The umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan today scoffed at reports being circulated by Department of Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales regarding a supposed “destabilization plot” that will happen in the coming days in the run up to the anniversary of EDSA 2 and the Mendiola Massacre. The warnings came in the aftermath of a DOJ memorandum to journalists regarding the coverage of incidents similar to the Peninsula take over of Sen. Antonio Trillanes last November 29.
“The destabilization threat is pure baloney. It is only meant to justify the patently unconstitutional media memorandum of the DOJ which restricts coverage and the right of the people to information. The government is so desperate it is trying to whip up destabilization scenarios so that it could justify more repression,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
Bayan today announced that what will happen in the coming days are commemorative activities which various groups hold annually, A gathering of various anti-Arroyo groups is set on January 18, to mark seven years of the Arroyo presidency.
Arroyo took power on January 20, 2001 in a “people power” uprising that ousted former president Joseph Estrada.
“This year marks seven years of the Arroyo government. She is now the longest serving Philippine president since Marcos. Those seven years were marked with corruption, extrajudicial killings and repression, abuse of power by the government and economic hardships for the people,” Reyes said.
“There's definitely nothing wrong with marking seven years of a rotten regime. It's once again time for the people to remember what this government owes us,” Reyes added.
Bayan also said that it was ridiculous for the Arroyo administration to be afraid of commemorating EDSA 2 since it was the main beneficiary of the people power uprising in 2001. “Seven years ago the Arroyo officials were beside themselves with glee because of Edsa 2. Now they are terrified of the mere mention of its commemoration,” Reyes added.
On January 22, Bayan said that farmers led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas will observe the 21st anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre.
“It will be a protest to demand justice for the victims as well as to continue the fight for genuine agrarian reform. There is no destabilization in that. If this government is afraid of land reform and calls it destabilization then it is really paranoid,” Reyes added.
“The destabilization threat is pure baloney. It is only meant to justify the patently unconstitutional media memorandum of the DOJ which restricts coverage and the right of the people to information. The government is so desperate it is trying to whip up destabilization scenarios so that it could justify more repression,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr.
Bayan today announced that what will happen in the coming days are commemorative activities which various groups hold annually, A gathering of various anti-Arroyo groups is set on January 18, to mark seven years of the Arroyo presidency.
Arroyo took power on January 20, 2001 in a “people power” uprising that ousted former president Joseph Estrada.
“This year marks seven years of the Arroyo government. She is now the longest serving Philippine president since Marcos. Those seven years were marked with corruption, extrajudicial killings and repression, abuse of power by the government and economic hardships for the people,” Reyes said.
“There's definitely nothing wrong with marking seven years of a rotten regime. It's once again time for the people to remember what this government owes us,” Reyes added.
Bayan also said that it was ridiculous for the Arroyo administration to be afraid of commemorating EDSA 2 since it was the main beneficiary of the people power uprising in 2001. “Seven years ago the Arroyo officials were beside themselves with glee because of Edsa 2. Now they are terrified of the mere mention of its commemoration,” Reyes added.
On January 22, Bayan said that farmers led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas will observe the 21st anniversary of the Mendiola Massacre.
“It will be a protest to demand justice for the victims as well as to continue the fight for genuine agrarian reform. There is no destabilization in that. If this government is afraid of land reform and calls it destabilization then it is really paranoid,” Reyes added.
