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GUEST: Eric Tandoc, a member of Habi Arts, just returned from the Philippines

This summer Amnesty International released a report on the Philippines entitled, “Political Killings, Human Rights and the Peace Process.” The report shows “an increased number of killings of political activists, predominately those associated with leftist or left-orientated groups, [that] have caused increasing concern in the Philippines and internationally.” To date, there have been 742 politically-motivated killings and more than 180 activists abducted since the US backed President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office. According to Amnesty International, the killings “constitute a pattern of politically targeted extrajudicial executions taking place within the broader context of a continuing counter-insurgency campaign” by the government. Earlier this year, President Arroyo had declared a week-long State of Emergency. Additionally, the peace process between the government and the National Democratic Front (NDF), representing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People’s Army (NPA), has collapsed.

There will be an action to “Stop the Killings in the Philippines” on Thursday September 21st from 5:30 to 6:30 pm at the Philippines Consulate, at 3600 Wilshire Blvd in Los Angeles.