News Release
Fishers warn against Chinese encirclement of Ph territory
News release
August 23, 2019
Fishers warn against Chinese encirclement of Ph territory
Manila, Philippines – The militant fisherfolk group PambansangLakasngKilusangMamamalakayangPilipinas(PAMALAKAYA) on Friday backed the house resolution filed byBayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate and lawmakers under the Makabayan bloc, pushing the investigation on the impacts of Chinese development plans in three strategic Philippine islands, namely, Fugaisland in Cagayan province, and Grande and Chiquita islands in Subic, Zambales.
In a statement, PAMALAKAYA said that “not only the national security would be at stake if the government allows China to transform three of our strategic islands into Chinese economic hub, but also the national sovereignty and socio-economic rights of the farmers and fishermen who are direct victims on the takeover of our territory,”
Pamalakaya condemns serious threats to its Luzon leader opposing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea
News Release
August 19, 2019
Pamalakaya condemns serious threats to its Luzon leader opposing Chinese aggression in the West Philippine Sea
Manila, Philippines – The Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas) strongly condemns the threat to the safety and security of its Vice-Chairperson for Luzon and Pamalakaya-Central Luzon Chairperson, Bobby Roldan, who received a threatening text message last August 16. Roldan is a fisherfolk leader from Bataan, an organizer in fishing communities in Central Luzon, and a common face at protests in front of the Chinese consulate in Makati City and has even attended the fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President Rodrigo Duterte last July to highlight national sovereignty in the West Philippine Sea.
“We vehemently condemn the harassment against Roldan, who fights for the rights of small fisherfolk in the West Philippine Sea and against Chinese aggression in our territory. Whoever is behind those malicious and derogatory messages and threat, is clearly a traitor to the nation and the Filipino people,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson and former Anakpawis Party-list solon said in a statement.
The text message sent to Roldan said “Salot ka! Pekeng mangingisda! Npa! Walang diyos! Mamamatay tao! Tantanan mo na panlilinlang m0 sa taumbayan, susun0d na cl sa lilinisin namin laban sa dem0ny0ng gaya mo! Magbag0ng buhay ka na!” At the same day, a threatening message was also sent to Joseph Canlas, Chairperson of Alyansa ng Magbubukid sa Gitnang Luson (AMGL) and Anakpawis Party-list Central Luzon Regional Coordinator. Pamalakaya-Central Luzon is part of AMGL.
“Hindi biro ang ganitong harassment sa gitna ng malawakang pagpatay at pandarahas sa mga magsasaka at aktibistang lumalaban para sa karapatan. Kaya inilalantad namin ito para mabigyang proteksyon ang aming lider-mangingisda at mga magsasaka sa Central Luzon,” Hicap added.
Hicap said that two Pamalakaya leaders have been gunned down in Guihulngan City, Negros, namely namely Alberto “Leboy” Tecson, Vice-Chairperson of Pamalakaya-Guihulngan City, killed on July 24, 2017, and his successor Jaime Delos Santos, Chairperson of the same Pamalakaya chapter, killed on October 6, 2018. At least 6 fisherfolk activists, 3 in Negros Oriental, 1 in Masbate, 1 in Sorsogon, and 1 in Batangas, have been killed under Duterte’s watch.
“Anti-subversion revival an attack against Filipino patriotic spirit” – fisherfolk group
News Release
August 14, 2019
“Anti-subversion revival an attack against Filipino patriotic spirit” – fisherfolk group
Manila, Philippines – “Multiple decades have passed but the long-censured McCarthyist thought continues to live on secretary Año to feed into his anti-communist hysteria. It has been globally recognized that subscription to a certain ideology is not tantamount to a criminal act, more so to a terrorism,” This was the reaction of the militant fisherfolk group Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (PAMALAKAYA) on Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Eduardo Año on his proposal to restore the long-repealed anti-subversion law.
PAMALAKAYA was referring to McCarthyism, a baseless principle existed during 1940s to 1950s, that served as a political witch-hunt against suspected communist members and sympathizers in the United States.
In a statement, the fisherfolk group said anti-subversion law contravenes the basic principles of the constitution that recognize the people’s rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and to organize.
“Año’s dangerous proposal would heighten political repression and vilification campaign against legal and democratic organizations that advocate for genuine change and social reforms. It is a direct attack to the patriotic spirit among the Filipinos, as well as to the political opponents of the administration,” Fernando Hicap, PAMALAKAYA National Chairperson said in a statement.
Pamalakaya-Pilipinas 