“We will not be cowed and we will not be silenced. We shall remain indignant and fighting in the face of persecution and injustice. Patuloy kaming makikibaka at hindi matatakot.”
This was the statement issued today by women’s group Gabriela Southern Tagalog as various militant Southern Tagalog organizations launched today the Defend-ST, an alliance in defense of the ongoing spate of attacks against preogressive leaders and activists in the Southern Tagalog region.
A total of 72 individuals, all known leaders, spokespersons and members of activist organizations have been charged with multiple murder for the alleged NPA ambush of a police detachment in Puerto Galera, Mindoro last March 3, 2006. Included in the charges and facing possible arrest is Gabriela Southern Tagalog Secretary General and Gabriela Women’s Party 5th Nominee Helen Asdolo and Gabriela provincial coordinator for Cavite, Amelita Sto. Tomas. 18 other women are included in the trumped up charges including Luz Baculo of PAMANTIK-KMU and Doris Cuario and Dina Capetillo of Karapatan.
Of those charged, six individuals have already been arrested, including labor lawyer and KMU counsel Atty. Remigion Saladero.
“Napakahaba na ng karanasan ng aming pakikibaka at marami nang napagdaanan ang Timog Katagalugan. Hindi kami mapa-aatras ng gawa-gawang mga kaso laban sa amin. These trumped up charges are clear attempts to immobilize and silence the militant people’s organizations in the Southern Tagalog region who has successfully survived and remained defiant despite the onslaught of Oplan Bantay Laya I and II.
“We have been witness to Palparan’s terror in Mindoro and we continue to defy the killings, disappearances, arrests and militarization in our region. The Arroyo regime’s slapping of trumped up charges to harass and step up political persecution in the region will fail.”
GABRIELA Southern Tagalog 