BY Bulatlat.com
Volume III, Number 37 October 19 - 25, 2003
URL: http://www.bulatlat.com/news/3-37/3-37-overseasfil.html

Overseas Filipinos joined their compatriots in the Philippines who held nationwide indignation rallies against the visit of U.S. President George W. Bush Oct. 18. The protests and statements of solidarity were held and issued in Hong Kong, Canada and Europe.

In Hong Kong, hundreds of anti-war activists, peace advocates and migrant groups marched to the U.S. consulate general to protest the "arrival of the world's No. 1 terrorist" in the Philippines.

The protest action was in support of protests and solidarity activities led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance) and the Justice, Not War Coalition in the Philippines.

Connie Bragas-Regalado, chair of the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK), said: "The global anti-war sentiment hounds Bush wherever he goes. Now that he steps into the territory of one of his most faithful warmongering ally, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it is but right for people to again rise up."

The protesters said that Bush's state visit to the Philippines is part of the U.S.' plan to push through with aggressive and interventionist policies in the country. These include the Mutual Support and Logistics Agreement (MLSA) and the Balikatan joint military exercises.

"Your (Bush) terrorist hysteria and witch hunting is not welcome in the Philippines or in the rest of the world," declared Regalado.

"Bush should not be greeted with accolades and pomp. Instead he should be put into trial for his crimes against humanity," she also said.

Regalado said that due to the Bush visit more repressive actions such as the "no permit, not rally" policy have been implemented.

"True to his terrorist record, the mere visit of Bush has sparked suppression against the people of the Philippines. His bloodied trail should be cut off," she said.

UNIFIL-HK along with the Asia-Pacific Mission for Migrants and other Hong Kong-based groups also issued a statement expressing their unity with the Filipino people in their campaign to ban a war criminal such as Bush from entering their territory. "We shall put up a no entry sign to him in Hong Kong," they also warned.

Canada, Europe

In Canada, Filipino nurses joined other migrant workers, students, antiwar activists and other groups in supporting nationwide protests in the Philippines as part of the worldwide campaign against Bush's nine-day Asian swing.

"For the Filipino people the Bush visit is further confirmation of their continuous suffering under the present Arroyo government," they said.

In Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Migrante-Europe and Bayan-International also protested the U.S. President's visit in the Philippines, saying that Bush's wars of aggression bring no "genuine and lasting peace" in the country and will only reinforce the colonial and unequal relations between the two countries.

Both organizations also demanded the withdrawal of all U.S. troops in the Philippines even as they called for a government that is "truly independent, democratic, pro-people, transparent and corruption-free."

They asked President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to answer questions that her administration masterminded the terrorist bombings in Mindanao, southern Philippines recently that killed dozens of innocent civilians, in exchange for U.S. assistance. Bulatlat.com / Reposted by migrante_ksa.

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