“Malacanang, AFP to take measures harsher than PP1017 following Esperon’s tagging vs. legal groups” -- KMU

Labor group prepares for possible Martial Law scenario

On the anniversary of the Proclamation 1017, labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said they are not discounting the possibility that the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) will proceed to take harsher measures against civilians and progressive groups especially after Gen. Hermogenes Esperon’s open vilification campaign against legal groups.

“With the way the AFP and Malacanang countered the findings of United Nations Rapporteur Philip Alston on the human rights situation in the country, it is evident that the government is not keen on stopping the spate of attacks against unarmed civilians and organizations which they suspect as supporters of the CPP-NPA-NDF and unjustly label as ‘communist fronts,” said KMU Secretary General and Anakpawis Party List nominee Joel Maglunsod.

Among the possible scenarios cited by KMU includes raiding of legal offices of progressive organizations, planting of evidences including subversive documents and firearms and arrests of leaders and members of the groups maliciously referred by the AFP Chief. “AFP is arrogantly standing by their militarization campaign that primarily targets unarmed civilians. The killings and harassments continue, much worse, the AFP refuses to arrest Gen. Jovito Palparan and all those who are involved in the killings.”

“It’s been a year since PP1017 was declared and supposedly lifted, but the blanket authority it provided to Malacanang and the AFP was even reinforced. Cong. Crispin Beltran’s continued illegal detention is a concrete proof of the government’s excessive abuse of power. The approval of the Anti-Terror Act worsens the situation.”

The labor group said they will hold protests on February 26 outside the Philippine Heart Center to demand the release of Rep. Beltran who is the first victim of Arroyo’s PP1017.

Allow Ka Bel to campaign

Maglunsod said Anakpawis Party List is petitioning for Ka Bel to be allowed to campaign as the first nominee of Anakpawis. “Workers are demanding that Ka Bel and I campaign side by side to various factories, industrial enclaves and and urban poor communities nationwide. His rights as a legitimate candidate must be recognized by the PNP and the COMELEC,” Maglunsod concluded.