Migrante Warns Against Martial Law, Calls for Zero Remittance Vs. Constituent Assembly

Published on July 11, 2009

By Aldwin Quitasol
Northern Dispatch
Posted by (Bulatlat.com)

BAGUIO CITY ? Members of Migrante International warned the Filipino people that the latest spate of bombings could be used by the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as bases to declare martial law and prolong Arroyo’s presidency.

During the launching of a petition against Arroyo’s term extension and the call for a zero-remittance-day once the Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass) convenes after Arroyo’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) this July 27, Migrante called on the public to be vigilant.

Mindanao was rocked by two explosions in one day July 7. The first explosion happened in the island of Jolo killing six and wounding several people. The second happened around two hours later when another bomb exploded in Iligan City hurting six.

Earlier on july 5, six were killed and 55 wounded from a deadly explosion outside a church in Cotabato City also in Mindanao.

Migrante International Chairperson Garry Martinez said only the administration of Arroyo will benefit most if the bombings will lead to a state of emergency.

“We call on the people to be vigilant and to continue to demonstrate that they will not let President Arroyo get away with her crime against the people by extending her term either through con-ass or through a palace coup,” added Martinez.

Migrante further said the Arroyo government could always point its fingers at the opposition and other progressive organizations and individuals as it has done in the past.

The group added that the government could use these to justify what it called as a “staged coup de ‘etat” to give Arroyo the reason to declare a state of emergency and extend indefinitely her term.

The group added that Arroyo is desperate enough to cling to power and is capable of resorting to other measures, including a scenario that is similar to the months preceding martial law.

Martinez said other chapters of Migrante abroad are preparing to protest against any scenario that will prolong Arroyo’s stay in Malacañang.

“ At the same time, we will try to reach the biggest number of OFWs to urge them to suspend sending their remittances for a day; that is, on the first day of the constituent assembly once it convenes,” said Martinez.

Migrante is planning to hold other petition signing activities in places where there is a large concentration of Filipino migrant workers. They said they will collect all the signatures and submit it to congress during the SONA of Arroyo in July 27.