Arrest of journalists, curfew
Arroyo veering toward fascist rule – Bayan Muna
Bayan
Muna condemns the Arroyo administration' s open attacks on the
fundamental freedoms of the people with the unjust and illegal arrest
of media practitioners covering the Makati standoff and the imposition
of a curfew on 30 November covering Metro Manila, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija,
Pampanga, Tarlac, Zambales, Bataan, Aurora Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon.
All
the excuses by the Defense Secretary and the Philippine National Police
cannot justify the arrest of media. The arrest of more than 50
journalists is a blatant attack on press freedom and the people's right
to know. This sets a dangerous precedent that aims to prevent the media
from effectively doing their job of bringing the unadulterated truth to
the public.
The
imposition of a curfew is downright unconstitutional because there is
no law that allows the impairment of a person's right to travel. The
curfew is also meant to test the resistance of the people towards more
evil schemes of the Arroyo regime that wants to impose more fascist
measures to muffle all opposition and extend its stay in power.
The
inner circle of corrupt military officials and Palace advisers want to
extend Arroyo's rule. From the stage-managed bombing of Glorietta, the
Batasan and Kidapawan City, to the continued spate of extrajudicial
killings and enforced disappearances to the events after the Makati
standoff, the Palace hawks and fascist generals have been raring to
resort to open fascist rule.
In
the tradition of the movement led by the revolutionary hero Andres
Bonifacio, we shall persevere in working for a better government and a
better country.
We
call on the Filipino public to be more vigilant and determined more
than ever to prevent a fascist dictatorship to rule over the country. #
References: Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casiño
Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo
