Crackdown against activists will only highlight Arroyo's grave violation of human rights

Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said they have laid plans on how to counter the ongoing government-initiated crackdown against progressive party lists and supporters. "After the release of the arrest order against Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo and 59 other individuals, we felt heightened surveillance on our national office located at Project 3, Quezon City. It's like the government 'open season' vs. progressives and government critics," said Lito Ustarez, KMU's Executive Vice President and Anakpawis Partylist Vice President for Luzon.

"We will not be surprised if we discover that the KMU National office is under surveillance 24/7. Yesterday at around 11am, a suspicious looking man boarding a white Tamaraw FX parked right outside our office and took pictures of our office building facade and entrance. We also noticed several strangers roaming outside our office and standing at nearby stores and jeepney terminals. We are not new to these kinds of harassment initiated by government agents. We are ready and alert all the time. In fact, we already outlined counter monitoring plans."

He said that court messengers also attempted to deliver summon papers for KMU Vice President for External Affairs Rafael Baylosis, also an officer of Anakpawis Partylist. Baylosis is included in the list of persons slapped with multiple murder charges along with Ocampo. The labor leader said they will also protect Baylosis and all KMU officials from any illegal arrests and actions coming from the government. "Ka Bel is still in detention after his treacherous and illegal arrest orchestrated by the Arroyo government last year. We will not allow the arrest and harming of any of our leaders," said Ustarez.

Ustarez said that aside from acts of persecution against high-profile Anakpawis Partylist leaders, even organizers and members in local level experience harassment and intimidation. An Anakpawis organizer from Taguig who was only identified as Dolfo was chased by alleged ISAFP agents near C-9 in Taguig last Thursday morning.

Peace missions in militarized communities

"Even KADAMAY members and leaders in urban poor communities in Commonwealth and Payatas in Quezon City are being harassed by armed military under the guise of civil military operations. In Dona Nicasia Subdivision in Commonwealth, KADAMAY members are being monitored. "Active KADAMAY members are threatened by the military to stop joining rallies organized by KMU and Anakpawis."

KMU, KADAMAY and human rights advocates will organize peace missions and fact-finding activities in militarized areas in Metro Manila in the coming days to assert the eviction of military elements and detachments in urban poor communities with Anakpawis Chapters. "We will seek the assistance of Quezon City Mayor Sonny Belmonte on this matter. Local governments must act to stop the growing presence and 'terror' activities of the military in residential areas," Ustarez concluded.