Arrest of Quezon activists linked to Balikatan--CPP
March 4, 2005

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today deplored the arrest last Tuesday of four women activists in Sampaloc, Quezon saying this is linked to the ongoing US-RP joint military exercises currently being undertaken in that province as well as parts of Laguna and Rizal.

"Human rights violations by the military and police always escalate in areas where joint military exercises are conducted by the US and Philippine armed forces," said CPP spokesman Gregorio "Ka Roger" Rosal.

The Philippine Army arrested Ella Manalo, Aileen Ramos, Mira Gamba and Nancy Elle, members of the women's activist group Gabriela. Military officials accused them of being members of the New People's Army.

Denying that the arrested women were NPA guerrillas, Rosal condemned the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) for fabricating charges and planting evidence against them.

"Apparently, the AFP wants to impress the US military by arresting activists and portraying them as NPA fighters," Rosal said.

Rosal reiterated the CPP's call to end the Balikatan joint military exercises, calling them a violation of Philippine national sovereignty.

Reference:
Anne Buenaventura
Media Officer
Cellphone Number: +63910-240-3553

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Arrest of Quezon activists linked to Balikatan--CPP March 4, 2005

Arrest of Quezon activists linked to Balikatan--CPP
March 4, 2005