NDFP CONDEMNS VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF PEOPLE'S RALLY; DEMANDS IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF ILLEGALLY DETAINED RALLYISTS

Luis T. Jalandoni
Chairperson
Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
July 14, 2004

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) strongly condemns the violent dispersal of the people's rally yesterday at Plaza Miranda which was held to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz and to press for the immediate pull out of Filipino troops in Iraq. Police forces of the Macapagal-Arroyo regime under the command of Colonel Miranda inflicted serious physical injuries on many rallyists. Among those seriously injured was Dr. Carol P. Araullo, Vice-Chairperson of BAYAN.

The NDFP likewise condemns the illegal arrest and detention of Renato Reyes, Jr., spokesperson of BAYAN and four other rallyists.

The rallyists were exercising their democratic right to free speech, association and assembly, which is guaranteed by the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL, Part III Respect for Human Rights, Art. 2, No. 12).

The Macapagal-Arroyo regime is accountable for endangering the life of Angelo de la Cruz and millions of other migrant workers by subserviently supporting the illegal and immoral US occupation of Iraq with the sending of Filipino troops and contract workers assisting the US occupiers. In doing so, it has flagrantly violated the national sovereignty of the Filipino people and placed the lives of migrant workers at high risk.

It grossly violates The Hague Joint Declaration, the foundation document of the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations, which establishes the principle of national sovereignty as a guiding principle.

By brutally attacking peaceful rallies held to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz and to call for the immediate pull out of Filipino troops in Iraq, the regime shows its utter contempt for the democratic rights of the rallyists. It inflicts serious injuries and causes the illegal arrest and detention of those who exercise their democratic right to free speech, association and assembly. The regime shows no respect for the CARHRIHL which it has solemnly bound itself to implement.

The NDFP demands the immediate release of Renato Reyes, Jr. and the four other rallyists illegally arrested and detained. By continuing to violate the peace agreements it has entered into with the NDFP, the Macapagal-Arroyo regime puts in grave doubt its integrity and credibility as a party to the peace negotiations.

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