March 31, 2006

Fast rising fascist rule of Bush will affect thousands of Filipino immigrants here in the US mostly middle class with the passage of the Sensenbrenner-King Bill.

In the US. Rising fascist rule of Bush will affect thousands of Filipino immigrants here in the US mostly middle class with the passage of the Sensenbrenner-King Bill. These Filipinos had opted to stay here to earn money in order to send their children to school in the Philippines and make their families survive amid deepened economic crisis. Most of them came here as tourists and other probably in other ways. I never imagined talking to many undocumented Filipinos who became my friends last summer in New Jersey. It’s so sad they have survived all these years assuming different names iroeder to work, paid other people for them to use their social security number. I felt really angry how our government had abandoned our people, the very workers that send billions of money back home in dollars, the reason why the economy still stands up. Now, GMA has the temerity to tell us that these Filipinos are the new heroes, (Bagong Bayani). That's plain bullshit! She does not care about our people here in the US. I do not know how to describe her. I think my 3 year old kid Patricia has a name for her – a monster. With this bill, it will make thousands of undocumented immigrants as criminal felonies. By the time this will be passed, anybody suppected as illegally staying here can be picked up by the police. This is imposing martial rule to the immigrant community here.

Posted by Kalovski at 20:34:06 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

Two immediate moves are on the way to further consolidate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s position as president

Two immediate moves are on the way to further consolidate Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s position as president. One move is to have a wayward contribution to US big business appetite to exploit our resources via changing the constitution thus its provisions in it opening 100 percent to foreign control of our resources. This on the short run also makes her possible to prolong her rule and cut the teeth of senate which has turn against her. She had assigned Ronnie Puno to do this via the local government. The DILG had started to do synchronized barangay meetings and have made people sign along the line of  asking the government to change the charter. Second, she want's the anti-terrorism bill passed in congress as to counter the growing tide sentiments opposing her. This will make her more powerful  by banning organizations, and their activities solely on her discretion. She had  openly to meet with the new cardinal,  Cardinal Rosales to make sure he'll stay put on his words that the church’s hierarchy will remain mum on issues calling for her ouster. In short a time she had speeded all the requirements for her prolonged rule.

 

 

Posted by Kalovski at 19:20:59 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 29, 2006

The national democratic movement is vibrant than ever

The national democratic movement is vibrant than ever, growing deep and wide. It is lead by the working class in partner with the peasants. It is entering the stage with the middle phase of strategic defensive and enjoys overwhelming support of the masses in the rural and urban centers. It had expanded on the basis of consolidation and ever more growing. In the international level, it had taken the initiative to clarify ideological issues and political lines. It banners high on internationalism. As the party of the people celebrate the establishment of the peasants army, we give our heartfelt thanks to the field commanders and cadres. You have give us inspiration to carry forward our struggle in the international front. Let us pay tribute to our people's martyrs who have given their lives for our country.

Posted by Kalovski at 23:29:53 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

GMA is like a drug dealer with Remonde, Limcaoco and Bunye as the streets peddlers

If I was to see the state of affairs in the Philippines, it’s a matter of time that GMA will be booted out. The evidence – she’s now so desperate. She had unleashed a huge sum of government resources to conjure illusions of stability. How its done? Simple. She had given the management of the P3.3-billion annual advertising budget of government under Press Secretary Toting Bunye, new Philippine Information Agency head Conrado "Dodie" Limcaoco, and Cerge Remonde, who heads the government-owned or -controlled media. A huge amount of money indeed while the poor have no food to eat, no houses to stay, no decent jobs to send their children to school. This is how greedy GMA is and knowing the fact its people’s money ( taxes) she using. But the concrete reality of daily hardships of people to make both ends meet will unmask all her pretensions. Nominal wages are way below people’s living wage. People are wallowing in deep poverty. GMA is no different to the drug dealers. She is doling out money to put people in a dream state using the media. Remonde, Limcaoco and Bunye are the streets pedlers in fact.
Posted by Kalovski at 19:19:10 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 27, 2006

The military establishment and the whole coersive machinery of the state


In light of the growing politicalization of the military establishment in the Philippine the article interview by by Glenda Gloria of Professor Jose Maria Sison is important. Glenda is the Managing Editor, Newsbreak Magazine. This interview was done last March 6, 2006.

 Hope you're doing well, GMA notwithstanding.

JMS Answer: Indeed, I am doing well. When under attack, I become more alive. As someone inspiring said before, to be attacked by the enemy is a good thing. It confirms that I am okay.

Just a few follow-up questions to your statement on the communist-military tieup. We are doing the full story on what transpired on Feb.21-24. I'd appreciate if you could share with me your insights.

1.) My sources within the rebel military movement insist that the RAM elders held "initial talks" with the members of the CPP central committee principally on the issue of how to bring about a better political system post-GMA. Inevitably, how to go there-- ousting GMA first -- was discussed. Without delving on tactical details, would such talks be against the CPP strategy or tactics? Is the CPP completely averse to any alliance, tactical or otherwise, with what it deems to be probably "progressive" members of the Armed Forces (of course, I'd rather not call Gringo progressive) but I have no better term for the junior officers?

 JMS Answer: I do not think that it is against revolutionary principles, strategy and tactics for the CPP to talk with any group of retired and/or active military officers seeking to cooperate with the broad united front and the mass movement in ousting the Arroyo regime by withdrawing military support from this regime ala EDSA 1 and 2 and without carrying out a military coup d'etat to instal a military dictator or military junta.

So much the better if such a group of retired and/or active military officers is also interested in supporting the continuation of GRP-NDFP peace negotiations by a post-Arroyo dispensation or arrangement that would seek to address the roots of the armed conflict with substantive agreements on significant social, economic and political reforms in accordance with The Hague Joint Declaration and that would depart from the Arroyo regime's futile policy of seeking to turn the peace negotiations into surrender negotiations by using the so-called terrorist list of the US and European Union as well as bloody repressive measures against the legal democratic forces to pressure the NDFP.

At any rate, the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations that have been going on since the 1990s point to the principled political and moral basis of the CPP for possibly talking with any group of retired and/or active military officers. On that basis, there is nothing wrong for the CPP to talk with the RAM elders, Makabayang Kawal Pilipino, YOU-YOUng, the CNS group of General Abat or the YES-ARMS of Commodore Aparri.

The Arroyo regime is now taking cheap shots at the Katipunan ng mga Anakbayan and the MKP as "sleeping with the enemy" by allegedly talking with communists. Practically, Ms Arroyo is slapping her own face for having talked with communists through the GRP-NDFP peace negotiations. But so far, she has avoided claiming to have slept with communists. In fact she is trying to whip up an anti-communist hysteria within the AFP and PNP. This is one more obstacle to the resumption of the formal talks in the peace negotiations.

 2.) Isn't there a contradiction in communists talking with the military rebels? Why would the CPP even entertain the thought of talking to military rebels? You belong to two opposite poles. How can you attract each other?

JMS Answer: Of course, there is a contradiction. Some people can reasonably say on certain grounds that the CPP is not supposed to talk with such groups. There are the sharp ideological differences and so-called bad blood between the CPP and such groups. But circumstances can change to necessitate or allow certain policy adjustments or political agreements not previously possible. By the way, in politics as in physics, opposite poles attract each other, whether they are still locked in combat or come to terms on some points beneficial to the people.

The rank and file of the AFP and PNPare now in ferment. There are definitely pro-Arroyo and anti-Arroyo officers who are still similarly pro-US and reactionary. But for the first time, significant groups of patriotic and progressive military officers now are critical of US imperialism and GRP puppetry and wish to have a program to address the roots of the armed conflict, thanks to the fine examples of the late Lt. Crispin Tagamolila and Capt. Rene Jarque.

The ordinary soldiers and police are recruited mainly by the AFP from the workers, peasants and other poor people. They are now discontented with the corruption of the regime and its officer loyalists and with the dismal conditions of their families and their units in the field. You must remember that the first Red Army grew out of the Czarist army in Russia. Chu Teh, chief of staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, was previously a marshal of the northern warlords. There are such other examples of reactionary military officers as Col. Jacobo Arbenz Guzman of Guatemala, Major Luis Carlos Prestes of Brazil and Hugo Chavez of Venezuela who turned patriotic and progressive.

Chiang Kai-shek massacred 300,000 communists and other people in Shanghai in the 1920s. But later on when Japan invaded China in the 1930s, the Chinese communists and the Guomindang came together in a united front against the Japanese invasionary forces. The Chinese communists considered the overriding interest of the Chinese nation and people in the united front against Japanese imperialism.

Fidel V. Ramos, as commanding general of the Philippine Constabulary, was one of the notorious butchers of the Marcos fascist regime for a long while. But as soon as he turned against Marcos, the CPP welcomed him as part of EDSA 1. General Raymundo Jarque was welcome to the NDFP as soon as he turned against the ruling system. Many officers and men have resigned from the AFP either to live a productive civilian life or join the people's army.

It is possible, necessary and appropriate for the CPP to talk with the anti-Arroyo groups of military groups on the minimal basis of seeking the ouster of Arroyo through people's uprising cum withdrawal of military support, under the principle of people's sovereignty and civilian supremacy, short of a military coup d'etat; and on the maximal basis of seeking cooperation on patriotic and progressive grounds in the course of the oust-Arroyo movement and thereafter. Nevertheless, I presume that it is much easer for the CPP to talk with retired and active military officers who are patriotic and progressive and who are honestly against puppetry, corruption, electoral fraud and human rights violations.

 3.) I remember though that the ABB -- Popoy and Nilo-- held talks in the 1990s with the Young Officers Union. Did this have the Party's OK? If so,why? What was the objective of those talks, what did they achieve? What were the lessons learned from that period?

JMS Answer: I am not aware of any talks authorized by the CPP, between the ABB and the Young Officers Union in the 1990s. What I remember most is that Popoy Lagman surrendered to the Ramos regime through some Philippine Navy officers in 1994. Nilo de la Cruz got caught up in the intelligence web of the ISAFP because Arturo Tabara had set him up. However, it seems that Nilo does not recognize this fact.

I believe that when the officers of the RAM and YOU were detained with suspected communists in the same compound for two years in the early 1990s, they had ample opportunity to exchange ideas and views about the basic problems of the country and possible solutions along the line of people's struggle for national freedom and democracy.

Since 1968 when I was chairman of the CPP Central Committee, the CPP has always considered underground work in the reactionary army as a major task. The initial elements engaged in the work were recruited by the CPP from a former USAFFE guerrilla unit that had cooperated with the Hukbalahap in World War II as well as from the Philippine Military Academy and the UP Vanguard corps of ROTC officers.

The Crispin Tagamolila Movement was launched in 1970 to further encourage AFP officers and men to take the side of the people and their revolution. Military personnel of whatever rank who are captured by the NPA are treated leniently in order to comply with the Geneva Conventions as well as to prove to them that they are welcome if they wish to take the side of the people.
Posted by Kalovski at 18:36:50 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 25, 2006

The Philippine Military Academy is a school to develop defenders of the ruling classes, the comprador and landlord classes in the Philippines, likewise it can also be a breeding ground for revolutionaries as well

The Philippine Military Academy was established in October 25, 1898 after US imperialism granted bogus independence to the country. General Emilio Aguinaldo was installed as their first puppet president. US objective was to establish a training institution for military men. An institution to defend their interest and maintain a social base of comprador and landlord classes in power. Those who joined the military came from the poor and middle sections of classes. Thye joined hoping they can have good college education and good military careers . A select number though came from the upper classes aiming to establish firmer control over their social and economic positions in society. Through the academy US imperialism insured fresh flow of young people will graduate to maintain a subservient political and economic system is already in place. It had also insured that the domestic government will fund it through people's taxes.

Since most of the students in the academy as I said came from poor and middle class sections of society, it also became a breeding ground for military leaders who would later voice their disgust over the system.

As the crisis of semi-colonial and semi-feudal system deepened through the years, most of them saw the rottenness of the system such as beaurucrat capitalism characterized with the wide spread and rampant corruption of big landlord and comprador politicians. They were exposed to the centrality of politics which was an activity of getting, maintaining and sustaining power. Many of them questioned the nature of institution the're in and other institutions and even further questionsed the very dialectical relationship of the superstructure and infrastructure and how the coercive state machinery they, fitted in it in terms of its role. Some of them advocated for reforms inside the academy, tohers dropped out. Those who painstakingly pursued the training and their military careers have only to taste ans see the harsh realities of exploitation and oppression. Some where co-opted,corrupted, some not. With people overthrowing one regime after another, some of them came to understand the importance of people's capacities and power. The harse realities have nontheless politicized them. Some saw social change as futile thus remained silent and played with the game of oppression, others became defiant and started organiziing organizations of their own , brotherhoods, regional and national organizations. These organizations became lauching pads for networking and organizing. Onthe otherhand these same organizations were also popularly sought by landlord and comprador cliques masquerading as politicians but where not in direct control of power inorder to leverage themselves those in power.

In line with Emilio Aguinaldo's legacy of middle class right, these young men entertained the notion that they can make and unmake the political system without the people, the same logic as Aguinaldo ordered the assassination of Bonifacio during the Spanish colonial times. As domestic crisis in the country intensified making the unseen characteristics of politics seen, the not obvious becomig obvious, they came to realize a bigger picture -- that the problem of the Philippines is structure in nature.

Today, we see a lot of them on our TV screens. Most seniors who have been coopted play vital roles in governance. We have a long list of retired generals as secretaries and undersecretaries, governors, mayors and senators. The younger ones we see are those put in jail and hunted. They share the idea of the urgent need to address the rotting social system, some for reforms, others for radical change. Representative of the ruling class as in the case of Gloria Macapagal Arryo sensing are in the frenzy of desperately neutralizing the situation. However as they intervene, the more politicized they become. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo the other day had nothing to present but to recite her mantra of appealing them not to run counter to their interest ( landlord and comprador interests), calls for neutrality by upholding the "constitution", the same constitution they want to change to gave leeway for foreign business interest to exploite the country's resources.

Knowing the strategic value of the academy in molding the minds of the young the late Capt. Rene Jarque wrote a passionate letter appealing to the young soldiers. On the occasion of the PMA's graduation it is of importance to reread his letter and the ideas his trying to expound and elucidate and reflection further on them as we continue to reach out men and women in the military in support for the people's struggle for justice freedom and democracy.


To The Corps of Cadets, Armed Forces of the Philippines Philippine Military Academy
From Capt. (Ret.) Rene Jarque, rjarque@aml_corp.com
Class of 1986

Today, a grave situation is facing the Academy, the Armed Forces and our beloved country amidst the political turmoil. It is not just about the rule of law or the Constitution. It is about the death of the Honor Code. Indeed. In the midst of all the noise is the question of the integrity of the Officer Corps whose ranks you will join after graduation. I am writing to the cadet corps because, with your youthful idealism and genuine desire to serve the country, it is you who, I believe, can appreciate and understand the message which no longer seems to hold the ears of the generals anymore, many of whom are Peemayers. I am writing to you because I do not see hope for reform in the generals today. You are the future of the armed forces and it is fair that you know what is going on in the organization you will serve in. From your ranks will emerge the future leaders of this country and consider this an appeal from my generation which I sadly feel has lost its opportunity to remedy an irresponsible and corrupt system so you may inherit a good one. It seems the generations ahead of us have kept the power for themselves for so long and they have become greedier and dirtier.

The Honor Code. A cadet shall not lie, cheat, steal nor tolerate those who do. Those words form the essence of your character, as a cadet and later on, as an officer. Honor is truth and the moral resolve to speak it. It is choosing and defending the harder right and denouncing and opposing the easier wrong. Honor is the humility to accept mistakes, to take responsibility and seek accountability. It is what being an officer and a gentleman is all about. Honor is the heart and soul of military professionalism. The AFP Code of Ethics says it all: We believe in honor as our crowning value as it is more precious than life itself. It is the hallmark of military conduct which implies our clear consciousness of personal dignity and worth. We associate it with good reputation and is an immortal, sacred part of our character, the violation of which should bring about shame in us and the dignity to impose on ourselves the requisite restitution. To us honor means truthfulness, sincerity, honesty, uprightness, credibility and avoidance of deception .. We shall not lie, cheat, steal, violate moral and ethical codes nor tolerate violations of the same. (Article III, Section 1.1)

By the strength of the Honor Code, there should be no corruption in the Armed Forces. But by conversion, construction, commission, the generals stole from and cheated the people. By covering up conversion for many years and denying it in the very halls of the Senate, they lied to the people. By keeping silent, they have tolerated one another. Truly, they have made a mockery of the Honor Code. The laxity of the Officer Corps has created a culture that goes against what the Honor Code stands for. It pains me to tell you, Sirs, that the Honor Code is moribund, if not yet dead, in the Armed Forces. All right no longer works in the Officer Corps. As such, the AFP has become a dishonorable organization without a conscience, without a soul. The generals know it but they are in self-denial. These corrupt generals should be locked up to listen through endless Honor lectures until their ears bleed.

General Garcia, class of 1971, is a clear example. Hundreds of millions of pesos hidden in several bank accounts while soldiers are dying in the field for lack of medical care and suffering for lack of essential supplies. Where is honor here? Where is the professional leadership that the generals proclaim? Garcia is not alone as other Peemayers are involved in the same despicable modus operandi with a clear intent to take advantage and deceive. He knows about conversion and corruption in the AFP -- who are the officers and government officials involved, what funds were diverted for political purposes or to build mansions, buy condominiums and fancy cars -- but like a member of the mafia with a vow of omerta or silence, he is not telling. He is even using the so called rule of law to cover up for his wrongdoing and that of other Peemayers. You tell me if there is honor here. It hurts to hear that PMA has become the Philippine Millionaires Academy but it is an apt description.

 

Indeed, the generals are a big part of the problem and genuine reform in the AFP is not possible with them. Also in government, as some have become politicians, cabinet members, diplomats and bureaucrats. You don’t need to look far as to who they are. You read them in the papers, see them on television and on the grounds of Borromeo field during Alumni week -- they who quibbled about conversion and corruption in the Senate, who declared jueteng clear when it is still rampant, who use the rule of law to cover up crimes, who violate human rights to prop up an evil regime, who abet electoral fraud and help destroy the very core of democracy. Today’s political crisis shows that Honor has died out in the Officer Corps and Armed Forces. Many of the generals knowingly participated in electoral fraud and immersed themselves unethically in the political process. But they deny it. Why? For promotion? For position? For money? Whatever. What is certain is that they have forgotten the Honor Code and how to be honorable.

As citizens, we want an honest and trustworthy government. But how can we expect one if the biggest liar, cheat and thief is the Commander in Chief? How can we expect reform in the armed forces and in government when the generals are among the biggest crooks? The President has committed a horrendous violation of the Honor Code by stealing the votes, cheating the citizenry and lying to us all. And she is taking the Officer Corps down with her lying, cheating and stealing. This is an insult to the Cadet Corps, the Officer Corps, the Philippine Military Academy, the Armed Forces and the people. For the Officer Corps, there is a chance to rectify these errors and atone for its sins against the people but the generals will not allow it lest they lose their power and wealth and/or go to jail. For if real change and meaningful reforms are to happen, the generals, many of whom are holdovers from martial law, must be held accountable for their abuses and thievery, which even during martial law were illegal, not to mention immoral. These skeletons have to be exposed and accounted for in order to heal a very sick Officer Corps and Armed Forces and an anemic Republic.

Courage, Integrity, Loyalty. These words dictate who you are and who you must be in service to the nation. They define your character. They give you hope and inspiration in daunting situations. More than physical courage to face the enemy in battle, you must have the moral courage to fight wrong and stand for right. Integrity is the wholeness of self, what you think or believe, is what you say and do. It involves the conscious discernment if a decision or act is right or wrong and to speak and act accordingly. Loyalty should not be blind, holding on to your superior, right or wrong. On the contrary, the minute he stands for wrong, honor demands that you denounce him. Your loyalty should be to the institution that reflects what you believe in as to what is right and honest and for the common good.

I believe that PMA is the bedrock of those values, Courage, Integrity, Loyalty. And it saddens me to tell you that even our beloved Academy has not been spared from the corruption in the Armed Forces. Maybe not with the present Superintendent as I know him to be one of the progressive and reform minded officers but you never know the pressure from the top. During the Alumni parade, it is very disheartening to see unprofessional and corrupt graduates soil the hallowed grounds of Borromeo field wearing suits or barongs that were most likely funded by converted funds. I am afraid the joke which says the first thing that is erased in the bullring is Integrity is close to the truth. Greed for power and wealth, and indifference has erased it. I hope this will not happen to you.

The AFP is unprofessional because the Officer Corps has neglected its duty and betrayed the Academy motto. The Officer Corps and the Armed Forces need to be overhauled and it will not be easy. The challenges will be tough and the supreme irony of it is that your greatest enemy will be Peemayers who have forgotten the Honor code. When I tried to expose the nature of corruption in the armed forces the first time, I was given a dressing down by the Chief of Staff, class 62. The second time, the Chief of Staff, this time class 63, relieved me from my position with orders to be thrown to a distant assignment. The third time, the Commanding General of the Army, class 66 cut off the magazines circulation and had them burned. And I thought the Inquisition has been over for a long time.

Courage, Integrity, Loyalty and the Honor Code are the hallmarks of a true military professional. These hallmarks are but mere shadows now. The constellation of generals stars have turned into blackholes of dishonesty and filth. Gone are the ideals of noblesse oblige and genteel poverty that should characterize a simple soldiers life. In its place are malevolent arrogance and the shameless pursuit of affluence. The system today rewards unethical conduct by promoting inept and corrupt officers. The President compounds the problem by giving these corrupt officers government positions after retirement. Being in these high positions, they perpetuate corruption, clamp down on constructive criticism and cover up their dirty deeds. The death of the honor code has created a morally bankrupt Officer Corps. This has dire consequences for the future of the academy, the armed forces and the country. For all our sake, honor and the Honor Code must be resurrected.

I am aware that appealing to your sense of honor as future officers may, in the end, prove futile as you will be sucked into a system that frowns on honest men and women. As you enter the service, you will be tempted and exposed to corruption and abuse but with the strength of the Honor Code in you, please hold firm. Some of you may succumb for the sake of survival and pressure but do not forget the Code. When you lead your men, keep your eyes, your mind and your heart open. But always keep your soul intact by keeping the Code. Be strong in the thought that the Code is within you. You will have moments of weakness but you must always strive to live a life of nobility and honor. Always remember the words in the Bible, For what does it matter if a man gains the world but loses his soul.

I have had my own share of dishonor, especially in tolerating as a young officer the abuses and corrupt activities of my superiors. I also took advantage of the system by receiving allowances and other perks. Later, I realized that there was no way out but out and so I left the service, believing that by doing so I can keep my integrity intact. But today, I am still haunted by what I know about how rotten the system has become -- a rot that has been perpetuated by graduates of PMA with full knowledge and clear intent to deceive and take advantage. I believe in the capability of the Officer Corps to heal itself and I am hopeful for change though today, it seems almost impossible. I believe we all share the vision of a decent and honest Officer Corps and professional armed forces. Towards this end, perhaps the Cadet Corps can help awaken the generals who have been oblivious to the calls for honor and honest conduct. Together with the other elements in the AFP, perhaps you can create a Community of Conscience that shames corruption in the Armed Forces and dishonorable conduct in the Officer Corps. Where generations of upperclassman before you have failed, you can begin anew. For you are the hope of the armed forces and the motherland.

 

 

 

Posted by Kalovski at 21:26:57 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

What's good with some church people

This is what's good with some church people. When you ask some help they will respond or else it would be unchristian for them not to do so. Levels of help may vary. Some give dole out and charities, some simply give prayers and moral support, others step out their convents and parsonages, go to the streets with people. In the early Christian tradition Paul went to go out in a mission organizing churches. He had elucidated well the need to follow Christ and unite with his ministry. It some times amazes me how clergy think. The majority always step in when they sense the people are starting to rally up. People are organized and the regime which they support for a while is very isolated. Bishop Capalla’s intercession for the Batasan 5 actually sends a message, that the CBCP is starting to unite on issues further to what is now expected. It will be a matter of time when they will go out in the open. How can they not do it when their flocks especially the middle and the upper classes close to them since they are the big givers of church funds are starting to feel the brunt of GMA lust for power. Lets see. Let's see how Fr. Intengan and cohorts also does their trouble shooting for Gloria to stay in power.

Posted by Kalovski at 20:23:14 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 24, 2006

It's reading week, more time and plans ahead

Take a break. We have a break for one week. We call this reading week wherein everbody in the seminary are expected to read the assigned readings. I have piles and piles of books to read. However I think I will just read them half way. I hope to have a nice sleep and redo my blog. I hope to experiment in doing a podcast on the net. I hope to interview lots of people including my neighbors and friends in church. However things will still be at hold if my wife will all change my plan. I hope to write my projects which has always been postponed, work on my photo collage of pictures featuring the peoples struggle in the Philippines and show them in my church and school. I hope to show, videos from the Philippines on peasants, on human rights violations and initiate good discussions among peoples. Lots of things in mind. But most of all I will have a nice sleep, longer hours I think, wake up to drink a nice cup of tea and sit down in my favorite chair. Also least I forget visit that golden gate which I usually pass by when I go to San Francisco, take some pictures and upload them on my site.


Posted by Kalovski at 20:10:33 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 22, 2006

Best moment wherein we see internationalism working among peoples

Two days ago I got a good movie titled Jarhead from a Korean office mate. He had all his CD's stored in a hardisk which was easy for me to ask for a copy. All he did was transfered it in my external harddisk. As I watch the movie, I saw how horrible it was to be in that war. A war that Bush had justified. It reminded me, I would have been there today except not for the lack of money which had hindered me of  going to  Subic base duirng my college days in order to apply. At anyrate some of my highschool batch acutally had made it. Today they arenow in Iraq fighting for Bush war to get more oil. Today, Bayan USA initiated a successful march rally participated by allies here in the US. Filipino-Americans took the streets and called for the ending of US militarization in Iraq and Philippines on 3rd Anniversary of War. The Filipinos also demanded to ouster of US-Subservient Arroyo Regime. It was a huge gathering indeed and was done in coordination with other organizations around the US. It is quite interesting how Filipinos here are so passionate in their political work in broadening the people's movement for national freedom and democracy. This is one of the best moment wherein we see internationalism working among peoples.
Posted by Kalovski at 08:22:39 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |

March 19, 2006

GMA honors a butcher; promotes human rights violations in the Philippines

General Jovito Palparan is honored for eminently meritorious and valuable service rendered as Commander of the 8th Infantry Division, a unit based in Samar province. The administration of GMA had honored a butcher. General Palparan have killed many peasants. Killed was one of my best friend, a peasant leaders in Southern Tagalog Ka Eddie Gumanoy in Mindoro two years ago. This happened when General Palparan was assigned in Mindoro. When he was assigned in Samar he also killed my college friend Edison Lapuz who became a pastor of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). Lately when he was assigned to Central Luzon also had a hand in the killing of Jose "Pepe" Manegdeg who happens to be my co-worker in the Rural Missionaries of the Philippines. Where ever the General goes tremendous increase of human rights violation takes place, with disappearance and killings activists in the people's movement. The people have long been telling the public that the General is behind the killings and is the main culprit. GMA however disagrees. Like a pimp, she cuddles him up all day long to victimize people. This tell us indeed that they are in fact one, they are in a quid pro quo. So much blood is seen in their hands. As GMA honors the butcher today she had sent a chilling message to the public. The running mesage says.... she honors people like Palparan because like him he protects her interest in maintaining herself in power. This also sends a strong message human rights organizations, that they will be busy in in the coming days documenting human raights violations, with unexplained disappearances, tortures, killings and massacares of innocent civilians. Thus, for us well minded citizens we must put an end to this. We have to call an urgent appeal among Filipinos to help boot her out from office. She's dragging our country to oblivion, to misery and destruction. On the lighter side its good to hear and see that human rights organizations like Karapatan in the Philippines going all the way to New York sending their delegates to file people's complaint at the UN Human Rights Committee in New York. We hope something positive will resultout of that trip.

Posted by Kalovski at 22:07:08 | Permanent Link | Comments (0) |
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