National Statement

Canadians oppose return of Martial Law

October 12, 2005

As peace-loving Canadians, we are shocked and outraged by Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s moves to impose full-scale and open fascist rule in the country.

Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed with horror, Arroyo wielding an iron-fist against anyone critical of her rule and administration. Now she wants to legitimize and institutionalize such brutality against her own people. The situation calls for steadfast international solidarity in the name of genuine democracy and human rights.

She has pushed through measures such as the "calibrated preemptive response" which justifies the violent dispersal of protest rallies, and the Executive Order 464 which prohibits cabinet members, military officers and others from the executive branch from testifying before Congressional inquiries without clearance from Malacañang. Her administration has also unilaterally and wrongly suspended the Joint Agreement of Safety and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG) that the Republic of the Philippines signed with the National Democratic front of the Philippines (NDFP). Arroyo now holds a list of 97 NDFP negotiators, personnel and volunteers whom her administration is threatening with arrest. The JASIG grants immunity from arrests and freedom of movement to all those involved in the peace negotiations in order to properly help in building a just and lasting peace in the country.

With reports of worsening military demoralization and unrest, rumors are ripe that Arroyo may soon declare a state of national emergency giving her a ‘legitimate’ reason to round up anti-Arroyo political leaders, activists and critics and take over all vital enterprises.

We cannot stand idly while Arroyo persecutes and silences her critics, which includes the growing number of people calling for her ouster. We need to voice our fears that Arroyo may be ushering a new era of Martial Law in the Philippines.

In this light, we urge the Canadian government to suspend its normal relations with the Arroyo government and seriously review its foreign policy with the Philippine government. We hope that the Canadian government can play an important role in fostering a just and lasting peace in the Philippines.

As freedom-loving Canadians, we stood with the Filipino people who valiantly struggled against Martial Law in the 1970s and eventually overthrew the corrupt and fascist dictator Ferdinand Marcos. We condemn Arroyo’s escalating blind aggression and out-right fascism against progressive people’s organizations, individuals, and the entire Filipino people who question her leadership. We vow to heighten our solidarity with the Filipino people who have proven their ability to struggle against and overcome such tyrannical rulers.

Never again to Martial Law in the Philippines!
Victory to the Filipino people’s call to oust Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!

Statement of:

British Columbia Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (BCCHRP)
Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (OCHRP)
Philippine Network for Justice and Peace – Toronto (PNJP)
Centre for Philippine Concerns - Montreal