by Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC)
Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2009 at 12:14 PM
epcc_la@hotmail.com 213-241-0906 337 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026
In a press conference held on Monday June 2, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said the U.S. military’s partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can be used as a model in fighting terrorism worldwide. Gates made the statement during his visit to Manila for a high level meeting with his Philippine counterpart - Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Clearly this was a vote of confidence on the Arroyo regime's on-going war against legitimate people's movements in the Philippines from a key member of the Obama Team himself.
Emboldened by Gate's statement and promise of continuing military assistance from the United States, on June 3, against the backdrop of worsening economic crisis, of intensifying political killings and forced disappearances and escalating military conflict in Southern Philippines - in a brazen act of indifference and cowardice - the Arroyo controlled congress passed House Resolution 1109 which turned the lower house into a constituent assembly. This will make it possible for the U.S.- Arroyo regime to tinker with the 1987 constitution to further tighten and continue their stranglehold on the country and its people.
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Echo Park Community Coalition
June 8, 2009
Los Angeles
U.S. HAS A HAND ON THE PROPOSED CHARTER CHANGE
In a press conference held on Monday June 2, U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates has said the U.S. military’s partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) can be used as a model in fighting terrorism worldwide. Gates made the statement during his visit to Manila for a high level meeting with his Philippine counterpart - Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilbert Teodoro.
Clearly this was a vote of confidence on the Arroyo regime's on-going war against legitimate people's movements in the Philippines from a key member of the Obama Team himself.
Emboldened by Gate's statement and promise of continuing military assistance from the United States, on June 3, against the backdrop of worsening economic crisis, of intensifying political killings and forced disappearances and escalating military conflict in Southern Philippines - in a brazen act of indifference and cowardice - the Arroyo controlled congress passed House Resolution 1109 which turned the lower house into a constituent assembly. This will make it possible for the U.S.- Arroyo regime to tinker with the 1987 constitution to further tighten and continue their stranglehold on the country and its people.
This is a test for the Filipino progressive sector on how they can mobilize the masses to counter the U.S.-Arroyo scheme sans the bourgeois trapo (traditional politicians) opposition and the reactionary faction of the church. It is still fresh in our minds how the trapos hijacked People's power uprising that toppled Marcos. We are not going to let it happen again!
We should also closely watch how the reactionary forces from the ruling elite who are lining themselves vs Arroyo will behave in days ahead.
Rightwing senator Juan Ponce Enrile put out a red herring already repudiating the Arroyo congress.
A coup d 'etat by the rightwing faction of the military will definitely be a CIA plot and will easily garner the support of the Enrile camp. He has been down this road before. The former Marcos henchman together with the U.S. trained Gen. Fidel Ramos and the Central Intelligence Agency engineered a coup within a coup ushering into power one of their own, Cory Aquino, during the people power revolt.
The left has to step up in any event. Unity is paramount, regardless of our political differences. An uprising without the masses at the helm is a costly delusion. History is our best teacher.
NO TO U.S. INSPIRED CHARTER CHANGE!
OUST GMA NOW!
U.S. FORCES OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
Plaridel Inkana
Echo Park Community Coalition (EPCC)
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June 8, 2009
Los angeles
To everyone,
In solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Philippine who will gather in a massive demonstration on Wednesday June 10 in Makati City we are initiating a unity rally here in Los Angeles. Bring your friends, co-workers and family members.
Bring your own signs.
STOP U.S. INSPIRED CHARTER CHANGE IN THE PHILIPPINES! PROTEST RALLY Philippine Consular Office 3600 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles CA 5-8 PM TUESDAY, June 9, 2009
Rally endorsed by: EPCC, AJLPP, GABNET, KMB, ANSWER, PSL
