Stop the Killing of Philippine Youth and Student Activists

To:  President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo

AN ATTACK TO ONE OF US IS AN ATTACK TO ALL OF US!
An Urgent Petition from Filipino Youth and Students in the United States

On March 19 th, 2006 Cris Hugo, a senior Journalism student of the Bicol University in the Philippines and a recently elected Chancellor of the University’s Alpha Phi Omega Chapter, was shot dead at around 10:30pm, in Legaspi City, Bicol while walking home with one of his professors.

Cris Hugo, a national council member and regional coordinator of the League of Filipino Students (LFS), was said to have received death threats since last year. LFS is among the organizations with an active role at the forefront of the broad peoples movement in the Philippines calling for the ouster of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. LFS is also a member organization of BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan / New Patriotic Alliance), a national alliance of Filipino organizations with a chapter in the United States.

Since 2001, over 100 cases of political killings have victimized BAYAN affiliated individuals. Hugo is the 33rd victim this year alone. The targets now include progressive and outspoken Filipino youth.

On March 17, Raunil Mortejo another youth leader and chairperson of Anakbayan Davao City Chapter was abducted by suspected elements of the military intelligence. Another youth leader, Lorie Ann Cascaro, Anakbayan’s National Council member and Vice-Chairperson for Mindanao, was charged with seven others after being implicated as conspirators in inciting to sedition and rebellion.

Just these past weeks, a series of killings had transpired starting with the murder of Santi Tedoro, chairperson of BAYAN-Malolos, Bulacan on March 8, followed by Tirso Cruz, director of the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU) in Hacienda Luisita on March 17, and on March 20th the same day Cris Hugo was killed, the house of Amante Abelon Jr., Anakpawis coordinator, was strafed leaving his wife, Agnes and 5 year old son, Elvin John dead and Mr. Abelon in critical condition.

On February 25th a day after President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo placed the Philippines under a “State of Emergency” via Proclamation 1017, Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran was arrested and detained. Five other progressive Partylist Representatives (Batasan 5) are also being held under custody at the House of Representatives complex since Feb. 27. The police have threatened to arrest them if they step out of the Congress compound.

These atrocities must stop now! We hold the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police directly accountable.

We the undersigned, join and stand in solidarity with Cris Hugo, the Filipino youth and students sector and all the victims of human rights violations in the Philippines.

We condemn these violent acts and demand for an immediate action to arrest and punish the perpetrators. We demand justice for Cris Hugo and all victims of senseless killings. We demand for the release of Congressman Crispin Beltran and the Batasan 5. We also join the people’s call to Oust Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and support the establishment of a Transitional Council!

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Stop the Killing of Philippine Youth and Student Activists Petition to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was created by League of Filipino Students - SFSU chapter and written by Joshua F. Castro (lfssecgen@bayanusa.org).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

Send this to a friend