Tuesday, June 29, 2004
A Message of Hope for the Iraqi People from Internationals in the Philippines
The Philippine International Forum, a network of internationals living and working in the Philippines for peace and justice, joined today's Prayer and Candle Lighting for Genuine Peace and Sovereignty in Iraq with a powerful statement by Becca and Jessica.
The statement debunks the Bush administration's claims that it has handed-over 'full sovereignty' to the Iraqi people and observes that the Iraqi people are now subjected to an oxymoronic 'handover of sovereignty' to an interim government handpicked by the United States, an interim government intended to carry-out the US agenda under a neo-colonial framework of pseudo-sovereignty.
For us internationals who play both an observer and participatory role in our work in the Philippines, the US conquest and occupation of Iraq is glaringly similar in many ways to the US conquest and occupation of the Philippines more than a century ago. Just as the soon-to-be proclaimed leadership in Iraq will remain under the management of the United States, the leadership of the Philippines has lent unrelenting support to the US War on Terrorism and served US military and economic for decades. After more than a hundred years of the US-Philippine friendship, the Filipino people still long for genuine peace, still long for genuine democracy, and are still struggling for genuine sovereignty.
The statement debunks the Bush administration's claims that it has handed-over 'full sovereignty' to the Iraqi people and observes that the Iraqi people are now subjected to an oxymoronic 'handover of sovereignty' to an interim government handpicked by the United States, an interim government intended to carry-out the US agenda under a neo-colonial framework of pseudo-sovereignty.
For us internationals who play both an observer and participatory role in our work in the Philippines, the US conquest and occupation of Iraq is glaringly similar in many ways to the US conquest and occupation of the Philippines more than a century ago. Just as the soon-to-be proclaimed leadership in Iraq will remain under the management of the United States, the leadership of the Philippines has lent unrelenting support to the US War on Terrorism and served US military and economic for decades. After more than a hundred years of the US-Philippine friendship, the Filipino people still long for genuine peace, still long for genuine democracy, and are still struggling for genuine sovereignty.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Arroyo victory?
So, Philippine Congress counted more votes for Gloria Arroyo than for her rival Fernando Poe Jr in the May 10 national elections. It's hardly surprising after all the irregularities and controversies. She will be proclaimed president soon but the doubts are here to stay and will erode her legitimacy. At least one group will continue the search for the duly elected president of the Philippines.
Congratulations to Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Gabriela Party-list, Anak ng Bayan, Suara Bangsamoro and Migrante!
Winning Philippine party-list groups Bayan Muna, Anakpawis and Gabriela Women's Party finally celebrated their victory last Saturday, June 19. They were joined by the 3 other progressive party-lists that joined the elections: Anak ng Bayan, Suara Bangsamoro and Migrante Party-list. They were not able to win seats in Congress but still, their first participation in the national elections showed they command significant support among the people. The Philippines Solidarity Groups in Belgium sent them a message to congratulate them all. You can read it here.
Saturday, June 05, 2004
“Why are they doing this to us?”
Much has been written about the abuse of prisoners in occupied Iraq. Sure, the pictures were appalling but they couldn't capture the victims' pain and humiliation. Nothing beats plain and simple words to describe emotions.
One of the most compelling stories I've read lately is a short blog entry about some of the victims of torture by the US forces. It is written by Dahr Jamail, one of the few truly independent foreign journalists in Iraq. Check it out but be sure you're prepared for a peek in the depths of hell.
One of the most compelling stories I've read lately is a short blog entry about some of the victims of torture by the US forces. It is written by Dahr Jamail, one of the few truly independent foreign journalists in Iraq. Check it out but be sure you're prepared for a peek in the depths of hell.
