ANAKBAYAN NEW YORK-NEW JERSEY

We Demand Jobs and Education, Not War and Occupation

2010-03-05T12:41:00.002-05:00

We Demand Jobs and Education, Not War and Occupation

Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey stand in solidarity with the students, youth and workers who are speaking out and standing up today against the systemic attacks on public education. It is high time for the rest of the society to take a stand against the systemic attack on the people’s needs in favor of the interests of the few and create a society wherein the people’s needs are prioritized above all.

State’s all-out attack on Education

Both state governments, from New Jersey’s Gov. Christie to New York’s Gov. Paterson, are all out in their attacks on social services, particularly, on the education sector.

In New Jersey, the operating budgets of the nine state colleges and universities have been cut five times and they now receive about the same amount of dollars they received 10 years ago. Despite the overwhelming number of student enrollment in 2008-2009, the current state government has even announced a freeze on state spending, signaling more lay-offs, more furlough days and tuition fee increases for the public sector.

In New York, over 19 public schools from K-12 are going to be shut down and a round of new tuition fee increases in the City University of New York (CUNY) and the State University of New York (SUNY) are being hashed out. In the Fall of 2009, due to a budget cuts and a huge budget deficit, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has announced that they’ll stop giving out student metro cards that’ll be another burden passed on working class students.

Budget cuts are an assault against working-class and immigrant communities

We are outraged that the burden of the so-called budget crisis that this country is experiencing is being put on the backs of immigrants and working class people while the government shelled out roughly $1.5 Trillion dollars for the endless war in Iraq and Afghanistan and $700 Billion to bail out banks and financial institutions, which in the first place are responsible for the current crisis; the crisis of the capitalist system.

With the education out of reach to most immigrant and working-class youth and students, this leaves them no choice but to join the army as their only way to get education, who, by the way, is the only sector that did not experience any cuts on budget allocations. This is no different than a military draft but solely for the immigrant and working-class youth, forcing them to fight the unjust wars of the rich.

With 4 million Filipinos in the United States, 51% of which belong to the youth sector, it is inevitable that our youth will be one of the worst hit by this crisis.

International struggle for right to education

All around the world, students and workers are decrying state abandonment of education. In Germany, Austria and Scandanavian countries and movements throughout the Asia Pacific especially Indonesia, India and Korea, students are demanding access to quality education. In the Philippines, students are calling out the myth of “liberal education” rooted in American direct colonialism up to the current Arroyo regime, as an ensuing and escalating crisis in education that is colonial, commercialized and fascist in nature.

We join the youth and students from New York to New Jersey and all over the US on this national day of action in demanding full funding for public education and not for imperialist wars of aggression in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and in other countless military bases in Israel, South Korea and the Philippines.

From the U.S. to the Philippines and all around the world, we have no option but to join in solidarity to defend our education and demand an end to imperialist attacks on our youth, our workers, our families!

We demand a fully funded and quality education system.

We demand good quality jobs for workers and teachers.

We demand to put priority in youth and students and not in big banks, prison and War.

LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY.

450 Relief Boxes from U.S. East Coast: SENT!

2010-02-03T09:44:00.001-05:00

PRESS RELEASE
27 January 2010

REFERENCE: Jonna Baldres, Migrante International Coordinator for US East Coast,filipinocenter@gmail.com, (718)5658862

450 Relief Boxes from U.S. East Coast: SENT!
NAFCON/SanDiwa’s Bayanihan for Disaster Relief Campaign Continues

NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY – On January 19, just as news were received that the relief boxes from the US West Coast arrived on the doorstep of Migrante International in the Philippines, US East Coast — New York and New Jersey chapters of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) and its youth arm, Sandiwa National Alliance of Filipino-American Youth — sent off some 450 relief boxes to be shipped to the Philippines on the same day!

“After nearly four months of struggling, and eventually, claiming victories, against the restrictions and repressive policies of the Philippine government on relief donations, NAFCON has once again proven that with collective action, the Filipino community will triumph,” said Nicholas Cordero of Philippine Forum-New Jersey, a member organization of NAFCON in the East Coast.

In September 2009, upon learning that typhoon Ondoy hit the Philippines, NAFCON and SanDiwa immediately gathered to launch its Bayanihan for Typhoon Ondoy Disaster Relief Campaign nationwide. Migrante International was identified to become the recipient of NAFCON and SanDiwa’s continued relief efforts, as it has proven to genuinely address the issues of Filipino migrants and, more importantly, their families in the Philippines. With the banding together of the whole Filipino community and friends from all over the United States, fundraising activities and collection of donations began right away, gathering about $15,000 in monetary relief, and more than 500 relief boxes in the East Coast — including food, clothes, medicines, blankets and other material donations.

“Three more typhoons hit the Philippines since Ondoy and the Mayon volcano just erupted in December. In light of all these calamities, the Bayanihan for Disaster Relief Campaign continues as long as the relief has not reached disaster victims, and we, the youth from SanDiwa, together with our mother alliance, NAFCON, will keep close watch and make sure that these donations will not go to corrupted hands,” said Anne Beryl Corotan, SanDiwa chairperson based in New York.

In the course of the relief campaign, NAFCON, SanDiwa and their member organizations all over the US have also led in fighting for the lifting of the ban on used clothing and dropping of taxes on relief by the Philippine government, and lastly, for Migrante International to receive and distribute the donations to affected communities. The campaign did not only focus on collection of donations and creatively fundraising for shipping but also took up the responsibility of challenging the policies of the Philippine government and exposing its inefficiency that caused the loss and displacement of thousands of its people in these tragedies. Community meetings and actions were also held to educate, gather and express the sentiments of the members of the community.

“As long as natural and man-made disasters keep coming to our beloved country and the Philippine government does not take steps to address these, and instead, imposes unreasonable policies preventing our overseas kababayans from sending help to our loved ones back home, we will continue to fight,” said Yves Nibungco, chairperson of the youth group Anakbayan New York/New Jersey and member organization of SanDiwa.

Out of the 530+ relief boxes, ninety-five more were left (New York and New Jersey combined) as the container could not fit any more boxes. NAFCON East Coast will be calling for a community forum within the next few days for the community to decide on what to do with the rest of the boxes. The boxes sent are expected to arrive in Manila by mid to end of February.

On March 7, a victory celebration for the relief campaign will be held as the Filipino community in New York also celebrates the second anniversary of the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center in Queens. Member organizations, volunteers and everyone who helped in the relief efforts are all invited to join in the celebration of the Filipino’s insurmountable strength, resilience and collective action amidst great battle and tragedy, leading to successes of the whole community.

For more information and for continuous coverage of the Bayanihan for Disaster Relief Campaign, please visit www.bayanihan4ondoy.wordpress.com.

MABUHAY ANG MGA PILIPINO SA U.S.!
MABUHAY ANG SAMBAYANANG LUMALABAN AT NAGKAKAISA!

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More photos from this link:http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/jonnabaldres/NAFCON_Bayanihan_relief_sendoff_19Jan2010/

Storage in New York being emptied of ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes

Loading ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes into the container truck from New York storage

Volunteers done loading 230+ New York
‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes!

New Jersey ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes lined up for loading

Volunteers load New Jersey ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’
boxes into container truck

Volunteers practice true “Bayanihan” spirit
as they load relief boxes into container truck

Around 450 ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes sent off to the Philippines!

Container truck on the way to ship ‘Bayanihan for Disaster Relief’ boxes to the Philippines!

Packing list ready as early as December 2009

U.S. and Philippine Governments Declared Culpable for Maguindanao Massacre

2009-12-11T01:37:00.004-05:00

U.S. and Philippine Governments Declared Culpable for Maguindanao Massacre

BAYAN-USA Honors Victims by Launching Week of Action for Human Rights and Mobilization for the International Observers Mission to the 2010 Philippine Elections

“Bystanders who witness a crime and do nothing are guilty of allowing the perpetrator to strike his next victim. BAYAN-USA is giving people in the U.S. the opportunity to take action to prevent the continued loss of life in the Philippines at the hands of the military, police and paramilitary thugs. The best way to honor and obtain justice for the victims is by taking action,” said Berna Ellorin, Chair of BAYAN-USA as the alliance of 14 Filipino organizations in the U.S. launched a week of action in response to the Maguindanao Massacre and announced plans to mobilize for the International Observers Mission to the 2010 Philippine Elections. Actions will commence today in New York and Los Angeles and continue through International Human Rights Day on December 10.

On November 23, 2009 at least 64 people were massacred in Ampatuan, Maguindanao in one of the most open and vicious election-related acts of violence in Philippine history. Among the victims were women, two human rights lawyers, and 31 journalists. It was the single deadliest attack on journalists on record.

"BAYAN-USA condemns this heinous, calculated crime which everyone knows was executed by the private army of the Ampatuan family, a ruling clan with close, long-standing ties to President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, in conjunction with members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Army,” said Ellorin. “The perpetrators had no doubt that they would get away scott-free, just as the PNP, Armed Forces, and paramilitary outfits who have committed thousands of human rights violations against innocent civilians over the past 8-1/2 years under Arroyo have escaped conviction—or even been rewarded for their performance like General-cum-Congressman Jovito Palparan. It is because Macapagal-Arroyo has actually directed these human rights violations as standard procedure of her counter-insurgency Operation Plan Bantay Laya 2--with the funding provided by U.S. military aid, ‘advice’ provided by U.S. military advisors, and justification provided by the U.S. ‘war on terror.’”

“We are launching this week of action and announcing plans to mobilize for the International Observers Mission for the 2010 Elections not only because we know that Macapagal-Arroyo regime will never seriously investigate the Maguindanao Massacre or any of the human rights violations sure to come as the 2010 elections approach. We are taking action because we need to hold the U.S. government accountable for every single killing, abduction, torture, and that they have funded with the millions in U.S. tax dollars they have granted to Macapagal-Arroyo’s mercenaries, which have served the interests of U.S. imperialism. The ammunition used by the perpetrators of the Maguindanao Massacre came from the AFP, care of U.S. military aid,” stated Ellorin. BAYAN-USA pointed out that despite his rhetoric of “change,” the Obama administration has clung to a century-old policy toward the Philippines. “Since it first colonized the Philippines over 100 years ago, the U.S. has sought to control the country’s vast human and material resources through both political means and by brute force, and to use the Philippines as a geopolitical foothold to expand and maintain its economic, political and military interests in Southeast Asia. Under the leadership of Presidents Roosevelt, Johnson, Bush 1 or 2, or Clinton, the U.S. government’s guiding principles were always imperialist control of the Philippines and expansion throughout the Southeast Asian region,” said Ellorin

Within weeks of taking the oath of office, Obama began giving direct support to the Macapagal-Arroyo regime. In February, Obama called Arroyo to state his commitment to the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Balikatan exercises. In July, Obama again affirmed U.S. commitment to the VFA during Arroyo’s state visit to Washington DC. In August Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the U.S. has been keeping a 600-strong Joint Special Operations Task Force in the Philippines since 1999 and that the U.S. intends to maintain the forces there indefinitely. And in November, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton visited the Philippines and dodged questions about the VFA and the abduction and torture of American citizen Melissa Roxas.

Moreover, there are reports that the State Department may actually release the $2 Million in military aid to the Philippines that Congress ordered to be withheld from the total U.S. military aid package to the Philippines in 2010, pending improvements in the nation’s human rights record and the Arroyo government’s compliance with the human rights recommendations made by U.N. Special Rapporteur Philip Allston. “If the U.S. releases the $2 Million that is supposed to be restricted—not to mention provide possibly even more aid next year—it would be like lighting the fuse on a pile of dynamite,” stated Ellorin. “The Maguindanao Massacre is proof that human rights violations continue to rage throughout the Philippines. There is no justification for granting more aid to Macapagal-Arroyo’s murderous regime.”

To add insult to injury, Macapagal-Arroyo has declared her intent to run for a seat in Congress next year--the Representative of the second district of Pampanga, which could be a stepping stone for her to vie for Prime Minister in the future if Charter Change is enacted. “Declaring her candidacy in the midst of the Maguindanao Massacre insults the victims of this latest tragedy. While Macapagal-Arroyo likes to tout her public service record, the best way for her to serve the people would be to stay out of government altogether,” said Ellorin.

Starting today, BAYAN-USA member organizations are conducting actions across the country to mobilize the 4 million-strong Filipino community and all people in the U.S. who believe in human rights to condemn Macapagal-Arroyo’s role in instigating the Maguindanao Massacre, demand a swift and impartial investigation and prosecution of the perpetrators, and demand accountability from the Obama administration for perpetuating the human rights crisis. BAYAN-USA also launches a recruitment drive to bring journalists, lawyers, faith leaders, photographers, educators, artists, and other concerned Americans to serve as delegates on the International Observers Mission, an effort of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines, KARAPATAN and other organizations to promote fair, peaceful and democratic national elections in a country plagued by fraudulent and violent elections.

Justice for the victims of the Maguindanao Massacre! Justice for All Victims of State-Sponsored Repression in the Philippines!

Investigate, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators of the Maguindanao Massacre!

No U.S. Tax Dollars for State-Sponsored Massacres, Abduction, Torture and Killings in the Philippines!

Disband all paramilitary units and the private armies of warlords and politicians! Stop the Operation Plan Bantay Laya 2!

End Arroyo’s Reign of Terror! Ban Arroyo from All Government Offices!

“Learn from the masses, Serve the People!” Says Jersey City Youth Group

2009-12-03T07:02:00.002-05:00

Jersey City-“Learn from the masses. Serve the People!” That is the resounding call of the Filipino youth group called Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey as they celebrate their 5^th founding anniversary on Sunday at Sinugba, a Filipino-owned restaurant in Jersey City. This event was themed “Aklasan: Rediscovering the Roots of Our Generation’s Revolution” in honor and celebration of Anakbayan-Philippines’ 11years of service to the people, Kabataang Makabayan’s 45^th Founding Anniversary and the Philippine Hero, Gat Andres Bonifacio’s 146^thbirthday.

“As a new generation of Filipino activists, it is our obligation to go back to our roots and learn, connect and uphold the valuable lessons and principles held by those who came before us in order for our generation to continue the unfinished struggle of our people for self-determination and genuine democracy in the Philippines” said Yves Nibungco, newly elected Chairperson of Anakbayan NY/NJ. “It is very timely and advisable to all the youth, whether immigrant or US-born to know, learn and draw lessons from the Katipunan and Kabataang Makabayan as we continue to face the same issues of foreign domination, feudal exploitation and government corruption.” Mr. Nibungco added.

According to Anakbayan, they continue to struggle for these issues because the Philippines remain a vassal country, dominated by foreign interests and ruled by a minority of landowners and big businesses while the vast majority basks in poverty. They also said that this is the main reason why almost 4000 Filipinos leave the country every day.

The celebration was youthful, intense and meaningful as friends and allies came to share the special day and to show support for the Filipino youth group. The celebration was started by a slideshow of one-year’s worth of Anakbayan’s activities and struggles. It was followed by fiery and heart-warming speeches of solidarity and appreciation from allied organizations and supporters.

One of the attendees was Kalusugan Coalition’s Project AsPIRE Director, Ms. Rhodora Ursua. In her solidarity message, she said, “on behalf of Kalusugan Coalition, we just appreciate how much AB [Anakbayan] has been such a great partner for the work that we do in trying to serve the health needs of Filipinos here in Jersey City, NJ and in Queens, NY. Anakbayan always comes out in full force, volunteering and helping out during Project AsPIRE’s health fairs.”

At the event, newly elected officers of Anakbayan NY/NJ were presented and were followed by a public oath taking, symbolizing their commitment to serving the community. The event was concluded with the breaking of a piñata/Arroyo effigy and a cultural show wherein local Filipino artists played. Artists who supported the event were Bayanihan Kultural Kolektib (BKK), Kadena, Donny Manuel, Taospuso and John-Flor Sisante.

About 70 other supporters filled Sinugba restaurant where the said youth group usually hold its events. Allied organizations in attendance include New York Committee on Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Kalusugan Coalition, American Pin@y Organization of the Youth (APOY), Philippine Forum New York and New Jersey, Pan-American Concerned Citizens Action League (PACCAL), Garden State Alliance for a New Economy (GAIN), SEIU 1199, Omni Health Workers, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), Sandiwa National Alliance of Filipino-American Youth, Gabriela-USA and Bagong Alyansang Makabayang-USA (BAYAN-USA). Volunteers from Bayanihan for Typhoon Ondoy Relief Drive also attended the event.

“We are so inspired and humbled at the same time by the community’s support. Now, we are even more ready to raise the level our struggle against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's tyranny. We vow to resist and prevent another dictatorship masquerading as Arroyo's congressional bid in Pampanga.” Ms. Kathleen Dy, Anakbayan’s new Secretary General, concluded while referring to rumors of Arroyo ruling the Philippines forever by running for Congres and Charter Change. ###

Photos by Felipe Asuncion

Jersey Artists, Youth, Students Unite for Typhoon Victims

2009-11-12T16:37:00.004-05:00

Jersey Artists, Youth, Students Unite for Typhoon Victims

Jersey City- Filipino youth and student groups, in collaboration with local Filipino artists and musicians, held a benefit concert called The Aftermathlast Friday, November 6, 2009, at the Our Lady of Victories School. The said event was able to successfully raise $2000 for the typhoon victims in the Philippines which will be sent to Tulong Kabataan, a youth-led relief and rehabilitation campaign organized by Kabataan Partylist, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students (LFS), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).

The benefit concert was spearheaded by American Pin@y Organization of the Youth (APOY-HCCC), a fresh and energetic Filipino youth organization at Hudson County Community College. A number of young Filipino bands, artists, musicians and dancers contributed their time and talent to the said benefit event. Kapsula, Higher Ground, Salamanka, Second Verse, Paper June, Inspired, Nothing But Knowledge (NBK), Gessica Pecana, Donny Manuel and Taospuso lit the night with their meaningful performances as hundreds of youth attended the event.

“We chose The Aftermath as the name of our event because what matters most is what you do after the benefit concert. We, from APOY-HCCC, hopes that the aftermath of this event, when you go back to your homes, to your community and to your schools, will be a more concerned, aware and involved Filipino youth not just in disaster reliefs but also with the issues that bear down on our people here in the United States and back home in the Philippines,” said Yves Nibungco, the current Chairperson of APOY-HCCC as he concluded the event with a speech.

Youth “Involvement” and “Patriotism”

After the event, two themes stood out: youth involvement and patriotism. The young Filipino student group aims to encourage more Filipino youth and students to come out and get involved in their community, particularly regarding issues that really affect them. By responding to the current “humanitarian crisis” in the Philippines brought about by the typhoon, APOY-HCCC is hoping that this will send a clear message to other Filipino student groups to become more active in linking up and acting on issues concerning kababayans here and back home.

The Filipino youth and students are powerful forces of change that is slowly awakening to the necessity of their involvement, not just through the relief efforts, but also in actively involving themselves in the shaping of our society,” said Kathleen Dy, a member of Anakbayan NY/NJ, a local progressive Filipino youth group. “The Filipino youth and students have a rich history of social involvement and activisim to draw lessons from, coming from the Katipunan to the Kabataang Makabayan and up to the present.” Ms. Dy added.

“This benefit concert is just the start of a growing Filipino youth and student movement here in Jersey City. We, together with other Filipino youth and student organizations, vow to spark and spread the flame of patriotism among our fellow Filipino youth and students,” Yves Nibungco, Chairperson of APOY-HCCC concluded.

American-Pin@y Organization of the Youth is a new Filipino student organization at Hudson County Community College. It aims to raise cultural and historical awareness among the Filipino youth. It also aims to involve the Filipino youth and students in helping the Filipino community. For more information about APOY-HCCC, email them athcccfilipinoclub@gmail.com

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Jersey Youth, Students Proclaim "Tuloy ang Laban" for Typhoon Victims

2009-11-01T09:31:00.003-05:00

Jersey Youth, Students Proclaim "Tuloy ang Laban" for Typhoon Victims

Jersey City- Filipino youth of Jersey City won't give up on their kababayans affected by the series of typhoons that hit the Philippines last month. With the theme: "Kapag Sama-sama, kayang kaya! Tuloy ang Laban!", American-Pinoy Organization of the Youth of Hudson County Community College (APOY-HCCC), in collaboration with other Filipino youth and student organizations, will be having "The Aftermath: A Benefit Concert for the Victims of Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng" on November 6. The said event is to take place at 240 Ege Ave. Jersey City at the Our Lady of Victories School, from 7pm to 12 midnight.

Late September, a series of devastating typhoons hit the Philippines delivering a record amount of rainfall and destruction never before seen in decades. Over a million people have been affected by typhoons Ondoy, Pepeng, Quedan and Ramil, particularly the poor peasants, farm workers, and urban poor. Hundreds of thousands are still in limbo at covered courts and gymnasiums-turned-evacuation centers as disease outbreaks loom ahead.

"The Aftermath" is a benefit concert to raise funds for the relief and rehabilitation of typhoon victims in the Philippines. The event is also aimed at getting the youth more involved in the Filipino community. It will showcase a variety of young local Filipino talents from bands to dancers. Some of the performers will be Kapsula, Paper June, Shaka, Inspired and Taospuso. All proceeds will go to "Tulong Kabataan", (Youth Help) a relief and rehabilitation campaign led by a coalition of different youth and student organization such as Kabataan Partylist, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, National Union of Students in the Philippines and College Editor's Guild of the Philippines.

"The Filipino youth and students must now open their eyes to the issues that affect our motherland, unite and get involved in the relief efforts and other efforts in the community" said Marlon Velasco, a member of APOY, a Filipino student organization at Hudson County Community College in Jersey City. "As students, we must also learn in the community. We can learn by helping and dedicating our time in serving our community. Organizing or coming to a benefit concert for our kababayans that were devastated by the typhoons is one way of getting involved." Mr. Velasco added.

The organizers of the said event are expecting hundreds of Filipino youth to attend the benefit concert. This, according to young activists, is a sign of a growing involvement among the Filipino immigrant and Filipino-American youth in the community and its issues.

“It is so inspiring to see the Filipino youth, whether immigrant or US-born, coming together in aid of our kababayans in the Philippines. The corruption ridden Arroyo government’s inability to provide relief to our people has taught us to unite and collectively act to help our brothers and sisters back home,” said Kathleen Dy of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, a progressive Filipino youth organization in based in Jersey City. “We call on the Filipino youth to unite and serve the people.” Ms. Dy concluded.

Endorsing organizations include Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Kapatirang Pilipino Fraternity (Kappa Pi), Young Educators for Health and Empowerment of the Youth (Yehey), Lakas Diwa, Sandiwa National Alliance of Filipino-American Youth and Philippine Forum-NJ.

For more information regarding the concert and to reserve tickets please email APOY-HCCC athcccfilipinoclub@gmail.com. Ticket price is $10. Monetary donations are also suggested.

Filipino Youth Group Denounces Brutal Dispersal, Calls for Immediate Investigation

2009-08-20T09:10:00.003-04:00

A member of the Presidential Security Group kicks a protester in the face even after he is subdued. -photo by Danny Boy Pata

A protester is gripped by the neck and is reduced to near-nakedness after police tear his clothes to shreds. -photo by Danny Boy Pata

-photo by Aaron Favila

Cops attempt to crush a downed protester with a steel barrier. -photo by Aaron Favila

The chairperson of the UP-CSWCD Student Council is lifted by her hair by a member of the PSG.

August 19, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference: Kathleen Dy, Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey

anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com

Filipino Youth Group Denounces Brutal Dispersal, Calls for Immediate Investigation

New Jersey- Filipino youth group Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey strongly denounce the brutal dispersal of a youth protest held yesterday at the Malacañang Palace, official residence of the Philippine president. Youth and student demonstrators held a peaceful lightning rally in front of the presidential palace to condemn Arroyo and her entourage’s controversial US-trip. The progressive youth group from Jersey city supports call for a just investigation of the Philippine National Police (PNP )and Presidential Security Group (PSG)personnel involved in the said incident.

“We are outraged by the exercise of violence by the PNP and members of the PSG. We support Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino’s resolution to call for an immediate investigation of those PNP and PSG personnel involved in the brutal dispersal of activists. They and their superiors must be held accountable for their acts of brutality,” said Anakbayan Deputy Sec. Gen. Yves Nibungco.

Videos and footages taken by the media show police and members of the Presidential Security Group snatching and taking turns in beating and dragging demonstrators. One photo even shows an enforcer in civilian attire kicking an already restrained activist in the face. According to Fil-am youth activists, the cruel acts of the Police are manifestations of state-sponsored violence.

“These security personnel and law enforcers are supposed to protect the citizens but it is clear that they were violating the right to peacefully assemble and air grievances. If they are capable of such brutality against the people in broad daylight and in the front of the media, what more horrible acts can they do when no one’s looking?” added Bea Sabino, a member of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

The said protest action was held in condemnation of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s most recent and controversial trip to the United States. Arroyo and her entourage reportedly spent over Php37 million in extravagant dinners and hotel stays in Manhattan and in Washington, D.C. This earned major disapproval from Filipinos back home and abroad.

“We call on our kababayans in New York and New Jersey to not let this incident pass. They already insulted our intellect by bombarding us with lies and alibis to cover-up the lavish trip, now they are brutalizing our brothers and sisters in the Philippines for telling the truth,” Ms. Sabino ended.

On Friday, August 21, Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, together with allied organizations under Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-USA (BAYAN-USA) will be staging an indignation protest in front of the Philippine Consulate in New York at 3:00pm-4:00pm. These said protest is in condemnation of Arroyo’s lavish dinners and the brutal dispersal of the protest in Malacañang.###

Filipino Youth Group Calls for an End to Arroyo’s “Glo-ttony”, Dares Arroyo to Surrender Wealth

2009-08-15T12:22:00.002-04:00

Filipino Youth Group Calls for an End to Arroyo’s “Glo-ttony”, Dares Arroyo to Surrender Wealth

New Jersey-Filipino youth of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey call for an end to Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s gluttony and greed after a recent controversial $20,000 dinner at Manhattan’s Le Cirque and a previous one at Bobby Van’s Steakhouse in Washington, D.C. for $15,000. This overindulgence earned criticisms from the opposition, as it was held amidst an appalling poverty and economic situation in the Philippines.

Guilty of “Glo-ttony”

Mrs. Arroyo and her entourage began their alleged spending extravaganza before meeting Pres. Obama in Washington, D.C. on July 30. According to two separate articles from the online edition of the New York Post, Arroyo and company came to spend $15,000 in D.C. and an alleged $20,000 at Le Cirque, hours before heading back to the Philippines.

The article, titled “Eat and Drink” described the feast as “enjoying the good life”, adding that, “Macapagal-Arroyo ordered several bottles of very expensive wine, pushing the dinner tab up to $20,000”. Another report came out on Aug.12 claiming that Arroyo and her cohorts had a prior “feast frenzy” in D.C. before meeting president Obama last July 30th. The commentary stated “The party spared no expense, and had lobster, steak and expensive wines”.

“One of the deadly sins is gluttony, which means excessive eating and consumption. We declare this regime guilty of this deadly sin. This latest debacle is a testament to Arroyo’s unquestionable corruption and insensitivity to the poverty of our countrymen back home. The sum of both lavish dinners, around $35,000, could have been spent on vital social services and poverty eradication measures that 2 out of 5 “food hungry” Filipinos should have benefitted from.” Said Jules Danzey of Anakbayan NY/NJ

Not a Simple Dinner

In an effort to justify the allegations, Press Secretary Cerge Remonde immediately responded to critics, dismissing the incident as a “simple dinner”. In another effort to respond to criticisms, Remonde added that the president cannot be expected to eat in a hotdog stand.

“The Administration’s statements reflect the kind of government we have under Arroyo’s rule - an arrogant government of the few who bask in luxury. This government has repeatedly misused the hard-earned tax money of the Filipino people,” said Anakbayan member, Kathleen Dy.

This, according to the young activist, shows the Administration’s elitism and ignorance of the people’s real conditions.

“Arroyo, Mr. Remonde and the rest of the administration’s lap dogs should go to the countryside, factories, urban-poor communities and to the cramped apartments of Overseas Filipino Workers in order for them to see what a simple dinner is. Consuming fine wine and caviar at the expense of millions of starving Filipinos is not and will never be just a simple dinner,” Ms. Dy added.

The Youth Challenge

On Aug.10, a report from the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) on the exponential growth of Arroyo’s wealth came out. According to the report, Arroyo acquired more wealth than the wealth of Cory, Erap and Ramos’ combined since she came to power.

According to PCIJ’s statement, “Arroyo’s declared net worth more than doubled (pegged only on the book or acquisition value of her assets), from P66.8 million in 2001 to P143.54 million in 2008. The increase of P76.74 million represents a growth rate of 114 percent.” In comparison to the country’s past three presidents, Arroyo’s rapid wealth increase dwarfs Corazon Aquino’s 4.8 percent from 1989 to 1992, Fidel Ramos’s 34.2 percent from 1992 to 1998, and Joseph Estrada’s 7.2 percent from 1998 to1999.

“No amount of finger-pointing and issue-dodging can distort the issue in the eyes of the vigilant masses. Whether the dinner was paid by congressman Romualdez, his relative or the first couple, it is clear that Arroyo’s lavish spending and amassing of wealth embody government corruption. This is how the elite uses our government as a milking cow to accumulate more wealth from the toiling Filipino people and perpetuate themselves in power,” stated Yves Nibungco, Deputy Sec. Gen. of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

Mr. Nibungco concluded with a challenge, “We dare Arroyo and the rest of the her clique, particularly Cerge Remonde, to surrender all their amassed wealth to the Filipino people and find out what a real simple dinner actually looks like. Either they start telling the truth or run the risk of another people’s revolt.”

Youth Group Calls on Filipinos to Register for 2010 Elections, Be Part of Change

2009-08-06T13:04:00.001-04:00

August 6, 2009

For Immediate Release

Refrence: Yves Nibungco, Deputy Sec. Gen. of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey

Email: anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com

Youth Group Calls on Filipinos to Register for 2010 Elections, Be Part of Change

New Jersey- Filipino youth group Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey and Philippine Forum-NJ calls on the Filipino people in Jersey city to be part of change by registering for the 2010 Philippine National Elections.

On August 8, 2009, the said Filipino groups will be holding an Overseas Absentee Voter’s Registration at Kalusugan Coalition’s office at Suite 413 4th floor, 591 Summit Ave. Jersey city. The said event will take place from 10:00am to 3:00pm. A Free health screening, that includes blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol check, will be generously provided by Kalusugan Coalition alongside with the voter’s registration.

Time to Make OFW Voices Heard

Filipinos overseas comprises a huge part of the voting population as more than 3000 Filipinos leave every day. According to Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA), in the first two months of 2009 alone, a total of 283,348 Filipinos went abroad. Also, remittances from OFW’s have been keeping the ailing Philippine economy afloat amidst a global economic crisis. Last year, remittances went up to $16B and $6.98B in the first 5 months of 2009 alone.

While the Overseas Filipino Workers keeps the Philippine economy alive, the government continues to neglect its so-called “Bagong Bayani”. Based on Migrante International’s report to the UN Committee on Migrant Workers, as of April 2009, there are 35 OFW’s in the death row in 6 countries and 10,000 still stranded mostly because they ran away from their abusive employer

“Philippine Consulates, Embassies and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) seem incapable and uninterested in protecting and advancing the rights and welfare of our compatriots around the world, a clear refleaction of the Arroyo regime's attitude towards OFW's. That is why we, as Overseas Filipino Workers, must start flexing our political muscle and demand a more accountable government that will truly serve our needs. Now is the time for us Filipinos abroad to get involved and be part of the movement to bring change in our motherland.” Said Yves Nibungco, Deputy Sec. Gen. of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

9 Years of Labor Export Policy Must End

Under Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s regime, the Labor Export Policy became full blown. Concretely, under Arroyo, Administrative Order no. 247, was put into place, shifting the function of Philippine Overseas Employment Agency (POEA) from regulatory to a full blown marketing of OFW’s abroad. Labor Export Policy (LEP) became Arroyo’s substitute for the absence of national industrialization and genuine agrarian reform in the Philippines. This said government policy, according to members of Anakbayan, is responsible for the massive diaspora of Filipinos abroad and the rise of unemployment and poverty back home.

“We, the Filipino youth, believe that 9 years of Labor Export Policy must come to an end together with GMA's regime this coming 2010. But we have reasons to believe that Arroyo is planning to rule beyond 2010, regardless whether it is through charter change or martial rule. The Filipino people are not commodities to be sent and sold on the international labor market. We want genuine change back home. By registering to be an overseas absentee voter and encouraging our kababayans to do the same, we are sending a clear message to Ms. Arroyo not to even dare to extend her term. 9 years of being pimped across the globe must end now!”, said Kathleen Dy, member of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

Rumors of a “No Election” scenario surfaced when the Philippine Congress rammed through the controversial House Resolution 1109 on June 2, 2009. H.R. 1109 is a resolution calling for the convening of a constituent assembly to amend the 1987 Philippine constitution. This move by the administration-dominated lower house, according to members of Anakbayan, was meant to extend Arroyo’s cling to power.

"If Arroyo pushes for the Constituent Assembly and Charter Change, she will definitely see more militant mass actions from Filipinos abroad and in the home front." concluded Ms. Dy.###

Filipino Youth Group calls on Filipinos to register for 2010 polls

2009-08-05T12:07:00.009-04:00

Why is it important to register as an Overseas Absentee Voter (OAV)?

Last year, Overseas Filipino workers contributed more than $15 Billion to the ailing Philippine Economy. While Filipinos overseas keep the Philippine economy afloat, it is sad, even offensive, that we lack representation in the political arena back home. By registering as an Overseas Absentee Voter, we will be able to play a role in choosing leaders who will fight for our rights while we are away from the Philippines. You should register as an OAV in order to vote for the 2010 Philippine National Election.

Why should you vote on the May 10, 2010 Philippine National Election?

You should vote not just because it is your civic duty, you should vote because the Philippines is in dire need of change and you have the ability to make that CHANGE happen. You may think that as an individual your vote may be little more than a whisper but when your vote is combined with the votes of others who share your views, it becomes a loud voice that cannot be ignored. As Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo plots to change the constitution and prolong her stay in power through Constituent Assembly and Charter Change, registering to vote and VOTING itself are ways to strongly remind the current administration how much we value true democracy.

Who is eligible to vote?

According to the Commission on Elections, all citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election and who wish to vote for President, Vice-President, Senators and Party List Representatives for purposes of the May 10, 2010 National Elections must file applications for registration/certification as overseas absentee voters from December 1, 2008 to August 31, 2009. The voting period will be from April 10, 2010 until 3:00 p.m. Philippine time of May 10, 2010.

How can you register to be an Overseas Absentee Voter?

On August 8, 2009, an Overseas Absentee Voter’s Registration will be held in the Five Corners area of Jersey City from 10am-3pm. You will need a valid Philippine Passport or Dual Citizenship Documents to register. In addition to the voter’s registration, Kalusugan Coalition will hold a free health screening (Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol). Two-hour fasting is required for the health screening. Details of the event are at the back of this page. If you cannot make it on August 8, you can go to the Philippine Consulate in NY to register on or before August 31, 2009.
This community event is organized by Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, Kalusugan Coalition and Philippine Forum New Jersey .
For questions, feel free to email us at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com or call Kathleen at 2012535765.

REAL-LIFE "SISTER STELLA L" JOINS FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NYC FOR THE REAL-LIFE SONA

2009-07-29T02:16:00.003-04:00

To view more pictures from this action, visit:http://s382.photobucket.com/albums/oo261/jonnabaldres/SONA%20in%20NY%202009%20-%2027%20July%202009/

REAL-LIFE "SISTER STELLA L" JOINS FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NYC FOR THE REAL-LIFE SONA

New York, NY-- Nearly a day after watching Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's deliverance of the State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Manila, Filipinos in New York, unconvinced by Arroyo's speech, gathered for a in-door forum to discuss "the REAL State of the Nation Address" (SONA) at the BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center followed by an outdoor march along Roosevelt Avenue in Woodside, Queens. Amongst the special guest speakers at the forum was none other than the real-life inspiration for the 1984 Filipino film "Sister Stella L" featuring actress Vilma Santos-- Mother Mary John Mananzan.

GABRIELA

Aside from serving as the Chairperson for the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP), Mananzan has the distinguished title of Chairperson Emeritus of GABRIELA Philippines, the largest federation of women's organizations in the country working for fundamental economic and social reforms.

While in New York, Mananzan was happy to be joined by fellow members of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), one of only a handful of Filipino women's organizations in the US that are also members of GABRIELA-USA.

THE REAL S.O.N.A.

At the forefront of the topics discussed was the case of Melissa Roxas, an US citizen abducted and tortured in the Philippines last May, and its implications of the overall human rights situation in the country. A presentation on the Justice for Melissa Roxas Campaign was delivered.

"If you say the Philippines is a country full of poverty, hunger, joblessness, and landlessness, then you already know more about the real state of the Philippines than Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo," stated Bernadette Ellorin, Chair of BAYAN USA.

Also discussed were the concrete dangers to the Arroyo government's proposed changes to provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, more popularly referred to as Charter Change, or Cha-Cha, delivered by Rico Foz, Executive Vice President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns or NAFCON.

The final presentation came from Mananzan, who spoke candidly of the actual social and political climate in the Philippines under Arroyo, with emphasis on gross cases of the Arroyo administration's corruption. She spoke of the billions of dollars being pocketed by a few rich, powerful families in the Philippines that could literally resolve the poverty epidemic in the country.

"I've never cursed in my life. Gloria is the first president to make me curse on stage," Mananzan quipped.

"And to think she is a woman! We should expel her from the womankind."
After a Q & A session with Mananzan, participants walked outside for a march with banners and signs reading "Justice for Melissa Roxas" and "No to Con-Ass/No to Cha-Cha" around the Filipino business district along Roosevelt Avenue.

TRANSFORMERS

Not too far away, a street theater play with "DeceptiCON-ASS" and "Filipinus Prime", a creative take on the popular Transformers movies, was taking place at nearby Krystal's Cafe.
After a scene in which Filipino Prime successfully beats DeceptiCON-ASS with the help of the marchers chanting "Cha-Cha ni Gloria, Ibasura!" (Junk Gloria's Cha-Cha!) and "Justice for Melissa Roxas!", representatives from the Filipino community, including FiRE, GABRIELA USA, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan NY/NJ, SANDIWA National Filipino-American Youth Alliance, League of Filipino Students, NAFCON, and BAYAN USA, each spoke about why the Arroyo version of SONA is full of dishonesty and what the real situation in the Philippines is.

OBAMA-ARROYO MEETING

Ending the rally was a call to go to Washington DC for the upcoming meeting between President Barack Obama and Arroyo this Thursday. Several from the contingent agreed to travel to Washington DC to join in the activities scheduled there, including a prayer vigil in front of the White House.

It is expected that Arroyo making the trip to Washington DC with intentions to win Obama's support for Cha-Cha, as well as request for more economic aid for the Philippine government and military, including the long-term stationing of US troops throughout the Philippines and the re-establishment of permanent US military bases in the country.
Community members called on Obama to be remember his words spoken in his inaugural speech-- particularly about "those who cling to power through corruption and deceit, and the silencing of dissent..."-- by raising the issue of Melissa Roxas, the gross human rights track record of the Arroyo government, and the culpability of the Philippine military, with Arroyo herself. ###

FILIPINO YOUTH PREPARE FOR ARROYO'S FINAL SONA SPEECH WITH PROTEST IN JERSEY CITY

2009-07-24T23:07:00.003-04:00

*FILIPINO YOUTH PREPARE FOR ARROYO'S FINAL SONA SPEECH WITH PROTEST IN
JERSEY CITY*

JERSEY CITY, NJ-- Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, a Filipino youth
organization, joined by allied organizations under the National Alliance for
Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), held a silent protest last Saturday along Five
Corners in Jersey City. The action was meant to be a build-up for the
upcoming State of the Nation Address (SONA) speech to be delivered by
Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo this coming Monday, July 27th.

They stood side by side, wearing black shirts and sandwich boards saying:
“Justice for Melissa Roxas!” and “No to US tax dollars for Philippine Death
squads!” This, they said, is symbolic of what the state of human rights in
the Philippines has become under Arroyo.

“Ever since Arroyo came to power, numerous repressive policies and brutal
counter insurgency campaigns were put in to place. The state of human rights
can be easily but horribly summed up by just looking at the increasing body
count of the dead and the posted pictures of the disappeared”, said Yves
Nibungco, Deputy Secretary-General of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

Nibungco expects Arroyo will deliver her speech on Monday, highlighting her
achievements and her vision for the future of our country. But young
activists doubt it.

“For the past nine years, what we heard are just litanies of lies. With
regards to human rights, there is nothing but a long trail of blood. In her
last year, we call on our kababayans here in the US and around the world to
be vigilant and ensure that this will be the end of Arroyo’s days in power,”
said Mr. Nibungco.

The youth organization also called attention to the scheduled Obama-Arroyo’s
meeting in Washington DC this July 30th. They demanded Melissa Roxas’ case
be put into the agenda. Mr. Nibungco continued, “Obama should stay true to
his word that he is for human rights. We demand that he put a hold on all US
military aid to the Philippines and that the Arroyo regime to cooperate with
ongoing and future investigations on Melissa Roxas’ case and other human
rights issues.”

The Philippines has been one of the biggest recipient of US military aid
since after the 9/11 attacks. In 2003 the Philippines, since it was also
considered as the second front on the US war on Terror. The Philippines
received $114M of military aid from the US, $164M in 2005 and $162M last
year. This is amidst America’s shrinking economy and decline in social
services due to budget cuts.

“We will continue to do this and launch more protest actions as long as
there dissent is being suppressed and that an illegitimate government
continues to exist. Our message to Ms. Arroyo is that they can never silence
the oppressed but definitely, her days are numbered," concluded Nibungco.

Anakbayan NY/NJ, along with several other Filipino organizations, is
sponsoring a community forum entitled "The Real State of the Nation Address"
in Queens on Monday, July 27, at 6pm. It will be held at the BAYANIHAN
Filipino Community Center, located on 40-21 69th Street off Roosevelt Avenue
in Woodside. For more information, email anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com ###

Filipino Youth Group Joins Health Care Workers in Struggle for Justice

2009-07-10T21:29:00.002-04:00

July 9, 2009

Union City, NJ- Progressive Filipino youth group in Jersey city, joins health care workers rally for better wages and benefits at Castle Hill Nursing Home last July 8, 2009.

While carrying banners and placards, members of Filipino youth group Anakbayan and the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) gave solidarity messages to protesting workers by joining their picket last Wednesday in front of a nursing home, wherein a significant number of workers are Filipinos.

“As sons and daughters of immigrant and health care workers ourselves, we know how it feels to see our parents work hard and still not earn enough. We express our support to the workers in Castle Hill nursing home and to all the workers who are suffering the same fate.” Said Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary-General of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Castle Hill is one out of four facilities under Omni Nursing Homes. Workers have been without a contract since 2007 and are paid less than $8/hour.

“These workers here in Castle Hill provide care for their patients, but who takes care of them? With their current wage and lack of benefits, it is clear that their employer doesn’t care about them,” said Kathleen Dy, a member of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Rico Foz, Executive Vice-President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) said “an injury to one is an injury to all. The management should heed the demand of the workers! Or else, face the wrath of the people!"

In light of the global financial crisis, these enterprises increase their exploitation of immigrant workers. Immigrant workers take the full blow of the crisis as employers depress the workers’ wage and deprive them of benefits crucial to their well-being to drive up the company’s profit. This kind of abuse from management affects the quality of care provided by the nursing home workers and, in the end, harms the patients too.

Kathleen Dy said, “Only through our collective action, particularly with the workers, can we effectively oppose the financial crisis’ attacks on our basic rights and dignity.”

“We recognize the fact that the struggle of these Castle Hill workers is partly our struggle as Filipino immigrant youth as well. That's why we ccame here today to show our full solidarity to the Omni workers struggling for justice! Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey is with these workers up to the end until they attain victory, in Castle Hill, and everywhere in the world,” Nibungco ended.###

2009-07-10T21:24:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 9, 2009

References: Ivan Penetrante, Chairperson, Anakbayan San Diego, igpene@gmail.com Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, yvesnibungco@gmail.com, Beverly Tang, Anakbayan Los Angeles, bev@anakbayanla.org, Sincere Born, Chairperson, Anakbayan Seattle, sincere9@gmail.com

Filipino American Youth Oppose Arroyo and Charter Change

Filipino Youth of BAYAN USA (League of Filipino Students-San Francisco State University and the US chapters of Anakbayan from East Bay (EB), San Diego (SD), Seattle, Los Angeles (LA) and Anakbayan York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) declare our full opposition to the Arroyo regime and its cronies’ push towards Charter Change (Cha-Cha).

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo knows the people will hold her accountable for her crimes when her term is up in 2010. Already standing neck deep in a track record of out-of-control rates of poverty, absence of social services, an ever-increasing list of human rights violations, and endless cases of corruption, Arroyo seeks to avoid prosecution and extend the reach of her power through Charter Change. Under Cha-Cha, Arroyo can impose Martial law and extend her stay in office indefinitely by changing the government to a parliamentary system, thus avoiding potential prosecution. “A dictatorship of Arroyo, whether under the guise of a parliamentary system or through declaration of martial rule, would certainly mean the death of our already ailing democracy and of our people’s dignity,” says Yves Nibungco of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Charter Change will constitutionally allow the US and other foreign military forces unrestricted stay and operations in the Philippines. Already playing a puppet to US militarism, Arroyo continues to bow down to foreign business interest as well. Charter Change places Philippine national sovereignty at further economic risk. Under Cha-cha existing economic provisions can be eliminated, enabling foreigners 100 percent ownership of lands and other property. Foreign exploitation and plundering of natural resources will increase, causing more displacements of people and landlessness in the countryside.

Though an ocean apart, the Filipino youth of BAYAN USA understand our people should fight the Arroyo regime and her cronies in order for there to be a true democracy in the Philippines that addresses the needs of its people. Charter Change is a slap in the face to the Filipino people and the provisions gained in the 1987 Constitution. That is why we support Kabataan Kontra Cha-Cha (a broad alliance of youth groups and student councils in the Philippines) and their call for student walkouts on July 10, 2009. We vow to do whatever it takes to prevent Arroyo from installing emergency rule and rigging next year’s elections. We are proud to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the Philippines for a better tomorrow!

BAYAN USA Youth calls upon Filipinos in the US to take a stand against Charter Change!

Anakbayan NYNJ, Kalusugan Coalition holds Free Health Screening at Sinugba Cafe

2009-06-24T21:48:00.007-04:00

Anakbayan NYNJ held its first Health Screening, in collaboration with Kalusugan Coalition and Project Aspire.

Anakbayan NYNJ is looking forward to conduct more health screenings and other community service oriented activities in the future.

If you are interested to become a volunteer
If you want to give back to your community
If you want to make a change
If you want to SERVE the people

Contact us at (201)2535662 and look for Yves Nibungco or (201)2535765 and look for Kathleen Dy

" We are living under a system that prioritizes the interest of the few versus the basic neccessities of the majority, wherein the majority is deprived of its rights and social services. That is why Anakbayan NYNJ, is encouragingthe Filipino youth, immigrant and US-born, to study the society and serve the people. Only through this way we can find our value in society." said Kathleen Dy, a recently graduated nurse and also a member of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey.

ABS-CBN Balitang America

2009-06-23T15:11:00.001-04:00

You Are Invited to the BAYANIHAN Cultural Festival

2009-06-17T16:21:00.001-04:00

FIRST ANNUAL BAYANIHAN CULTURAL FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 21 10am – 6pm
Hart Playground (37th Avenue and 69th Street)
Take the G,V,R trains to 65th St. or 7 train to 69th St./Fisk Ave. and walk north on 69th St.

The first ever celebration of Philippine Independence Day in the heart of the Filipino community in Queens, New York will feature Filipino American artists who will perform indigenous, folk and contemporary songs, dances and spoken word. Among the performers are Blue Scholars, BIBAK, Deep Foundation, Paaralang PIlipino, Paul the Magician, and more.

The festival also features a basketball exhibition, children’s corner with Filipino games, story-telling, and face painting, free health screening and free legal and immigration consultations, arts and crafts bazaar, and community organizations.

The whole-day festival on June 21 at the Hart Playground in Woodside, Queens is sponsored by Philippine Forum and the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center. Other sponsors are Jollibee, Western Union, Manila Gorilla and RCN. For more information, please call (718) 565-8862 or email filipinocenter@yahoo.com.

Anakbayan Rejects Gloria's Charter Change, Demands Justice for Melissa Roxas

2009-06-16T18:42:00.011-04:00

Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey joins the Filipino Community in celebration of Philippine pseudo-independence day.

Last June 7, 2009, members of Anakbayan NY/NJ rejected Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's

charter change and has demanded justice for Melissa Roxas, the Filipina-American human rights worker who was just abducted and tortured.

Carrying 4ft placards that says, "Bagong Bayan says: No to Con-Ass! No to Cha-Cha!", Anakbayan New York/New Jersey called on the people, particularly the youth, to militantly oppose and resist against another tyranny in the making. The youth group condemned the house majority, who are mostly members of the administration party, for railroading House Resolution no. 1109 and for playing puppet to the whims of the Administration's cling to power.

H.R. 1109 is a bill that calls on the congress to convene for a constituent assembly, paving the way for a charter-change.

Charter Change under the Arroyo administration means a return to tyranny. Proposed amendments under their charter change includes lifting the ban on martial law, 100% foreign ownership of land and other properties, which is already a recipe for a full a national disaster.

Also, the said progressive youth group brings to light the case of Melissa Roxas, who was, abducted last May 19, 2009 in Tarlac, Pampanga, together with Eric handoc and Juanito Carabeo. After worlwide clamor for the government to surface them, Melissa was surfaced last May 25, 2009, 6 days after being subjected to continuous torture under allegedly military elements. This, the youth group said, is directly linked to US military aid that comes from US tax payers money.

"US-born and Immigrant Filipino youth here wants to deliver a warning to GMA and her

minions, that we are awake and that we are watching her every move. We shall prevent any attempt to plunge our motherland again into another dictatorship!" said a member of Anakbayan NYNJ

FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NY SAY "10 YEARS IS ENOUGH! JUNK VFA!"

2009-06-01T05:22:00.004-04:00

FILIPINO-AMERICANS IN NY SAY "10 YEARS IS ENOUGH! JUNK VFA!"

NEW YORK - BAYAN USA, with its member organizations and allies in the New York/New Jersey area, gathered on May 27 in front of the Philippine Consulate in 5th Avenue to call for an end to the 10-year-long Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a treaty between the Philippine and the United States governments believed by the said alliance to have been detrimental to the Filipino people.

"May 27 marks 10 years of institutionalized atrocities against our people. But in fact, it's not only 10 years, but more than a hundred years, that we have been suffering in the hands of the US imperialist. The Philippine-American war of 1899 had been the blueprint of the US war of aggression, and the human rights violations inflicted upon our people are much worse than ever to this day," Gary Labao of the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP) said.

BAYAN USA also lambasted the Philippine government and demanded its accountability for the abduction of Melissa Roxas, a Filipino-American activist and a member of Habi Arts, a cultural organization and a member organization of BAYAN USA in Los Angeles. Melissa came back to the Philippines in 2007 to work as a full-time health worker and was abducted by who were suspected to be military elements last May 19 in Tarlac with two other companions. Days later, Melissa and her companions were surfaced, but BAYAN USA remains firm in its stand to demand justice for the abducted.

"I personally know Melissa, and I know very well that she does not deserve these acts of monstrosity carried upon her by the Philippine government. This abduction of Melissa and her companions is part of the Philippine government's anti-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya II, to serve its own economic and political interests. And as binded by the VFA, the US also takes part in this crime by funding the military activities and exercises of the Philippine government through the US tax dollars! And the US, now under the leadership of Obama, had just put one of its citizens in danger by letting Melissa get in the hands of these bloody perpetrators!" Bernadette Ellorin, BAYAN USA Chairperson, exclaimed in outrage.

Aside from the abduction of Melissa and countless other activists and civilians, the VFA has also resulted to the rape of Filipino women by US military elements. "Vanessa", a 22-year-old Filipina, was victimized by "John Jones," a US Marine and a member of the Joint US Military Assistance Group (JUSMAG) operating in the Philippines under the guise of the Balikatan (translated as "shoulder-to-shoulder") exercises.

"The VFA paved the way for the US to exploit the bodies and the dignity of our fellow Filipinas. After Nicole, another rape victim, Vanessa, has come out but decided not to file a case because she was scared that the Philippine government would only favor the US, just like what happened in the case of Daniel Smith, who was acquitted from charges of raping Nicole. This is a clear indicator that the Filipino people has totally lost its trust in the Philippine government, as it only serves the whims of its master, the US imperialist," said Melanie Dulfo of the New York-based Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE).

Valerie Francisco, Vice Chair of GABRIELA-USA, also added that aside from women, children are also directly being victimized by the VFA, "On February 19, Rafaela Polborido, a 16-month old girl was killed in a province in Bicol, after government soldiers bombed her home with grenades in preparation for the Balikatan exercises. These acts of terrorism against the people, especially children, must be condemned and should not be allowed to continue and prosper!"

Representatives of indigenous organizations who attended the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York City from May 18-29 also joined the protest action. Windel Bolinget of Cordillera People's Alliance (CPA) and Dulphing Ogan of KALUMARAN, also shared stories of cruelty that they have experienced under the Visiting Forces Agreement. From North to South, militarization has been rampant in their communities and their self-determination as indigenous peoples has been disrespected in many circumstances.

Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, also criticized the Philippine government for spending too much on militarization and the Balikatan exercises instead of providing the Filipino youth with the much-needed books and classrooms.

Allies from International Action Center (IAC), Fight Imperialism Stand Together (FIST) and May 1st Coalition were also present and delivered solidarity messages.

After the action at the Philippine Consulate, the Filipino contingent marched towards the US Armed Forces Recruitment Station in 42nd Street in Times Square while chanting anti-VFA slogans. The whole BAYAN USA and GABRIELA USA contingents staged a die-in right in the middle of the famous New York tourist spot to deliver the message that the Filipino people want the US troops out of the Philippines and that they want the VFA scrapped.

Protest actions led by BAYAN USA were also held in Los Angeles and San Francisco, and teach-ins on the VFA were held in Seattle & San Diego.

For more information: http://www.bayanusa.org

- ### -

Roxas' Surfacing A Victory of the People's Struggle, Surface Carabeo & Handoc Now!

2009-05-25T11:17:00.000-04:00

News Statement
May 24, 2009

Reference: Rhonda Ramiro, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

MELISSA ROXAS' SURFACING A VICTORY OF THE PEOPLE'S STRUGGLE, BUT THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR CARABEO & HANDOC-- BAYAN USA

The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 Filipino social justice organizations across the United States, is elated to confirm that Filipina-American activist Melissa Roxas, 32, surfaced hours ago in Manila as of Sunday, May 24th. BAYAN USA confirmed this report with the human rights group Karapatan. A detailed account about the circumstances of her surfacing is still forthcoming.

"We are happy to hear about Melissa's surfacing, but we are still concerned about the whereabouts of her two companions, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, who were abducted along with Melissa on May 19th and are still missing to this day," states BAYAN USA Chair Bernadette Ellorin. "We fully intend to pursue the demand for the surfacing of Carabeo and Handoc, as well as justice for Melissa. This abduction should never have taken place."

Roxas, Carabeo, and Handoc, all members of a medical mission team in La Paz, Tarlac, were reportedly abducted at gunpoint by at least eight masked men in the middle of the night last week. Upon learning of Roxas, Carabeo, and Handoc's enforced disappearance, BAYAN USA, along with BAYAN Philippines and Karapatan, exerted strong efforts calling for their immediate surfacing, including releasing an online petition addressed to US elected officials that gathered hundreds of signatures in a matter of hours.

"Because more than five days had passed since their abduction, we believe Melissa's surfacing is a direct result of rapid community response and international pressure exerted from the Philippines and the United States first and foremost," Ellorin continued. BAYAN USA in Southern California has also been working closely with Roxas' family in Los Angeles in their campaign efforts to surface Roxas and her companions in the Philippines.

Roxas, a founding member of the cultural organization Habi-Arts in Los Angeles and founding Southern California Representative for BAYAN USA, went to the Philippines in 2007 to pursue human rights advocacy full-time. Her move was set amidst an acute human rights crisis in the Philippines that includes reports of rampant extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, illegal arrest, torture, and summary executions. In 2005, Roxas participated in an international fact-finding mission investigating human rights violations throughout the Philippines under the Arroyo administration.

On Wednesday, May 27th, BAYAN USA member organizations across the United States will be launching actions denouncing the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a military pact that allows for the basing of US military troops in over 20 ports throughout the Philippines. Included in these actions will be the call for justice for Melissa Roxas and for the immediate surfacing of Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc. BAYAN USA firmly believes the continuing, unabated human rights violations committed by the Philippine military and death squads are generously funded by US military aid to the Arroyo government. BAYAN USA also ultimately holds the Arroyo government accountable for the pattern of killings and abductions against civilians critical of the regime since 2001.

"As we continue to campaign for justice for Melissa, Juanito, and John Edward, we are consciously raising awareness of the role of US tax dollars in funding these abductions and other human rights violations. There are hundreds more victims of politically-motivated abductions in the Philippines that are still missing to this day," Ellorin ended. ###

2009-05-25T11:10:00.002-04:00

Dear Friends:

Last May 19th, 2009, one of our members, Melissa Roxas, was abducted at gunpoint by masked men along with two others, Juanito Carabeo and John Edward Handoc, in the Philippine province of Tarlac. Melissa, a US citizen, had been living in the Philippines pursuing full-time human rights work. At the time of her abduction, she, Carabeo, and Handoc were part of a volunteer health mission providing free health services to a farming community.

Please visit and sign the petition demanding for the surfacing of Melissa Roxas, Carabeo and Handoc at http://www.gopetition.com/online/28021.html

Melissa, age 32, was a founding member of Habi Ng Kalinangan, or Habi-Arts, a Filipino cultural organization based in Los Angeles. She is also the founding Southern California Representative of BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 Filipino social justice organizations across the United States. In addition to her social justice activism and human rights advocacy, Melissa was an accomplished writer-poet. She was a recipient of the 2004 PEN USA Emerging Voices Rosenthal Fellowship, and was a 2005 & 2006 Kundiman Fellow.

We believe Melissa, Juanito, and John Edward were abducted for politically-motivated reasons. While conducting community service as health workers, they are also critics of the policies of the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo government in the Philippines. The Arroyo government is internationally-notorious for going after its known critics with political repression. In fact, even in Los Angeles, Melissa devoted much of her time to human rights advocacy work to oppose the alarming state of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and summary executions in the Philippines as early as 2005, when she participated in an international fact-finding mission to investigate human rights violations in the Philippines.

The human rights crisis in the Philippines under the Arroyo administration and the culpability of the Philippine military in perpetrating the killings and abductions would later be pointed out by United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Killings Philip Alston in his 2007 report on the Philippines. 2007 was also the year Melissa decided to move to the Philippines to serve the cause of human rights for the Filipino people.

We in BAYAN USA are working closely with BAYAN Philippines and Karapatan: Alliance for the Advancement of People Rights in the campaign to surface Melissa Roxas. Because she is a US citizen, we are appealing to US elected officials and the US Embassy in Manila to take immediate action to ensure Melissa's surfacing and safety.

BAYAN USA will be forwarding the said online petition to the members of US Congress, the US State Department, as well as US Ambassador to the Philippines Kristie A. Kenney. A detailed fact sheet on the abduction compiled by human rights group Karapatan is attached for public reference.

Please help us pursue justice for our beloved friend and kasama.

SURFACE MELISSA ROXAS, JUANITO CARABEO, & JOHN EDWARD HANDOC NOW!

For the BAYAN USA Executive Committee,

Bernadette Ellorin
Chairperson
BAYAN USA
www.bayanusa.org

THANK YOU "KAMAYAN-ers!"

2009-05-20T11:38:00.005-04:00

On behalf of Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey, we would like to thank all of you friends and kasamas, or should we call "KAMAYAN-ers" from now on, for coming to our monthly event. You made KAMAYAN a success.

We thank all of you who dared dip their clean hands in the food, those who braved all the obstacles to make new friends and of course, to those who are courageous enough to answer thought-provoking questions (example: which Disney cartoon, etc)

We hope that you enjoyed the event, learned something about the Filipino culture, and made new and long-lasting friendships. We will be looking forward to working together with you, hopefully side-by-side in further serving our community, whether it's in the local Filipino restaurant eating or in the streets demanding justice and freedom for our people and our motherland, Philippines.

Again, keep serving the people and thank you thank you thank you! :)

Anyways, please contact us for your suggestions, comments and questions at anakbayan.nynj@gmail.com or call/text us at (201)6213156 and look for Yves Nibungco

*upcoming dates

May 22. -Anakbayan NY/NJ general membership meeting @ Fiesta Grill. 12nn.
May 27. -National Day of Action against the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA)
May 31. -Youth and Student Assembly, People's Economic Summit
June 7. -PIDC Parade at Manhattan.(Join us and be part of ANAKBAYAN contingent, together with other Filipino organizations)

Progressive Filipino Youth Group Holds 3rdKAMAYAN at Sinugba

2009-05-20T11:10:00.007-04:00

Progressive Filipino Youth Group Holds 3^rdKAMAYAN at Sinugba

Jersey City, NJ –First, wash your hands for hygienic purposes. Use your dominant hand to handle your food and keep the other hand clean to get the bowl of rice or answer your phone. Using the tips of your five fingers in your dominant hand, gather the rice and the viand (i.e. salted dried fish) in one mound and pick it all up. Put your hand close to your mouth and with the use of your thumb, push the food inside your mouth. This is the traditional Filipino way of eating with bare hands and this is the manner in which Filipino-American and immigrant Filipino youth ate their sumptuous lunch during the KAMAYAN last May 16, 2009 at Sinugba Restaurant in Jersey city.

KAMAYAN means “to eat with your bare hands”. KAMAYAN was organized by Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey to promote Filipino culture by eating in a traditionally Filipino way, which is to eat with your bare hands and by introducing the Filipino and Filipino-American youth to local Filipino restaurants in Jersey city. Kamayan also means “to shake hands,” which is why Kamayan is also the perfect venue to meet and get to know new friends.

“The purpose of Kamayan is to bring the Filipino and Filipino-American youth together to promote a sense of Filipino community and unity. Growing up in the Philippines, eating with my bare hands always meant that I was enjoying my food thoroughly. And so our organization thought that it would be great to teach US-raised Filipino youth the pleasure there is to be found in eating with bare hands while laughing with friends in a casual Saturday afternoon,” said Jules Diez, member of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

Anakbayan encourages the Filipino youth to get involved in collective actions with regards to issues affecting our community here in the US and, most especially back home. In a time of financial crisis wherein many businesses are closing, including Filipino businesses, KAMAYAN is also a small way of helping and giving back to the community. In KAMAYAN’s case, this act of collective eating also helps out by promoting and supporting local Filipino restaurants to the Filipino youth.

Organizations and youth groups came and supported the event. Organizations such as Philippine Forum and Lakas Diwa and youth groups such as Kapatirang Filipino, Kappa Pi fraternity and Unified came along with others.“Anakbayan believes that through events like this, we, together with other Filipino youth can create a culturally aware, strong and unified Filipino community that is ready to face issues affecting them, may it be the lack of community or the global financial crisis” said Kathleen Dy, a member of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey is a member of the progressive alliance BAYAN-USA and is also one of the US chapters of Anakbayan Philippines, a progressive Filipino youth organization fighting for the rights, welfare and basic needs of the Filipino youth around theworld. Other US chapters include Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, and East Bay.

Filipino-Americans in New York City March for Legalization on May Day

2009-05-03T19:29:00.003-04:00

For Immediate Release
May 3, 2009

Reference: Christina Hilo, Bayan NE Coordinator, cshilo@gmail.com

Filipino-Americans in New York City March for Legalization on May Day

NEW YORK-- Despite heavy thunderstorms, Filipino-Americans joined other immigrant communities at Union Square in New York to rally and march for immigrant rights in the United States this past Friday, May 1. The 50+ strong NYC May Day Filipino contingent, consisting of members from the Philippine Forum, Sandiwa, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Anakbayan NY/NJ, New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), and BAYAN USA, marched two miles together from Union Square to Foley Square in the pouring rain. The overall May Day march and rally at Union Square was organized by the NY May 1st Coalition, of which BAYAN USA and NAFCON founding members since 2006, when nearly 1 million New Yorkers were mobilized against the Sensenbrenner Bill (HR 4437), which called for the criminalization of undocumented immigrants, in the largest outdoor demonstration in New York City history.

Noting that 100 days have already passed in President Obama's administration, and with Obama promising to discuss US immigration policy this month, community efforts on the demand for genuine comprehensive immigration reform, including legalization of the undocumented, are intensifying. Filipino contingents in New York City and across the US, under the banners of BAYAN USA and National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), took to the streets on May Day to urge President Obama to consider immigrant workers in these next 100 days, highlighting the importance of their work that keep the US alive and running.

With mock prison cells behind a "LEGALIZATION 4 ALL" banner, the Filipino Americans in Manhattan's Union Square brought awareness to the current situation of raids, detentions, and deportations of "illegal" immigrants. "With almost 1 million TNT (tago ng tago literally translated in Tagalog, meaning "hide and hide" in English, a phrase to describe "undocumented" immigrants) Filipinos in this country, many Filipinos are paralyzed by the fear of being deported and the possibility of people being separated from their families here in the US," stated Jonna Baldres, secretary general of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, "Similarly, with the economic bloodlines of many families in the Philippines stemming from Pinoy immigrants working in the US, the worse fear is in abandoning transnational family responsibilities. As the Labor Export Policy of the Philippines continues to sell our people off, we march on May Day to make sure as Filipinos have served the US economy for decades, President Obama and his administration begin focusing on legalizing the undocumented."

Throughout the march the Filipino community chanted in English, Tagalog, and Spanish with their neighboring Latino community group, Jornaleros Unidos (United Day Laborers) from Woodside, Queens. In April, these two communities came together in another action in Queens to demand basic respect and human dignity from the New York Police Department and ICE who violently disrupt the lives of Mexican day laborers along with Filipino undocumented workers with harassment and abuse. The unity between the Mexican and Filipino communities who share the neighborhood gave new meaning to the chants they shouted, "We are people! We are not Illegal!" and "El Pueblo, Unido, Jamas Sera Vencido!" (The People, United, Will Never Be Defeated!, literally translated in Spanish). This great stride to connect communities of different ethnic backgrounds under the same call for immigrant and worker rights was a reality in the Woodside, Queens contingent.

Instead of focusing on the swine flu pandemic, marchers work masks that donned the phrase, "No to NAFTA flu!" This slogan point to the contradiction in the US' principal role in free trade agreements and their adverse reaction to immigrants that are driven to move across borders because of such policy.

May Day has been reclaimed by immigrant, workers and immigrant workers alike. The city-wide action drew hundreds of participants in the downpour and the long march because of the ever-important issues that immigrants in the US face. "Immigrant workers and their families never forget that we are in the midst of a crisis. We feel it in our bones, from the longer hours we must work everyday, from the lack of job security that keeps our anxiety high. We have come together to show this city that we cannot be forgotten and we will not be quiet until all undocumented immigrants are legalized!" said Anne Beryl Corotan from National Alliance for Filipino Concerns.

For more information:
http://www.nafconusa.org
http://www.bayanusa.org
###

Anakbayan NY/NJ in NY1 for the May Day Mobilization for Workers' & Immigrants' Rights

2009-05-03T06:15:00.008-04:00

Link: Anakbayan NY/NJ in NY1 for the May Day Mobilization for Workers' & Immigrants' Rights

May Day Marchers Take Stand For Immigration Reform | NY1 News is Time Warner Cable's 24-hour newschannel in New York City, delivering breaking news and features about the five boroughs.

Photos by Jonna Baldres

Join the Filipino Community on May 1, Friday @ Union Square to March For Immigrant Rights!

2009-05-01T00:58:00.004-04:00

Join the Filipino Community This Friday to March For Immigrant Rights!
Fil-Ams Call for Legalization NOW!

WHEN: May 1, 2009, 3:30pm; Rally Starts at 4pm, and March starts at 5pm.
WHERE: Union Square (14th St. and Broadway) across from Shoe Mania, Look for the Philippine Flag

Call the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center for more information 718-565-8862.

After 100 days have passed in Obama's administration, there have been no concrete steps or proposals for genuine immigration reform. As Filipino Americans we know that there is a need for legalization of our community, 1 million Filipinos are undocumented out of the 4 million total Filipinos in the United States. Because of their undocumented status, it leaves Filipinos living in fear of Gestapo-like raids by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), unlawful detentions without due process, and mass deportations. Because of these raids and deportations, families have been separated and torn apart. On this May 1, 2009, the Filipino community will come together and take a stand against these human rights violations and injustices.

Endorsed by Philippine Forum, National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Anakbayan NY/NJ, and BAYAN USA

Legalization for All!
Stop Breakin’ Our Families Apart, Reunite families!
No to Raids, Detentions, and Deportations!
SCRAP the Labor Export Policy!
No to Neoliberal Trade Policy!
Pass the DREAM Act!
Equal Rights for Immigrants in Same Sex Unions!

For more information:
http://www.bayanusa.org
http://www.nafconusa.org

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey's Solidarity Statement for FiRE's 2nd Anniversary (April 14)

2009-04-27T04:36:00.003-04:00

Refined but notorious, subtle but grim, traditional but revolutionary—this is the empowered Filipina, the vision GABRIELA has upheld with all its fervor and tenacity for the past 25 years.

Organizing has always been an imperative step to provide tools of awareness and camaraderie to women — including but not limited to domestic workers, professionals, and especially those with the simple, often-underrated “job” description of “mother”— leading them to discover their strength. It is that power, lying dormant for too long, which GABRIELA aims to liberate from each and every woman who has been made to accept the idea of being the victim in a society run by the menacing “man’s-world” excuse even up to the present. It is in this light that women have begun to achieve that potent blend of compassion and ability to influence, command and bear the light of an awakening revolution.

Having worked closely with Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment in New York City (FiRE-NYC), one of the four member organizations of the newly-founded GABRIELA-USA, we continue to draw inspiration from each other. We have experienced FiRE’s dynamic approach to finding our identities and being proud of our heritage through joint educational discussions, providing workshops in student conferences throughout the East Coast and storming the streets together and fighting for the rights of our fellow Filipinos and Filipinas here in the belly of the beast. We are truly pleased to have witnessed the growth of FiRE as a successful progressive women’s organization in such a short period of time (2 years!).

With this, we, the Filipino youth from Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, extend our utmost congratulations to FiRE and the rest of the GABRIELA family for this excellent milestone. We salute your persistent unrest as shown in your consistency in addressing women’s issues and upholding women’s rights in the Philippines as well as abroad. We are greatly honored to have you as part of our struggle, our community, and our lives.

Mabuhay ang Pilipina! Sulong, GABRIELA!

Fueled by the power of love and service to the people,
Anakbayan New York/New Jersey

(Statement written by Bea Sabino)

U.S. Chapters of AnakBayan celebrate Kabataan Party-list securing a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives

2009-04-25T02:29:00.006-04:00

April 24, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference: Jeff Rice, AnakBayan Seattle, email: edjop82@gmail.com

U.S. Chapters of AnakBayan celebrate Kabataan Party-list securing a seat in the Philippine House of Representatives

The chapters of AnakBayan in the United States are celebrating the historic victory of the 1st youth representative to the Philippine Congress held by the Kabataan (Youth) Partylist. The position will be held by 29 year old Raymond Palatino who was once chair of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines Diliman and president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines. This comes after the Philippine Supreme Court overturned a previous decision on partylist elections and now allows for a full representation from the 2007 elections. In addition to the Kabataan partylist, the decision has now increased the progressive block in Congress with an additional seat for both BAYAN-MUNA and Anakpawis.

The Kabataan Partylist ran for Congress in 2007 and garnered 225,000 votes based on a platform opposing tuition fee increases, supporting increased funding for education, creating adequate jobs for new graduates, promotion of genuine national industrialization, agrarian reform and pro-people economic policies. Its campaign was supported by its founding organizations, the National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, League of Filipino Students and AnakBayan along with other allies nationwide and abroad. In the US, BAYAN-USA and chapters of AnakBayan launched a “TEXT B.A.C.K. (Text Brigade Against Cheating and Killings)” campaign to encourage Filipinos in the US to vote for and support progressive partylists. However, the Supreme Court at the time limited the number of seats for partylist winners including the one for Kabataan. The Supreme Court has now reversed that decision due to the need for more representatives to counter the US-GMA regime which rabidly insists on Charter Change.

Once in office, Kabataan will immediately submit legislation concerning youth empowerment in governance, employment for the 900,000 new Filipino graduates, and tuition fee hike moratorium, among others. Kabataan will now have a stronger voice to advocate for the youth in fighting for a better society devoid of corruption, inequality and social injustice. They will continue to be vigilant and vocal against issues of electoral fraud, corruption and plunder, human rights violations, tyranny and the root causes of poverty, hunger and indecent living conditions to the people. The need to uphold national sovereignty is all the more pressing with thousands of US troops in Bicol due to the VFA and the Philippine government colluding with the US government in overturning the conviction of rapist Daniel Smith.

It is all the more important to have a youth voice in Congress during this economic crisis of imperialism. With the current crisis caused by the overproduction of goods and services, the bursting of the US real estate bubble and greed of financial services, it is necessary to have a voice in the congress that opposes further orientation of the Philippine economy to low-value exports and more foreign exploitation of its natural resources. It is Filipino youth who are the future of the country and clamor for national industrialization & genuine land reform to create jobs in the Philippines. The Filipino youth have always played a pivotal role in ushering in significant changes in history whenever the social, political and economic conditions in society became too intolerable to endure. It was young men and women who prevailed in the fight against Spanish colonialism, US colonization, Japanese fascism and who toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 and ousted the Estrada regime in 2001.

As Filipino-Americans, Kabataan Partylist serves as an inspiration of what young Filipinos can accomplish. The US chapters of AnakBayan will also continue to advocate for young Fil-Ams and to be the voice for our local communities. In the US, Filipino youth have often been in the forefront for social change. Young Filipinos, including Carlos Bulosan, in the 1930’s & 40’s unionized in the salmon canneries for better working and living conditions. Filipino-American youth in the 70’s organized into the KDP to fight against the Marcos dictatorship as well as struggling for civil rights in the US. Today there is the need for Filipino youth to further organize in local communities, schools and colleges around immigration reform, cuts to social services, tuition increases, joblessness, gang violence, police brutality, military recruiters, domestic violence, homophobia and racism.

The current crisis has exposed the need for a new generation of Filipinos and Filipino Americans to struggle for the world we want to live in. It is the youth who can fight to change their society into one with social justice and respect for human rights and dignity. We congratulate Kabataan Partylist for holding high the torch of social change by the youth at a time of global crisis.

MABUHAY ANG KABATAAN PARYLIST!

MABUHAY ANG ANAKBAYAN NG US!

STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHTS OF FILIPINO YOUTH!

JUSTICE FOR REBELYN PITAO AND ALL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS!

SURFACE KAREN EMPENO, SHERYLN KADAPAN AND JONAS BURGOS!

END BALIKATAN EXERCISES!

US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES NOW!

JUNK VFA NOW!

-------------------------------------

April 23, 2009

PRESS STATEMENT

Kabataan, tayo ang pagbabago.

Message of Kabataan Party-list Rep. Raymond Palatino to the Filipino youth on the historical event of seating the first youth representative in Congress

Five years in the making for the country’s sole youth sectoral party-list, but better late than never and victory is still sweet for all Filipino youth.

Kabataan Party-list, the largest youth party in the country, represented the youth sector in the 2007 elections. It was the second time for our organization to run in the party-list elections. In 2004, we ran under our previous name, Anak ng Bayan, and were among the top choices for party-list based on pre-election surveys. Anak ng Bayan, however, fell prey to massive cheating. A significant number of our votes were anomalously counted in favor of another party-list group, thus our change of name in the 2007 party-list elections.

Despite not winning, we went on with our advocacies and continued to carry on with our principles and general program of action with the help of our founding organizations, such as the National Union of Students of the Philippines, College Editors Guild of the Philippines, League of Filipino Students and Anakbayan and other supporters nationwide and abroad.

Now, five years after our first electoral bid, Kabataan Party-list has finally secured a seat in the House of Representatives per SC GR No. 179271, promulgated April 29, 2009.

Now, we are happy to convey the message to all Filipino youth that the SC Resolution, in effect, has once again marked the youth’s rightful place in history by granting the first ever youth sectoral representation in the House of Representatives.

This is truly a historical event and we share this resounding victory to all Filipino youth who voted for and supported Kabataan Party-list. We are overwhelmed but more than ready to take on the task and challenge of being the sole voice of the youth in Congress.

We are youth from different walks of life. We have long-ago advocated for the youth to devote its intellect, energy and courage to building a better society devoid of corruption, inequality and social injustice. We are youth that foster active participation in nation-building, good governance and change.

In this junction in history in light of our recent victory, we, the youth, are change. Kabataan, tayo ang pagbabago.

We will uphold, promote and defend the interests of the youth to be able to harness our potential as a vital, albeit marginalized, sector in society.

The Filipino youth have always played a pivotal role in ushering in significant changes in history. We have always been at the forefront of uprisings and revolutions every time the social, political and economic conditions in society became too intolerable for Filipinos to endure.

It was young men and women who prevailed in the leadership and membership of the revolutionary army and other patriotic forces against Spanish colonialism, against US colonization, against Japanese fascism and against the puppet regimes in the Philippines.

It was also the Filipino youth who were the biggest marchers and rallyists during the historical First Quarter Storm of 1970, the people power uprising that toppled the Marcos dictatorship in 1986 and once again in the similar uprising that ousted the Estrada regime in 2001.

We are more than willing to take up the cudgels our forebears left us. Right now, a rotten system of governance and a severe global economic crisis confront us but we rise to the challenge of our times.

In the past eight years of the Arroyo administration, the youth has also always been amongst the most vigilant and vocal against issues of electoral fraud, corruption and plunder, human rights violations, tyranny and social injustice causing poverty, hunger and indecent living conditions to the people.

While we recognize that one year is too short a time in the House of Representatives, we pledge to work tenfold to efficiently and effectively bring our new brand of politics to Philippine government. To be able to fully realize this, we appeal to all Filipino youth to work hand-in-hand with us. We reiterate the need for active youth participation in nation-building and continue to rely on the strength and unity of the youth movement to reinforce our sole youth voice in Congress.

We will immediately register our opposition against charter change and join moves by other progressive party-lists to disqualify human rights violator Ret. Gen. Jovito Palparan from assuming party-list representation.

We are also now consulting with youth from different sectors to aid in our plans to immediately submit for legislation bills concerning youth empowerment in governance, employment for the 900,000 new graduates, and tuition fee hike moratorium, among others.

Finally, we look forward to bigger things that lie ahead in the future. It is the Arroyo administration’s last year in office and the youth are anticipating and working for significant changes come 2010. As early as now, we pledge to work for a transparent and clean 2010 elections that will realize the youth’s clamor for good governance and change. We are set to embark on a nationwide youth voters’ registration and education campaign in the aim to collectively mobilize the broadest number of young Filipinos to register, vote, and guard the 2010 ballot.

Change is bound to happen if and when the youth strives for it.

Kabataan, maraming salamat!

Kabataan, tayo ang pagbabago.

----------------------------------------

Rep. Raymond Palatino, the first youth sectoral representative in Congress

29-year-old Raymond “Mong” Palatino is considered as one of the most brilliant youth leaders in the country. He was chair of the University Student Council of the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in 2000 and president of the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP), the largest alliance of tertiary student councils nationwide from 2001 to 2003. He is also one of the leading youth veterans of EDSA Dos.

An education graduate of UP, Palatino has been a prominent figure in various campaigns and issues concerning youth and students. He was convenor to several youth alliances such as the Education for All (e4all) Movement, Abolish ROTC, Tuition Refund, Youth Action Network against electoral fraud and violence, Youth Demanding Arroyo’s Removal (Youth DARE), Youth against Charter Change and Tyranny (Y-CHAT), Youth for Accountability and Truth Now (Youth ACT Now), and TxtPower, a consumer rights advocacy group, among others.

In 2004, Palatino was recognized by the Quezon City government for exemplary youth leadership and was awarded by the United Nations Association of the Philippines as an Outstanding Youth Leader for Advocacy on National Concerns.

Palatino also writes for several online publications, aside from maintaining his own web blog. He is a web columnist for tinig.com, former news editor of yehey.com, a contributing editor for Global Voices Online, and one of the leading members of Bloggers’ Kapihan, an online network of young bloggers. He has also been a regular resource speaker of both Houses of Congress on youth and education issues.

Palatino is also a proud father to his new son Neil Esmond, born a day after the issuance of the SC Resolution, and daughter Renee Elle, 4 years old. ###

IMMIGRANTS MARCH FOR DIGNITY IN QUEENS, CALL FOR ACTION ON MAY DAY 2009

2009-04-20T18:46:00.004-04:00

Photos by Jonna Baldres

News Release
April 20, 2009

References:
Christina Hilo, BAYANIHAN Filipino Community Center, email: cshilo@gmail.com;
Roberto Meneses, Jornaleros Unidos de Woodside, email: jornalerosunidosdewoodside@hotmail.com

For photos please go to: http://photobucket.com/jornalerosmarch_19april2009

IMMIGRANTS MARCH FOR DIGNITY IN QUEENS, CALL FOR ACTION ON MAY DAY 2009

WOODSIDE-- Latino, Filipino, Korean, South Asian, and Indigenous South American immigrant rights groups marched together last Sunday in a 150+ strong march along Roosevelt Avenue to demand an end to random police raids, arrests, ticketing against immigrants, and scam employment agencies. The march, beginning at 69th Street and ending up at 83rd Street, ran up Filipino immigrant businesses as well as South Asian and Latino immigrant-owned businesses in a show of stunning multi-ethnic solidarity for a common cause-- dignity for all immigrants. Amongst the key organizers and sponsors of the march were the Jornaleros Unidos de Woodside (United Day Laborers of Woodside), Philippine Forum, NAFCON (National Alliance for Filipino Concerns), Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan NY/NJ, Nodutdol for Korean Community Development, Sisa Pikari Labor Center, No Raids Committee in Queens, BAYAN USA and the May 1st Coalition for Workers and Immigrant Rights.

The Queens rally and march come at a critical time as Capitol Hill turns its attention to US immigration policy next month. Two weeks ago, President Barack Obama announced that US immigration reform would be a subject on the table of lawmakers this May. The following week, two major national labor federations, AFL-CIO and Change to Win, announced their united endorsement for comprehensive immgration reform.

For the grassroots immigrant rights groups marching last Sunday, however, the developments call for more urgent pressure coming from the most oppressed and victimized from the broken immigration system-- immigrants themselves-- and the immigrants of Queens are especially ready to speak out.

Latino day laborers stand along Roosevelt Avenue generally looking for work and have founded a protective community for themselves. Despite this, growing anti-immigrant attacks by the NYPD, such as random ticketing for standing on the sidewalk, culminated in an arrest and detention of 10 day laborers for no apparent reason other than standing this past October 2008.

"Yesterday, we wanted to show the local community that it’s not just the day laborers that are fighting but the rest of the community. We also wanted to show the real problems that are going on in the community especially the police harassment," stated Felix Ortiz, a day laborer with the Jornaleros Unidos de Woodside and victim of the said harassment by the police.

"Together we are fighting for our human and constitutional rights," said Attorney Felix Vinluan from National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)."And we will not stop until we have equality amongst all people of all races.

The Roosevelt Avenue march comes weeks before the upcoming May 1st rally and march for immigrant rights in Union Square at 4pm. Every May 1st since 2006, thousands of New Yorkers have rallied and marched for comprehensive immigration reform, including a path to legalization for all, end to ICE raids and deportations, and swift family re-unification for separated families. This is also a beginning for groups to come together and plan for neighborhood clean-ups and other community-based activities in the local Woodside and Jackson Heights area. ###

April 19: March for Dignity and Workers' Rights!

2009-04-19T03:19:00.006-04:00

Flyer by Christina Hilo of FiRE

March for Dignity and Workers' Rights:
Stop Police Harassment! Shut Down Scam Employment Agencies!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
11:30 am
69th St. and Roosevelt Ave.
Take 7 Train to 69th St.

You are invited to march with us on Sunday, April 19 for our rights and welfare as immigrants in our local community. In Woodside, immigrant workers have faced ongoing police harassment and have been ticketed without reason. In October 2008, 10 day laborers were arrested by the police for standing on the sidewalk on 69th St. and 37th Ave. In Jackson Heights on 84th St., workers have been scammed at a local recruitment agency called People Helping People, where they charge over $100 without any available work in return. In Astoria, rent prices have gone so high--forcing immigrant workers to live in cramped housing. This exploitation and harassment needs to stop!

On April 19 we are marching to say ENOUGH is ENOUGH!

On May 1, we will march again with the rest of NYC! 14th St.- Union Square @ 4pm.

STOP HARASSMENT BY THE POLICE AND POLICE BRUTALITY!
SHUTDOWN SCAM EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES!
LOWER THE RENT IN QUEENS NOW!
BRING STIMULUS FUNDING TO QUEENS, AND START BY BUILDING WORKERS' CENTERS!
RESPECT & DIGNITY FOR ALL IMMIGRANT WORKERS!
LEGALIZATION NOW! STOP RAIDS! REUNITE FAMILIES!

Organized by Jornaleros Unidos de Woodside, Philippine Forum, Sisa Pakari Labor Center, Anakbayan-NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), No Raids Committee in Queens, Nodutdol, May 1st Coalition for Workers and Immigrant Rights (www.may1.info)

KAMAYAN sa APOLLO

2009-04-07T13:40:00.010-04:00

Photos courtesy of UNIFIED Band

Thanks to Genesis, Raymond, Miracle, Aubi & Brian of UNIFIED Band for coming to the 2nd Anakbayan NY/NJ's KAMAYAN sa APOLLO! And thanks for sharing the "movie that made you cry"! 'Til the next KAMAYAN! :)

Props to Yves, Yancy, Jonna & Jules of AB NY/NJ for having complete attendance so far... hehehe. To other AB members who missed this month's KAMAYAN, you can still catch up! For our next stop, it would be at Sinugba in Jersey City on May 16, 2009! Kitakits! :)

Flyer by Yves Nibungco

Date: April 11, 2009
Time: 12noon
Place APOLLO 472 West Side Ave. Jersey city, NJ 07304

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=94501&id=698851562#/event.php?eid=67939681217&ref=mf

This is a call to all Filipino youth out there who misses eating food with their clean bare hands, and also to those Fil-Ams who wants to experience it as well. This is your chance not just to experience KAMAYAN but also to able to meet other Filipinos over a nice plate of Filipino food.

KAMAYAN is organized by Anakbayan, with the purpose of having fun and bringing other Filipino youth together. So what are you waiting for? Confirm now and make sure to wash your hands.

National Democratic Filipino Youth Join Forces in LA

2009-04-02T23:16:00.002-04:00

Photo courtesy of Maridel Andrada of Anakbayan San Diego

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02 April 2009

References:
Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, jonnabebeh@gmail.com
Katie Joaquin, Secretary General, Anakbayan East Bay, kjoaquin@gmail.com
Maridel Andrada, Secretary General, Anakbayan San Diego, maridel.andrada@gmail.com
Jeff Rice, Secretary General, Anakbayan Seattle, edjop82@gmail.com
Kuusela Hilo, Organizer, Anakbayan Los Angeles, kuusela@gmail.com
Jaye Cho, Secretary General, League of Filipino Students-SFSU, actionitemlist@hotmail.com

National Democratic Filipino Youth Join Forces in LA

LOS ANGELES, CA - The City of Angels had been a witness to the growing movement of Filipino youth in the United States. Last March 27 to 28, the BAYAN USA 3rd National Congress was held at the UCLA Downtown Labor Center in Los Angeles City, California with the theme "Strengthen our alliance and intensify our political struggle against the US-Arroyo clique and for the rights and welfare of Filipinos in the US".

Among the participating youth and student organizations were chapters of Anakbayan from East Bay (EB), San Diego (SD), Seattle, Los Angeles (LA) and New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) and the League of Filipino Students-San Francisco State University (LFS-SFSU). Also present were US representatives to the International League of People's Struggle (ILPS) Youth Study Commission. Officers of Sandiwa National Alliance of Fil-Am Youth and members of Active Leadership for the Advancement of Youth (ALAY), a community-based youth organization in the Bay Area, San Francisco also attended as observers.

"Two years have passed since the last congress and here we are again -- stronger, bigger and more united than ever," Yancy Gandionco, Vice Chairperson of Anakbayan NY/NJ remarked as the congress had seen the largest number of delegates since the founding assembly of BAYAN USA in 2005.

On March 29, while the GABRIELA USA Founding Assembly was taking place, BAYAN USA member organizations broke out into sector caucuses, one of which is the youth and students sector, the biggest constituting BAYAN USA.

"Even though our sector represents the most number in the US chapter of the alliance, as Filipino youth fighting for national democracy overseas, the task and challenge is still for us to intensify and make known to our compatriots and other nationalities the fight for the rights of the majority of the Filipino people -- the workers and the peasants. We believe that our fight is still connected to the fight of our people back home even if most of us grew here in the US," Sincere Born, Chairperson of Anakbayan Seattle stated.

During the caucus, the youth and student organizations shared experiences and practices in educating, organizing, mobilizing, finance and alliance work among the youth in their respective regions.

"We identified the strengths and weaknesses of each organization, shared them with other regions, and with renewed vigor, we will bring back to our own areas what we've learned and improve on practices so we could better serve the Filipino youth, here in the US and back home in the Philippines. We view these lessons as important tools in strengthening our fight against the oppression of our people by the US imperialist and the Arroyo regime," said Armael Malinis, Chairperson of Anakbayan East Bay.

The youth and student member organizations resolved to systematize communications, hold regular conference calls, share resources and educational materials, plan and hold nationwide actions for Filipino youth in line with the campaigns of BAYAN USA, and designate a youth coordinator within the next few months.

Lyle Prijoles, Chairperson of LFS-SFSU said, "In this period wherein corruption, pursuit of profit, wars of aggression and anti-terrorism are the concepts being advanced by the United States and Philippine governments at the expense of accessible and quality education and basic services, the Filipino youth in the US must come together and emulate the militancy of the Filipino youth in the 1950's when huge student demonstrations broke out in protest of the Vietnam war and in the 1960's and 70's when Kabataang Makabayan (Patriotic Youth) organized in thousands against the Marcos dictatorship."

As BAYAN USA's show of confidence on the youth, the congress placed its votes unanimously on Kuusela Hilo of Anakbayan Los Angeles, Rhonda Ramiro of Anakbayan East Bay, and Jeff Rice of Anakbayan Seattle as they were elected into the Executive Committee as Vice Chairperson, Secretary General and Finance Officer respectively.

Ivan Penetrante, Chairperson of the newly-formed Anakbayan San Diego said, "Our chapter, being in the midst of one of the highly-militarized areas in the US, is a product of the painstaking organizing of member organizations of BAYAN USA. Now that we've met more of our ates (older sister) and kuyas (older brother) from different parts of the US, we are more inspired to continue the fight and organize more youth to join our ranks."

Ending the youth caucus, Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General of Anakbayan NY/NJ, led the chant popularized by the youth and students movement in the Philippines: "Kabataang Makabayan, Lumalaban! Kabataang Lumalaban, Makabayan!" (Patriotic Youth, Fighting Back! Youth Fighting Back, Patriotic!). ###

http://bayanusa.org/

FILIPINO YOUTH SAY "NO TO NY STATE EDUCATION BUDGET CUT!"

2009-03-22T19:51:00.002-04:00

Photos by John Miranda

PRESS STATEMENT
22 March 2009

Reference: Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

FILIPINO YOUTH SAY "NO TO NY STATE EDUCATION BUDGET CUT!"

The city had spoken. And now, the state.

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey is one with the students of both the State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) in their demand for FREE EDUCATION FOR ALL.

The State of New York State Education

"Equal opportunity for all," a value that is both upheld by SUNY and CUNY, is now being threatened as Governor David Paterson shamelessly pushes for an anti-people state budget to be passed on April 1, slashing $698 Million from the education budget alone. The budget cuts are expected to raise the tuition fee for SUNY up to $620/school year, $600 for CUNY and $400 for community colleges.

While it had been reported that the state funding for these public schools increased in the last three years, the state support since the early 1990s did not actually grow at the same rate as the number of students who enrolled. To show the imbalance, Fiscal Policy Institute stated in its report that for 2008-2009, state funding for SUNY community colleges is almost the same as it was in 1991-1992, only up by 2%, while enrollment has increased up to 16%. In CUNY community colleges, the most drastic among the discrepancies, state funding plunged even lower by 9% while enrollment increased by 29%.

Immigrants and People of Color as Major Recipients of SUNY and CUNY Education

In the past decades, the influx of migrants into the United States had been massive as a result of globalization. To procure superprofit, the US imperialist extracts cheap labor from its semi-colonies to sustain output on the production of goods and rendering of services. In the Philippines alone, with the implementation of the Labor Export Policy (LEP) from the time of President Marcos up to the present Arroyo regime, and also in response to the worsening economic and political crisis in the country, 4 million Filipinos have migrated to the United States since the 1970's, including their families. This adds up to the number of immigrants enrolling in public schools in the US.

As immigrants and people of color, it is notable that only a few could make it to the top of the workforce, while the rest would have to do with the menial jobs that are readily available but given less compensation. As in any capitalist society, those in the top are paid more than those in the bottom. This then reflects on the capacity to purchase goods and services, including education. For most people of color, including parents of Filipino youth, public education is their only hope for their children to acquire skills and knowledge that are required to eventually join the workforce, get paid reasonable amount and earn for a living once they graduate.

Privatization of NY State Education and Misallocation of Taxpayers' Funds

However, as the state presents its budget in less than 2 weeks, we are alarmed that the "public" education that is supposedly accessible to all US citizens and immigrants is slowly turning into "private" education, making it accessible only to those who can afford to pay the increasing tuition fees. How is SUNY or CUNY then any different from private institutions such as New York University (NYU), Cornell University, or any other high-paying institutions in the New York state? Is this actually what the state calls "Equal opportunity for all"?

More alarming is the fact that while the state budget on education is being reduced, more funds and US troops are sent to support the militarization and war on terror back in our homeland, as conveyed in US President Obama's expression of support for the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) of the Arroyo administration. This support, we have more than enough reasons to believe, definitely will be used only in killing and exploiting more of our people for the US imperialist and the Philippine bureaucrat-capitalists' power-hungry and self-serving agenda. Only two months into Obama's administration, we ask: How is he any different from Bush?

In Solidarity with SUNY and CUNY Students

In the past weeks, youth and student groups have been mobilizing and organizing around the issue of budget cuts. Even in the Philippines and in other parts of the world, the slightest threat of cutting state subsidy for basic services are met with great clamor from the people.

This coming March 25, we, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, in holding true to the tradition of the Filipino youth and people's militance, stand up with the students of SUNY and CUNY in this unwavering fight for everyone's basic human right: FREE EDUCATION. ###

JUSTICE for REBELYN PITAO!

2009-03-20T13:41:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PRESS STATEMENT
12 March 2009

Reference: Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

ANAKBAYAN NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY STATEMENT ON THE ABDUCTION AND KILLING OF REBELYN PITAO

------------------------------------

coward |ˈkou-ərd|
noun
a person who lacks the courage to do or endure dangerous or unpleasant things.

-----------------------------------

Coward.

This is how Anakbayan New York/New Jersey tags the Arroyo government for taking upon Rebelyn Pitao its desperation in failure to catch her father, Leoncio Pitao, also known as New People's Army (NPA) Commander Parago. Bringing out one's anger on somebody else and not directly confronting the person one has differences with can only be considered as nothing else but an act of cowardice.

And we, the Filipino youth of New York/New Jersey, strongly condemn the barbaric acts carried out on Rebelyn, a 20-year-old gradeschool teacher in St. Peter College in Toril, Davao City, who was abducted by armed men and taken away in a white van while riding in a tricycle on her way home from school on March 4, 2009. She was later found tortured, raped and killed with five stabs of ice pick the next day floating on a river.

For years, this distinct form of abduction and torture has been the trademark of the suspected military elements of the Philippine government who perform these executions on anyone speaking against the government's crimes against the Filipino people, or on anyone believed to be members or sympathizers of the NPA or of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP).

In this particular case, however, Rebelyn was not even a member of any political organizations and yet the government crossed the line once more and took on her only because she is the daughter of a person they have political differences with and whom they have failed many times to get ahold of. To echo Rebelyn's mother, Evangeline, "If they are angry because they can’t get my husband, they should go up the mountains and look for my husband there.” Rebelyn's mother did not doubt, even for a bit, that it was the military who killed her daughter, referring to these elements as "“evil, vicious men of the military intelligence group.”

This savage attack perpetrated upon Rebelyn is definitely a complete and total disregard of the existing Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and Intenational Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL) between the Government of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Part III of the agreement entitled "Respect for Human Rights", Article 2 states that the "agreement seeks to confront, remedy and prevent the most serious human rights violations in terms of civil and political rights, as well as to uphold, protect and promote the full scope of human rights and fundamental freedoms, including: (number 4) The right to life, especially against summary executions (salvagings), involuntary disappearances, massacres and indiscriminate bombardments of communities, and the right not to be subjected to campaigns of incitement to violence against one's person."

This agreement has been violated by the GRP many times as this agreement's scope includes "to guarantee the protection of human rights to all Filipinos under all circumstances, especially the workers, peasants and the poor people" and "to affirm and apply the principles of international humanitarian law in order to protect the civilian population and individual civilians, as well as persons who do not take direct part in armed hostilities." (Part II, "Bases, Scope and Applicability", Article 2) Clearly, the GRP has not been abiding by any of these.

From the time President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo took office in 2001, more than a thousand cases of political killings and hundreds more cases of enforced disappearances had been documented, done in the same systematic way as that in Rebelyn's case. Even Philip Alston, UN Special Rapporteur, concluded from his research and interviews of human rights victims in the Philippines that it is, indeed, the military and the police -- which is under the chain-of-command of the President -- perpetrating these series of state-sponsored terrorism. WIth what the government has done to Rebelyn, it only shows how inhuman the people in power can be.

In a society where guns, torture and violence are used by the state to silence its people who only speak the truth, can there still really be any chance for peace? How many more Karen Empenos, Sherlyn Cadapans, Chris Hugos, Ambo Gurans and Rebelyn Pitaos will there be? If this method by the Arroyo government continues -- with the sole purpose of protecting its personal economic and political interests -- will the revolutionary willpower of the NPA and the CPP be crushed? Or will it encourage more Filipinos to take up arms, stand up against these atrocities, protect themselves and their families and fight against these vicious state apparatuses in the hills, in the countryside and in the cities?###

JUSTICE FOR REBELYN PITAO!
JUSTICE FOR FAMILIES AND ALL VICTIMS
OF POLITICAL KILLINGS & ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES!
DOWN WITH THE US-ARROYO FASCIST REGIME!

KAMAYAN sa JOLLIBEE

2009-03-13T00:49:00.011-04:00

Since its soft launch on Valentine's Day, an overflowing of Pinoys from across the East Coast have visited the fastfood chain, sacrificing many hours on waiting line just to satisfy their yearning for that unmistakable taste and the nostaligic Jollibee experience.

On Saturday, March 7, Anakbayan NY/NJ joined that pilgrimage to the infamous, most recognized Pinoy fastfood chain. But due to lack of seats in the packed restaurant, members of anakbayan and its supporters decided to enjoy the meal at the Bayanihan Filipino Community Center on 40-21 69th street woodside.

Chickenjoy, spaghetti, palabok, burgers, peach mango pie, discussion on VFA, the "Jai-ho!" moves, and sharing of most unforgettable scar, most stalkerish and most embarassing moments! &;p

Salamat sa Kappa Pi (Kapatirang Pilipino) brothers, FiRE (Filipinas for Rights & Empowerment) sisters, mga ate at nanay from KABALIKAT Domestic Workers' Support Network and kasamas from Philippine Forum (PF) & New York Committees for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP) for joining us.

Photos by Jonna Baldres

FILIPINO YOUTH JOIN PROTEST AGAINST EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS IN NY

2009-03-05T22:37:00.004-05:00

Photos by Jonna Baldres

News Release
04 March 2009

Reference: Yancy Gandionco, Vice-President, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

FILIPINO YOUTH JOIN PROTEST AGAINST EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS IN NY

NEW YORK -- On Thursday, March 5, members of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey join students from different campuses of City University of New York (CUNY) as they walk out from their classes to show protest against the state's education budget cuts.

Governor David Paterson claimed in his State of the State address the importance of investing in education. However, along with the Governor's plan on cutting budget for basic services (including healthcare resulting to shutdown of hospitals and job layoffs in the state of New York), education also seems to rank at an all-time low among his priorities.

In December of 2008, Paterson announced a reduction of $698 million in education budget for 2009-2010, 3.3 % from the previous fiscal year. In addition, he recommended a 14% increase in tuition fees in both State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY), to be raised up to $620 and $600 respectively.

With the current economic turmoil, more students could no longer afford to go to private schools, thus, making them turn to the state's public institutions for higher education learning. This causes the rise in the rate of enrollment in SUNY and CUNY, with several campuses across the state becoming the stronghold of students whose parents have low-income, or of students who work part-time to pay for their education.

"But with the state's education budget cuts and the proposed increase in tuition fees on the way, these would only allow the state to put the burden on students who do not have anything more to shell out. The state is railroading the path to commercialization of state and city colleges and universities in New York -- the same institutions which are supposedly giving quality education to New Yorkers at affordable prices, or better yet, free of charge," says Yves Nibungco, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey deputy secretary general.

As the class division becomes more apparent, it is also interesting to note the racial composition of students who turn to SUNY and CUNY for advanced learning. According to the Fiscal Policy Institute Report, people of color have reached 20% of the total population in SUNY and 69% in CUNY as of 2008 -- no doubt including Filipinos, being the third largest immigrant community in the US.

The progressive Filipino youth group also points out that an average of 3,000 Filipinos leave the Philippines each day, mostly having the same reason for migrating: prices of commodities and services soar high, but salaries and wages remain horribly low back home. Currently, about four million Filipinos are in US hoping to acquire better lives for their families.

"Our parents brought us here to the US to study. But what we are seeing now is exactly the same thing that's been happening in the Philippines year after year. We cannot afford the tuition fee anymore that's why we had to stop," states John Miranda, a member of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey.

In 2007, due to budget cuts, the University of the Philippines, a state university and supposedly the 'national university' of the Philippines, increased the tuition fee of incoming freshmen by 300%. Being a model for learning institutions, this move by UP gave more reason for other schools, colleges and universities in the Philippines, both private and public, to charge students more for tuition and other miscellaneous fees, making education less accessible to the people.

Just recently, hundreds of students in the Philippines from various universities held a protest action in front of the office of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) in Quezon City demanding the immediate implementation of the moratorium on tuition fee increases. (Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5SxLMbH3eo )

"Without a doubt, we will do the same here in the big apple. We can't just watch and sit while states -- both under the Arroyo and the Paterson administrations -- deprive the youth of the basic right to learn. We shall not let this pass; that while the state extracts money from the taxpayers of New York City to bail out the 'capitalists', more funds are allocated by the federal government for 6,000 US troops to be sent to the Philippines in April, only to advance the interests of the fascist Arroyo regime and its patrons who benefit from the war machines -- economically and politically, " Nibungco adds.

CUNY rally starts at 3pm in the Borough of Manhattan Community College, to be followed by the Union rally at the City Hall at 4pm. ###

KAMAYAN sa JOLLIBEE

2009-02-27T20:03:00.006-05:00

Flyer by Yancy Gandionco

Filipino Youth in US Denounce Brutal Dispersal in Anti-VFA Protest

2009-02-26T17:40:00.001-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
26 February 2009

Reference: Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

Filipino Youth in US Denounce Brutal Dispersal in Anti-VFA Protest

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey strongly condemns the violent dispersal of members of Anakbayan Philippines by the Philippine National Police at the rally in front of the US embassy last February 25, a blatant attack on the people's right to assemble and march on the streets.

About 400 rallyists from member organizations of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), including the youth mass organization, Anakbayan, trooped to the US embassy in Roxas Boulevard in Manila to protest against the intensive military operations and grenade firing by the Philippine military's 901st Brigade last February 18 in Ligao City, Bicol killing a 1-year and 4-month old girl, Rafaela Polborido, and leaving 9 more civilians wounded, 6 of whom were children.

The military offensive was believed to be a part of the preparations for the Balikatan exercises which will resume in April 2009. Around 6,000 US troops are expected to join 2,500 Philippine troops to carry out the implementation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), a 10-year-standing treaty between the US and Philippine governments said to be "mutual" but which proved to be favorable only to the US.

This one-sidedness can be seen in the case of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith, the US marine deployed in the Philippines who was the first to be convicted of raping a young Filipina in 2005 but was granted immunity from being held in Philippine jail as stipulated in the "right to jurisdiction" that US military personnel who committed crimes in Philippine soil will be held in US custody. Thus, Smith was kept in the US embassy since the conviction. This does not follow with any personnel of the Philippine Republic, who, once convicted in US territory by a US federal or state court, will be held in any US prison. This, among other stipulations, definitely does not show "mutual" respect between two nation's sovereignty and judicial systems. One clearly has more advantages than the other.

The Arroyo government must have understood the mutuality of the treaty in terms of allowing the US to bring in more troops and state-of-the-art military equipment into the country, however, not serving the purpose of strengthening the nation's defenses, but instead advancing their own interests. This unilateral agreement seeks only to interfere with the Philippines' civil, economic, political and military affairs and collaborate with the fascist Arroyo regime to intimidate, repress and murder the innocents.

In efforts of the Philippine government to track down rebels, residents of communities across the Bicol region -- for decades of being the hotbed of the New People's Army (NPA), the armed wing of the Communist Party of the Philippines -- in turn, are in danger of being forcefully displaced, harassed and stripped of their properties if they are believed to be sympathizers of the NPA. This, clearly, is not a sign of development, or of being beneficial to the Philippines' military field. It is, we perceive, as desperate.

Following the recent events in the Philippines in which total disregard for the Filipino people's rights has been non-stop, we, the Filipino youth here in the US will not remain silent. It is only fitting to remind the US government that the "help" it plans and continues to extend to the Philippine government in extinguishing its own people comes from our pockets -- the taxpayers' pockets. We, neither our parents, did not come to this country to work and witness our hard-earned money turn into truncheons and bullets only to be fired at our fellow Filipinos back home -- helpless, young and innocent -- ending up in ashes, raped or beaten. Sadly, the dream of books, classrooms and basic social services for the Filipino youth, now more than ever, seemed too far-fetched with the current US-Arroyo regime still in place.

These atrocities inflicted upon our people shall remain so long as VFA is in effect. And the only step we must take to end this nonsense is to be one with the Filipino people in pushing for its repeal. ###

JUNK VFA!
STOP CRIMINALIZING THE FILIPINO YOUTH!
BOOKS NOT BULLETS FOR FILIPINO YOUTH!
WITHDRAW US MILITARY AID TO THE PHILIPPINES!
CONFINE DANIEL SMITH IN PHILIPPINE PRISON NOW!
JUSTICE FOR RAFAELA POLBORIDO & ALL VICTIMS OF
US-RP MILITARIZATION IN THE PHILIPPINES!

Links to videos:
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/37282/Violence-mars-rally-at-US-Embassy
http://www.gmanews.tv/video/37280/QTV-Violent-dispersal-mars-anti-VFA-rally-at-US-Embassy

Filipinos-Young and Old-Gather in New York City to Commemorate People Power of 1986 and Anti-Martial Law Movement

2009-02-26T12:02:00.008-05:00

Photos by Jonna Baldres & John Paul Miranda

News Release
February 26, 2009

Reference: Gary Labao, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, email: nychrp@gmail.com

Filipinos-Young and Old-Gather in New York City to Commemorate People Power of 1986 and Anti-Martial Law Movement

New York-- Days before the 23rd anniversary of the so-called "People Power Revolution" of 1986, that saw the unseating of the 21-year dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos in the Philippines, Filipinos in New York City gathered to pay tribute to the legacy of the anti-Martial Law and anti-Marcos movement both in the Philippines and in New York City. PAGPUPUGAY, as the gathering was called, featured a lineup of song, poetry, video, and theatrical performances that united both older and younger Filipinos in tribute to a shared history.

The event was organized by the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), and Anakbayan New York/New Jersey. It took place at Gallery 1199, or the Bread and Roses Cultural Project Gallery, at the headquarters of Local 1199 United Healthworkers East at the Martin Luther King Labor Center in Times Square.

The event opened with a prayer-reflection offered by Bea Sabino, a 17-year old member of Anakabayan NY/NJ, who also served as co-emcee for the program with Rico Foz of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON).

University of the Philippines Professor Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature and a former political prisoner under Marcos, delivered the keynote message via video.

“The First Quarter Storm [FQS] dealt a stunning blow to the US Marcos regime in 1970. It was also a wake up call to all patriotic Filipinos.” Lumbrera said in his message.

The FQS was three straight months starting on January 1970 of daily protests of Filipino youth and students mainly against the Vietnam War and intensifying US intervention in the Asia-Pacific region. It defied the subservient stand of the Marcos regime to US government dictates.

With the student protest movement at the forefront, the FQS proved so successful in stirring up the fighting spirit of Filipinos across the country that Marcos had to declare martial law on September 21, 1972, forcing student organizations such as the Kabataang Makabayan (KM), or Patriotic Youth, to go underground. Community organizing in the Philippines was outlawed and the country entered a very dark period in its history.

“Today the struggle continues” Lumbrera said as he urged for Filipinos in the US to remain steadfast and critical of the current Arroyo regime. He closed his message with a the famous battlecry of the FQS--- “Makibaka, Huwag Matakot!”

A Vibrant Movement Continues Underground

"But fascism did not stop us from organizing a vibrant movement nonetheless," stated Ramon Mappala of the NYCHRP, in a testimony to the FQS.

Mappala, then a member of KM, spoke of how the movement for social and economic justice in the country adjusted to the conditions by going underground, and how many paid the price under a US-backed fascist dictatorship. Mappala, like many of his contemporaries who continued on with their activism at that time, was captured and jailed.

Another big highlight of the evening was the testimony of Balthazar Pinguel, the last open national spokesperson of KM before the organization went underground.

True to form, Pinguel roused the audience with his brand of fiery agitation and tribute to KM that easily moved hundreds of thousands of Filipino students during the FQS in the late 60's thru early 70's to confidently take to the streets in protest.

"Marcos was shaking in fear of the strong and militant youth and students movement!" Pinguel said as he narrated his very own experience as a student leader in various rallies, protests and demonstrations. He also provided a glimpse of what was the U.P. Diliman Commune.

Pinguel was a victim of torture while in detention for almost a decade. He traveled with his wife Chato all the way from Philadelphia to speak at the event.

Youth of Yesterday Meet Youth of Today

Contemporary youth voices urging for the continuation of the FQS's legacy were also represented in performances by members of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

Members of Anakbayan performed a “Kilos-Awit” (interpretative movement) of a well-known FQS era song called "Martsa Ng Bayan" (The Peoples’ March). “Kilos-Awit" is an artform developed and made popular by KM activists back in the 60’s that continues to be a staple among rallies and protests today. The performance spoke of the broad alliance-building among the various social sectors of Filipino society during the Marcos dictatorship.

Another classic, "Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa", a poem by Andres Bonifacio and that was made into a song by political prisoners in the 70s was sung by Taospuso of SANDIWA National Filipino Youth Alliance and Tutz Saulon of Kabalikat Domestic Workers Group. Peewee Recaido of the Kappa Pi Fraternity played the guitar accompaniment.

The active role of Filipino women against the anti-dictatorship movement such as the MAKIBAKA was also acknowledged. A witty but meaningful poem by Gabriela-USA member Melanie Dulfo of Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment was delivered. Donnie Manuel, singer and songwriter, offered an acoustic performance of “Kababaihan”, one of his compositions.

Martial Law Under Arroyo

After an emotional video documenting the EDSA Uprising of 1986 that brought some audience members to tears, Anakbayan member Yves Nibungco and NYCHRP members Gary Labao and Lolan Sevilla each spoke of the need to continue the legacy of the FQS and EDSA 1 because martial law is still present under the current regime of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

"The Philippine movement still needs you, and younger generation of activists need your wisdom and lessons learned from that time, because there is still martial law in the Philippines today under Arroyo," stated Labao.

Community members were given the opportunity to share their own experiences. Bebot Galvan of KABALIKAT Filipino Domestic Workers Support Group delivered a testimony of her experiences as a teenager during the martial law era. A Maranao, Potri Ranka Manis, spoke of her experiences and treatment by the Philippine military while in detention. Clemencia Wong, Vice-Chair of the Human Rights Committee of the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA) also spoke of her experiences during the 1986 EDSA uprising even though she was already in the US. NY cardiologist Dr. Orlando Apiado of the Movement for a Free Philippines (MFP) spoke of vibrant active anti-Marcos movement amongst Filipinos in New York City, particularly when the late Senators Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Raul Manglapuz and human rights lawyer Romeo Capulong all lived here. Another MFP member New Jersey based Atty. Emerito Salud closed the event with another poem. ###

Pics attached:

1. PAGPUPUGAY group shot
2. Bienvenido Lumbera video keynote message
3. Balthazar Pinguel of Kabataang Makabayan
4. Balthazar Pinguel speaks about the FQS
5. Anakbayan NY/NJ Kilos-Awit rendition of "Martsa ng Bayan"

To view more pictures from this event, visit: http://photobucket.com/pagpupugay_21feb2009

FILIPINO YOUTH TIE YELLOW RIBBONS 'ROUND JERSEY CITY

2009-02-19T22:13:00.003-05:00

Photos by Jonna Baldres

Press Release
18 February 2009

Reference: Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

FILIPINO YOUTH TIE YELLOW RIBBONS 'ROUND JERSEY CITY

JERSEY CITY, NEW JERSEY - Contrary to the popular notion in the United States on yellow ribbons as symbols of support for American troops and desire to bring them back home, members of the progressive Filipino youth group Anakbayan New York/New Jersey offered community members of Jersey City yellow ribbons in remembrance and celebration of the 1986 People Power. Yellow ribbons with the inscription, "People Power Lives!" were handed out to Filipinos on Westside and Newark Avenues last February 16, 2009.

"Yellow is the color of one of the most momentous events in Philippine history. It is the symbolic color of our united voice saying enough is enough, and of our collective action, which ended the 21-year rule of the Marcos Regime. It has been more than two decades and we are still very proud of it. We should be constantly reminded of this historic affair to draw lessons from and give us hope that change is possible." Yancy Gandionco, Anakbayan NY/NJ vice-president stated.

As in Marcos' reign, Anakbayan believes that during Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's eight unproductive years in office, Filipinos have remained poor, and that political repression and execution of those who oppose the administration's corrupt and inhumane practices have been perpetrated.

"The impoverished conditions in which Filipinos find themselves in for the past years have been testament that the Arroyo government has done nothing to lift up the economy of the nation, and instead, even widely opened its doors to neoliberal policies, exposing our country to worsening exploitation by the US imperialist and other foreign capitalist entities. To this, we say enough is enough!" Gandionco added.

To commemorate the 1986 People Power Revolution, Anakbayan encourages Filipinos in the US to wear yellow ribbons on February 25th as a sign of the Filipino people's resolve for genuine change in the system of the Philippine government.

In addition, Anakbayan NY/NJ, in cooperation with the New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), will be holding "Pagpupugay" on February 21, 2009 as a tribute to the anti-Martial Law activists who tirelessly fought from the First Quarter Storm movement of January 1970, and who still continue to fight up to the present, for the realization of true national democracy in the Philippines. The event will be held in Gallery 1199 at 310 West 43rd street from 1PM to 5PM.

Anakbayan New York/New Jersey is one of the US chapters of Anakbayan Philippines, a comprehensive national democratic mass organization fighting for the rights, welfare and basic needs of the Filipino youth around the world. Other US chapters include Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas and East Bay.

For more information on Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, please visit http://anakbayan-ny.blogspot.com or email us at anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com.

On 110th anniversary of Phil-Am War, US-Arroyo moves for intervention intensify with charter change

2009-02-06T11:44:00.001-05:00

On 110th anniversary of Phil-Am War, US-Arroyo moves for intervention intensify with charter change
February 4th, 2009

Contact: Berna Ellorin
Secretary-General, BAYAN USA
secgen@bayanusa.org

On this 110th anniversary of the Philippine-American War, the first US war of aggression for conquest overseas, Filipinos under the banner of BAYAN USA remain vigilant and defiant over US government maneuvers, in conjunction with the US puppet administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, to dominate and control Philippine economic and political affairs. In fact, moves for US government intervention in the Philippines are intensifying more than ever under the Arroyo administration. Two of the most recent forms of intervention are related to the US-Arroyo clique’s drive for Charter Change, or Cha-Cha– this week’s passing of House Resolution 737 by Philippine House Speaker Prospero Nograles and the Obama administration’s renewed commitment to the Balikatan exercises, this time in Bicol, for 2009.

Cha-Cha = Economic Liberalization

The recent passage of HR 737 as railroaded by Arroyo mouthpiece Prospero Nograles this week significantly indicates the first inclusion of the Arroyo clique’s ardent campaign to alter the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This not only indicates that the Cha-Cha campaign is alive and kicking, but is poised for the offensive.

Nograles, who was put in position after the Arroyo-maneuvered ouster of former House Speaker Jose De Venecia, filed House Resolution 737 this week. HR 737 specifically calls for the amendment of Sections 2 and 3 of Article 12 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution “to allow the acquisition by foreign corporations and associations and the transfer or conveyance thereto, of alienable public and private lands.” The resolution was approved by the House by a vote of 11-4. It’s next stop will be the Philippine Senate.

In these times of devastating economic crisis, further economic liberalization of the Philippine economy is the last thing the Filipino people need. The economic provisions proposed in Nograles’ resolution will ensure more landlessness for Filipino farmers, deepening poverty, and expand joblessness in the Philippines. Despite claims from the Arroyo clique that economic liberalization will bring in foreign investments and employment opportunities, the reality indicates quite the contrary. Studies have already shown that existent policies of economic liberalization, under the auspices of neoliberal globalization, are at the root cause of global economic crisis that is burdening the already-suffering Filipino people. More liberalization will only compound the Filipino people’s burdens even more.

Cha-Cha = More US Military Intervention

It is a given that US economic interests overseas are always protected by intensified US military presence and aggression. The Obama administration’s continued commitment to the invasive Balikatan exercises, this time in Bicol, is disappointing, because it will expand US military presence in the country. It is equally disappointing that the status quo of a regular US military aid package to the Philippines remains in tact, despite unanimous documentary evidence from international monitoring bodies that these US tax dollars are being funneled towards the Philippine military’s perpetration of extra-judicial killings and abductions of Filipino civilians, under the tutelage of US military advisers deployed to the Philippines. Since the Phil-Am War of 1899, US military presence has never left the Philippines. US military presence will surely expand and increase if Arroyo’s Cha-Cha passes in the Philippine Congress.

Section 25 Article XVIII in the Philippine Constitution clearly prohibits the presence of foreign military troops and facilities on Philippine soil, yet the US government has managed to keep a military stronghold in the Philippines and mock Philippine national sovereignty, even after the closing of Subic Naval and Clark Air Force Base in 1991. It has done so through a series of US-Philippine military agreements such as the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). These agreements have managed to ensure the continuing human rights violations committed by US troops ranging from sexual terrorism against Filipino women and children to direct combat of Philippine soil. Engagement in direct combat by foreign troops on Philippine soil is officially outlawed by the Philippine Constitution, and is one of the provisions the Arroyo administration is intent on changing as part of the Cha-Cha.

A Call for Patriotism

BAYAN USA, an alliance of 14 Filipino organizations across the United States, representing patriotic Filipinos forced to leave due to unsurvivable poverty in the Philippines, believes the struggle of the Philippine-American War of 1899 is not over, as current US government maneuvers in the Philippines are still in contrast to the collective interests of the Filipino people for genuine national sovereignty. It vehemently condemns the malicious and anti-patriotic character of the Arroyo administration for betraying the national interests of the Filipino people. Not only will Cha-Cha strip Filipinos of the right to determine the fate of their country and its natural resources, it will pave the way for the official resurrection of Martial Rule and return of fascist dictatorship to the Philippines. Cha-Cha continues the mission of the US government during the Phil-Am War in securing US government control over the Philippines. It is for this reason that our resistance as Filipinos must also step up.

On this day of memory of the Phil-Am War, let us pledge to heighten our patriotism and love of country by denouncing Cha-Cha and calling on the Philippine Senate to reject HR 737 and stop the Cha-Cha train dead on its tracks. Let us continue our demand to have all US troops withdrawn from the Philippines as well as all forms of US economic aid to the Philippines. Let us also continue to call for the impeachment, resignation, and/or ouster of the number one traitor of the Filipino people– Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

JUNK HR 737! NO TO CHA-CHA!
NO TO FOREIGN PLUNDER OF PHILIPPINE NATURAL RESOURCES!
US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
NO US TAX DOLLARS TO PHILIPPINE DEATH SQUADS!
OUST GMA!

Bowling and Burgers

2009-02-01T19:04:00.004-05:00

Photos courtesy of Bea Bianca Maderazo

For the busy members of Anakbayan NY/NJ, a much needed R & R (Rest & Recreation) was in order. Last friday, January 30, 2009, AB NY/NJ members and friends indulged themselves in a night of bowling and burgers. None of them played bowling as a hobby, although some took cues from WiiSport and others relied solely in the strength of their upper bodies thus explaining the lack of accuracy. Every single one proudly wore neon green and pink bowling shoes and took turns in knocking down some pins, cheering for their team and jeering for those who were either too good or too lousy (kidding!).

Anakbayan members, as fierce as they are in marching for human rights and protesting against GMA, were lessened to non-life-threatening mortals when it came to bowling. Jules, their newest member , proved to be a worthwhile bowler as she had the most strikes during the game (go lefties!). Jacq brought her Wii skills from her home into the bowling lanes (may WiiSport be with you) while John was mastering his spinning ball technique triple time. Bea, Bianca and Kat pushed their luck and had to make up their lack of ability and brawns with enthusiasm and humor. Yves and Jonna were surprisingly good for beginners, it was as if they brought their political agitation to Hudson Lanes. Yancy, fabulous as he is, was not so popular with the bowling pins but he did score some mean strikes! Jose brought his A-game during those two hours and Mike’s upper body strength did not hold up to his lessened visual acuity although he did make some serious pin-knocking. In the same way that they scored and hit those otherwise immovable bowling pins, the members and friends of AB NY/NJ hope that the collective strength of the youth topple down the ratty Arroyo regime and the crimes it continues to burden the Filipino people to this day.

After bowling, everyone proceeded to Wendy’s for nutrional (junkfood) refueling and loud conversations. They shared french fries as well as hilarious jokes and experiences. The members of Anakbayan NY/NJ are almost always knee-deep in various meetings, campaigns and mobilizations that when an opportunity such as mediocre bowling comes knocking, they answer it with big grins on their faces. After friday night's bowling activity, let it be known that Anakbayan NY/NJ has no interest in playing bowling professionally. They will always stick to what they do best, which is organizing and mobilizing albeit a little R & R with real friends (like Jacq and Bianca) is always welcome so watch out for more of Anakbayan’s fun activities! ###

- Entry by Kathleen Dy

Anakbayan NY/NJ Reportback

2009-02-01T02:31:00.005-05:00

Anakbayan NY/NJ Reportback
Presented last January 14, 2009
Center for Constitutional Rights
New York, USA

"Isulong ang Pakikibaka: Advance the Struggle"
Reportback on the Philippines

Sponsored by International League of Peoples' Struggle (ILPS), Bayan USA, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan NY/NJ, Malcolm X Grassroots Movement, Al-Awda: Palestinian Right to Return Coalition-NY, and International Action Center

Additional Music:

"Anak ng Bayan"
by Musikang Bayan

"Ang Masa"
mula sa album ng 'Kanta ng Rebolusyong Pilipino'

"Manggagawa Blues"
by Tambisan

"Tumindig Ka"
by Buklod

"Rage"
by The Jerks

"Tatsulok"
by Buklod

Pagpupugay: A TRIBUTE TO ANTI-MARTIAL LAW ACTIVISTS & COMMEMORATION OF PEOPLE POWER OF 1986

2009-01-31T08:05:00.004-05:00

Flyer by Jonna Baldres

Date: Saturday, February 21, 2009
Time: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Gallery 1199
Street: 310 West 43rd St. (between 8th & 9th Ave)
City/Town: New York, NY

SPECIAL GUEST VIA VIDEO: BIENVENIDO LUMBERA, Philippine National Artist for Literature and FQS Alum

On January 26, 1970, anti-Marcos protests culminated in Manila, the capital city of the Philippines. Popularly referred to as the “First Quarter Storm”, the historic protests by Filipino students along with the long-standing militancy of the labor movement and the centuries-long struggle of the peasants movement against fascism, foreign domination, government corruption and feudal oppression in the Philippines embodied the historical bravery of the Filipino people with the youth and students at the forefront in fighting for social and economic justice.

In response to the strong student protests, general social unrest of the workers and the urban poor, and armed peasant uprising in the countrysides, US-puppet Ferdinand Marcos signed Presidential Proclamation 1081, placing the entire Philippine Republic under Martial Law. Under the president’s command, the military arrested opposition figures, including the late Senator Benigno Aquino, journalists, student leaders, labor and peasant organizers, progressive Church members, and prominent businessmen and entrepreneurs. More than 30,000 individuals were detained and tortured by the Philippine military. Businesses were seized, newspapers were shut down, and the mass media were brought under tight control. For about two decades, Marcos reigned over the Philippines with iron-fist dictatorship stripping the nation of basic human rights and democratic freedoms.

But the opposition and the struggle for freedom and democracy of the Filipino people remained strong and vibrant in-spite of the brutal suppression by Marcos. The vibrant peoples’ democratic movement in the Philippines flourished underground and among overseas Filipinos such as those in forced into exile abroad. Despite their distance from their homeland, overseas Filipinos, particularly in New York City, continued to resist and fight to dismantle the Marcos dictatorship. The struggle against Marcos culminated on February 22, 1986, in a three-day uprising at the Epifanio De Los Santos Avenue (EDSA) that forced Marcos out of power.

Join us in paying a fitting New York tribute to the heroes and heroines of our times and pass the Anti-Martial Law movement’s legacy to the Filipino-American youth of today so they can emulate what it means to be a genuine Filipino patriot and take a stand and fight even if he/she is forced to go abroad and to better understand the current situation in the Philippines.

Organized by:
New York Committee for Human Rights (NYCHRP)
and Anakbayan New York/New Jersey

GETTING RID OF BUSH MEANS GETTING RID OF ARROYO TOO!-- BAYAN USA

2009-01-22T16:33:00.009-05:00

Photo courtesy of BAYAN-USA

News Release

January 21, 2009

Reference: Berna Ellorin, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

to view pictures online, visit http://photobucket.com/WashingtonDC_ByebyeBush-19January2009

GETTING RID OF BUSH MEANS GETTING RID OF ARROYO TOO!-- BAYAN USA
Filipino-Americans Respond to Obama's Inaugural Speech with a Call for Accountability

Washington DC-- Joining dozens of other Filipino-American advocates in front of the Philippine Embassy on Martin Luther King Day, and on the eve of the historic inauguration of US President Barack Obama, member organizations of the US Chapter of Bagong Alyasang Makabayan (BAYAN USA) staged an eye-catching "tsinelas-throwing party" to celebrate the official term end of the Bush administration. BAYAN USA member groups NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, Anakbayan NY/NJ, and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment also pointed out that while Bush may be gone from the White House, his unpopular foreign policy is still enforced worldwide, especially in the Philippines.

"Truly getting rid of Bush means getting rid of [Philippine President] Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as well, since she is Bush's strongest and most loyal enforcer in Asia," stated Chito Quijano, BAYAN USA Chairperson, who traveled all the way from Los Angeles to join the DC action. "Arroyo is one failed remnant of the Bush regime we would also like to see go as soon as possible."

Staying for the historic inauguration of Barack Obama the next day, the BAYAN USA Chair also urged vigilance and caution in holding the new President accountable to his words. "Though we are inspired by his words, we cannot afford to hold any illusion that the change we can believe in will be ushered in by any one leader. It must be ushered in through active and diligent people's struggle and mass movement. This is what history teaches us," Quijano continued.

Quijano pointed out Obama's inaugural speech sounded promising in terms of condemning world leaders "who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent" as standing "on the wrong side of history."

"We must work even harder to hold President Obama accountable to these important words, because they describe Arroyo to a tee," Quijano stated, referring to the human rights crisis and rampant government corruption that still plagues the Philippines under the Arroyo administration with approximately 1000 victims of extra-judicial killings, over 300 enforced disappearances, and thousands more forcefully displaced or killed in the countryside due to violent militarization.

Amongst the foreign policy changes BAYAN USA members vowed to continue struggling for are a withdrawal of US troops from the Philippines, withdrawal of US economic aid to the Philippine death squads, dismantling of permanent US military bases in Mindanao, and a withdrawal of diplomatic relations between the Obama administration and the Arroyo administration until such time Arroyo is unseated. Amongst the US domestic policy changes are legalization for the undocumented in the US, swift family reunification for immigrant families separated due to the US immigration system.

For more information, contact BAYAN USA at info@bayanusa.org, or visit www.bayanusa.org ###

FROM CALIFORNIA TO NEW YORK, PROGRESSIVE FIL-AM YOUTH DENOUNCE POLICE BRUTALITY

2009-01-22T16:18:00.004-05:00

Anakbayan chapters nationwide express our solidarity with the family and friends of Oscar Grant in their struggle for justice. We strongly condemn this escalating trend of systemic racial profiling and police brutality that too often results in murder.

Oscar Grant and three other young men were snatched off the BART train on the Fruitvale Station in Oakland, California on January 1, 2009. They were sitting against the wall when officers pressed Grant face and belly down on the floor. Then, officer Johannes Mehserle stood up and drew his firearm and shot Oscar Grant in the back, execution style right in front of train passengers. The incident was captured by BART passengers from their cell phone cameras and has been circulated around the internet for thousands to view. A week passed and Mehserle remained unaccountable to the City of Oakland and Bart officials for the heinous murder of Oscar Grant. This incident indicates how these ill-trained police officers, unfit to serve and protect the people, go on a rampage with impunity. Oscar Grant is not alone. Countless more people of color have been brutalized or murdered by the police force across the country in a decades long government attempt to maintain state power by dividing and violently repressing the efforts of people of color to survive and organize.

In 2007 in Oakland, CA, three Southeast Asian youth were wrongfully accused of murder in the nearby city of Alameda, CA. The police terrorized the entire Southeast Asian Oakland community by pulling high school students out of schools without parents consent and bringing in SWAT teams with automatic rifles looking for suspects at a youth leadership meeting. The Alameda Police Department wrongfully classified the 3 youth as gang members for dressing in black to mourn the death of soldiers during an anti-war mobilization from the student's myspace page. On Feb 5, 2007 in San Jose, CA, eight police officers participated in the beating of Marlo Custodio, an 18 year old Filipino student, while two other officers observed and did not interfere. Marlo Custodio was a senior at Evergreen Valley High School, who was very involved in his community and school programs.

In Seattle, there has been increasing amounts of police brutality towards youth leading to several investigations into the police department. One such case was the shooting of an unarmed 13-year old Filipino youth in October 2007, mistaking a cell phone for a weapon. Many other cases exist of excessive force by plain-clothes police who do not identify themselves and physically attack suspected gang members. Several of these cases were recorded by cell phones or cameras exonerating the victims of any wrongdoing and showing the brutal and dehumanizing tactics of the Seattle PD.

In New York and New Jersey, Alan Alda, an Anakbayan member was arrested and detained by Jersey City police after seeking their help against an erring cab driver on February 18, 2006. Just a few months later, on November 25, 2006, the horrific murder of Sean Bell happened. The unarmed Bell was shot fifty times by plainclothes and undercover NYPD officers on the day of his wedding. Also, on January 11, 2009, with the huge protests against the unjust invasion of Palestine by the US-backed Israel, 120 pro-Palestinian demonstrators were brutally arrested.

We recognize police brutality as the domestic manifestation of the U.S.-led wars throughout the third world perpetrated against the vast majority of people in an effort to maintain U.S. imperialism. Police and military violence against innocent youth has plagued the Philippines from the dawn of the 70's through the present time under President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. As the state-sponsored terrorism was escalating in the 1960's and 70's, the youth responded with massive street movements that broke the climate of fear instilled by the Marcos regime. This huge protest movement became known as the First Quarter Storm. This set the stage for EDSA People Power in 1986 which ousted Marcos and showed the collective strength of the youth together with the basic sectors of society. From 2001-2008, 18 youth leaders of Anakbayan and the League of Filipino Students in the Philippines have been gunned down just for exercising their right to speak out against the human rights abuses of the U.S.-backed and U.S. taxpayer funded Arroyo regime. Despite the terroristic tactics employed by the state, the youth refuse to be silenced and continue fighting for justice to this day.

Now, more than ever, the collective strength of the youth is beckoned once again. In a time of great economic depression, proliferation of fear and injustice, and heightened levels of state repression, the youth need to come together, flex our power, expose state attacks on our human rights and demand accountability of the police force to the people.

JUSTICE FOR OSCAR GRANT AND ALL VICTIMS OF RACIAL PROFILING AND POLICE BRUTALITY!

LONG LIVE THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF THE YOUTH!

END GOVERNMENT SPONSORED MURDER FROM THE GHETTOS OF OAKLAND TO PALESTINE!

# - # - #

Mobilization Against Israeli Attacks on Gaza - 01/03/09 & 1/11/09

2009-01-22T16:10:00.006-05:00

Photos by Jonna Baldres

News Release

January 11, 2009

Reference: Christina Hilo, Northeast Coordinator, BAYAN USA, email: ny@bayanusa.org

Week 2: Filipinos in NYC March for a Free Palestine;
Condemn Corporate Media's Distortion of Gaza Situation

View more pictures at:
http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v336/jonnabebeh/Gaza%20Protest%20-%2011%20January%202009/

New York-- For the second weekend in a row, Filipinos from New York City and neighboring Jersey City, under the alliance of BAYAN USA, marched with thousands of pro-Palestinian activists from Times Square to the New York offices of CNN and Time Warner to protest the continuing Israeli military invasion of the city of Gaza. BAYAN USA members organizations Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), and NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), comprised a strong and indignant Filipino contingent amidst a sea of Arab and non-Arab supporters for the Palestinian people of Gaza and the cause of the Palestinian people to end the Zionist occupation of their homeland.

News reports from various media outlets tally the Palestinian casualties to more than 800 dead and 3000 wounded in Gaza City, but pro-Palestinian protesters remain critical that facts reported in mainstream news are heavily distorted, and Palestinian victims, including women and children, are possibly under-counted. Pro-Palestinian activists marched from Times Square to the offices of media giants CNN and Time Warner near Central Park to denounce strong pro-Israel bias in mainstream news coverage of the Gaza situation.

"Today, we are all Palestinians!," shouted 20-year old Anakbayan member Yves Nibungco for BAYAN USA from the rally main stage, met with thunderous applause. "We condemn the corporate media for their distortion of the facts in Gaza and puppetry to US interests. They continue to demonize the victims and praise the murderers..... We know the violence in Gaza is not escalating because of Hamas, the violence in Gaza is escalating because of Zionism!" Nibungco stated.

According to most news reports, Hamas' so-called "terrorist activities" are projected as the main cause of the conflict, while Israel's invasion is justified as a matter of self-defense. But BAYAN USA and the other protesters in New York, see the conflict within the historical context of the ongoing Palestinian resistance to the violent 60+ year old Zionist occupation of their ancestral lands assisted by financial support from the US government.

As the largest recipient of US economic aid in the world, Israel enjoys a pork barrel of $15 million a day, or an annual average of $6 billion, from US tax dollars. Nibungco further stated that the US government's large financial investment in Israel ensures US government control over the vast deposits of oil and natural gas in the region.

Last week in Washington DC, both houses of US Congress unanimously passed resolutions in full support of Israel's continued military offensive of Gaza. As stated in Senate Resolution 10 (S.R. 10), US lawmakers united under the framework that Israel has every right to exercise "non-restraint from targeting civilians."

"Filipinos are concerned about Gaza and the liberation of Palestine because there are similarities in Philippine history and current affairs," stated BAYAN USA Secretary-General Berna Ellorin. "US tax dollars fund and enable the Israeli military offensive in Gaza and violent occupation Palestinian soil, just as US tax dollars fund and enable the Philippine military to commit gross human rights violations against the Filipino people at an alarming rate."

As a former direct colony of the US, the Philippines suffered a bloody colonization from the US military that led to the massacre of millions of Filipinos at a time when the US government was a fledgling superpower at the turn of the 20th century. Today, more subtle forms of US economic and political plunder still lord over Philippine national affairs, including a push from Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for dangerous provisions to the 1987 Philippine Constitution that would allow 100% foreign ownership of the country's vast natural resources, including oil, gold, and natural gas. Opposition to Arroyo's Charter Change, or Cha-Cha, is another campaign of BAYAN USA.

While none from the BAYAN USA contingent was arrested, police officers brutalized protesters and arrested at least 10 from the march and rally. BAYAN USA, an overseas chapter of BAYAN Philippines and member of the International League of People's Struggle (ILPS), marched closely with allies from Nodutdol, a progressive Korean community organization based in Queens.

For more information on BAYAN USA, visit www.bayanusa.org, or email info@bayanusa.org. ###

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Photos by Jonna Baldres

03 January 2009
Times Square, Manhattan
New York, USA

BAYAN USA, with its member organizations in the North East region -- New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Anakbayan NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights & Empowerment (FiRE) -- join the mobilization against Israeli attacks on Gaza.

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News Statement

Reference: Berna Ellorin, Secretary-General, BAYAN USA, email: secgen@bayanusa.org

THE ISRAELI MILITARY IS DOING THE US GOV'T'S DIRTY WORK! STOP THE ONGOING MASSACRES IN GAZA NOW!

The US Chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, or BAYAN USA, an alliance of 12 Filipino organizations in the US, vehemently condemns the US government-sponsored bloodshed that is currently ongoing in the city of Gaza, in the Palestinian territories. As of the writing of this statement, the Israeli military air strikes in Gaza have killed over 300 Palestinians, and nearly 1000 more are critically wounded, including women and children. The death toll from the last 72 hours alone in Gaza marks the highest in the decades-long so-called "Israeli-Palestinian conflict". Israeli state officials claim the siege on Gaza is a response to the Hamas government's continued "violent retaliation" in the form of rocket barrages.

To understand the so-called "Israeli-Palestinian conflict" more comprehensively, one must see it in the context of US imperialism's role in dividing and plundering the Middle East to serve its economic and political interests. The state of "Israel" still serves as a strategic access point for US-imperialism to plunder the entire region's most profitable resources-- black gold and oil.The state of "Israel" is a US surrogate state that has long been funded by Washington DC to do its dirty work and uphold its interests in the region. This includes the ethnic cleansing of millions of Palestinian families who were violently forced to flee from their ancestral lands beginning in 1948 with the forceful and violent Zionist occupation of Palestine and the establishment of the state of "Israel". The establishment of Israel and its systemic massacre and displacement of the Palestinian people is one of the greatest offensives of the US government in the Middle East, that duly serves the interests of US imperialism to control the region.

Israel-US government relations remain tight and intimate in this campaign. Israel is the largest recipient of direct economic and military aid from the US government since World War II. This means the Israeli military's continuing offensives on Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip are made possible with generous funding from the US government. The hard-earned tax dollars of the people of the US are fueling these continuing attacks of the US surrogate government of Israel against the Palestinian people. At the same time, the global economic crisis is hitting the people of the US hard with massive job lay-offs, foreclosures, evictions, and budget cuts to health care and education.

In light of their historical oppression, the oppressed Palestinian people have the every right to resist and determine their form of resistance in the interest of their national liberation. It is understandable that this heroic resistance includes armed struggle. The Palestinian people have suffered the most horrific crimes of war and massacre from US imperialism at the hands of the Israeli government.

In the same light, the Filipino people are suffering from attacks from the same enemy. If the state of "Israel" is considered US-imperialism's front door to the rest of the Middle East and Asia, then the Philippines would be the back door. For almost 110 years, the US has forcefully imposed its control over the Philippines, directly and indirectly, for the sake of maintaining this strategic geo-political and economic post in the Asia Pacific region. One of the first colonies of US-imperialism at the turn of the 20th century, the Filipino people suffered great losses. More than one-sixth of the Filipino people were massacred with the first few years of US occupation.

Like the US surrogate government in Israel, the US surrogate government of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is also performing the same dirty work in the Philippines to advance US imperialism's control over the country. While Israel is the largest annual recipient of US economic and military aid in the world, the Philippines is the largest recipient in Asia. But US economic aid to the Philippine government is not used for economic development of a very poor nation. Instead the Arroyo administration directs US economic aid towards beefing up the Philippine military, which has been responsible for the gravest human rights crisis in the country since the period of the US-backed Marcos dictatorship, and deepening corruption by buying the loyalty of corrupt Philippine politicians. The Philippine military is also responsible for the massive displacement of millions of Filipinos from their lands, especially the Muslim and indigenous communities.

Here in the United States, oppressed and working people have the responsibility to cripple the state terrorist machinaries of the Israeli and Philippine governments by demanding the withdrawal of US direct economic and military aid to both countries. As the global economic crisis continues to awaken the people in the US to the rotten character of US imperialism, we must strengthen our solidarity ties to national liberation struggles abroad, including Palestine and the Philippines. By intensifying our struggles and resistance against US imperialism in all parts of the globe, we can weaken our common enemy.

Furthermore, President-Elect Barack Obama's swift appointment of Rahm Emanuel as his Chief-of-Staff foreshadows continued Zionist oppression of the Palestinian people.

His father, Benjamin Emanuel, is an ardent Zionist militant who has been infamously quoted as bragging that his son will ensure the incoming Obama administration's pro-Israel agenda, and offensively remarked that Arabs in the White House are usually relegated to cleaning floors. We must therefore remain vigilant and maintain no illusion that the incoming US presidential administration can effectively or even has the intention to restore peace in the region.

In condemning the attacks on Gaza, we demand justice for the Palestinian people. This means we demand the US-Israeli occupation of the Palestinian people's ancestral land end, and that the right of the Palestinian people to return to their homeland be globally respected and recognized. Without justice, neither peace nor democracy can be realized or practiced in the Middle East or the Philippines.

STOP THE ATTACKS ON GAZA!
JUSTICE FOR THE PALESTINIAN VICTIMS OF THE US-ISRAELI ATTACKS!
FREE PALESTINE!
WITHDRAW US ECONOMIC AID TO ISRAEL!
WITHDRAW US ECONOMIC AID TO THE PHILIPPINES!
LONG LIVE INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY!

Filipinos in New York Commemorate International Human Rights Day

2009-01-21T17:39:00.007-05:00

Photo by Jonna Baldres

News Release
December 10, 2008

Reference: Peter Arvin Jabido, NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, email: nychrp@gmail.com

Filipinos in New York Commemorate International Human Rights Day

Filipinos in New York City commemorated International Human Rights Day on December 10th with a special mass dedicated to the victims of human rights violations in the Philippines. Entitled "Misa Para sa Kapayapaan at Karapatang Pantao" [Mass for Peace and Human Rights], the mass was sponsored by the NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines, a local advocacy group in New York, and held at the Chapel of San Lorenzo Ruiz, the Filipino Apostolate of the Archdiocese of New York lower Manhattan.

Berna Ellorin, a member of NYCHRP, opened the mass with a quote from a recent statement from Filipino Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, President of the Catholic Bishops Conference in the Philippines-- "Today, is a day of shame and embarrassment....because of the innumerable human rights violations that have remained unexamined, unexplained and unsolved or covered up by events [in the Philippines]. Ellorin further quoted Lagdameo with --" We are ashamed, that our country is said to be the most corrupt in Asia and the second most corrupt in the world. This is because of human rights violations in various degrees."

The ecumenical service was led by celebrant Fr. Erno Diaz, who also spoke of human rights violations in his sermon. "We must remember that Jesus was a victim of a violent human rights violation for doing good, as was Filipino saint San Lorenzo Ruiz. We must continue to pray for those that are being persecuted for struggling for peace and human rights."

Gary Labao of NYCHRP closed the communion with a reflection on peace-- "Peace is not merely the absence of war, violence or turmoil. Peace must always be based on justice.... Therefore there can be no peace as long as there are people dying of hunger and poverty. There can be no peace as long as there is inequality and oppression. There will be dissidents, rebels, and people who are willing to commit acts of violence against men."

Labao also spoke of the 977 civilian victims of extrajudicial killings, 201 civilian victims of enforced disappearances, 1,010 victims of torture, and 1,464 victims of illegal arrests in the Philippines under the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Members of NYCHRP also mentioned the investigation of Radhika Coomaraswamy, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Children, in the Philippines this week. "A country that upholds human rights must prove itself first and foremost as a country safe for our children, the most vulnerable in our society. The Children's Rehabilitation Center in the Philippines has already reported over 948 cases of human rights violations against Filipino children in addition to 2 million children that have been displaced due to militarization," stated Ellorin.

Upon conclusion, members of Anakbayan New York/New Jersey and Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment collected signatures endorsing the release of the Southern Tagalog 72, known anti-Arroyo critics in the Southern Tagalog region who were swept in false charges of murder and arson and some of whom are in detention. ###

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Press Statement
06 December 2008

References:
Jonna Baldres, Secretary General, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey, anakbayan_nj@ yahoo.com
Jeff Rice, Secretary General, Anakbayan Seattle, edjop82@gmail. com
Lyle Prijoles, Chairperson, League of Filipino Students-San Francisco State University, Lfs.sfsu@gmail. com

Progressive Filipino Youth in US Protest Criminalization of ST 72

Once again, the crackdown on activists and leaders of progressive organizations come at a full speed and at increased proportions as the state holds these human rights defenders accountable for false and trumped-up charges, arresting and detaining them at indefinite lengths of time. The most recent of whom are the 72 activists from the Southern Tagalog part of the Philippines — including chief legal counsel of the Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU or May 1st Movement), Atty. Remigio Saladero, and among the youth, Anakbayan Southern Tagalog Secretary-General Pedro Santos Jr, and former provincial coordinators for Anakbayan-Cavite Karen Ortiz and Sheryll Villegas — who have been accused of murder and arson.

Thanks to Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her ever-loyal cabinet members National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzales who head the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG), the Armed Forces of the Philippines, and the Philippine National Police who are all working together to arbitrarily pin down those whom they believe are members of organizations they tag as communist fronts.

Aside from the case of our Anakbayan brother and sisters from Southern Tagalog, the Filipino youth and students from other regions have not been spared from these acts of criminalization and demonization. During the second half of this year, some student leaders and members of Anakbayan and League of Filipino Students (LFS) from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) were also falsely charged with rebellion and frustrated murder and had been openly accused as NPA recruiters and communists for explicitly criticizing and opposing tuition hikes and other anti-youth and anti-student policies implemented by the Arroyo regime. Accounts of these accusations can be seen in videos and comic strips produced and distributed by the Armed Forces of the Philippines who hold fora and symposia through the ROTC (Reserved Officers Training Corps) and who roam freely inside campuses across the country.

In Jose Rizal University (JRU), 19 students were suspended by the administration for leading a protest action against the Value Added Tax (VAT) — some of whom are also members of Anakbayan-JRU.

Here in the US, we can recall what happened last June at the Philippine Independence Day parade in New York, wherein young members of the Kappa Pi Fraternity who joined the contingent of the progressive alliances BAYAN-USA and National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON) in voicing out against the government’s malpractices had also been falsely charged, almost got arrested and constantly bullied all throughout the event by the New York Police Department (NYPD).

Even the blind can probably see through these false accusations and connect the dots to conclude that Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo definitely has a hand on all these cases of silencing and criminalizing those who speak the truth.

In this time of severe economic and political crises, the Arroyo administration never fails to flaunt its true color. That in order to cling to power, it will never bow down to its staunch critics, up to the point of striking against all those who get in the way, even those who stand up for what is just and right. This only shows that in the Philippines — and even right here in the belly of the beast — fighting for one’s rights and speaking against the wrongful deeds of the Philippine government will put one deep into the grave. And for the US government to support and give more funds to the Philippine government taken from taxes paid by the American people will only ensure continuous support for this absurd and savage cause.

As we, the Filipino-American and im/migrant youth, look ahead with the establishment of a new US president, we remain vigilant; that the grave mistakes of the previous administration in support of our government back home be not allowed to creep back into the free and peaceful society that our forefathers have envisioned for us.

We, Anakbayan, now with over 7 chapters across the US, and the League of Filipino Students-San Francisco State University (LFS-SFSU), vow to militantly defy state terrorism by the fascist Arroyo administration on all sectors of Philippine society, unwaveringly expose all forms of violations against human rights, and unceasingly fight for justice for all the victims who had fallen into the hands of this unparalleled brute that is the Arroyo regime.

DEFEND THE ST 72!
FREE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS AND DETAINEES!
NO TO CAMPUS MILITARIZATION IN THE PHILIPPINES!
NO TO CRIMINALIZATION OF THE FILIPINO YOUTH!
NO TO US MILITARY AID TO THE PHILIPPINES!
JUSTICE FOR ALL VICTIMS OF HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS AND POLITICAL REPRESSION!
DEFY STATE TERRORISM!
OUST GMA!

FILIPINO YOUTH UNITE AND STRUGGLE FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRACY!

2009-01-21T17:03:00.011-05:00

Photos courtesy of John Miranda

ANAKBAYAN NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY ANNIVERSARY STATEMENT

Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey reaffirms its commitment to serve the people as it celebrates its fourth anniversary on November 30, 2008. Simultaneously, Anakbayan Philippines is celebrating TEN years of relentless struggle for self-determination and genuine democracy for the Filipino people.

Today, we venture into a journey marked by a series of crises. Prices of basic commodities continue to increase and the price of oil remains unpredictable; these tensions and capricious events culminating in an explosive financial crisis that is still wreaking havoc in the world’s economies, particularly in the third world. The Filipino youth has been experiencing massive job lay-offs, landlessness, deteriorating social services, vanishing public education system and an ever escalating human rights violations.

The Philippines, being an import-dependent, export-oriented economy with a puppet government, is bearing the brunt of this crisis. The young Filipino workers who have turned to call-centers are seeing how empty Mrs. Arroyo’s promises of jobs for the Filipino people are as Foreign companies cut-down on their outsourcing to be able to provide local jobs in their own country. This in turn signals thousands more will join the ranks of the millions of unemployed Filipino youths. The government’s Labor Export policy will also be stripped naked, as demand for foreign labor will diminish. In the countryside, the peasant youth continue to experience landlessness as a result of ineffective and insufficient Agrarian reform by the government.

Furthermore, the government led by GMA is turning a deaf ear to the plights of the youth for basic social services and education. Public healthcare geared towards the youth is as good as nothing while budget for public secondary and tertiary schools have suffered cutbacks due to the administration’s prioritization of debt payments.

In response, the youth, with its revolutionary tradition, initiated massive demonstrations and walk-outs to register their disgust and rejection of the US-Arroyo fascist regime. This prompted the Arroyo regime to further incur human rights violations against the youth, militarizing universities and harassing activists and sympathizers. The youth continues to defy this new tyranny.

The same goes with immigrant and Fil-am youth here in the US. Possessing the same revolutionary characteristics, the youth have proven their might as they made Barack Obama’s presidency possible in the recent presidential elections. But the youth, having realized its potential as a powerful force for social change, must continue to be vigilant. The youth should demand the pull-out of US troops in the Philippines and the immediate halt in military aid to the Philippines. We, the Filipino youth must assert our revolutionary stance and continue our militant struggle for National Democracy.

STOP U.S. MILITARY AID TO THE PHILIPPINES!
US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!
STOP POLITICAL KILLINGS AND ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES!
OUST GMA!
FILIPINO YOUTH UNITE! SERVE THE PEOPLE!
LONG LIVE THE STRUGGLE FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRACY!

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Press Release
December 2, 2008

Reference: Yancy Gandionco, Vice-President, Anakbayan New York/New Jersey

Email: anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

Photo Courtesy by John Paul Miranda

Reaffirm: Filipino-American and Im/migrant Youth Carry On with the Fight

Jersey City, NJ – Old and new members of the comprehensive youth organization, Anakbayan, reaffirmed their commitment to serve the Filipino youth and the motherland in a momentous occasion held at Mayon Grill on Westside Avenue last November 29, 2008 (a day ahead of the actual date to coincide with the November 30 celebration in the Philippines). Aside from celebrating the 145th birthday of the revolutionary hero, Andres Bonifacio, the event also celebrated Anakbayan Philippines' tenth year anniversary and Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey chapter's fourth year as a bastion of Filipino youth's rights and welfare all over the globe.

The anniversary celebration was entitled "REAFFIRM," taking off from this year's theme by Anakbayan Philippines: "A Decade of relentless struggle for jobs, land, education, rights and social services! Continue to enlighten, organize, and mobilize towards the path of the national democratic struggle! Live up to the revolutionary challenge and tradition of the Filipino youth!" (Ipagbunyi ang isang dekada ng militanteng paglaban para sa trabaho, lupa, edukasyon, karapatan at serbisyo! Ibayong magmulat, mag-organisa at mag-mobilisa tungo sa landas ng pambansa-demokratikong pakikibaka! Puspusin ang rebolusyonaryong hamon at tradisyon ng kabataang Pilipino!)

"It is not entirely true that the Youth is the hope and future of the nation. The youth, together with the different sectors of society -- such as the peasants, workers and women --- fighting for a corrupt-free, genuinely democratic nation, is the true hope for a better future," Rico Foz, Vice-President of the National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), said as he opened the event.

"In this time of great global financial crisis, the Filipino youth today are plagued by unemployment, non-existent social services, deteriorating public education system, landlessness and escalating human rights violations, we need to look back on the revolutionary history of the Filipino youth and live up to it more than ever to change this worsening situation," Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General of Anakbayan NY/NJ expressed.

"As victims of the Philippine Government's corrupt and exploitative labor export policy, we, Filipino-American and Filipino im/migrant youth have the responsibility to expose and change the wrongs -- like the continued US military-aid to the Philippines with which our tax dollars are being used to fund the Arroyo administration's crimes against the Filipino people," Nibungco added.

The affair was highlighted by the oath taking of old and new members led by Gary Labao, one of the founders of the Anakbayan NY/NJ chapter and who had also related the history of Anakbayan in the New York/New Jersey area earlier in the program.

Messages of continued support were also shared throughout the night from representatives of national alliances such as National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON), SANDIWA National Fil-Am Youth Alliance, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-USA (BAYAN-USA), and members of allied organizations such as Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), New York Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP), Lakas Diwa, Kabalikat Domestic Workers and Philippine Forum.

"This coming January, Barrack Obama will be inaugurated as the new US president. The youth had been a part of this, of the mass movement that worked towards a hopeful change. We believe that the Filipino youth will continue to participate, prosper and progress even beyond the Philippine soil, and we, in BAYAN-USA, are confident that Anakbayan chapters in the US will be with us at the forefront of the fight," Berna Ellorin, Secretary General of BAYAN-USA, stated in her solidarity message.

Jonna Baldres, Secretary General of Anakbayan NY/NJ, who had just returned from a 4-month immersion with Anakbayan Philippines, said, "From what I have witnessed back in the homeland, I am even more determined to organize more Filipino youth abroad and share with them what I have learned, and hopefully, encourage more of them to come home to the motherland and experience the strength, not just that of the Filipino youth's, but more so, that of the Filipino people's collective action and bring it back with them here in the US. In the meantime, we will continue the struggle, no matter how far."

Songs and poetry of love for the motherland, experiences and realizations as Filipino-American and im/migrant youth in the US, and service to the people were also presented by Taos Puso, Babz Manuel and Gary Labao of Kadena, Philippe Garcesto Javier, Yves Nibungco and the Anakbayan Choir.

"The whole celebration from tonight's speeches to the oath taking and cultural presentations galvanized my duty to serve not only my fellow youth but the Filipino people as a whole. It may not seem much because I am just one person, but together with my new found brothers and sisters in Anakbayan, as one, we become a great catalyst for change," Bea Sabino, one of Anakbayan NY/NJ's members who took the oath for the first time, commented.

Anakbayan New York/ New Jersey is one of the US chapters of Anakbayan Philippines, a comprehensive national democratic mass organization fighting for the rights, welfare and basic needs of the Filipino youth all over the world. Other US chapters include Honolulu, Los Angeles, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas and East Bay. ###

"Hands-off the Youth! Keep-out of the Campuses" Says Fil-Am Youth to AFP, Arroyo Gov't.

2009-01-21T16:55:00.003-05:00

Novemeber 20, 2008

New York City, NY- Immigrant and US-born Filipino youth condemned the continuous harassment of students and youth activists in the Philippines last Thursday in front of the Philippine Consulate. Anakbayan NY/NJ, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Kappa Pi fraternity, Sandiwa Filipino Youth Alliance and BAYAN-USA's representatives disregarded the cold and spoke in front of the consulate to call for a stop on Campus Militarization and criminalization of youth activists in the Philippines.

"We condemn GMA's harassment of the Filipino youth and the campus militarization occurring in the Philippines. Mrs. Arroyo should focus more on solving economic problems such as high prices of basic commodities instead of trying to silence the youth." said Bea Sabino, a member of the militant youth organization, Anakbayan NY/NJ.

Demonstrators also raised issues such as low income wages, landlessness, budget cuts in social services, grotesque corruption and an endless spate of human rights violations that continue to burden the youth and the rest of the Filipino people. These, members of the said activist organizations say, are the reasons why youth are pouring in the streets and joining the growing movement to oust Mrs. Arroyo.

Yves Nibungco, Deputy Secretary General of Anakbayan NY/NJ, stated
"We are warning the US-Arroyo dictatorship that no guns nor truncheons can ever silence the youth. Like Rachelle Mae Palang, Cris Hugo, Rei Mon Guran, Peter Angcon and other youth martyrs who boldly defied Arroyo's fascist regime, we vow to continue our people's struggle to depose this tyrant named Gloria Arroyo and attain freedom and genuine democracy for our people!"

Activists also appealed to passersby to demand an end on US military aid to the Philippine military. "US military aid to the Philippines is linked to the human rights crisis in the Philippines. There is documented increase in human rights violations, including killings and abductions, in the Philippines when there is an increase in US military aid to the country", said Berna Ellorin, Secretary General of the progressive alliance, BAYAN-USA.

Ellorin added,"rather than spend millions of US tax dollars on Philippine death squads, the US government should invest in healthcare, education, affordable housing, and social security for the US population. As taxpayers into the system, people in the US have a right and duty to exercise outrage over the human rights crisis in the Philippines and demand money be invested in domestic prosperity in this time of economic downturn. That is millions of US dollars the majority of impoverished Filipinos would gladly refuse from the US government."

"As we near the celebration of Anakbayan's 10th year anniversary of serving the people, we call on the Filipino youth who are eager to see a social and political metamorphosis to rise above the challenges of our times. Let us dare to struggle! Let us dare to make a change!" concluded Nibungco.

Anakbayan NY/NJ is an official chapter of Anakbayan Philippines. It is a comprehensive national democratic organization of the youth that seeks to empower the youth for social change and advance the Filipino people's rights and welfare.###

This Side Up: Benefit Concert for the Streetchildren in the Philippines

2009-01-21T16:35:00.003-05:00

Jersey city, New Jersey- The Filipino youth of Jersey city, in collaboration with Anakbayan NY/NJ held a benefit concert, entitled This Side Up, for the street children in the Philippines at the Our Lady of Mercy church last Saturday, November 8, 2008.

Bea Sabino and Mikhail Eliasi, two Filipino teenagers, initiated the fundraising activities. Both youngsters celebrated their birthday last month but instead of spending money during this period of recession, they decided to raise money for He Cares foundation, a Christian non-profit foundation that helps streetchildren in the Philippines. With the help of Anakbayan NY/NJ, Bea and Mike organized their friends for bakesales. They traversed the sidewalks of West Side Avenue and Newark Avenue in Jersey City last August selling homemade brownies, cupcakes, cheesecakes and polvorons to passersby. They also distributed fliers that include pressing issues affecting our compatriots back home. Inspite of the unexpected success of their bakesales, they thought that it would be best to step up and gather more youths for their final fundraising activity, a benefit concert.

After an ardous month-long preparation, the combined power of the youth made the ambitious endeavor into a reality. There were performances by the Macalintal siblings, Gessica Pecana, Jay Legaspi and the bands Kapsula, Unified, Extra Rice and Pugadlawin. It was a very meaningful and entertaining night as Filipino youths not only rocked the house but also tackled the issue of poverty and the unjust system back home.

“A lot of people nowadays say that the youth is passive and apathetic. This event proves those people wrong as it clearly shows that more youth are becoming aware and involved in any way possible in the struggle to fix our damaged nation, whether it be fundraising events or street protests,” states John Paul Miranda of Anakbayan NY/NJ. United by the desire for change, US-born and immigrant Filipino youths prevailed over selfishness and individualism. Needless to say, Bea and Mike had their most memorable birthday celebration to date.###

Justice for Rachelle Palang!

2009-01-21T16:27:00.003-05:00

Please watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXocy3IPGGg

Jersey City, NJ - Last September 18, 2008, Anakbayan NY/NJ, LA and Seattle led Fil-Am and Filipino immigrant youths from coast to coast in the making of a protest video against the ongoing and escalating political repression in the Philippines, particularly those violations against the youth. Members from HabiArts, Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE), Sandiwa, Kappa Pi and Pugadlawin, and several supporters including some nurses, and nursing students all coordinated with Anakbayan to make a tribute video for Rachelle Mae Palang who is the most recent victim of the military’s aggressive persecution of student activists and progressive youths in the country.

Rachelle, or Mae-Mae as her friends call her, recently finished her Nursing studies at the Velez College in Cebu and successfully passed the Nursing Licensure Exam in June 2008. Her passion, however, was to become a physician so she can better serve the poor and the oppressed. In pursuit of this dream, she took and successfully passed the National Medical Admissions Test. Sadly, the world will never see a Dr. Rachelle Palang; the Philippines lost one more vessel of hope and righteousness.

In July of this year, Mae-Mae asked her parents’ permission to go to Negros Oriental for a three-month medical mission. Her goal while in the hinterlands was to promote health, treat the sick and to investigate the causes of the people’s demise. Unfortunately, In September 18, 2008 at Dauin town, Negros Oriental, that mission was cut-short. Mae-Mae was shot and killed by elements of the Armed Forces of the Philippines during an encounter with the New Peoples Army. She was shot at the back of her head at point-blank range; her face was barely recognizable, the rest of her body bruised as evidence of torture. According to the AFP, Mae-Mae was a member of the NPA, and was said to be carrying and using an M-16 during the fight. This claim however, came as a shock to those who are very close to Mae-Mae.

Her friends unanimously expressed disbelief in the AFP’s report. They said Mae-Mae was outspoken but she would never have thought of using a gun. Her weapon of choice was the pen as evidenced by her commitment as the editor of their school paper in Velez College. In 2005, she was elected as Vice President for the Visayas during the College Editors Guild of the Philippines’ (CEGP) 67th National Student Press Convention and 33rd Biennial Student Press Congress held in Albay, Bicol. She relinquished her position last May after three consecutive years of faithful service. Accordingly, she endeavored to reopen closed college publications and established student publications in schools that have none. Her work focused on student rights violations in campus. Her knowledge of the society was further honed when she participated in a Basic Mass Integration (BMI) program of the CEGP where she experienced the forms of oppression endured by the masses.

“What was once called youth activism and nationalism is now labeled as threat to national security by the government. When a young person like Rachelle wishes to genuinely contribute in uplifting the downtrodden and the oppressed, the fascist government led by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo deal with it as if idealism is a menace,patriotism is a plague and serving the people a high crime,” said Kathleen Dy, member of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

In conformity with this recent surge of repression and oppression, the military has invaded the campuses of politically-involved universities. Military personnels are now a common sight in the country’s most prominent colleges and universities particularly in the University of the Philippines, Diliman (UPD) and Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Sta. Mesa (PUP).

Bea Sabino of Anakbayan NY/NJ and a nursing student expressed her concern as well, “We observed an increase of political harassment lately and one would think that this was a consequence of the newest impeachment complaint filed versus Gloria Arroyo after the one-year ban.” This latest impeachment complaint which was submitted in October 13, 2008 is already the fourth for GMA. Keen observation supports the hypothesis that the increased militarization right before the endorsement of impeachment was not a coincidence but a calculated move by the administration to scare off the opposition. Regrettably, they did not just scare off Rachelle, they killed her.

In their press release, the CEGP asserts that “the act of the military in linking Rachelle with the New Peoples’ Army is a desperate attempt to shadow the real reason why she went to Negros, that is to help the oppressed farmers. We are deeply insulted when the military praised and showered Mae-Mae’s killers with gifts and recognitions. The CEGP admonishes these inhumane and insulting actions of the military, as well as the brutal treatment of her body. We condemn the malicious attempt of the military to mislead the people from the real issue.”

Rachelle was an ordinary person who chose the road less travelled. Yes, she could have chosen a different path and lived to be a hundred but she did not. She chose to become an epitome of a student leader who struggles for genuine freedom and democracy for the people and for that, she will always be remembered.

“In memory of Mae-mae and countless other victims of state terrorism, we, the youth, reaffirm our commitment in the struggle against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s tyranny and against the oppressive system that continue to burden our people. As long as our brothers and sisters in the Philippines are harassed, repressed, disappeared and killed the powers that be can expect more militant actions from the youth to come,” said Yves Nibungco, deputy secretary general of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

Please watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXocy3IPGGg

PICTURE BLOG! Youth Fundraising

2009-01-17T23:28:00.003-05:00

ANAKBAYAN New York/New Jersey Bake Sale
August 23, 2008

Newark Ave. Jersey City, New Jersey

Come and Join us on our upcoming FUN, EXCITING, and FILLING Activities! Email us at anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

Filipino Youth in the US rejects Arroyo's Lies, Joins clamor for her ouster

2009-01-17T23:13:00.004-05:00

For Immediate Release July 28, 2008

Anakbayan's Statement on SONA

Filipino Youth in the US rejects Arroyo's Lies, Joins clamor for her ouster

As the students and youth in the Philippines prepare for another walk-out in time with Gloria Arroyo's 8th State of the Nation Adress (SONA), Anakbayan-led Filipino youths shall join ally organizations in front of the Philippine Consulate to assert their disgust and rejection of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s deceit-swathed regime.

"Arroyo's lies can no longer cover up the true state of our motherland which, like the sunken MV Princess of the Stars, is on the verge of drowning under a storm of political and economic crises caused by her anti-people, pro-foreign interest policies." said Dani Galan, chairperson of Anakbayan NY/NJ.

While the economy is plunging, prices of basic commodities rising and oil prices spiking, the government, under GMA's tyrannical rule, has completely ignored the youth and the Filipino people altogether, spending more money on bullets and guns instead of schools and books and other social services. Qualified data show that GMA only spends 12php per student as compared to 14php that she spends on every M16 bullet, causing more and more students to drop out of school each year. Only 58 out of every 100 students who enter Grade 1 eventually move on to high school and only 14 students are estimated to earn a college degree.

Furthermore, the lack of National Industrialization in the Philippines, due to GMA's fanatical hold to neo-liberal policies as dictated by US Imperialism, has left college graduates either unemployed or underemployed thereby turning our nation's brightest into call center agents and/or workers abroad who are subjected to abusive labor policies.

In addition, human rights violations committed by Arroyo's minions against the bravest voices of the people, particularly from the youth, continue to escalate. As Arroyo desperately attempts to extinguish the people's revolt, the number of murdered Filipino patriots has reached 903, 23 of those are from the youth sector.

Filipinos facing these atrocious conditions at home are fed up and Filipino youth in the US are too. The choices are limited; stand back and perish, or step up and fight. Hundreds of thousands of youth are firmly convinced that being a bystander is not a wise choice anymore and fighting for national democracy and Arroyo's ouster is indispensable. Today, there is no other place to be but on the streets.

"We urge more of our fellow youth here in the US to come out, speak up and join us in our escalating protests. There is no other choice for the Filipino youth and the people but to revolt, to oust Arroyo through a “People Power” and establish a government that will genuinely serve the interests of the people" ended by Yves Nibungco, member of Anakbayan. ###

OUST THE US-ARROYO REGIME! END GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION!

ROLLBACK RICE & OIL PRICES; ABOLISH THE RICE CARTELS!

US TROOPS OUT OF THE PHILIPPINES!

END HUMAN TRAFFICKING!

SCRAP THE OVERSEAS REMITTANCE TAX!

Youth, People Revolt!

PICTURE BLOG! Youth at work

2009-01-17T22:54:00.004-05:00

ANAKBAYAN New York/New Jersey Production Work
July 25, 2008
Jersey City, New Jersey

Come and Join us on our upcoming FUN, EXCITING, and FILLING production days! Email us at anakbayan_ny@yahoo.com

PICTURE BLOG! Kwentuhan, Kamayan at Kalayaan

2009-01-17T21:30:00.003-05:00

ANAKBAYAN New York/New Jersey SALU-SALO
July 17, 2008
Liberty State Park
Jersey City, New Jersey

For more info about the "Kwentuhan, Kamayanan at Kalayaan", Copy and paste this url address: http://gutomangmasa.multiply.com/photos/album/6/How_to_play_kickass_patintero...#

FILIPINO YOUTH GROUP CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY IN JERSEY CITY

2009-01-17T12:16:00.002-05:00

> Jersey City – Filipino youth group Anakbayan NY/NJ held a
> picnic at Liberty State Park last Thursday, August 13, 2008,
> in celebration of International Youth Day (IYD). It was a
> day of social awareness and learning as members of the
> organization, together with Filipino immigrant and US–born
> youth, played games and held educational discussions
> regarding the most pressing issues affecting the Filipino
> people, especially its youth sector.
>
> First proposed by the United Nations as an awareness day on
> youth issues in 2000, International Youth Day has since
> become a day of global discourse and activity on youth
> concerns.
>
> "The purpose of this event is to unite the Filipino
> youth and to remind them of the youth's role in society
> as one of the most potent agents of social change. Our
> involvement is critically necessary especially now when our
> brothers and sisters back home are being deprived of basic
> rights. Education, a basic right is now only reserved to
> the privileged as Arroyo continues to cut spending on social
> services while beefing up the military and debt-servicing,
> " said Kathleen Dy, member of Anakbayan NY/NJ.
>
> Filipino immigrant and US-born youth enthusiastically
> played "Patintero", a classic game among the youth
> in the Philippines, in the spirit of commemorating their
> roots. It was followed by a discussion on the worsening
> political and economic crises burdening the Filipino people
> back home under Gloria Arroyo's reign of terror and
> deceit. Cultural performances by participants ended the
> discussion.
>
> The whole-day event was concluded by the playing of darts
> wherein the youth simultaneously darted Arroyo's
> enlarged mole, signifying the youth sector's
> participation in the arduous struggle of the Filipino people
> against Arroyo's tyranny.
>
> "In a time of great cynicism among the youth when it
> comes to politics, it is very refreshing and empowering to
> have political discussions and fun activities in an engaging
> event," commented one of the participants.
>
> Anakbayan NY/NJ is an overseas chapter of Anakbayan
> Philippines, a national youth organization actively engaged
> in political participation for social change. ###

PICTURE BLOG! Stop the Killings

2009-01-17T12:08:00.004-05:00

ANAKBAYAN New York/New Jersey members visited the Philippine Consulate in Manhattan and Filipino Town in Queens to spread awareness and call people into action on the issue of forced disappearances and political killings in the Philippines. For more info: check http://www.stopthekillings.org/stknpv2/

PHILIPPINES: 7/28, 6pm SONA in NYC!

2008-07-09T23:04:00.000-04:00

***ACTION ALERT****

Monday, July 28th, 6pm

PHILIPPINES:
STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS (S.O.N.A.)

Every year in the Philippines, the Philippine president addresses the entire Filipino nation with a very public "State of the Nation Address", popularly referred to as SONA. In this traditional speech, the state of the Philippine Republic is shared, including the state of economic, political, military, and social affairs.

This year, since ascending to the Presidential seat in 2001, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be delivering the scheduled SONA speech in Manila. SONA is also traditionally the day of the largest annual protest actions throughout the Philippines. Today, Filipinos in the Philippines and throughout the diaspora have much to criticize the Arroyo government for, principally the intensifying socio-economic crisis, where basic commodities for every day survival-- namely oil and rice--- are being monopolized by private cartels fueled by government corruption that are driving the people further into the throes of poverty. The Arroyo family is owner of one of the largest rice cartels in the Philippine today and largely responsible for the skyrocketing and out-of-reach rates of rice in the Philippines. Last month, the devastation of Typhoon Frank killed nearly 900 passengers in the Merchant Vessel "Princess of the Stars" when it sank and also caused a massive spillage of toxic chemicals into the sea. On tour in the US at the time, the Arroyo clique failed to act accordingly to this disaster, and stayed in the US to secure more US tax dollars in military aid to the Philippine military, a known human rights violator.

As Filipinos in the Philippines go out onto the streets to expose the true, tragic state of the Philippine nation, Filipinos in New York will hold a local New York City Speak Out-Demonstration addressing the economic crisis and corruption of the Arroyo administration. JOIN US! ALL ARE WELCOME!

When: Monday, July 28th
Time: 6pm
Where: Philippine Consulate of NYC, 5th Ave between 45th and 46th Streets in Manhattan
Train: F/V to Rockefeller Center

Organized by:

BAYAN USA (www.bayanusa.org)
NY Committee for Human Rights in the Philippines (NYCHRP)
Anakbayan NY/NJ
Filipinas for Rights and Empowerment (FiRE)

Endorsed by:

National Alliance for Filipino Concerns (NAFCON)
Philippine Forum
Sandiwa: National Fil-Am Youth Alliance
Kapatirang Pilipino (Kappa Pi)
Kabalikat Domestic Workers Support Group

For inquiries or to endorse this action, please email Christina Hilo at cshilo@gmail.com

cshilo@gmail.com

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