. Elmer “Bong” Labog, Chair of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU).
(Photo credit: Peter Murphy)”)
Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines – During the International Conference for People’s Rights in the Philippines, Joe Iosbaker, of Fight Back! had the opportunity to meet and interview Elmer “Bong” Labog, Chair of Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), or May First Movement. The KMU is an independent and democratic labor center in the Philippines, promoting genuine, militant and anti-imperialist trade unionism.
International solidarity mission to the Philippines
Guinoman, Zamboanga Sibugay, Philippines – On July 16, three vans stuffed with passengers traveled the badly eroded, muddy, narrow road from Pagadian City to the village of Guinoman in Western Min-danao, in the province of Zamboanga Sibugay. On the roof of one of them was a dog, standing on all fours, that managed to stay on its feet through one of the torrential downpours that are a daily occur-rence in July.
Iligan City, Mindanao, Philippines – The recent election of Rodrigo Duterte as president of The Philip-pines (GRP) is a defeat for the pro-U.S. group of wealthy families that have always run the country. Here in Iligan City, there is an outpouring of the hopes from people about what the election could mean.
Chicago IL – Multinational mining companies are laying waste to the mountainous regions of the Southern Philippines. These mountaintops have been found to contain some of the world’s largest deposits of gold and precious minerals. The people who live there, the indigenous Lumad on the island of Mindanao, are defending their ancestral lands and have become the target of human rights abuses and massacres.
Hits FBI with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request on Mamasapano Incident
Minneapolis, MN – “Over 60 Filipinos died and witnesses also saw the body of an American at the covert U.S.-designed Mamasapano operation one year ago, yet the U.S. has still not come clean about the extent of its role in the carnage. We are filing this Freedom of Information Act request with the FBI because the Filipino and American people have the right to know the full truth about this botched mission,” stated BAYAN-USA Chair Bernadette Ellorin.
Manila – Palestinian icon Leila Khaled visited the Philippines for the first time this November to attend the Fifth General Assembly of the International League of Peoples' Struggle and the launch of the Philippines-Palestine Friendship Association. She was the keynote speaker of the International Women's Alliance and she spoke before the Filipino people in Manila during the protest actions against the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation. She also visited the temporary encampment of lumads (indigenous peoples) at a church ground.
Washington, DC – In the Philippines, there is a mounting crisis of human rights abuses against indigenous people, labor and community activists at the hands of the armed forces. Victims demand justice and there are even calls for President Benigno Aquino to resign. But mainly the demand is for an end to impunity for the killers and torturers, because over and over they go unpunished.
Washington, DC – The International Peoples’ Tribunal on Crimes Against the Filipino People (IPT) opened here July 16. 250 legal experts, witnesses of human rights violations, and social activists from the U.S., the Philippines and elsewhere came together. The mood in the hall was defiant, yet somber, as one after another survivor appeared before jurors to present the murders and torture committed against loved ones.
On Dec. 5 the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) said all revolutionary forces will be mobilizing all possible resources to secure the people and carry out all necessary operations in the face of the upcoming super typhoon Ruby (international name Hagupit).
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following press statement by GABRIELA USA, a grassroots-based alliance of progressive Filipino women's organizations in the United States:
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following June 5 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).CPP denounces US intervention in Zamboanga siege
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following May 2 statement from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).NDFP CONDEMNS THE ENHANCED DEFENSE COOPERATION AGREEMENT AS FLAGRANT TRAMPLING ON PHILIPPINE SOVEREIGNTY
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following March 23 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).CPP condemns arrest of senior leaders investigating conditions, overseeing rehabilitation in the Visayas
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 26 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).Denounce Aquino regime’s relentless offensives amid disaster, ceasefire declaration
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 23 statement from the Communist Party of the PhilippinesExtension of ceasefire in Yolanda – devastated areas
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 19 statement from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)Condemn destruction of farms, attacks against peasants in Luisita during height of Yolanda tragedy — CPP
Fight Back News Service is circulating the following Nov. 15 statement from the Communist Party of the PhilippinesIndict Aquino for criminal incompetence and demand justice
