NDFP Condemns Police Brutality Inflicted On Peaceful Marchers

Luis T. Jalandoni
Chairperson
Negotiating Panel
National Democratic Front of the Philippines
September 13, 2003

The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) strongly condemns the Macapagal-Arroyo regime for the police brutality inflicted on the unarmed and peaceful marchers of Anakpawis as they marched to Malacanang on 10 September 2003 in the exercise of their democratic right to voice their dissent against the policies of the regime and the WTO.

The regime is accountable for the serious injury suffered by at least twenty protesters and the illegal detention of at least six persons. Moreover, the police forces continuously thrashed the marchers and showed no respect for the elderly peasants and the women.

Such acts of brutal repression will only further deepen the isolation of the regime. It must not forget that the toiling masses of workers, peasants and urban poor comprise ninety percent of the population. Their aspirations and just demands must be heeded, otherwise there can be no genuine democracy, justice and peace.

The NDFP demands the immediate release of the illegally detained marchers, payment for the medical treatment of serious physical injuries and moral damages to the victims of police brutality, and investigation and appropriate punishment of those who committed the brutality.

These acts of violent repression are also violations of the GRP-NDFP Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL). The just demands of the toiling masses are major elements in the NDFP's proposal for social and economic reforms.

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