PRESS
RELEASE
Gloria No Different From Fascist Dictator Ferdinand Marcos - Rep.
Beltran
News Release
June 17, 2002
Ina Alleco Silverio, Media Liaison Officer
Tel. # 931-50-11 loc,7317; 931-6166
Cel. No. 9207619596
BAYAN MUNA Representative
Crispin Beltran said that for supposedly ordering attacks against
Bayan Muna during Friday's Lakas-NUCD meeting, President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo is no different from fascist dictator Ferdinand
Marcos.
"We cannot
but interpret Pres. Macapagal's supposed call to unite against Bayan
Muna as a literal order to physically crush our political party.
Suffice it to say, it's not just political assassination that Pres.
Macapagal-Arroyo and her military advisers could be referring to,
but actual physical assassination."
Beltran said
a reliable source who's also a member of Macapagal's party Lakas-NUCD
told him on June 14, during a Lakas meeting, the President reportedly
gave the order to "crush Bayan Muna in all the provinces."
This order supposedly is in relation with the upcoming baranggay
elections this July 17, during which Bayan Muna is set to be either
fielding candidates or supporting the candidacy of some local politicians.
Beltran said
Macapagal's alleged command was tantamount to a death sentence against
Bayan Muna and its members, and that from here on end, the president
should be made responsible for any and all attacks against Bayan
Muna, including the 17 already murdered by the Armed Forces of the
Philippines.
"Our coordinators,
members and supporters are being harassed and murdered left and
rights. So far, not a single soldier or official of the AFP has
been punished for the brutal killings they have perpetrated against
our members. Now, the President of the Republic herself and president
of the ruling political party has allegedly given the order to crush
Bayan Muna. If there is truth to these allegations, then she is
not unlike the former dictator Ferdinand Marcos who ordered the
military to kidnap, torture and massacre thousands of activist who
fought against him and his fascist, pro-American government,"
Beltran said.
He sought the
help of his fellow solons in the majority bloc as well as those
belonging to Lakas-NUCD not to heed Macapagal's reported order.
He asked them not to condone the attacks against Bayan Muna and
its civilian members, and instead support the campaign to bring
the perpetrators of the murders to justice.
"Lakas-NUCD
party members should not allow themselves to be a party to the brutal
killings against civilians who are only exercising their political
rights guaranteed under the law," he said.
Beltran said
that an early as now, Macapagal should be made aware that her political
ambitions in 2004 will be thwarted by the non-support of millions
of working people who are disgusted not only with her style of governance,
but with her government's programs and policies.
"Nevermind
her attempts to package herself as a female Joseph Estrada during
the latter's heyday, she is not as popular as she wants to believe
she is. Her political handlers are well-aware of the steep, uphill
climb they have ahead of them to promote GMA's candidacy in 2004,"
he said.
Beltran added
Macapagal should put aside her plans to run in
2004 because she is certain to meet defeat. He said that the developments
in the political arena as well as the reports on politicians already
being projected to be contenders for the top post were not conducive
for or indicative of a Macapagal victory.
"The president's
decision to fold up her radio programs is a belated move to save
her floundering popularity which has not all been helped by her
temperamental character and sarcastic retorts. In any case, it also
benefits the people not having to hear her over the airwaves making
empty promises one moment, and attacking her critics the next,"
he said.
Finally, the
activist solon said that the line has been drawn between Macapagal
and the more progressive forces behind People Power 2.
"There
is no love loss between the president and the progressive forces
of People Power 2. Instead of showing gratitude to the working people
who installed her to power, Pres. Macapagal has unleashed terror
against them. This is on par if not worse than the terrorism of
the Abu Sayyaf," he concluded.
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