GMA in Naga City: Violent Dispersals for Protesters

FACING A FASCIST REGIME

(A Call to Fight Against Arroyo’s Repression of Freedom)

Reference: Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson (0919.2232447)

Empty words can only be sweet if it would be sugarcoated with lies.

Merriment and blissful anticipation has welcomed the 2009 Private Schools Athletic Association National Games at the City of Naga. With the arrival of Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as the Guest of Honor and Opening Speaker, many took part in celebrating this momentous feat in the field of sports.

While many listened to the typical statements of her supposed Excellency, some have chosen to speak words of truth and righteousness; words that depict grim realities and bitterness she has always denied.

A demonstration condemning the ongoing Balikatan Exercises, Global Financial Crisis, E-VAT, Extra-Judicial Killings cum Human Rights Violations and Massive Lay-offs has called the attention of both authorities and student activists alike. Raising sentiments near Plaza Quince Martires, representatives from Youth and Students Opposing Balikatan (Youth STOP Balikatan), Tindog Atenista, Kabataang Pinoy and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) have united efforts with other sectoral groups in calling the President’s attention on the crucial issues of the status quo.

But sadly, authorities have used their power in repressing these voices through aggression. Joseph Adrian V. Concepcion, CEGP-Bikol Spokesperson and Angelo de los Reyes, both YSB members have been mauled by police enforcers. Their propaganda materials have been forcibly confiscated by those who seek to make them silent. Others also suffered from physical injuries from the harsh beating. But the spirit of valiancy has amplified their aim to safeguard and to struggle for their rights- rights which have been incessantly oppressed and rampantly abused by the present administration. Police officers dragged and illegally detained the two. Clothes have been ripped; wounds have been inflamed but never their ideals.

Tolerating these inhumane incidents to happen will ultimately weaken our resolve to defend justice. We must not let those in power to commence a new age of fear and hypocrisy- hypocrisy led by an unfaithful government running on the tenets of lies and pretensions.

We must not endure the suffering of being silenced. Words coupled by action are our only defense and weapon against this fascist government. Let us always bear in mind the patrimony we have always defended and preserved.

We call on students, campus journalists, youth organizations and the rest of the Bikolano community to condemn this inhumane treatment of advocates advancing truth, freedom and justice.

Words of Joseph and Angelo, and the rest of the youth will continue to resound in our backward society for we will NOT be silenced with fear and threats.

DEFEND OUR DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS!

STOP STATE FASCISM!

CEGP-Bikol

Bicol Not A Whorehouse for US Troops

Outraged Bicolana Shouts
Bicol is Not A Whorehouse for US Troops

Reference:

Catherine Ascutia, Spokesperson Bicolana-Gabriela Albay Chapter

Mobile Number: 09273849443

Early morning today, outraged Bicolanas expressed their anti Balikatan sentiments infront of the Alicia Hotel, where US troops are billeted in Legazpi City.

Furious of the encroaching troops’ exploitation and prostitution of women during rest and recreation periods, Bicolana Gabriela massed up before the Alicia Hotel as the US Balikatan forces are once again on their respites.

Bicolana Gabriela exposed the worsening prostitution and sex trafficking during the Balikatan exercises, with militant women members, as well as equally angered communities conveying reports of prostituted women being preyed upon by the unwelcome soldiers.

“We cannot let this pass. Bicol region is not a whorehouse for these US soldiers. We will not let these foreigner-soldiers rob us of our dignity, we will continue to express our basic rights as women, and as patriotic Filipinos,” says Catherine Ascutia, spokesperson of Bicolana-Gabriela Albay chapter.

Balikatan war exercises are being conducted on poverty-stricken communities of the region. This is doubly devastating, as US presence renders Bicolanas vulnerable to exploitation and prostitution. Consequently, prostituted women are being delivered as treats for the US troops in Legazpi City and Sorsogon City hotels where they are staying. Even Balikatan-obliged barangays, particularly in the town of Pioduran in Albay, are now corrupted with an upsurge of prostituted women being provided for the US troops.#

Kalbaryong Balikatan, Pasakit sa Banwaan

Rehearsals:
March 30, 2009
4:00 pm
BAR AQ Aquinas University Legazpi City


Street Plays
April 1
9 am Brgy Balatas, Naga City
5pm Plaza Quince Martires, Naga City


Street Plays
April 2
8am Brgy Rawis, Legazpi City
3pm Brgy Rizal, Legazpi City
5pm Tabaco City Public Market


Street Plays
April 3
Sorsogon

April 5
Legazpi City Old Market (near Pinaglabanan Monument)

April 7
Legazpi City Pinaglabanan Monument

http://banbalikatan.multiply.com/photos/album/17/Salubong_na_protesta_sa_mga

_Kano#1

Bicolano nationalists hound US troops up to their hotels

News Release
March 24, 2009
Reference: Prof. Jocelyn Bisuña, spokesperson, BAN BALIKATAN
Bicolano nationalists hound US troops up to their hotels

After the protest at the Legazpi City Airport against the arriving US troops early this morning, the BAN BALIKATAN led protesters then hounded the troops up to their hotels in the city. The group even went to the Alicia and Pepperland hotels where most of the more than 100 US soldiers are billeted.

According to Prof. Jocelyn Bisuña, spokesperson of BAN BALIKATAN, “US troops are not welcome here. The least they can do is to stay in their barracks and not roam around the region. If not then they are creating the same conditions that led to the rape of Suzette Nicolas or more popularly known as Nicole.”

“Bishop Lucilo Quiambao has solid basis for saying that the presence of US troops and the Balikatan exercises would increase the incidence of prostitution in the region as well as cause moral degradation,” added the patriotic professor.

“The US troops should now leave because most Bicolanos do not want them here and as long as they are here we will be watching their every move,” ended Bisuña. # # #

Maritime Protest at the Legaspi Port

MEDIA ADVISORY:

15 March 2009

Dear fellows from the media,

Greetings!

Lakas ng mga mangingisda sa Bikol (Lambat-Bikol), an alliance of fisher folks throughout the Bikol region invites you to the "LAMBATON AN BALIKATAN SA BIKOL" a maritime protest at the Legaspi Port on 16 March 2009.

The maritime protest participants will assemble around 8:00 AM at the coastal shore of San Roque, Legaspi City. A boat will be allotted to the media practitioners. At 9:00 AM the whole delegation will embark to Legaspi Port. As the whole delegation arrives, a program on water will be commencing near the port's seawall. Symbolic Protests will also be done to highlight the event.

Contact Person: Mr. Salvador “Baddy” France

Chairman Lambat-Bikol