November 30, 2007

“Continue the revolutionary spirit of Andres Bonifacio and the Katipuneros!”

This was the call of militant youth group League of Filipino Students (LFS) as hundreds of its members joined today’s multi-sectoral rally in commemoration of the 1986 revolution leader.

The rally, which began with a march from the University of Santo Tomas to Liwasang Bonifacio fronting the Manila Post Office was also held to consolidate calls from different groups and sectors for the removal of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as President.

“What better way than to remember Andres Bonifacio and what he stood for than to call for the removal of a corrupt and illegitimate tyrant in Malacañang?” asked Vencer Crisostomo, national chairperson of the LFS.

Crisostomo cited the extra judicial-killings and disappearances, and the many corruption scandals that has been linked to the administration such as the Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard, the Jocjoc Bolante Fertilizer Scam and the ZTE-NBN deal as enough reason for the youth to join in the activities intended to remove Arroyo.

The youth group also said that the incident at the Makati Peninsula Hotel should serve as a wake-up call for the people to unite against the repressive regime.

“The events that happened at the Makati yesterday proves that the government, through the PNP and the AFP shall use all means in order to crush opposition, even if it means destroying public property, arresting journalists, and imposing a curfew reminiscent of Martial Law,” said Crisostomo.

The youth group explained that they were sympathetic to the demands of Trillanes and other members of Magdalo, describing them as legitimate calls based on the record of human rights abuses and corrupt practices of the administration.

“We condemn the use of teargas and tanks in the stand-off and the arrest of Vice-president Teofisto Guingona, Bishop Julio Labayen and other civilians. We demand their immediate and unconditional release from police custody.” said Crisostomo.

He explained that the overkill in Makati yesterday was a show of force of the administration to scare people who would dare to speak out against Arroyo and the government.

“However, yesterday also proves that the decisive factor in removing Arroyo from Malacañang is the people, not merely personalities and individuals,” said Crisostomo.

The group called on their classmates, friends and fellow students to follow the footsteps of Bonificio and the Katipuneros, and begin it by ending the Arroyo administration.