and US imperialism, Sison applied as a political refugee in the Netherlands over 20 years ago, shortly after Martial Law. He has been seeking protection from persecution by the Philippine government.

Sison's LA supporters protest at Dutch Consulate
Balita - Glendale,CA,USA
... the Dutch consulate along Wilshire Boulevard on August 30 demanding the immediate release of Jose Maria Sison from his recent arrest in The Netherlands. ...
 

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