Students say Arroyo to blame for intensified Mindanao conflict; set
walk-outs vs. cha-cha, term extension

August 20, 2008

The League of Filipino Students together with other youth
organizations today announced plans to hold a metro-wide noise barrage
tomorrow and walk-outs on Friday in condemnation of Arroyo’s plans for
charter change which, according to the students, is the real agenda
behind the government’s “stoking” of the conflict in Mindanao.

According to Vencer Crisostomo, LFS national chairperson, the
government “used the Mindanao conflict as a platform for the renewal
of plans for charter change, with the ambition to cling on to power
even after 2010.”

Crisostomo said that the government may be intensifying the conflict
in order to “lay the grounds for a declaration of martial rule.”

“Blood is in Arroyo’s hands. This crisis has exploded because her
government, which is hell-bent in pursuing plans to extend her term,
has used a very delicate issue for selfish ends. She is to blame for
this crisis,” said Crisostomo.

Crisostomo also condemned Arroyo’s “ill-tempered” declarations of
all-out offensives and war, saying the statements are meant not to
bring peace but to further intesify the conflict.

“We cannot have an unstable brat as a president, bitching around and
throwing tantrums while the nation is experiencing a war which she
started,” Crisostomo said, pertaining to the president’s temper
attacks during the past few days.

Crisostomo said the actions that the students are planning are also
“acts of vigilance” to counter the plans of the government to declare
martial or emergency rule.

“We are calling on the people also to be watchful and vigilant. We
must not allow cha-cha and martial rule. The government will do
everything to further cling to power and impose tyrannical rule. We
must do everything to counter such measures,” he said.

Students from the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic
University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, College of St.
Benilde, St. Scholastica, Ateneo, University of the East, University
of Sto. Tomas, Far Eastern University, Adamson, Philippine Christian
University, Lyceum, Letran, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila,
Philippine Normal University, Jose Rizal University, Technological
Institute of the Philippines and some public high schools around Metro
Manila are expected to participate in the walk-outs.

The students have also announced participation in the TruthFestival in
Roxas Blvd in Manila, a “cultural protest event” which is expected to
draw tens of thousands of people led by artist groups, students and
the religious. The event will also highlight the broad opposition to
charter change and martial rule. #

Reference: Vencer Crisostomo, LFS National Chairperson 09228262606