Press Statement - March 13, 2005
References: Connie Bragas-Regalado, Chairperson, 0927-2157392
Vince Borneo, Information Officer, 0927-7968198 or 259-1145

"Indefinite lifting of deadline not enough"
Pres. Arroyo: Heed the family's plea! Withdraw Philippine support to US War on Iraq to save Robert Tarongoy

MIGRANTE Sectoral Party Chairperson Connie Bragas-Regalado today pressed mounting calls to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately issue a statement withdrawing support to the United States government's war on Iraq to save Robert Theodore Tarongoy.

"Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and various personas of Malacanang and the Department of Foreign Affairs have been issuing vague statements on the conditions of Tarongoy, including the abductors granting of an 'indefinite extension to the deadline of his execution.' There is something amiss here. There is something being hidden by Malacanang and the DFA from the family and the public," Bragas-Regalado said.

The MIGRANTE Sectoral Party is urging the Philippine government "to immediately (1) embark on a full withdrawal of all support to the US War on Iraq; (2) allocate government funds to establish an emergency repatriation fund for OFWs in Iraq that is sourced from the national coffers and (3) pursue a program to create stable, commensurate and well-paying jobs for our people IN the Philippines."

The Tarongoy family, specifically Tomas and Isabelita, has formally asked the President to immediately issue a political statement withdrawing support to the US war on Iraq and for a review of RP-US relations in order to save Robert.

Pres. Arroyo has again prodded the media to "write and broadcast less of the Tarongoy case."

"This is another news blackout. Clearly, Pres. Arroyo is avoiding responsibility for the Tarongoy case like the plague," Bragas-Regalado said.

Tarongoy's abductors have demanded (1) the pullout of 6,500 Filipino workers Iraq and (2) an end to military cooperation between the Philippines and the United States government.

"Malacanang and the DFA are playing down these demands and asking the media and the public not to speculate on the conditions of Tarongoy. But government is not telling the public what is really happening. It is only kowtowing to whatever US government initiative is being done in Iraq that is why speculations arise," Bragas-Regalado said.

Migrante has warned of more unrest if government failed to save Tarongoy and protect all OFWs in Iraq.

"For more than four long months, the Philippine government has done nothing definite to secure Tarongoy's safe release and repatriation. What is wrong? Were negotiations actually happening all this time? Or did Team Iraq headed by Amb. Rafael Seguis only start negotiations a few days ago? The Macapagal-Arroyo government should disclose its every move to the public," Bragas-Regalado said. #