Statement on 35th Year of Martial Law Declaration
September 20, 2007

LIKE THE MARCOSES, ARROYOS STINK WITH CORRUPTION SCAMS
AND BLOODY HUMAN RIGHTS RECORD

Thirty-five years ago on September 21, Marcos imposed Martial Law to suppress the nation's growing aprotests against his corrupt government. The Marcoses and their cronies amassed wealth through the multi-billion anomalous contracts such as the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) that gave the nation a gargantuan debt crisis.

Today, PGMA and First (Un)Gentleman Mike Arroyo and their cronies are facing public ire for the latest NBN scam on top of massive electoral fraud and various corruption scams hounding the administration since 2001. Like the Marcoses and their cronies who enriched themselves at the Filipino people's expense, the Arroyos stink with corruption scams and a bloody human rights record including more than 800 extra-judicial killings and more than 200 enforced disappearances.  

As the nation remembers the horrors of Martial Law, we echo the people's demand for the Arroyos and their cohorts to be held accountable for all their high crimes of stealing, cheating and killings. Like the Marcoses and their cronies, PGMA and all who benefited from her power must face the nation's judgment that there is always a time for downfall of a dictator.  

Under Marcos, thousands of Filipinos suffered atrocities in the hands of police and military forces who were given blanket authority to arrest without warrant, imprison, torture, abduct and 'salvage' those who were known to be critical of the Marcos regime. To this very moment, justice and indemnification have not been rendered to the victims and their families. Worse, 35 years later, human rights and human lives continue to be violated by the Arroyo government. Even without formally imposing Martial Law, Arroyo has in fact legalized the wanton violations of civil liberties through the Anti-Terror Law.

We therefore enjoin Filipinos to continue to draw lessons and inspiration from the victory of people's unity in ousting the corrupt, fascist and puppet Marcos dictatorship. Let us continue to take part in the building of a truly democratic, just and peaceful society where the poor are no longer persecuted when they fight for what is just; where the tyrants and plunderers are justly prosecuted; and where fundamental laws, policies and systems truly serve the best interests of the Filipino people.

NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!JUNK THE ANTI-TERROR LAW!
Justice for all victims of human rights violations!
Enough of the corrupt, fascist and puppet Arroyo regime!

PROMOTION OF CHURCH PEOPLE'S RESPONSE (PCPR)