British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
Press Release

Canadian Human Rights group brings back horrific human rights stories from the Philippines

September 13, 2005

The horrific human rights situation in the Philippines will be revealed by delegates returning from the International Solidarity Mission (ISM) in a press conference at the Kalayaan Centre (451 Powell Street), this Wednesday, Sept. 14, at 10:00 AM.

The Philippines was designated as the second front against the war on terror in 2002 after Sept. 11, 2001 and thousands of U.S. troops have been in the Philippines allegedly to help train the Philippine military in anti-terrorist work. The “global war on terror” is encouraging the Philippine government to step up its repression against civilian dissenters.

The Canadian human rights advocates will report on their meeting with an official of the Canadian Embassy in Manila. Canada provides development aid to the Philippines and some of its largest mining companies, including Vancouver-based Placer Dome Inc., which are heavily involved in the mining industry there. Filipinos comprise the fourth largest immigrant community in Canada.

Vancouver City Councillor Tim Louis endorsed the ISM stating in a letter to the delegates and organizers: "The violent situation in the Philippines today is reminiscent of the dark days of Martial Law under the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos, conditions to which many Canadians responded out of humanitarian principle as part of an international movement to defeat Martial Law and oust Marcos...The situation in the Philippines cries out for international support."

“The violations, from summary executions, and disappearances to illegal detentions and torture, are outrageous and deserve our total condemnation,” says Barbara Waldern chairperson of the B.C. Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP) and one of the jurors in the People’s Tribunal which “tried and convicted” President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and U.S. President George W. Bush “guilty” of crimes against humanity on August 19. Waldern says the Canadian delegation joined over 80 other delegates from 15 countries in calling for the immediate withdrawal of support for the Arroyo government because of its human rights record.

The release of the ISM and Tribunal findings coincides with the rise of a mass movement to oust President Arroyo. Three boxes of the ISM findings were submitted to the Philippine Congress justice committee who were hearing the case against Arroyo. Vancouver organizations are actively supporting the ouster campaign. -30-

For more information:
Ted Alcuitas or May Farrales
604-215-0029 or bcchrp@kalayaancentre.net