The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP), the largest farmers organization in the country reiterated its call to pull out Filipino troops in Iraq to save Angelo dela Cruz from decapitation.“Is the government willing to sacrifice the life of Angelo to support an unjust war and brutal occupation of Iraq? How many Angelos will it take for the government to see its wrong foreign policy? Angelo should be the last and no family; no nation should go through the same ordeal, ” lamented Danilo “Ka Daning” Ramos, secretary general of the group.
 
The group also lambasted the early announcement of the supposed release of Angelo, which turned out to be false. “Though we want the immediate release of Angelo, they should have verified and reverified it because it creates false hopes and shows a government which is very eager to hog the lime light and brandish it as another accomplishment. It is like counting the chicks before the eggs have hatched and it is reminiscent of Gloria’s tack last year in handling the Oakwood armed protest, there was a lot grand standing but nothing was done to address the root of the problem,” added Ramos.

“The RP contingent should be pulled-out now because it is not even our commitment to the international community nor the Iraqi people to send them. It is a commitment of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to the US, and there is a world of difference between the two,” expounded Ramos.

KMP also belied the statement of Sec. Norberto Gonzales that the Filipino contingent is well received and trusted by the Iraqi people nor do they trust the people. Why should they be in full-battle gear and always on the alert if that is the case? They also want to remain there as our other country men in Iraq and the Middle-east is because of the high pay which is not present in our country.

“Bottom line is, is the government willing to have the blood of Angelo dela Cruz on its hands to support a very unpopular and unjust war of the US? But considering its track record of killing its own citizens, Angelo has a slim hope of survival,” concluded Ramos. # # # 
 

KMP - 11 July 2004