Top Ilonggo lawyers, militants unite vs Proclamation 1017
Strong words of defiance and clear resistance were the answers and reaction of top Ilonggo lawyers who banded with militants against Malacañang's Proclamation 1017.
Dismissed by the group as yet a prelude and worse, copycat of martial rule, noted lawyers Romeo Gerochi and Edeljulio Romero led the strong call for rejection.
Such, as a civil case for damages was also filed against City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II, Police Regional Director 6 and Jaro Police Precinct Commander Chief Inspector Kashmir Disomangcop, the complaint brought by last Saturday's 'encounter' with Jaro cops by a group of protesters blocked on their way to the city for an anti-Proclamation 1017 protest. (See related story on page 3)
In a press conference Monday, a challenge was further issued to the government alongside the threat of more street protests.
"Come and get us. Charge us now. This will not silence us," Raymond Moderes of Sanlakas declared. "We will not be forced underground. We will assert our hard-won right to peaceful assembly and free speech. Truly, in the line of fire is the place of honor."
Calling the Arroyo administration as "illegitimate regime," Sanlakas further expressed confidence of breaking what it said is the "illegal state of emergency."
"Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo may have all the bad intentions but she does not have the united military to suppress the people," the group continued. "It took years of hard struggle to break martial law; it will take less sacrifice to smash the state of emergency of an illegitimate regime that is far weaker than Marcos."
Meantime a call for resistance was made by the Labor Power Council of Iloilo, Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino-Panay and Guimaras chapters and the Partido ng Manggagawa- Panay and Guimaras groups as well.
"Resist and assert," the group in a joint press release said while saying that the time has come for the Filipino people to act as one nation.
"We call on all workers, the poor and the drivers to launch a work stoppage and untat-byahe actions. Walk out of factories and offices and march into the streets. We call on the entire Ilonggo community to unite and join the struggle. Let us swarm the streets with our protests and oust GMA now!," the statement went while stressing that their call is geared toward establishing a "true government for the masses."
Similar sentiments shared by the region's Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).
"Proclamation 1017 is a license given to the military and police to use against whosoever they perceive to be enemies; it silences all forms of criticism, including media reporting. Even worse, GMA's public announcement categorically cedes to the Armed Forces of the Philippines the power to do whatever needs to be done without reasonable justification, limit or accountability," the group in a statement said. "By 'saving democracy' Gloria Arroyo just buried it. She has put her personal political survival over the civil liberties. Thus the CSOs in Western Visayas vehemently calls on Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to withdraw her Proclamation."
Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC) and Katulong ng Bayan for its part had this to say, "the Filipino people ousted a dictator once; we can overthrow another tyrant again."
The press conference included transport sector's Boyet Parcon, president of the Calumpang Brotherhood Association, Bado Abastillas, president of the Arevalo Jeep and Drivers Association, Romeo Herrera, president of the CPU-UI routes, FDC's Ted Aldwin Ong and Boyet Areño of the Western Visayas Network of Social Development.
Also present were Ronald Payda, spokesperson of the Partido ng Manggagawa, Mario Andon, Secretary-General of the Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Maralitang Lungsod (KPML), Zaldy Yebra, chairperson of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilpino and AKBAYAN's Joseph Santillan and Josie Eros.