According to Kenneth Guda of www.pinoyweekly.org:

I was right there when this picture was taken. In fact, I have a similar photo.
Mga sampu silang magkakasama, at kinahon sila ng mga pulis sa labas nung LRT station. Sinisigawan sila ng pulis na "upo!", para arestuhin na sila. Ayaw siyempre umupo ng mga aktibista, kasama si Jaque. May isang pulis na malamig-lamig ang ulo, ang sabi niya, palabasin na sila. So lumuwang yung hanay ng mga pulis at nakalabas sila.

Pinoy weekly account of the dispersal: Brutal na dispersal sa kampuhanL News report and photos
 

x

Press Release:

December 7, 2011

References:
Rep. Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino, Kabataan Party-list, 0908-5927099
Bugsy Nolasco, media liaison officer, 0922-8240740

Progressive solons condemn violent dispersal of Mendiola “occupants”

Seven progressive solons from the House of Representatives today condemned in the strongest possible terms the violent dispersal of hundreds of protesters attempting to reach Mendiola to hold a camp-out protest to call on the Aquino administration to address poverty, insufficient funds for basic services and and lack of substantial social change.

The solons are Reps. Raymond “Mong” Palatino (Kabataan), Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares (Bayan Muna), Rafael Mariano (Anakpawis), Antonio Tinio (ACT Teachers), Luz Ilagan and Emmi de Jesus (Gabriela).

“The state violence exercised by the Aquino administration against the protesters is reminiscent of the Calibrated Pre-emptive Response (CPR) and other human rights violations under former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is deeply alarming and ironic that the Aquino administration confidently inflicts violence against peaceful protesters during the international celebration of human rights week,” they said.

Yesterday, the police water-cannoned the marching protesters preventing them from reaching Mendiola and forcing them to temporarily hold the camp-out at Plaza Miranda. Early today, the protesters attempted to once again reach Mendiola wherein the police enacted a violent dispersal and seriously injured and arrested several protesters.

The progressive solons said that the police brutality illustrated the paranoia of the Aquino administration amidst growing discontent among the people for its failure and refusal to address the worsening social crisis.

They argued that the government even attempts to mask the crisis citing the new methodology lowering the poverty threshold to P46 per Filipino per day thereby deceptively reducing the number of poor by as much as 5.3 million.

They furthered that while the Aquino government is advertising the 2012 national budget as a “reform” measure, the truth is that debt-servicing, unprogrammed funds, military and other contentious items remain the priority given their combined budget of P1.069 trillion or 58.86% of the total P1.816 trillion national budget.

For his part, Palatino said that “Instead of properly addressing the roots of poverty, the Aquino government resorts to band-aid solutions like the CCT program and even attempts to deceive the people by doing statistical magic to reduce the number of poverty cases in the country. The 2012 national budget, on the other hand, is clearly anti-people with a per Filipino per day budget of P1.20 for health, P6.32 for education, P0.11 for food security and P0.16 for affordable housing,”

“The strikes and occupy protests sweeping the world are brewing here in the Philippines because of the social crisis the Filipino people are growing tired of experiencing. The Aquino government should genuinely address the legitimate concerns of the people. No cosmetization of the crisis or exercise of fascism on the part of the government can prevent the people from asserting their rights and welfare,” he added.

The solons said they are drafting a House Resolution condemning the violence to be filed tomorrow. ###
 

UP community slams violent dispersal of Camp-out PH protesters

Student leaders and administrators of the University of the Philippines denounced the brutal dispersal of over a thousand protesters, which ended with five arrested and three injured, in the second day of the weeklong camp-out protest in Manila.

The UP community, led by UP Kilos Na, a multisectoral university alliance against budget cuts, will be staging an indignation rally and a press conference today, 11:30 PM at Palma Hall to denounce the violent dispersals. UP sectoral regents and UP President Alfredo Pascual are to speak in the said event.
 

“The brutal dispersal of the youth-led protest in Manila only shows how grim our social and political futures will be if we do not stand up and fight for equality, justice and human rights,” UP Student Regent Ma. Kristina Conti said. She explained that the violent action of state forces is “ironic” as the world will be celebrating the Human Rights Day three days from now, on December 10.
 

“I view with deep concern the violent dispersal of the mass action undertaken by students, including those from the University of the Philippines, calling for an increase in government subsidy for higher education at Mendiola today,” Pascual said in a statement.
 

Drawing inspiration from worldwide “Occupy” movements against corporate greed and social injustice, over a thousand students, workers and members of other sectors launched the camp-out by marching to Mendiola Bridge on December 6.
 

Police forces set up a barricade on Recto Avenue, preventing protesters from reaching Mendiola, and violently dispersed the rally. Protesters were forced to retreat, spending the first night of the camp-out at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo.
 

On the second day of the Occupy Mendiola movement, students, workers from Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), women and other sectors again marched to Mendiola, determined to set up camp in the historic bridge.
 

Upon reaching P. Noval Street, protesters again faced truncheon-wielding riot police. Moments later, the riot police started firing water cannons at the crowd.
 

Unfazed, the crowd managed to push the police barricade towards the corner of Legarda Avenue and Mendiola. However, the police began using truncheons to violently disperse the crowd.
 

At least three students were hurt from the violent dispersal, including Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) Secretary General RG Tesa of UP Diliman and Nikki Gamara of UP Manila.
 

Meanwhile, the police arrested five protesters and detained them in the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters in UN Avenue.
 

“The Aquino administration has lost our generation's respect. We will maintain and replicate campouts nationwide. The police must release arrested protesters today, and answer for harm inflicted upon,” Conti added.●
 

Contact persons:
RG Tesa: 09358815619
Krissy Conti: 09165435216
 

At day 2 of Camp-outPH: Protesters met with police violence
By #strike lead (Albums)

CEGP secretary general Pher Pasion arrested with 5 others as protesters make their way to Mendiola.

STRIKE LEAD NEWS: 46 protesters were hurt when police violently dispersed the crowd near Bustillos Church, Mendiola. Others were still detained at Mendiola Police Headquarters.

STRIKE LEAD NEWS: Youth and worker protesters pushed through Mendiola. Numerous police brutality and human rights violation recorded.
 

The following persons are caught and/or violated by the police:
1. Jed Aquino (Sec Gen Karatula National)
2. Nathaniel Aguilar (PUP) - mouth injured
3. Rodel Valenzuela (PUP)
4. Karl Michael (PUP) - genitals injured
5. Willie Marbela (Anakpawis)
6. RG Tesa (Stand Up SecGen)
7. Lloyd Magsoy - missing
8. Robert Monte

Other casualties not yet recorded.

STRIKE LEAD NEWS: Student protesters occupy Quezon Boulevard, disrupt traffic.
 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

CEGP-ST condemns illegal arrest and brutal dispersal of camp out protesters
by Cegp Southern Tagalog
December 7, 2011 at 7:14pm

PRESS STATEMENT
December 7, 2011

Reference:
Estel Lenwij J. Estropia
CEGP-ST Chairperson
09154510646/09465739505

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines Southern Tagalog Chapter condemns in the strongest possible sense of the word the brutal dispersal and arrest of protesters during a standoff at Bustillos Street today.

We demand the immediate release of Rodel Valenzuela Jr., writer of the PUP Catalyst and member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines. We also call for the immediate release of Jed Aquino, Secretary General of Kabataang Artista para sa Tunay na Kalayaan, Nathaniel Aguilar and Karl Michael Nadunza of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and Willy Marbela of Anak Pawis.

Police brutality indeed marked the incident as the dispersal ended with such inhumane arrest and treatment of the protesters. Valenzuela is of minor age and should therefore not be involved in the arrest in any case. Aguilar and Nadunza, on the other hand, were severely injured during the dispersal. Aside from the arrested, there are still an indeterminate number of injured as of press time. These include the case of RG Tesa, Secretary General of Stand UP who was brought to the hospital due to severe injuries and Lloyd Magsoy who is still missing.

The Mendiola camp out was launched yesterday, December 6, as a unity movement to change a “social system that produces immense wealth for foreign interests and a few as the people, who toil all their lives, are increasingly pushed deeper into hunger, poverty and injustice”. Among the most prominent issues addressed in the camp out are the budget cuts for education and other social services and human rights violations.

Yesterday’s attempt to camp out at Mendiola was also blocked by 200 elements of the Manila Police District. After a three-hour standoff, the protesters were dispersed with water cannons.

We call on our member publications and challenge all human rights advocates to condemn the brutality showcased in the said dispersal and hold the Aquino administration accountable through statements and other condemnation activities. ###

Itinuturo sa atin ng Mendiola

(para sa Occupy Mendiola)
ni Pia Montalban

December 8, 2011

Itinuturo sa atin ng Mendiola:

Kung bakit nakaluhod dito
si Chino
May bitbit na krusipiho
inirerehistro sa langit
waring pananampalatayang
itinutundos
sa kabila ng diktadurang
nagmamalupit

Marcos noon
Aquino na ngayon

walang pinag-ibang
kinakanyon
ng tubig
mga mamamayang
marunong magliyab
ng pananampalataya
sa wasto't tama'y
pilit pinaluluhod
bitbit ang krusipiho
ng araw-araw na paghihikahos

pilit inaapula
liyab ng pakikibaka
gayong hindi sa tubig
nauuhaw ang masa

kundi sa hustisya,
karapatan
at tapat
na paglilingkod
nilang mga nagpapanggap
na bathala,

Itinuturo sa atin ng Mendiola
noon at ngayon
kung paanong matuto sa kasaysayan
ng kahapon--

lalo kung hanggang saan lamang
mga protesta sa lansangan
at kung paanong higit pa ding mainam
lumahok sa makatarungang digmaan
sa mga sonang nakalimutan
ng mga naghahari-harian.

Chino Roces hosed down in an anti-martial law rally

Naitanong Mo Na Rin Lang Ang Ano-Ba-Ang-Gusto-Ng-Mga-Raliyistang-Kontra-Noynoy-Na-Yan, Sana Nilubos Mo Na
ni Rustum Casia

Naitanong mo na rin lang ang ano-ba-ang-gusto-ng-mga-raliyistang-kontra-Noynoy-na-yan, sana nilubos mo na. Sana nakamusta mo ang agrarian reform sa Pilipinas, lalo na sa Hacienda Yulo, Hacienda Look at Hacienda Luisita. Sana naitanong mo kung ilang oras, araw, buwan at taon nag-intay si Pedring Laza sa pagdating ng maramot na hustisya para sa anak niyang naulanan ng bala. Naitanong mo rin sana kung bakit kaya sa sobrang ganda ng ating ekonomiya, allowance na tumangkad lang ng konti sa bente pesos ang kayang ibigay sa mga manggagawa.

Naitanong mo na din sana kung masarap ma-tortyur, kung cool maging political prisoner, kung ok lang na dukutin ang iyong tatay at makatanggap ng text na kung di ka titigil sa ginagawa mo bubutasin ng bala ang ulo mo at kung exciting na parang CSI kumilala ng beyond recognition na bangkay.

Naitanong mo na rin lang ang ano-ba-ang-gusto-ng-mga-raliyistang-kontra-Noynoy-na-yan, sana nilubos mo na, naitanong mo din kung paano na kung walang nagrarally, magkano ang babayaran mong kuryente, kung gaano na kataas ang diesel at pamasahe, kung magkano na ang tuition, ang toll fee, at ang basic commodity. Kung libre pa ang hangin, tubig dagat at tumingala sa langit.

Nang itanong mo kung ano-ba-ang-gusto-ng-mga-raliyistang-kontra-Noynoy-na-yan, sana naisip mo na baka kaya mo yun naitanong ay dahil madami kang di nalalaman sa mga current events ng ating bayan, na nasaang planeta ka ba. Sana naisip mo din na hindi lahat nababasa sa diyaryo (kung nagbabasa ka ng dyaryo), hindi lahat napapanood sa tv at di lahat naipopost sa fb.

Naitanong mo na rin lang ang ano-ba-ang-gusto-ng-mga-raliyistang-kontra-Noynoy-na-yan, sana nilubos mo na, tinanong mo na din sana kung ano ang ginagawa mo habang nagkaka-varicose vein na’t tubercolosis ang buong bayan kakabuntot sa paligoy-ligoy na presidenteng nagpresintang ipagmamaneho tayo papunta sa tuwid na daan.

UP President calls for immediate release of arrested students
Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Statement of University of the Philippines President Alfredo Pascual

(7 December 2011, 6:30 p.m.)

I view with deep concern the violent dispersal of the mass action undertaken by students, including those from the University of the Philippines, calling for an increase in government subsidy for higher education at Mendiola today (December 7).

Their protest action is a legitimate expression of civil and political rights guaranteed under the Constitution, and in accordance with the UP Charter (RA 9500) which instructs UP to foster a commitment to serve the Filipino nation and humanity, and in the pursuit of these principles, relate its activities to the needs of the Filipino people and their aspirations for social progress and transformation.
 

To prohibit such activities, and brand these as “seditious,” goes against the core principles of democracy, transparency and accountability which are central in President Aquino’s vision of Daang Matuwid and contrary to the call of the Aquino administration for active public participation in the governance of our country.

The students are calling for, among others, an increase in the subsidy of state universities and colleges (SUCs) like the University of the Philippines. This is a legitimate demand given the importance of education to our country’s future.

I ask the police and law and order authorities to immediately release the students who were arrested in the exercise of their Constitutional rights. The police should protect and uphold the rights of all citizens, including those who exercise their option to dissent.

I urge the authorities to open lines of dialogue and communication with the protesting students so that their issues and grievances can be heard and addressed in an open and transparent manner.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

RG Tesa, STAND-UP Secretary General was one of those injured in today's savage attacks on demonstrators by policemen to prevent the rallyists from holding the assembly in Mendiola.
 

THe savage attack of the police on our youth meant hitting them over and over on the head with truncheons. The wounds on RG's left hand, the hand which he used to protect his head from the blows, required six stitches!

Wednesday, December 7th, 2011 | Posted by Philippine Collegian
 

UP community condemns brutal dispersal of Occupy Mendiola protesters
 

Student leaders and administrators of the University of the Philippines denounced the brutal dispersal of over a thousand protesters, which ended with five arrested and three injured, in the second day of the weeklong camp-out protest in Manila.

Drawing inspiration from worldwide “Occupy” movements against corporate greed and social injustice, over a thousand students, workers and members of other sectors launched the camp-out by marching to Mendiola Bridge on December 6.
 

“What better place to hold the camp-out than historic Mendiola — witness to the unstoppable protests of the people through several regimes,” according to UP Kilos Na, a multisectoral alliance against budget cuts in the university. Mendiola, which is near one of the gates of Malacañang Palace, has been the site of various demonstrations since the Marcos dictatorship, including the 1987 Mendiola Massacre.
 

Police forces set up a barricade on Recto Avenue, preventing protesters from reaching Mendiola, and violently dispersed the rally. Protesters were forced to retreat, spending the first night of the camp-out at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo.
 

On the second day of the Occupy Mendiola movement, students, workers from Kilusang Mayo Uno, women and other sectors again marched to Mendiola, determined to set up camp in the historic bridge.
 

Upon reaching P. Noval Street, protesters again faced truncheon-wielding riot police. Moments later, the riot police started firing water cannons at the crowd.
 

Unfazed, the crowd managed to push the police barricade towards the corner of Legarda Avenue and Mendiola. However, the police began using truncheons to violently disperse the crowd.
At least three students were hurt from the violent dispersal, including Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) Secretary General RG Tesa of UP Diliman and Nikki Gamara of UP Manila.
 

Meanwhile, the police arrested five protesters and detained them in the Manila Police District (MPD) headquarters in UN Avenue. As of press time, the detained students are still in MPD.
“The brutal dispersal Of the youth-led protest in Manila only shows how grim our social and political futures will be if we do not stand up and fight for equality, justice and human rights,” UP Student Regent Ma. Kristina Conti said. She explained that the violent action of state forces is “ironic” as the world will be celebrating the Human Rights Day three days from now, on December 1o.
 

“The Aquino administration has lost our generation’s respect. We will maintain and replicate campouts nationwide. The police must release arrested protesters today, and answer for harm inflicted upon,” Conti added.
 

“I view with deep concern the violent dispersal of the mass action undertaken by students, including those from the University of the Philippines, calling for an increase in government subsidy for higher education at Mendiola today,” UP President Alfredo Pascual said in a statement.
Pascual explained that the protest action is a “legitimate expression of civil and political rights guaranteed under the Constitution.”
 

“To prohibit such activities, and brand these as “seditious,” goes against the core principles of democracy, transparency and accountability which are central in President Aquino’s vision of daang matuwid and contrary to the call of the Aquino administration for active public participation in the governance of our country,” he added.
 

The UP community, led by UP Kilos Na, will be staging an indignation rally and a press conference tomorrow to denounce the violent dispersals.●

x

For immediate release
News Release
December 6, 2011


Human rights group condemns violent dispersal
"The people have all the right to occupy Mendiola” - Karapatan


Karapatan condemned the violent dispersal of more than 1,500 protesters who marched towards Mendiola this afternoon.

Today is the first day of the Mendiola camp-out, mainly led by students from different colleges and universities, which will commence on December 10, International Human Rights.

However, at 5:30 PM, protesting students, teachers, health workers and government employees were blocked by elements of the PNP at Morayta corner Recto Avenue.

Accounts from the protesters said they were water cannoned by the police and some were also hit by nightsticks.

As of this writing, the protesters will proceed to Plaza Miranda to continue with their assembly tonight. They are still deciding whether to push through with marching to Mendiola tomorrow.

Karapatan was likewise barred from setting foot at Mendiola this morning, in another rally organized with urban poor organizations to condemn the continuous threats of demolition, price hikes and lack of basic social services.

Parading pushcarts or the Filipino kariton, they marched through the interior streets of Sampaloc and held a program near Bustillos church, where they were blocked by the police and were not allowed to proceed to Mendiola.

“The people have all the right to Mendiola. These are legitimate protests against violations to our right for jobs, education and livelihood. We have all the right to protest if the government is not doing any good for the people,” said Loi Villarias, Karapatan-NCR spokesperson.

The human rights group lambasted Pres. Noynoy Aquino for turning a deaf ear on the people’s plight for change.

“More than a year in office, PNoy and his spin doctors have done thing but to keep him out of controversies and issues, to protect his image. But the people know better. The price hikes, demolitions in the communities, budget cuts to social services, killings and human rights violations, all these are proof that there is no change under PNoy,” said Villarias.

Karapatan asked whether Aquino is following the footsteps of his predecessor Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It can be remembered that Arroyo has issued an executive order prohibiting rallies near Mendiola at the height of controversies under her presidency.

Karapatan also said that this dispersal shall add up to the already growing human rights violations under PNOy.

The group has documented 64 cases of extrajudicial killings, nine enforced disappearances and thousands of victims of forced evacuation and militarization in communities who are protesting against anti-people policies like mining and land grabbing.

“These numbers does not yet include dispersal of peaceful assemblies such as what the police did this afternoon,” Villarias said.

The "Occupy Mendiola" camp-out is inspired by the Occupy Wall Street's protests in the US since last month, which has grown enormously as a movement against the world financial crisis. ###


Reference:
Loi Villarias, Karapatan-NCR spokersperson, 0905-3276119
Cristina Guevarra, Human Rights Week 2011 media liaison officer, 0949-1772928
 

x

This release was supposed to be sent before the police's violent dispersal of the protesters this afternoon.

Media Release
07 December 2011

Workers, urban poor join camp-out protest vs. hunger and poverty

Hundreds of workers and urban poor led by labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno joined other sectors today in holding a camp-out protest against cuts in state subsidy for social services and intensifying hunger and poverty, saying the Aquino government has not brought about real change in the economy.

They merged with a contingent – composed of students, youth, teachers, health workers and government employees protesting cuts in the budget for social services – which tried to hold a campout protest in Mendiola yesterday but was blocked and attacked with water cannons and truncheons by policemen.

“Workers and urban poor are fed up with the intensifying hunger and poverty in the country. We have every right to hold a camp-out protest to voice our disgust at the way things are going in the economy,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“This year alone has witnessed the Aquino government implement policies that worsen hunger and poverty. Pres. Aquino has not brought about real change in the economic situation of the majority of our country, of this country’s 99%,” he added.

KMU said the “Kampuhan Kontra Kaltas, Krisis at Kahirapan” aims to showcase demands by workers and poor people for a significant wage hike, an end to contractualization, price controls especially on oil, an end to demolition of urban poor communities, and the immediate, unconditional and free distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands to farmers.

Foreign debt

In line with “Occupy” protests in the US condemning the 1% of the American population composed of bankers, the labor center also said it is calling for the repudiation of the country’s odious foreign debts.

“The country’s immense foreign debt has been used to fund the implementation of anti-people, anti-poor policies dictated by the world’s wealthiest and most powerful elites. It is high time that we repudiate those debts that did not directly benefit the workers and people,” Labog said.

“Workers and poor people are deprived of social services because a huge part of the national budget goes to paying the foreign debt. We have a law, the Automatic Appropriations Act, which ensures the profit of the world’s biggest banks from the work done by workers and poor people,” he added.

“We are calling for the repudiation of debts that did not benefit the workers and people. We are also calling for the junking of the Automatic Appropriations Act and the rechanneling of payments for foreign debt to social services such as education, health, housing and agricultural support,” Labog said.

Reference: Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597

Press Statement
06 Disyembre 2011

Mariing Pagkondena sa Pandarahas sa mga Nagpoprotesta sa Campout Mendiola

Mariing kinokondena ng Kilusang Mayo Uno ang pandarahas, tampok ang paggamit ng water cannon at batuta, na ginawa ng rehimeng Aquino sa mga nagpoprotesta ng nagmamartsa ngayon patungong Mendiola para itayo ang "Kampuhan Kontra Kaltas,  Krisis at Kahirapan."

Lantarang pagsikil ang ginawa ng rehimeng Aquino sa karapatang magpahayag at magprotesta ng mga nagpoprotesta na ang kalakhan ngayong araw ay mga kabataan at estudyanteng kumokondena sa pagkaltas sa subsidyo sa edukasyon, kalusugan at iba  pang serbisyong panlipunan at pagpapalobo sa pambayad sa utang panlabas ng bansa.

Tinatawagan namin ang iba't ibang sektor ng lipunan -- tampok ang mga mambabatas at taong-Simbahan -- na kondenahin ang malupit na pandarahas na ginawa ng rehimeng Aquino sa mga nagpoprotesta. Sa pag-igting ng krisis, tiyak na naghahanda ang  rehimeng Aquino ng mas matinding panunupil. Tinatawagan ang lahat na magsalita at kondenahin ito ngayon pa lang.

Malinaw ang layunin ng rehimeng Aquino: sa maksimum, ang pigilan ang pagtitirik ng kampuhan. Sa minimum, ang takutin ang malawak na hanay ng mga mamamayan na sawang-sawa na sa kahirapan at kagutuman at nagbabantang sumama sa  makasaysayang kampuhan.

Hindi magtatagumpay ang rehimeng Aquino. Tulad ng pasista, pahirap at pa-poging rehimen ni Barack Obama sa US na nabigo sa pagsupil sa protestang Occupy sa US, hindi magtatagumpay ang rehimeng Aquino sa pagpigil sa protesta ng mga manggagawa  at mamamayang sawang-sawa na sa tumitinding kahirapan at kagutuman. Sasambulat at sasambulat ang protesta at galit ng mga
manggagawa at mamamayan sa gobyernong Aquino na husto lang sa satsat pero katulad ng mga naunang rehimen sa pagiging pahirap.

Bukas, mas maraming manggagawa, maralita at mamamayan ang pupunta sa kampuhan sa Mendiola. Igigiit namin ang aming karapatang magpahayag. Igigiit namin ang karapatan naming kondenahin ang papalalang kahirapan at kagutuman na nagpapahirap  at pumapatay sa amin.

Tinatawagan namin ang lahat ng manggagawa, maralita at mamamayan, gayundin ang lahat ng maka-maralita sa ating lipunan:  Dumalo at dumagsa tayo sa Mendiola! Ipakita nating sawang-sawa na tayo sa kahirapan at kagutuman sa ating bansa -- gayundin  sa pahirap at pasistang mga rehimeng katulad ng rehimeng Aquino! Ipakita nating ipaglalaban natin ang radikal at tunay na  pagbabago na para sa interes ng sambayanang Pilipino, harangan man tayo ng pandarahas ng mga tauhan ng Estado!

Reference: Elmer "Bong" Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597

Media Release
05 December 2011

People’s protests vs. poverty needed – KMU

Hailing the statements of Cagayan de Oro Archbishop Antonio Ledesma and former Comelec chair Christian Monsod detailing the intensifying poverty in the country, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno called on workers and the people today to join protests  to condemn poverty and push for pro-poor reforms.

Ledesma and Monsod described the growing poverty and hunger, bankrupt elite leadership and anti-people policies in the country in a recent summit on “poverty, inequality and social reform.”

“As the statements of Archbishop Ledesma and Mr. Monsod show, the growing hunger and poverty in the country cannot be  covered up anymore by the pa-pogi rhetorics of the Aquino government,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“We are calling on workers and people to affirm the growing poverty and hunger by joining street protests, because mere facts won’t do. Let us push for pro-poor measures as an immediate relief from the rapidly worsening economic condition in the  country,” he added.

“The Conditional Cash Transfer program of this government is big on promises and rhetorics but fails to solve poverty and hunger. It is a mere band-aid solution to the cancer that is the chronic poverty in the country,” he said.

Kampuhan in Mendiola

The labor center called on workers and the poor to join the “Kampuhan Kontra Kaltas, Krisis at Kahirapan” which will be held  from Dec. 6 at Mendiola. It said workers and poor people will pour in on the campout at Dec. 7.

“The Mendiola camp-out will be a venue for everyone who are fed up with the growing poverty and hunger in the country to make their voices heard. The poor and hungry should not suffer in silence but break out in protests,” Labog said.

“It will also be a platform for the poor and pro-poor to clarify their demands on the government and their demand for radical social change. We should back up our just demands with bigger protests,” he added.

KMU said that the campout will air the following demands: a significant wage hike, the junking of contractualization, an end to cutbacks on social security, government control over the prices of basic goods and services especially oil, an end to demolitions of urban poor communities, and the immediate, unconditional and free distribution of Hacienda Luisita lands and other hacienda
lands to farmers.

It said it will also call for the repudiation of the country’s odious foreign debts, debts which did not benefit the people and were  pocketed by officials in the government.

“We will condemn the huge and increasing section of the national budget that is going to payments for the country’s foreign debt

We are being denied of social services in order to pay for these debts which we did not benefit from in the first place,” Labog  said.

“Worse, these debts have been instrumental in pushing for anti-poor policies in the country,” he added.

Reference: Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597

News Release
08 November 2011

Anakpawis condemns Aquino’s Marcos-GMAlike “dictatorship”

“There’s no democracy under Aquino, what we have is a dictatorship of a few ruling elites”

This was the statement of Anakpawis Partylist as they condemned the brutality of the Aquino administration as showed in yesterday’s violent dispersal of a peaceful protest led by workers and youth groups.

According to Cherry Clemente, Secretary General of Anakpawis and one of the victims of police violence yesterday, “Aquino could no longer deny the fact that he is no different from fascist dictators like Marcos and Arroyo. No democratic government would deploy 4 truckloads of police and 5 fire trucks in Mendiola only to violently attack a peaceful and legitimate people’s protest”.

“The Filipino people are protesting against widespread poverty and hunger that this government has failed to address. But just like a true-blooded dictator, his government answered the people’s demands with brutality and extreme violence” Clemente added.

Mendiola “no rally zone”?

Anakpawis questioned the intention of the Aquino administration in banning protest actions in the historic Mendiola Bridge saying the present administration is following the steps of dictators like Marcos and Arroyo in curtailing people’s right to peaceful assembly and expression.

“Why are rallies suddenly banned in Mendiola? Why now when Aquino claims to be so popular in recent surveys? Marcos banned rallies in Mendiola because of the widespread unrest against his dictatorship. Arroyo implemented the Calibrated Preemptive Response (CPR) because of fear of massive protests against poll cheating and tyranny. If Aquino is so popular among the people, what should he be afraid of?” Clemente said.

“Aquino is afraid that this planned campout in Mendiola would expose the truth that the Filipino people are already fed up with his administration’s anti-people policies such as the PPP, widespread demolitions, low wages, non distribution of Luisita lands, and now the cuts in budget for social services like health and education. They fear the people’s disgust against this administration that is why they are now resorting to such violent and brutal acts”

Clemente also slammed the Philippine National Police’s justification that such protests were seditious and should therefore be dispersed. Almost 50 were hurt while 5 students and workers were arrested during the dispersal.

“Since when was protesting against poverty and hunger became seditious? People’s protests such as this is an essential part of a democracy and it is even a right guaranteed by our constitution,” said Clemente.

“By showing complete disregard of the laws they are supposed to be implementing, the PNP proves that they are nothing but running dogs of a few ruling elites who wants to impose their dictatorship over the people. The PNP’s glory days of animalistic violence during the Marcos’ and Arroyo’s time are being relived today under Aquino’s dictatorship.” she added.

The campout will push through

They also vowed to push through in camping out in Mendiola saying it is their right to freedom of assembly and of speech and no dictator could stop them from exercising their rights.

“We will push through with the campout. The masses of workers and peasants are so fed up with this government and this system that no dictator, no fascist attack can stop them from fighting for genuine change.” Said Clemente.

“Truncheons and water cannons cannot cow us. We have prevailed over two dictators during the past and we will prevail over the present dictatorship. We are the Filipino people, we will fight and we will win!” she added.

Anakpawis Partylist meanwhile said they would file charges against police and government officials who are responsible for the consecutive bloody dispersals.

“We could not allow these animals to get away with what they have done to us. We will definitely file administrative and criminal charges against them. The PNP and the Aquino administration should be held liable for this brutal and violent attack against our rights” Clemente ended. ##

Reference: Cherry Clemente, Anakpawis Secretary-General, 0919-291-0233

x

Media Release
07 December 2011

KMU slams violence on campout protest’s 2nd day

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned what it called the government’s “overkill” in using force against protestors joining the second day of the Mendiola Campout protest, saying the incident shows
intensifying repression under Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Scores of workers, urban poor and students were hurt when policemen used truncheons and water cannons against more than 500 protestors who marched to, and almost reached, Mendiola this afternoon to assert the holding of the “Kampuhan Kontra Kaltas, Kahirapan at Krisis” in the historic bridge.

A number of protestors, unidentified as of this writing, were arrested and brought to the Western Police District.

The protest, which is a response to the Occupy protests in the US, was organized to condemn the growing hunger and poverty in the country.

“We condemn the Aquino government’s repression of our right to hold protests even as it fails to solve the growing hunger and poverty in the country. The president, a beneficiary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre for which he has not sought justice, is showing a glimpse of the iron hand hidden under his velvet glove,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.

“Pres. Aquino has not only refused to heed our calls for pro-poor reforms that will alleviate the hunger and poverty besetting workers and the poor. It is now repressing our right to assert our legitimate demands – and during Human Rights Week at that,” he added. In joining the protest, KMU is calling for a significant wage hike, an end to contractualization of workforces and demolition of urban poor communities, the imposition of controls on the prices of basic goods especially oil, and the distribution of Luisita lands to farmers.

In line with the Occupy protests in the US – which condemn the richest and most powerful 1% of the US population composed of bankers – KMU is also calling for the repudiation of the country’s odious foreign
debts.

“Pres. Aquino is revealing himself to be the henchmen of the wealthiest and most powerful section of our population, they whose incomes are increasing even as hunger and poverty in the country is worsening. We have no doubt that the violence visited upon today’s protestors emanates from an order of Pres. Aquino,” Labog said.

“We are calling on all sectors of society, especially the country’s legislators and religious leaders, to condemn the Aquino government’s violence against participants in the Mendiola Campout protest. The
repression of protestors for two days now is a bad precedent which we should all condemn,” he added.

Reference: Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson, 0908-1636597

www.gmanetwork.com