There is no stopping the Filipino peoples' rage By Pitch Mangondato

There is no stopping the Filipino peoples' rage

By Pitch Mangondato

Al-Jazeerah, May 28, 2006

If militants and journalists are afraid that they would next be added to the 603 victims of extra-judicial killings, which has a 99% probability of increasing in every two or three days as the pattern indicates, the Arroyo government is obviously more afraid, or to be more apt, paranoid.

With not a few attempts at dismantling her presidency, along with the military’s unsolved problem of demoralization, and with the growing mass unrest and opposition abetted by the worsening economic and political crisis, the Arroyo government has concocted all means and crooks possible, used its finances and power --- CPR, EO 464, PP1017, and appallingly, the political persecution and killings of leaders and members of legal mass and church organizations --- just to ensure its hold to power.

The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said it all. Under human rights terms, the Philippine government is responsible for the rampant human rights abuses against militants, labor unions, and journalists. The Amnesty International has also raised an alarm. Earlier on, international based groups such as Reporters Without Borders, International Federation of Journalists, and even the United Nations Special Rapporteur in its visit to check on the human rights situation of the indigenous peoples as early as 2002, have intoned fears and worries about the grave human rights violations in the country. The church as well has actively called on the stop of the massive killings and the repressive and militarist policies.

The tide of public opinion against the Arroyo government has flooded and vigilant sentiments that refuse to be dampened have grown more than ever. Patriotic and nationalist spirits that have been lent to apathy in the longest time are now awaking within every Filipino’s muscle and nerve.

There is no stopping the peoples’ rage. Now a significant majority is breathing life into the old adage, “Ang sundalo, kapag nasusugatan ay lalong tumatapang” (A soldier when hurt, becomes even more courageous).

The Filipino people, an army so strong and powerful that it has ousted two despots, that it has driven away colonial powers in its valiant history, are rising to reclaim the rights stolen from them. And THEY who are caught red-handed of having transgressed democracy and freedom must be very afraid.

Pitch Mangondato

Union of Muslims for Morality & Truth (UMMAT) 530 3rd Fl. Ortiz Bldg, Quezon Avenue, Q.C.

ummat_phils@yahoo.com

Earth, a planet hungry for peace

Apartheid Wall


The Israeli Land-Grab Apartheid Wall built inside the Palestinian territories, here separating Abu Dis from occupied East Jerusalem. (IPC, 7/4/04).

The Israeli apartheid (security) wall around Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, like a Python. (Alquds,10/25/03).

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