Letter to the Editor – Labor group denounces crackdown on critics

Militant labor group Alyansa sa mga Mamumuo sa Sugbo - Kilusang Mayo Uno (AMA-SUGBO-KMU) denounced the apparent crackdown of partylist representatives. Anakpawis Rep. Crispin Beltran, along with his wife Rosario and four other companions, were arrested by a certain Maj. Rene Corpuz and another unidentified person, both reportedly from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG), in Bulacan around 10 a.m. today. Meanwhile, the CIDG attempted to arrest Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo after his press conference at the Sulo Hotel in Quezon City. Two of Ocampo's staff were reportedly arrested.

"The true color of Presidential Proclamation 1017 has come out. It is but a proclamation calling on the loyalist AFP and PNP forces to carry out the illegal arrests and persecution of those critical to the anti-people policies of the Arroyo regime," asserted Winnie Badayos, Chairperson of AMA-SUGBO-KMU. "The warrantless arrest of Cong. Beltran and the attempted arrest of Cong. Satur Ocampo is a signal of more illegal arrests to come," he added.

Badayos urged the people, media, and organizations to be "ever more vigilant in the face of Arroyo's declaration of 'state of emergency'."

"This is all part of a conscious and desperate attempt of the reeling presidency of Arroyo to subdue the upwelling of the people's just protest against her corrupt and illegitimate regime," Badayos said.

"This crackdown on progressive critics is bound to fail and will only hasten Arroyo's downfall. The people's resolve to fight her anti-people policies and her regime can never be prevented by any form of tyranny," Badayos said.

Alyansa sa mamumuo sa Sugbo
Kilusang Mayo Uno
(AMA-SUGBO-KMU) amasugbo@yahoo.com

Elpedio Caterbas
Secretary-General
Contact Number: 0917-359-2112