The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that they will underscore their opposition to Arroyo’s Marcosian ways in the upcoming nationwide people’s protests coinciding with Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SoNA).

“Arroyo’s blatant militarist ways would only incite more protests against her arrogant and repressive government. It would not stop the massive anti-Gloria protests during her State of the Nation Address on July 24. The 14,000 police force to be deployed for the SoNA protests will not stop the surge of people towards Batasang Pambansa and nearby areas.”

KMU, a member organization of BAYAN and a staunch critic of the Arroyo administration, said that Arroyo deliberately refuses to look at the reasons on why more and more people are becoming disgusted with her leadership. “Instead of confronting legitimate issues raised by the people against her presidency, she easily labels her critics and opponents as ‘communists’ and ‘destabilizers’. Her reactionary mind-set is totally offending,” said KMU Chairperson Elmer Labog.

The labor leader also questioned Arroyo’s motives on her excessively snooty and conceited attitude towards her critics. “We could not see any moral values in Arroyo’s way of thinking. Instead of modestly finding ways of resolving the people’s problems and grievances, she easily begrudges her critics.” Her BEAT THE ODDS program as well as the 1 million employment target cannot resolve the deepening economic crisis that extends even to employment, job generation and over-all welfare of Filipinos. DoLE data shows that more than 158 workers from the private sector lose their jobs everyday.”

Arroyo’s outlook, according to Labog only proves that the Chief Executive has no intention of altering her oppressive and anti-people policies and gives way to the dictates of the military, elite and foreign oppressors. “With this, we have all the more reasons to protest against Arroyo. As of this writing, 392 workers and labor advocates were victimized by various forms of political and trade union related repression.”

Labog recalled that Arroyo’s administration orchestrated the illegal arrest and detention of KMU Chairman Emeritus and Anakpawis Representative Crispin Beltran. We will find ways to free Ka Bel. He will be with us protesting against Arroyo’s SoNA next Monday.”

The KMU leader also stressed that Arroyo’s flaunting dictatorial leadership style is highly ominous and alarming. “She is actually leading the military and police forces and death squads in undertaking various forms of attacks against leaders and members of BAYAN, KMU, Bayan Muna and other militant groups who are vocal critics of Arroyo’s government.”

“We see Arroyo’s declaration of an all-out war against the progressive forces a sign of extreme desperation on the part of the fake president. This is all for the show, Arroyo is projecting a macho stance to cover up the vulnerability of her political hold on the bureaucracy. She is failing in all aspects of leadership – economy, politics, peace and order, among others. How will she succeed in crushing the people’s movement in just two years with the PhP1B funding?,” Labog further added.