𝗨𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗡𝗼 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽!
BAYAN-Canada, the alliance of progressive Filipino organizations all across Canada, call on our kababayan to oppose the looming dictatorship of President Rodrigo Duterte. We say “Never Again to Martial Law” in light of the 47th anniversary declaration of martial law in the Philippines.
We mark the 21st day of September as a day to remember. In 1972, kleptocrat and dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law through Proclamation No. 1081 that resulted in severe political and economic repression generating widespread discontent among the people. The darkest years of the country’s history are the 14 years under the US-backed Marcos fascist dictatorship. More importantly, we remember the ultimate power of the people to act on their social conditions and to incite change. In the unprecedented People Power movement, protests led to the ultimate removal of Marcos from his self-made authoritarian post.
At present, chaos and conflict continue to reign under Duterte’s tyrannical regime. Under his iron-fist rule, bloodshed continues to increase as malicious red-tagging and senseless killings sow fear and instability across the country. Under the long shadow of dictatorship of 47 years past, Duterte has repeatedly expressed his admiration and gratitude for the Marcos family that kept at least three members, one graft convict Imelda, and two fake news purveyors Bongbong and Imee, still in power.
The regime politically maneuver the institutions that were put in place to hold the Chief executive in check. Duterte allies overwhelmingly dominate the Congress in the last midterm elections. The Supreme Court took unprecedented action to remove Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno, apparent reprisal for her criticism of Duterte’s murderous campaign on drugs. Everyday, Duterte’s toxic ‘jokes’ reveal a lack of respect for institutions, the rule of law, and the Philippine people. Flirting with militarists and warmongers, Duterte through his minions in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have committed a great number of crimes against humanity, aided and abetted by the US government, according to the International Peoples’ Tribunal on the Philippines.
Particularly, the island of Negros consistently made headlines for the spate of bloody attacks against farmers, human rights defenders, lawyers, doctors, and politicians alike. Atrocities against civilians are rampant as state security forces implement the government anti-insurgency campaign, Oplan Sauron. All the violence that is happening in Negros Island also happened in Mindanao, the first island where Martial Law was implemented, according to congresswoman Eufemia Cullamat, who hails from an indigenous tribe in Mindanao. The so-called “whole of nation” approach under EO70 and MO32 is no different from previous strategic campaigns in the guise of counterinsurgency designed by pro-US military assets.
Just how Marcos institutionalized labor export policy, the current regime continues to deploy overseas Filipino workers instead of planning and implementing creation of jobs within the country. The annual job-creation rate under the Duterte administration is the lowest over the last six administrations, according to think tank Ibon Foundation. Today, the Philippines continues to be a leading source of immigrants to Canada. Labour secretary Silvestre H. Bello III continues to legally traffic kababayans as skilled workers and even household service workers without ensuring rights protection. Emblematic of the plight of Philippine migrant workers is Mary Jane Veloso, who remains incarcerated on Indonesia’s death row, having been sentenced to death thanks to Duterte’s non-interference in her case.
Duterte is the principal tool for imperialist domination in the country. He has allowed the US military to strengthen its foothold in the country while at the same time shrugging off maritime claims in the West Philippine Sea to deliberate violate sovereign rights, and assert the livelihood of lowly fisherfolk, in his pivot to China.
The people have suffered and have been displaced economically, socially, and nationally. Three years is enough. Justice is long overdue. It is for these reasons that we, overseas Filipinos, demand the immediate removal of Rodrigo Duterte from his post, whether it comes by his resignation, which we cannot count how many times he vowed to do so, or his ouster, for clear violations of the Constitution.
It is significant to remember on September 20 the historic resistance of the Filipino people against the Marcos dictatorship 47 years ago. We, together with the masses, raise our banners as BAYAN-Canada organizations. We appeal for solidarity from the broad international community in our struggle against injustice and dictatorship.
Let us fight the different forms of injustices and human rights violations systematically currently implemented by the Duterte regime.
On this day, let us utterly display and vigorously express our struggle for national democracy, peoples rights, social justice, national sovereignty and livelihood.
Join the action and wear black to show unity!
Join the action in your cities!
MONTREAL
Prometheus Unbound: Resist Tyranny In The Philippines (forum)
When: September 20, 2019, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Room 101 New Chancellor Day Hall, Faculty of Law McGill University, 3644 Peel Street, Montreal
Hosted by Anak Bayan Montreal, Centre d’appui aux Philippines / Centre for Philippine Concerns
https://www.facebook.com/events/2384690211803048/
OTTAWA
Resist Tyranny in the Philippines: 47th Aniversry of Martial Law
March through the Market in Protest – join the Funeral Procession for Human Rights in the Philippines. Assembly Point is outside the Highlander Pub between the Rideau Centre and the Market.
When: September 21, 2019, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM
Where: The Highlander Pub, 115 Rideau Street, Ottawa
Hosted by Ontario Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Anakbayan Ottawa
https://www.facebook.com/events/373203263604779/
TORONTO
Never Again to Martial Law: Rally on World Peace Day
When: September 20, 2019, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: 3768 Bathurst St, North York, ON M3H 3M7, Canada
Hosted by BAYAN Canada, Anakbayan Toronto, Migrante Ontario, GABRIELA-Ontario, Toronto Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines
https://www.facebook.com/events/2125699467736376/
TORONTO
Martial Law: Then and Now (public forum)
When: September 22, 2019, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Where: Ryerson University – Kerr Hall, 379 Victoria Street, Toronto
Hosted by Malaya Canada
https://www.facebook.com/events/519931035216777/
CALGARY
Gathering to remember 47th declaration of Martial Law
When: September 21, 2019, 11:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Where: Cambrian Heights Baptist Church. 240 Cardiff Drive NW, Calgary
Hosted by Migrante Alberta
VANCOUVER
Resist Tyranny in the Philippines: Never Again Martial Law!
When: September 21, 2019, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM PDT
Where: 4794 Fraser St, Vancouver
Hosted by Migrante BC, Gabriela BC, BAYAN Canada
https://www.facebook.com/events/456778214917111/
VANCOUVER
Rally and March For Just Peace
When: September 21, 2019 1:00 PM
Where: Seaforth Peace Park, Vancouver
Hosted by Coalition Against Bigotry – Pacific and ILPS Canada
https://www.facebook.com/events/734726476987681/
Fight the restoration of dictatorship! Labanan ang panunumbalik ng diktadura!
Repudiate all forms of repression!
Stand for democracy, justice, livelihood and sovereignty!
Justice for all victims of Martial Law then and now!
Marcos, Duterte, no difference! Same lapdog, fascist, authoritarian!
#LabanBayan!
Download the flyer here: Sept.20 – Bayan Canada
Chant sheet: Resist US-Duterte Fascism in the Philippines