Media Advisory

AJLPP

October 28, 2008

On the Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) in Manila, Philippines

Los Angeles- On behalf of the of the Alliance-Philippines (AJLPP) we express our militantly solidarity for the all the mass actions and protests against the Manila ‘s Second Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD).

The AJLPP strongly condemns the pro-imperialist and anti-migrant GMFD framework and agenda of the conference in Manila. The agenda of the conference lay bare the exploitative foundation and consequences of so-called neoliberal globalization on the lives of migrants, refugees and their families.

The GFMD at the behest of the IMF-World Bank only acts as a tool of development even as it is a product of underdevelopment and a cause of further underdevelopment. 

 It affects especially the Filipino people whose 10% of its population are migrant workers.

The AJPP is aware that the phenomenon of large-scale migration, displacement of people and refugees is the result of exploitation and oppression by foreign monopoly capitalism and local reaction.

Forced Migration

More than 12 million Filipinos were driven to leave their families and friends to seek jobs abroad because of poverty, lack of employment and persistent underdevelopment. Out of the 5.5 million Filipinos in the United States, 1.5 million of them are undocumented or TNTs.

Filipinos especially its minorities are displaced because foreign corporations and their local collaborators covet and grab the land and other natural resources and use violence to achieve their vile objective.

The war in Mindanao and the whole Philippines. Is now raging. There are more than 500,000 war refugees because of this war. Political refugees leave their homeland because of intolerable persecution and the suppression of the people's resistance. To the Philippines government, the Filipino migrant workers are no more than an object of further exploitation.

With $ 14 B remittances, they are a source of exorbitant fees with no real services given in return. They are a source of foreign exchange, which is used not for development and job creation but for the aggravation of underdevelopment and poverty.

The United States and other imperialist countries are in the throes of economic stagnation and rising unemployment. Currents of chauvinism, racism, religious bigotry and fascism are growing. From year to year, the economic and political conditions are bound to become more adverse to the migrant workers.

There is more need than ever to fight for and defend immigrant rights. The upsurge of 2005 proves that the people are fighting back and are defending their lives and rights. The US-wide anti war movement proves that the American people are tired of war and racist scape goating.

Where there is oppression, there is resistance. The AJLPP will be an organizations and institutions for the immigrants and people and it will facilitate their integration in the movement and struggle of the people for national freedom, democracy, social justice, development and just peace.

Defend and Struggle for Immigrant Rights!

AJLPP

Los Angeles

Out of the 5.5 million Filipinos in the United States, 1.5 million of them are undocumented or TNTs.