Arroyo's 'Martial Law' Will Be Thwarted By Waves Of Broad Protests

NEWS RELEASE

June 17, 2005
Reference: Elmer Labog, KMU Chairman
0920-6388960

Workers say never again to dictatorship" -- KMUMilitant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) today said that whatever plans by Malacanang and President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to put the country under Martial Law in order to suppress the people's growing clamor for her ouster will be frustrated by broad people's protests and resistance.

"KMU received information this morning that Arroyo is planning to declare Martial Law on or before June 21 and that hit squads are positioned within Metro Manila and surrounding provinces. The hit squads can either arrest or exterminate leaders of militant mass organizations.

We are currently taking all necessary precautions and security measures," said KMU Chairman Elmer Labog.

"The information may or may not be true, but we are expecting the worst. We are preparing our ranks for any scenario. Knowing Gloria, she can and she will do anything to hold on to her weakening presidency. But she will not succeed, workers say never again to another dictatorship," Labog stressed.

"Arroyo knows for sure that her regime is destined to collapse. She will be thrown out of Malacanang either through by people power or impeachment procedures following the exposure of audio tapes that are hard proof of the electoral fraud she committed during the elections last year. The political and economic crisis is so intense, even Arroyo and her clique doesn't know how to handle it."

"Like what Marcos did in 1972 when the country is in deep political and economic turmoil and tens of thousands of people are protesting against Marcos' policies, Arroyo is likely to declare open fascist rule to save her illegitimate leadership.

Actually, there is already an undeclared Martial Law with Arroyo's militarization campaign and severe political repression. Political activists and members of militant organizations are constantly harassed, abducted or murdered.

"We will frustrate Arroyo's Martial Law. We will hold a major mobilization on June 24 at Liwasang Bonifacio together with other sectors who are fed up with Arroyo's leadership. ###