Petition Letter to the President

H.E.Gloria Macapagal Arroyo

President

Republic of the Philippines

As a labor union that is concerned in welfare of the workers/toiling mass, improvement of human rights, peace and justice, we keep our eyes on development of human rights situation, in particular, extra-judicial killings, forced disappearance, harassment, and intimidation prevailing in the Philippines.

Even after you promised to the whole world that you never condone the killings and human rights abuse, the extra-judicial killings have never been stopped.

To take up a typical example, Jonas Burgos, an agriculturist-activist who teaches organic farming in Central Luzon, was abducted on April 28in side a shopping mall. All evidences point to the military hands in the abduction, such as military vehicle and license plate belonging to the military. However, the military continue to deny their involvement. Later, three people suddenly surfaced who claimed that Burgos was a member of the New People’s Army and former comrades seized him as part of the purge.

We understand that this is a stereo-typed way of the military’s work which has encouraged extra-judicial killings and impunity in Philippine society.

In addition, we express grave concern about implementation of your Human Security Act (HSA). So far as we understand, the HAS is directly against the principles of democracy, Philippine Constitution, and International Conventions, as it virtually erases all provisions on civil liberties, human rights, and the judiciary system. We are afraid that political repression and the climate of impunity will be intensified with the implementation.

We reiterate your government will respect the role of labor unions and rights of workers, which is indispensable part of democratic society. The history demonstrates that we workers help each other across the borders to assert our rights to unite and to live.

On the historic day of September 21, the 35th anniversary of the declaration of the Martial Law by Marcos dictatorship, we demand the President, the Commander in Chief of the AFP, to exterminate the political persecution and repression and give justice to many victims. Together with workers of the world over, we urge you to respect the democratic rights of Filipino people and repeal Human Security Act. We are part of the international community carefully monitor the development.

Faithfully yours,

Keishi Tanaka

Chairperson

Allied Labor Unions of Independence (ALUI)-Japan

September 21, 2007