STOP NA! Southern Tagalog Organization and People's Network Against Corruption, Poverty, and Attack on People's Rights PRESS RELEASE Reference: Bani Cambronero February 25, 2008 Rev. Joel Tindero General Secretary, 4KTK Church groups and various sectors in Southern Tagalog commemorate EDSA 1 Forge broad alliance against corruption and hold protest actions To mark the 22nd anniversary of Edsa 1, different sectors from the Southern Tagalog region convened to form a broad regional alliance against poverty and corruption. Church leaders from Kapatirang Kristyano para sa Katarungan at Kapayapaan-Timog Katagalugan (4KTK) and Christian Movement for Good Governance led the formation of STOP NA! (Southern Tagalog Organization of People's Networks Against Corruption, Poverty and attack on People's Rights) in a forum held in Central 1 Elementary School, Brgy. 6, Calamba City. Convenors and supporters of the alliance wore white and red ribbons to symbolize their call for truth and the continuing vigilance and struggle of the people of Southern Tagalog. To express support, Senate star witness on the NBN scam Jun Lozada sent a message via phone patch. Senator Panfilo Lacson also attended the said activity. At 5:00 PM, STOP NA! led 500 protestors in a protest action at Crossing, Calamba, Laguna as part of the nationally-coordinated protest for truth and accountability. The protesters set free several white doves to rekindle the spirit of People Power 1. Protest actions were also held in various key cities and towns in Cavite, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon. "We should stand up against corruption because it aggravates poverty and deprives the poor of their right to social services such as housing, education, and health," Rev. Joel Tindero, general secretary of 4KTK, said. He said it is the role of the church in these crucial times to be a "moral guide" like the prophets in finding the truth and exposing anomalies in the government. "We call on the people to unite and not be afraid to respond to the call for communal action against corruption and other evils even in the highest seat of government." A regional protest center has been put up in front of the Calamba Central Terminal where various activities will be held every day to drum up the campaign. Protest centers will also be set up in other provinces. 4KTK is composed of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP), Iglesia Filipina Independiente, United Methodist Church (UMC), and EIMELIEF. Other convenors of the alliance are partylist groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela, militant people's organizations Bayan-ST, labor organization Pamantik-KMU, peasant organization KASAMA-TK, youth organization ANAKBAYAN-TK, urban poor organization KADAMAY-TK, and other groups from the ranks of government employees, lawyers, teachers, businessmen, and fraternities such as the Tau Gamma Fraternity. Support was also expressed by Calamba Vice Mayor Pursino Oruga and Calamba Councilor Niņo Lajara. "This is the most corrupt administration. The Arroyo family has transformed the government into a private enterprise for their own selfish interests. It is so corrupt, so rotten and so evil," Bani Cambronero, one of the convenors of STOP NA!, said. "The people of Southern Tagalog have always been active in advancing genuine societal change as attested by the wide participation of various sectors in the region during People Power 1 and 2. People Power 1 has shown us that each generation contributes its own share in the advancement of genuine national development and democracy. Now, amid a heightening political crisis similar to that which led to former Pres. Estrada's ouster, we unify people from all walks of life in the region to defend the future of the nation from those who abuse power," Cambronero said. For inquiries, please contact Arman - 09294977190.