‘Power in Numbers’ Depicts Filipino Struggle
by admin on 28/04/10 at 6:12 am
BY NORA KAYSERIAN
Over 100 Filipino-Americans and human rights activists gathered at UCLA on April 22 to raise awareness about election fraud and the consequent increase of human rights violations in the Philippines. The “Power in Numbers” tour was part of a series of concerts across the country organized by BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 progressive Filipino organizations in the United States.
The event began at the Fowler Amphitheatre with a celebration of Filipino culture and their struggle through art, music, poetry and dance. After the celebration, students and activists marched over to Moore Hall chanting, “NO JUSTICE! NO PEACE! U.S. OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!”
Following the march, a special documentary screening of ‘sounds of a New Hope,” by Eric Tandoc was held at Moore Hall. The documentary highlighted the life of Filipino-American MC Kiwi and his use of hip-hop as an organizing tool in the people’s movement for national liberation and democracy in the Philippines.
Attendees met with Eric Tandoc and Kiwi Illafonte after the screening for a discussion on the plight of Filipino people and the growth of hip-hop as part of the Philippine struggle for national liberation. They discussed the upcoming election and urged the public to spread the word about voting for progressive candidates. “The upcoming election has been used and abused by the ruling elite,” said Tandoc. “They have used fraud, intimidation, lies, bribery and even violence to rig the elections and stay in power.”
Since current Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo took power in 2001, there has been an unprecedented amount of politically motivated killings in the Philippines. In the past 7 years, there have been over 1,000 murders, 204 enforced disappearances and 1,026 tortured victims reported by human rights organizations. The perpetrators are Philippine military, police and paramilitary units who continue to target pastors, teachers, union leaders, students, lawyers, journalists and healthcare workers.
Melissa Roxas, a human rights activist and founding member of BAYAN USA, was the first US citizen to be subjected to gross human rights violations in the Philippines. In May of 2009, she was abducted for conducting healthcare work and was held secretly in detention, where she was tortured for 6 days. “This is what happens when you”re perceived as doing activities that go against the government,” said Roxas. “Because the government doesn”t do what they should be doing – serving the poor and oppressed – they crack down on those that do,” she added.
Just recently, the Philippine military, along with local police, stormed a private ranch in Moro, Rizal and wrongfully arrested 43 health workers. The workers were undergoing health training to serve the vast majority of Filipino people who do not have access to healthcare. The workers were sexually abused and tortured mentally, physically, and psychologically, without access to lawyers or medical attention.
No one has been prosecuted for any violation of the law or basic human rights. The Philippine government continues its brutal policy, even as international condemnation for its gross human rights record has been expressed by various human rights organizations. To top things off, our US tax dollars are funding the Philippine military’s campaign to terrorize innocent people. Every year, the US sends tens of millions of dollars in military aid to the Philippines, which have added up to $1 billion in US taxpayer dollars since 1999.
The aim of the “Power in Numbers” tour is to inspire the public to call on President Obama to lead the effort to end US military aid to the Philippines by urging President Arroyo to free the 43 health workers and put an end to human rights violations committed by her military. Thus far, over 800 people have signed the “Free 43 Philippine Healthcare Workers” petition. It is up to us to stop US military aid from being used to kill, abduct, and torture innocent people. Click here to sign the petition.
For more information about Melissa Roxas and Eric Tandoc’s documentary please visit:
