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News Release
16 January 2012

Progressive and militant youth groups leads NYW grand salvo

Kabacan Cotabato- Despite the heavy rain, progressive and militant youth group here had once again revived the patriotic ambiance in the streets to apprehend the vital role of the youth in transforming the existing semi-feudal and semi-colonial society.

With ANAKBAYAN, League of Filipino Students, Liga ng Kabataang Moro (League of Moro Youth), Gabriela Youth, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines and Kabataan partylist, the National Youth Week grand salvo was successfully launched with a bang dubbed as; “Youth Unite; Heed the call of our time, Struggle for genuine democracy and freedom”.

The group highlighted the campaigns on the issues on Education, Genuine Land reforms, Wage Increase for workers, Freedom for all Political Detainees, Women’s Rights and Welfare, Right to Self-determination of Bangsamoro and other issues currently besieging the country were the spotlights in the NYW opening salvo.

Planking along the highway of USM Avenue was also accomplished to register their dissent against the present socio-political repression in the country. Prior to the barrage, a series of educational discussions, film viewing and room-to-room discussions were also conducted to let the students understand the current system that is governing our society and to mobilize them to fight for their rights.

Darwin Rey Morante of ANAKBAYAN clearly emphasized that the youth should be on their feet to fight for the rights of the people for they are recognize to advance the century-old struggle of the masses.

According to the Gabriela Youth chairperson, Leah Joy Pasion, Women’s rights should be respected, thus, the norms entangling the society that defy their rights should be destroyed and equality must arise above all.

Abdulrahman Malabana, LKM acting chairperson calls the government to show-up sincerity to release all Moro political detainees as a sign of respecting their right to self determination and stop terrorist-tagging to Bangsamoro.

Sir Stephen Maverick Cruda of League of Filipino Students also stress that the continuing repression to students are mere reflection of a puppet regime, remembering the brutal killing of a student journalist Beng Hernandez narrates how a fascist rule pulls the trigger to end legitimate struggle of students for their interest.

These organizations are expected to convene at Cotabato City on the 26th of January together with other allied organizations from North Cotabato and Maguindanao for a youth march as they heed the call and take the history of nationalism of the youth and to amplify their historical mandate.###