PRESS RELEASE
Information Bureau
Communist Party of the Philippines

CPP condemns Arroyo special treatment for Estrada
December 27, 2004

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) today issued the following statement condemning the Arroyo government for giving former Philippine president Joseph Estrada "special treatment":

The Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) joins the Filipino people in condemning the Arroyo government for allowing ousted president Joseph Estrada to travel abroad ostensibly for medical treatment, even as Philippine doctors have long averred that the type of treatment Estrada needs is readily available in the country.

Not only does this smack of special treatment. There is obviously a political deal behind the grant of permission to Estrada to travel to Hongkong--a political deal done in stealth, as is the mark of thieves. Forging such a deal is part of Malacanang's political manuevers to divide the anti-Arroyo political opposition. The CPP will hold the Arroyo government responsible should Estrada fail to return to face trial or in the event it bars Estrada from returning from Hongkong.