Fil-Ams rally vs Duterte’s legacy of ‘corruption, brutality, handling of pandemic’

Fil-Ams rally vs Duterte’s legacy of ‘corruption, brutality, handling of pandemic’

Filipino organizations protesting outside the United Nations during the General Assembly

On the 49th Anniversary of Martial Law

NEW YORK – On the 49th anniversary of Martial Law, Filipino organizations from New York and New Jersey rallied at the United Nations and the Philippine Consulate in New York City to commemorate the atrocities of Martial Law in the Philippines, condemning President Duterte’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the nomination of Harry Roque to the International Law Commission (ILC), the ongoing corruption in the government’s pandemic spending, and legacy of President Duterte’s state sanctioned violence against Filipinos across the world.

The rally was organized by BAYAN USA Northeast, Malaya Movement, GABRIELA USA, Anakbayan USA, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines USA (ICHRP USA), joining others across the globe who mobilized in remembrance of Martial Law. The rally and march, under the call “Duterte Wakasan Na!” began outside of the United Nations as President Duterte addressed the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) yesterday.

“We are here today to confront the Duterte fascist government. Last week, we were out here to protest the nomination of Harry Roque, the Presidential Spokesperson. We are out here because he was nominated to be part of the International Law Commission. That is absolutely disgusting.” said Mike Legaspi of BAYAN USA Northeast. “Duterte’s entire administration has been built not only in fascism and brutality of his own people, but also in violation of international humanitarian rights and law. How dare they nominate Harry Roque, his spokesperson, when they can’t even follow basic laws and rights in their own country.”

Protesters arrive at Philippine Consulate after marching from the UN

Following the rally at the United Nations, the protestors marched to the Philippine Consulate chanting: “Hey Duterte, what do you say? How many kids did you kill today?”

“Although Marcos’ rule has eventually ended, we continue to see the ramifications of Martial Law. It does not change the fact that blood is in the hands of Ferdinand Marcos’ successors and justice has not been served – not to all of those who have lost so much under the brutality of Martial Law. It was under Marcos’ rule that over 3,000 people were killed, 35,000 people were tortured, and 70,000 people were incarcerated. Marcos was opposed by a people’s movement so fierce that he eventually was ousted,” said AK Rivera, Malaya Movement New York.

Filipino organizations also called out Duterte’s handling of the pandemic, “Instead of ending government corruption, his administration has continued to line their pockets and face a developing scandal due to their criminally negligent response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As laid out in the Commission on Audit’s report, millions of pesos were either un-spent or ill-spent, all the while the COVID cases continue to wreak havoc in the Philippines, and our front line healthcare workers are left to fend for themselves,” said Tia Oliver, Malaya Movement New York.

Effigies of President Duterte and Henry Roque being smashed at the closing of the Philippine Consulate action.
(Photos provided)

“We are here to say ‘never again to Martial Law.’ Under Duterte, the Filipino people had to endure the ongoing injustices and ineptitude of an administration that doesn’t put its people first. They dealt with the mismanagement of public health care funds, militarized response to the Covid-19 crisis, and the red tagging killings of activists and human rights defenders. The U.S. government is complicit in these human rights violations. Since 2016, the United States has provided $550 million dollars in military aid to Duterte’s military dictatorship. Here in New York, I urge you to call your representatives to co-sponsor the Philippines Human Rights Act, and cut military aid to the Philippines. Representative Meeks, if you are listening, I urge you to stand with the Filipino people and end U.S. military aid to the Philippines,” said Emily Whalen of the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP).

“During these times of brutal crackdowns, people’s lawyers are the last line of defense for repression and attacks. That is why the regime has attacked people’s lawyers in the Philippines, who courageously represents workers, farmers, environmental defenders, women’s rights activists, indigenous peoples, and all those under attack. There have been more people’s lawyers murdered under the Duterte regime than any other government in Filipino history. At least 65 attorneys have already been murdered, including Juan Macababbad, a member of the National Union of People’s Lawyers after his organization was targeted by the Duterte regime. We demand justice for Juan Macababbad and all other legal workers and organizers who have been murdered under Duterte’s regime of terror, and we honor and salute their incredible bravery,” said Colin Poirot, National Lawyers Guild
The program ended with the smashing of effigies representing Harry Roque, the presidential speaker, and President Duterte. Carlo Ceballos of Anakbayan Manhattan closed out the event with a call to action: “It does not stop tonight, we continue to arouse, organize, and mobilize the masses. We continue to educate ourselves, our friends, our families, our loved ones, and those we don’t even know about the true conditions of the Philippines. Martial Law never stopped in 1986. Martial Law continues today, and we are the only ones that can stop it.”

(PRESS RELEASE)