BAYAN-USA statement on 3-year anniversary of Iraq War: End U.S. War and Terror in Iraq and the Philippines

On the third anniversary of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, BAYAN-USA (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-USA) stands in worldwide solidarity with the broad coalition of anti-imperialist and anti-war forces to emphatically demand, End U.S. War and Terror in Iraq and the Philippines!The Filipino people know first-hand the trauma of American invasion and occupation following the Philippine-American war from 1898-1902. On a visit to the Philippines, President Bush compared the so-called U.S. "liberation" of Iraq to the "liberation" of the Philippines over a century ago.We know that liberation really means occupation and exploitation, and we call for an end to the military occupation of countries from Iraq to Afghanistan to the Philippines, the alleged "second front of the War on Terror" where over 5,500 U.S. troops are currently training in war exercises in Mindanao where six Moros (Muslims) have been recently killed. We call for the end to Balikatan war exercises and the Visiting Forces Agreement which are aimed at reestablishing permanent U.S. military presence in the Philippines.The legacy of the American invasion of the Philippines a century ago remains fully intact, as the Bush administration has provided direct military and political support to Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's puppet regime as she and her.On February 24 of this year, president Arroyo issued Proclamation 1017, which imposed a defacto martial law under the guise of a "State of Emergency" in which progressive Filipino organizations and individuals have been targeted and subject to unconstitutional arrest, detainment, and even assassination. The latest killings involving a BAYAN and Hacienda Luisita Union leader just days ago.Just as we opposed the U.S.-Marcos regime over twenty years ago, progressive Filipinos say no again to martial law, in the Philippines and anywhere people's rights are endangered. We demand the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and her U.S.-supported regime, and the establishment of a transitional council that truly serves the Filipino people and addresses our right to sovereignty, agrarian reform, jobs and fair wages.Amidst the hostile political climate both here in the U.S. and in the Philippines, we demand the guaranteed safety of the "list of 51" persons who are currently being targeted by the US-GMA regime. We will steadfastly continue to defend Filipino progressives, in the Philippines and abroad. We demand a stop to the unwarranted arrest of progressive parliamentarians, the release of all post-1017 political detainees, including the Batasan Five and Anakpawis representative Crispin Beltran.In the words of "Ka Bel," "If helping the poor is a crime, and fighting for freedom is rebellion, then I plead guilty as charged." We echo Beltran's sentiments as we continue to struggle for genuine national democracy and just and lasting peace in the Philippines, Iraq and worldwide.OUST THE US-ARROYO REGIME!STOP POLITICAL REPRESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES!NEVER AGAIN TO MARTIAL LAW!FREE CONGRESSMAN CRISPIN BELTRAN!UPHOLD RIGHTS OF THE BATASAN 5!ESTABLISH TRANSITION COUNCIL!US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES, IRAQ, & EVERYWHERE!Contact: Kawal Ulanday: chair@bayanusa.orgBerna Ellorin: mc@bayanusa.org