Just Peace PH
27 November 2017
First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out –
because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak out for me.
– Martin Niemoller, under Nazi rule
As global peace advocates, we are extremely alarmed by Philippine Pres. Duterte’s cancellation of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), tagging of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and New People’s Army (NPA) as “terrorists” and charging legal progressive organizations such as BAYAN (Bagong Alyansang Makabayan) as “conspirators”.
Mr. Duterte’s cancellation of peace talks through the issuance of Proclamation 360 came just a couple of days after admitting in a speech that he is indeed as his detractors say – an Am(erican) boy! In the same occasion, he further boasted “Ako ay pasista!” [I am a fascist!]
The on-going political killings of activists and leaders, continuing militarization of villages and schools, aerial bombardment of civilian communities, the thousands being killed in Duterte’s drug war and other human rights violations are justly condemned by all peace-loving peoples. This is bound to intensify with Duterte’s militarism and Hitlerite anti-communism.
Mr. Duterte’s plan to use martial law powers in a so-called “revolutionary government” is meant to crackdown on the strongest opposition to his regime, both armed and unarmed, empower the foreign investors and their local partners to plunder the country and allow even freer rein for U.S. intervention and aggression in the Philippines in its pivot to Asia and rivalry with China and Russia.
We will not be cowed into silence. We shall continue to broaden and intensify the support from various countries and movements to support the Filipino people’s struggle against this fascist reign of terror of the U.S.-Duterte regime.
The Filipino people have every right to defend themselves. The JustPeacePH will not be deterred in fighting alongside them. We will continue to support and pursue genuine lasting peace based on justice in the Philippines. We will not allow another Hitler to rule — not anywhere, not in our time, not ever.
Reference:
Peter Murphy, Chairperson of the Global Council of the International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines
Email: [email protected]
Mobile number: +61 418312301
Highlights of the ICHRP International Solidarity Mission 2017: http://www.
