Press Statement 5 September 2007

Free Professor Jose Maria Sison and stop extra-judicial killings in the Philippines

Migrante Europe ( Austria ) is overwhelmed by the outcome of the march-rally calling to free Prof. Sison and stop extra-judicial
killings in the Philippines .

The said march-rally was held in front of the Embassies of the Netherlands and the Philippines yesterday, 4 September 2007, from 4pm to 6pm and was participated by some 70 marchers from Anti-Imperialist Camp, ATIGF, Komak-ml and International League of People's Struggle (ILPS).

Despite the heavy rains the marchers proceed the rally with much energy and enthusiasm, starting from the Netherlands Embassy to the Philippine Embassy, shouting : Free Joma Sison!Stop extra-judicial killings in the Philippines!
 

Speakers from the participating organisations stressed the following points:

The arrest of Prof. Sison is based on trumped up charges concocted by the Philippine government. Because, same charges were already categorically dismissed by the Philippine Supreme Court on 2 July 2007 . And at the time, last 11 July 2007 , the European Union's Court of the First Instance (ECFI) in Luxemburg annulled the European Commission's inclusion of Prof. Sison in the European Council's "terrorist list."

The raids and ransacking of Prof. Sison's residence, that of other Filipino progressives, and the International Information office of the National Democratic Front done in a Gestapo-like manner is truly incompatible and ironical for a country like the Netherlands who boasts to be a liberal society.

It is therefore unfortunate that Dutch authorities are allowing
themselves to be used by the Arroyo government to persecute Prof. Sison and in its repression to progressives inside and outside the country.
 

These actions of the Dutch authorities are seriously jeopardizing the peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines . And therefore inadvertently put the Filipino people's aspirations for a just and lasting peace in the Philippines in grave peril.

Another speaker quoted the press statement of Anakpawis representative Crispin Beltran mentioning among other the" expanding Dutch investments in the RP including multi-million oil exploration in Bicol that cemented deal between Malacanang, Dutch to arrest Prof. Sison."

Since coming into power in 2001, the Arroyo regime is systematically using political repression and committing the worst human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and massive displacement of entire communities with the blessings of Washington ! To date, there has been more 863 documented killings and 187 missing persons, and thousands of families and communities were
dislocated.

The marchers abhor the blatant abuse of power by the Dutch
authorities in this long-standing systematic intimidation, ill
treatment and denial of basic human rights of Prof. Sison.

They also condemn the collaboration and collusion of the Dutch
government with the Arroyo's criminal regime and demand the immediate and unconditional release of Prof. Sison and the full restoration of his rights.

Speakers put forward: Let us strengthen the confidence and ability of the Filipino people to win in their fight against the brutal attacks of the US-Arroyo regime, as the latter is becoming more isolated because of popular resistance and global condemnation by extending to them all possible encouragement and assistance in their just struggle.

References:
Migrante Europe (Austria)

Elmo Carreon,
Mob Phone # +43 69919223974

Manny sarmiento, Mob Phone# 43 699 12277835

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