It may be raining hard in the streets but it was raining lies inside the Batasang Pambansa during the State of the Nation Address of Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.
After two years in power, he keeps on saying the lives of ordinary Filipinos have improved. He failed to mention his epic failure to bring down the prices of basic goods, particularly rice; and the refusal of his government to support a substantial wage hike for workers.
He mentions extending support to our people through crop insurance, medical assistance, and technology-driven education reforms which are at best palliative compared to what we have been demanding: genuine land reform and production subsidy for farmers, bona fide universal health care, and higher state subsidy for the education sector. He also would take away Philhealth funds for his administration’s pork barrel expenditures.
He claimed to be a “proactive advocate for heightened climate responsibility and justice” but contradicted himself by mentioning the Jalaur River Multipurpose Project, a large-scale construction that threatens to destroy the environment and displace Tumandok Indigenous Peoples.
He cited the “KALINISAN sa Bagong Pilipinas” and the “Bigyang Buhay Muli ang Ilog Pasig” yet his government has approved destructive projects like PAREX, reclamation, and mining. He also didn’t speak about the dirty impact of foreign military basing and frequent military exercises on our shores and inside our territories.
He was silent about several controversial initiatives like the Maharlika Investment Fund, expansion of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the United States, intensified military exercises with foreign troops, the signing of the Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan – all of which are costly programs that allow foreigners to undermine our sovereignty and exploit our resources.
He has the temerity to brag about the “bloodless war on dangerous drugs” even if a considerable number of drug-related killings have been documented over the past two years. He said that the 8 E’s of his government’s anti-drug campaign does not include “Extermination”. On the contrary, cases of Extrajudicial killings and Enforced Disappearances have continued to persist under his presidency.
His “peace program” has resulted in numerous violations of human rights and international humanitarian law. Red-tagging remains the de facto response of state forces to dissent and activism; trumped-up cases are filed against critics and human rights defenders; and militarization in rural communities involve the use of aerial bombs.
Marcos Jr. once again was ominously silent about peace talks with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines. He is clearly one with the militarist mindset that denies legitimate and deeply rooted reasons for armed conflict; considers the violations of human rights and IHL as acceptable “collateral damage” in its counterinsurgency program; and the bloated and graft-ridden NTF-ELCAC “baranggay development funds” as the answer to socioeconomic injustice. History has proven such all-out war policy is doomed to fail.
He bragged about new jobs created under his watch, but have hardly made a dent on chronic unemployment and underemployment. Not to mention are these decent, stable, and high quality jobs? He enumerated several infrastructure projects but are they accessible to the poor and the PWD? Have they made a difference to the harried commuter making do with a broken transportation system? Or are they similar to the PWD footbridge ramp of the MMDA that looks more like a slide in an amusement park? He talked about “railway renaissance” even if most of the projects are focused in Metro Manila and what’s more the prospect that these are tainted with corruption with only favored cronies benefitting from these investments.
He identified smugglers, hoarders, companies who overcharged consumers, and POGO operators yet he didn’t mention the actions taken by the government against these unscrupulous groups and their powerful benefactors in government. Despite the applause of his select audience at the Batasan, there is the question whether only certain POGOs will be shut down while those given a new name — internet gaming licensees — will continue.
Lastly, the hardline stance of the Marcos Jr government and its intolerance to dissent is proven once more in the announcement of the police to file charges against SONA protesters. We condemn the continued use of Martial Law tactics and ML laws like BP 880 in undermining the people’s freedom of expression and assembly. We will continue to defy unjust restrictions as we call on authorities to stop weaponizing the laws and judicial process to stifle legitimate criticism and dissent.
Marcos Jr’s SONA once again confirms our assertion that his regime is insincere and resorting to lies about bringing real change in Philippine society. He is obsessed with rebranding, self-assured in his empty rhetoric and treasonously embracing the agenda of foreign powers like the US. It is up to our people to continue the struggle for real freedom, justice, and democracy in our country.
Angered by President Duterte’s mere suspension of the mandatory Philhealth membership and premium rate hike, Filipino migrants from all over the world staged an online global protest on Tuesday, 12 May, to demand the elimination of what they call “unjust” and “extortionate” state exactions. Migrante International members from North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific likewise related the plight of OFWs and Filipino migrants hard hit by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and recession.
Migrante International Chairperson Joanna Concepcion slammed the Duterte administration’s “new scheme of legalized extortion” imposed on migrant workers. “We will not allow migrants to be robbed anew of their hard-earned salaries just to fund large-scale corruption in Philhealth. We will not forget the fake [ghost] patients, fake receipts, and the billions of funds lost to corruption,” Concepcion stated. She further argued that the pandemic has exposed the failure of neoliberal policies in addressing the enormous problems faced by the country’s healthcare system.
Marlon Gatdula of Migrante KSA reminded the Duterte administration that Filipino workers in Saudi Arabia already have existing health insurance provided to them by employers. Gatdula pointed out that when it comes to providing relief, Philippine government officials are not exerting concrete actions to aid OFWs who are under No-Work, No-Pay arrangements.
Europe being one of the most severely affected continents by the pandemic, Marlon Lacsamana of Migrante Europe raised its objection to the Duterte administration’s intent to overburden OFWs. “If the government is able to fund militarization in communities and in the countryside, that money should be taken back and be used for public health services for the people. The government is spending billions on debt servicing for owed money which has not contributed anything for the people’s welfare. That money should likewise be retrieved and be allocated to provide free services for Filipinos.” Lacsamana added that they are not just calling for the total scrapping of the mandatory Philhealth but for Duterte’s ouster.
Amidst the pandemic, many migrants are not only being afflicted by the Duterte government’s extortionist policies. Nap Pempeña of Migrante USA decried government negligence towards J1 visa holders victimized by recruitment agencies. He said that these young interns were promised professional training but actually ended up as replacements for the domestic workforce. Due to the closure of hotel and resort operations, thousands of young interns were laid off and are now without any income to support their basic needs. This is on top of the huge amounts of debt they incurred from the exorbitant fees charged by recruitment agencies. Pempeña deplored DFA’s failure to utilize the Php 1 Billion Assistance to Nationals fund to aid distressed J1 visa holders.
Migrante-Europe condemns in the strongest terms the declaration of President Rodrigo Duterte ordering members of the police and military forces to shoot and kill people protesting the non-delivery of food aid during enhanced community quarantine following the arrest and detention of several people from Barangay Bagong Pag-asa in Quezon City on 1 April 2020.
Residents of Bagong Pag-asa went to the office of a local government unit only to ask food aid as promised by the government during the community lockdown amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. But instead of being compassionate in addressing the needs of the people who suffering hunger, the brutal arm of the state was unleashed. The president’s order is also being carried out in the Cordillera region as its police director directed the police to shoot “communist organizers”.
The continuing failure of the fascist Duterte regime to help the people adversely affected by the community quarantine, has caused several families to seek food outside their homes, to let the night pass without food, unsure what will be in on their table the next day.
The government’s callousness to the suffering and hunger of the people has no place in the fight against the Covid19 pandemic. The government should provide effective steps for the immediate and efficient delivery of services to the people that havebeen deprived to them for several weeks already.
We call on the members and officers of the police and the military forces to have a deeper understanding on the current situation of the poorest of our people.
Hungry people are, justifiably asking for food not bullets. They deserve delivery of the promised food aid not shoot to kill order.
We call on compatriots around the world to join Migrante-Europe in a weekly simultaneous noise barrage starting Saturday, 4 April 2020, 6PM Philippine time, to call on the Philippine government to focus on the immediate and efficient delivery of social services to the people instead of imposing more draconian measures and scapegoating peoples’ organizations and compassionate individuals and entities for its own scandalous failure to act as a government for the people.#
Migrante-Europe joins the growing appeal for the immediate release of political prisoners in the Philippines on humanitarian grounds as the world wrestles with the danger and harm of the COVID-19.
Migrante-Europe firmly believes that political prisoners in the Philippines have been unjustly arrested charged and detained. Many of them in advanced age and suffering from life-threatening illnesses.
Migrante-Europe supports the call of United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet for governments to take urgent action to protect the health and safety of people in detention since, in many countries, “detention facilities are overcrowded, in some cases dangerously so. People are often held in unhygienic conditions and health services are inadequate or even non-existent. Physical distancing and self-isolation in such conditions are practically impossible.”
Migrante-Europe is alarmed with the data from the Philippine Bureau of Jail Management and Penology of a 450% jail congestion rate nationwide in October last year, with 380 of 467 detention facilities in the country filled beyond capacity. Lack of clean water, sanitation and adequate medical services and facilities are also common among Philippine prisons.
The inhumane conditions in prisons imperil the life and health of detainees, hence, this urgent call to the Philippine government for the immediate decongestion of prisons and release of political prisoners, on humanitarian grounds, especially the elderly, sick with chronic, debilitating or life-threatening medical conditions, pregnant and nursing mothers, and those who are due for parole or pardon.#
Marlon Lacsamana
Secretary General
Migrante-Europe
1 April 2020
Belarmino Saguing or Mang Bill, vice-chairperson of Umangat-Migrante Rome passed away yesterday in Rome, Italy after a fatal heart attack. He was 79. He is survived by his wife Tess Aviguetero.
According to Umangat-Migrante Rome, Mang Bill was an active member and leader of Umangat-Migrante Rome, and despite his advanced age, Mang Bill participated or led many Migrante events and protest actions, in Italy and in the Philippines, including protest actions to denounce the extrajudicial killings of activists during the time of disgraced former President Gloria Arroyo. One story was, when Arroyo visited Rome during the period, Mang Bill defied Arroyo’s Presidential Security Guards and was briefly detained because he insisted in entering the premises where Arroyo was speaking to manifest his protest.
Messages of condolences and financial donations may be coursed through [email protected], +393383088285, or private messages to the Facebook account of Tess Aviguetero.#
Sa huling talumpati ni pangulong Duterte kaugnay ng COVID-19, nangingibabaw sa kanyang mensahe ang paulit-ulit na “pagsunod sa kanyang utos o direktiba”, na ang pangunahing magtitiyak ng pagpapatupad ng ordinansang ito ay ang mga kapulisan at militar. Kasama na rito ang manaka-nakang pagbanggit ng kulungan bilang pagsuway sa ordinansang ito.
Ang quarantine o LOCKDOWN at ang pagbubuo ng mga kaukulang strukturang organisasyunal ay karaniwan nang ginagawa ng maraming mga bansa bilang isa sa mga estremong prebensyon para sa paglawak pa ng sakit. Subalit, kaiba naman sa ibang bansa, ang kasama ng mga aksyong ito ay may mga kaakibat pang aksyon tulad ng suportang pang-ekonomiya.
Bago pa ang deklarasyon ng Code Red sa Pilipinas, naideklara na ng World Health Organization na ang paglaganap ng COVID-19 ay isa ng pandemiya. Sa madaling salita, ang virus na COVID-19 ay malaganap na ang saklaw sa buong mundo kung saan may mga karampatang hakbangin o protocol na dapat ipatupad ang bawat bansa. Bago pa man nito, maraming mga karanasan na pwedeng paghanguan ng aral sa iba’t ibang bansang naunang naapektuhan ng pandemiya.
Saksi sa mga karanasang ito ang mahigit sampung milyong Pilipinong nasa labas ng bansa. Naranasan ng ating mga kababayan sa China, Hongkong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Italy at iba pang mga bansa kung ano ang kundisyon ng mga limitadong galaw (limited mobility) , quarantine at total lockdown ng isang lugar. Nasaksihan natin kung paano lumobo ang presyo ng isang simpleng hand disinfectant at surgical mask hanggang sa tuluyan itong mawala sa mga pamilihan. Naging saksi tayo sa kung ano ang hitsura ng panic buying sa simula ng di maayos na mga anunsyo ng direktiba kaalinsabay ng mga dis-impormasyon at fake news.
Ininda din ng marami nating kababayan ang kalagayang walang sahod dahil walang pasok sa trabaho. Hindi na natin palalawigin pa kung ano ang epekto nito sa kanilang mga kamag-anakan sa Pilipinas at mga bayaring hinaharap nila sa bansang tinitigilan. Subali’t may aral na maaaring makuha sa kung paano hinarap ng mga bansang naunang tinamaan ng epidemiya ang sitwasyon.
Sa Italya, nagdesisyon ang gobyerno ng quarantine ng ilang probinsya sa pag kategorya sa kanila bilang Red Zone, na sa kalauna’y idineklara ang buong bansa bilang Protected Zone na kasing kahulugan din ng Red Zone subali’t sa positibong aspeto at ang buong Italya ay inilagay sa quarantine o lockdown hanggang ika-3 ng Abril. Nangangahulugan ng pagsasara ng mga eskwelahan sa lahat ng antas, pagsasara ng mga negosyo at pagawaan na hindi esenyal sa produksyon at limitadong paglabas pasok sa bansa. Ang mga tao ay maaari lamang lumabas ng bahay sa tatlong mahigpit na kadahilanan- trabaho, pagbili ng pagkain, at iba pang emergency o mahigpit na pangangailangan.
Ano ang lohika ng quarantine o lockdown sa bansang Italya? Inamin mismo ng gobyerno ang peligro ng pagbagsak ng kanyang sistema at istrukturang pangkalusugan. Sa esensya hindi nito kakayanin ang paglobo ng mga maysakit dahil sa kanyang kakulangan sa doktor, nurses, mga mangagawang medikal at ng limitadong struktura nito.
Sa pagbibigay halimbawa sa kasalukuyan, ang sinumang maaaring mangailangan ng kagyat na operasyon sa anumang kadahilanan labas pa sa COVID-19 ay nanganganib na hindi maoperahan dahil sa okupado ng mga pasyenteng apektado ng virus ang mga Intensive Care Units, doktor at iba pang manggagawang medikal sa mga ospital. Liban pa sa mahina ito sa tunay na kalagayan dulot ng pribatisasyon.
Subali’t hindi dito natatapos ang direktiba. Ang mabilis na pagkalat ng virus ay mabilis ding nagpahina at ibayong nagpabagal sa produksyong kapitalista sa kabuuan, di lamang sa Italya kundi sa lahat ng mga bansang kapitalista. Kung kaya’t kabilang sa direktibang inilabas ang mga pang-ekonomiyang aksyon tulad halimbawa ng pagsuspinde ng ilang mga bayarin tulad ng utang, mortgages sa bahay, kuryente at gas ; pagbawal sa pagkatanggal sa trabaho dulot ng COVID-19; pagpapagana ng holiday leave na may bayad at iba pang suportang pang-ekonomiya sa mamamayan nito at mga maliliit na negosyo at impresa.
Sa esensya, ang mensahe ni pangulong Duterte ay awtokratikong utos at pagsunod sa utos, na may kaparusahang pagkakulong sa sinumang lumabag dito. Bagama’t itinatanggi ang batas militar, hindi nawawala ang pana-panahong pagbanggit sa papel ng kapangyarihan ng militar at pulis. Walang pagbanggit o pag-amin sa tunay na katayuan ng ating sistema at strukturang pangkalusugan sa kakayanan nitong masawata ang pagkalat at kahandaan nito sa paggamot sa mga may sakit.
Bakit hindi binanggit ang katayuan ng ating sistemang pangkalusugan? Dahil ang katotohanan ay makikita natin sa mga naging aksyon ng rehimeng ito sa nagdaang mag-aapat na taon ng kanyang panunungkulan. Samantalang patuloy na pinalalaki ang pondo ng militar, patuloy namang binabawasan ang mga pondong may kaugnayan sa serbisyo sosyal tulad ng sa kalusugan . Mula Php 263 milyon nuong 2019 ay binawasan ng kalahati ang budyet para sa taong 2020 na umabot na lang sa Php 115.5 milyon.
Sino ba sa palagay natin ang mga mamamayang pangunahing bulnerabile sa sakit ng COVID-19? Sa pagbagsak ng sistema at struktura ng pampublikong kalusugan dahil sa pagdami ng mga pasyenteng gagamutin, ang ating mga kababayan na mahihirap (na sa kasamaang palad ay ang mayorya sa ating mamamayan) ang pangunahing biktima. Sila ang mga hindi makakatiyak ng pagpapagamot sa mga pribadong ospital. Wala silang katiyakan kahit paman sila’y mga kamag-anakan ng mga ofw sa labas ng bansa, dahil alalahanin natin na ang virus ay kalat sa buong mundo. Tuwiran o di tuwiran, ang pagpapadala ng tulong at rekurso ng kanilang mga kamag-anakan ay apektado.
Ang mga mayorya na mahihirap na mamamayang ito ang hinagupit at pinahina ng kung ilang ulit na mga batas at patakarang ipinasa ng gobyerno ni Duterte tulad ng TRAIN LAW, RICE TARRIFICATION ACT, patuloy na sistemang kontraktwalisasyon, at iba pang mga anti-mamamayang batas. Habang pilit na pinalusot ang pork barrel at binawasan ang pondo para sa publiko patuloy naman ang pag-utang para sa mga proyektong walang tuwirang kinalaman sa produksyon tulad ng Build, build build.
Ang mga nakasaad sa direktiba ni pangulong Duterte ay magsisilbing inutil at hahantong lamang sa paglala ng sitwasyon kung hindi hihikayatin ang buong mamamayan sa pamamagitan ng mga kongkretong ayuda na tutugon sa haba ng paglimita sa mobilidad ng tao sa bansa. Ang kooperasyon ng bawat isa ay hindi inuutos o nakukuha sa dahas kundi ito’y boluntaryong nakakakamit batay sa materyal na kundisyon. Hindi natin maaring sabihin sa kapwa natin na huwag lumabas ng bahay sa isang takdang panahon kung sa haba ng panahon na iyon ay hindi n’ya matutugunan ang kanyang pangangailangang mabuhay.
Karagdagan sa dapat tiyakin ng gobyerno ni Duterte ang tulong at serbisyo sa ating mga ofw na nasa mga bansang apektado ng pandemiya. Hindi sapat ang pagpigil sa pagpapaalis o pagsasara ng mga paliparan. Ang kailangan ay isang bilateral na kasunduang magtitiyak sa trabahong mababalikan sa kanilang mga bansang pansamantalang iniwanan. Ito ang silbi ng ating mga konsulato at embahada sa labas ng bansa. Ang pagtitiyak sa katayuan sa hanapbuhay ng ating mga manggagawa, kabilang na ang kaligtasan.
Ang pandemiyang COVID-19 ay isa ring aral sa atin na ang lahat ng bagay sa mundo ay magkakaugnay. Hindi natin maaring sabihin na hindi dapat makialam sa pulitika, dahil ang pulitika ang magtatakda ng iyong ekonomiya at kultura. Hindi natin pwedeng balewalain ang bulnerabileng bahagi ng ating mamamayan dahil ang patuloy na pagkalat ng sakit ay nakabatay din sa kanila. Hindi natin maaring sabihin na ang magiging biktima lang naman ng sakit ay mga may edad na. Hindi tayo Diyos para mamili kung sino ang dapat mamamatay at mabuhay , tulad narin sa nagaganap na mga extra judicial killings. At lalong hindi katanggap-tanggap na sabihing “mahirap ka, bahala kang mamatay sa hirap”.
Sapat na Ayudang Pang-ekonomiya, Hindi Militarized Lockdown! Karagdagang Budyet sa Kalusugan at Tamang Apropriasyon sa Serbisyo Sosyal ! Itigil ang Anumang Uri ng Pribatisasyon sa Serbisyong Pampubliko! Libreng Medikal, Hindi Militar! Gamot, Hindi Lockdown! Ospital, Hindi Selda!
Warning Level differs from one country to another (constantly check the advice of your host country’s health authority) in Europe.
Key Points
The ongoing outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) has spread to all European Territories.
The virus can spread from person to person.
All people, including migrants, in Europe should avoid contact with sick people and clean their hands often by washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with 60%–95% alcohol.
What is the current situation?
A new coronavirus that recently emerged in China has been detected in a number of other locations around the world. Many cases of this new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) have been associated with travel to or from mainland China, Northern Italy or close contact with a travel-related case, but multiple instances of community spread have been reported in Europe. Community spread means that people in Europe have been infected with the virus, but how or where they became infected is not known.
Illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat also has been reported in some patients. Some patients also have reported diarrhea without other symptoms. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.
What can migrants do to protect themselves and others?
At this time, Migrante-Europe recommends the following to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) in Europe:
1. Avoid contact with sick people;
2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands;
3. Clean your hands often by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at 60%–95% alcohol. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty;
4. It is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
5. Pay attention to your health; and
6. Pay extra attention to health advice in your host country.
If you spent time or living in a place where the COVID-19 has been known to infect somebody and feel sick with fever or cough or have difficulty breathing, do the following:
1. Take your temperature;
2. Seek medical advice. Call ahead before going to a doctor’s office or emergency room. Tell them about your recent travel history and place of residence, an area with community spread of coronavirus, and your symptoms;
3. Avoid contact with others;
4. Do not travel while sick;
5. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing; and
6. Clean your hands by washing them with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol immediately after coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Soap and water should be used if hands are visibly dirty.
COVID-19 emergency telephone numbers in Europe:
Austria:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 555 621 (24 hours)
Health hotline: 1450 (24 hours)
Belgium:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 14 689
Bulgaria:
Coronavirus hotline: 02 807 87 57 (Monday to Friday – 8:30am to 5pm)
Czechia (Czech Republic):
National Institute of Public Health: +420 724 810 106 and +420 725 191 367
Denmark:
The Danish Health Authority Hotline: +45 7222 7459
Estonia:
Family doctor hotline: 1220
Emergency number: 112
Finland:
Coronavirus hotline: 09 310 10024 (Monday to Friday – 7am to 8pm)
France:
Coronavirus hotline: 0 800 130 000
Emergency number: 15
Germany:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800- 5554666
Patient Service: 116117
Hungary:
Coronavirus hotline: 0800 555 621
Iceland:
Coronavirus hotline: +354 544-4113
Ireland (Republic of):
Coronavirus hotline: +353 (0) 1 613 1733
Italy:
Public Utility Number: 1500
Regional toll-free numbers:
Basilicata : 800 99 66 88
Calabria : 800 76 76 76
Campania : 800 90 96 99
Emilia-Romagna : 800 033 033
Friuli Venezia Giulia : 800 500 300
Lazio : 800 11 88 00
Lombardy : 800 89 45 45
Brands : 800 93 66 77
Piedmont :800 19 20 20 (24 hours)
800 333 444 (Monday to Friday – 7am to 8pm)
Autonomous Province of Trento : 800 867 388
Autonomous Province of Bolzano : 800 751 751
Puglia : 800 713 931
Sardinia : 800 311 377
Sicily : 800 45 87 87
Tuscany : 800 55 60 60
Umbria : 800 63 63 63
Aosta Valley : 800 122 121
Veneto : 800 462 340
Luxembourg:
Coronavirus hotline: 8002 8080
Malta:
Public Health Helpline: 111 or (+356) 21324086
Netherlands:
RIVM: 0800-1351
Norway:
Coronavirus hotline: 815-55-015
On-call doctor: 116117
Portugal:
Health service: 808 24 24 24 (24 hours)
Spain:
Coronavirus hotline: 061
Sweden:
National health advice hotline: 1177
Switzerland:
Coronavirus hotline: +41 58 463 00 00
United Kingdom:
NHS 111
Scotland: call your GP surgery or 111 (NHS 24) if it’s closed
“Long overdue”. This was the unanimous sentiment of several Filipino migrants, majority are residents of Utrecht, The Netherlands, as they jubilantly welcomed and joined the founding assembly of Migrante Utrecht in the city of Utrecht last February 23. The Pinoy (Filipino) migrants represented compatriots who work as household cleaners, au pairs, professional employees, cultural workers and Filipino refugees in Utrecht.
A long-time resident of Utrecht and an active member of the Pinoy community in the city, Ric Bermudo, himself a household cleaner, emphasized in his welcome remarks, that the time has come to build the organization of Filipino migrants in Utrecht to confront the challenges facing Filipinos in their struggle to promote and defend their rights and welfare. He said the founding of Migrante Utrecht signals the start of a more organized effort to reach more Pinoy migrants in the province of Utrecht, and mobilize them to act on the issues confronting them as part of the migrant community.
Bermudo, who was also elected chairperson of Migrante Utrecht later during the assembly, admonished Pinoys in Utrecht to understand that all of them have been forced to work abroad because of poverty and the lack of jobs and security in the Philippines.
The assembly sat down to the business of the day as they discussed and ratified their constitution and by-laws and their one-year general program of action, which included among others providing assistance to undocumented compatriots when they are confronted with a need. Edgar Estrella, an IT professional, who presided over the discussions also explained to the delegates that Migrante Utrecht also intends to attend to the social and cultural well-being of the families of Filipino migrants, and help them cope with the new environment they are in. Estrella was also elected later as the treasurer of the organization.
Jun Saturay, a cultural worker and activist, and who was elected secretary-general, led the assembly in singing songs about Filipino migrants and migration.
The members and newly-elected officers of Migrante Utrecht took their oaths at the conclusion of the assembly.
Warm greetings of solidarity were received via video messages from Migrante Alberta (Canada) and Migrante Europe whose chair is Fr. Herbert Jr., chaplain to the Filipino Community in the Diocese of Leicester in the Church of England.
Prof. Jose Ma. Sison, the most famous Filipino political refugee in the Netherlands, and chief political consultant of the NDFP peace panel, spoke at the closing of the assembly to congratulate the formation of Migrante Utrecht and to encourage Filipino migrants to build, strengthen and expand their organization. He shared to the young audience how they were able to organize and build many organizations and labor unions during the 1960s and 1970s, from being small to big.
As in any gathering of Filipino migrants, several delicious and favorite Filipino dishes of dinuguan, pinapaitan, pasta and “nilasing na hipon” (shrimp cooked in beer) were prepared by volunteers and served at the end of the activity.###
Migrante-Europe is united in resisting and condemning the systematic criminalization of extending help in solidarity to the fleeing migrants and refugees in Europe. We are highly distraught that at least 158 individuals and their organizations across Europe are being criminalized for offering help, including food and shelter, to migrants and refugees.1
Pierre-Alain Mannoni
Among these is Pierre-Alain Mannoni of France, who risks five years of imprisonment for transporting three young Eritrean migrants who were injured after ten hours of walking during winter from the Roya Valley to his home in Nice.
Rescue workers Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder
Sea rescue workers Sarah Mardini and Seán Binder were put in prison for more than 100 days in Greece and may still face prison sentence of up to 25 years on charges of spying, people smuggling and belonging to a criminal organization.
We are flabbergasted that these individuals and their organization who are trying to help the most vulnerable migrants and refugees to escape certain death in the Mediterranean Sea are prohibited in extending a helping hand, while there are at least 1,680 migrants and refugees have died in that sea since 2014.2
Migrante-Europe, composed of various Filipino organizations in many parts of Europe is alarmed by these state actions of treating as criminal acts that work of helping the vulnerable. These situation being experienced by those who offered their time, talents and treasures to help the migrants and refugees in Europe are very familiar to the attacks of the Philippine government on activists and rights defenders.
Now that our rights defenders in Europe are being attacked, Migrante-Europe cannot sit idly and remain quiet. The injustice that has beset this continent does not only affect the fleeing migrants and refugees. As recipients of the noble work of these human rights defenders, we cannot allow this mockery of justice to continue because we cannot claim to know and have knowledge of European values and yet keep our eyes shut to the humiliations that our human rights defenders encounter everyday.
Our European human rights advocates, who are only upholding the exemplary European values of human rights and human life, are systematically being criminalized. As an alliance working for Filipino migrants, immigrants and exiles, we stand with them and urge our host countries to stop this travesty of justice. We must always remember the nobility of solidarity and how it is use to serve those who have less, those who have nothing, those who have to suffer every ounce of injustice and indignity, day in and day out.
Long live international solidarity!
Reference: Marlon Toledo Lacsamana Secretary General [email protected]
Weersta de criminalisering van solidariteit in Europa
Migrante-Europe is verenigd en veroordeelt de systematische criminalisering van solidariteitswerk binnen Europa. We zijn radeloos van verdriet dat ten minste 158 personen en hun organisaties in heel Europa worden gecriminaliseerd voor het aanbieden van hulp, inclusief voedsel en onderdak, aan migranten en vluchtelingen. 3
Onder hen is Pierre-Alain Mannoni uit Frankrijk, die vijf jaar gevangenisstraf riskeert voor het vervoeren van drie jonge Eritrese migranten, die gewond raakten na tien uur wandelen in de winter van de Roya-vallei, naar zijn huis in Nice.
Reddingswerkers Sarah Mardini en Seán Binder werden meer dan 100 dagen in Griekenland gevangengezet en kunnen nog steeds tot 25 jaar gevangenisstraf krijgen op beschuldiging van spionage, mensensmokkel en lid zijn van een criminele organisatie. We zijn verbijsterd dat deze individuen en hun organisatie die proberen de meest kwetsbare migranten en vluchtelingen te helpen verboden worden hen een helpende hand te bieden. Dit terwijl er minstens 1.680 migranten en vluchtelingen zijn gestorven in die Miiddellandse Zee sinds 2014. 2
Wij Filipino’s zijn helaas zeer bekend met aanvallen op activisten en verdedigers van rechten, omdat dit ook in de Filippijnen veel voorkomt. Nu onze verdedigers in Europa worden aangevallen, kunnen we niet stilzitten en stil blijven. Het onrecht dat Europa heeft getroffen, beïnvloedt ons niet alleen. Dit omdat we getuige zijn van de vernederingen waarmee onze Europese verdedigers worden geconfronteerd (onrecht, misbruik, geweld en officiële idiotie) kiezen we er niet voor om te zwijgen.
Onze Europese verdedigers die alleen de Europese waarden van mensenrechten en het menselijk leven hooghouden, worden systematisch gecriminaliseerd. Als een alliantie die werkt voor Filipijnse migranten, immigranten en ballingen, staan we hen bij en dringen we er bij onze gastlanden op aan deze travestie van gerechtigheid te stoppen. Laten we ons de betekenis van solidariteit herinneren: om degenen te dienen die minder hebben, die niets hebben en die onrecht en verontwaardiging ondergaan.
Hun strijd! Onze strijd! Internationale solidariteit!
Resista la criminalización de la solidaridad en Europa
Migrante-Europa está unida para resistir y condenar la criminalización sistemática del trabajo solidario en Europa. Estamos muy angustiados porque al menos 158 personas y sus organizaciones en toda Europa están siendo criminalizadas por ofrecer ayuda, incluidos alimentos y alojamiento, a migrantes y refugiados. 4
Entre ellos se encuentra Pierre-Alain Mannoni de Francia, quien corre el riesgo de cinco años de prisión por transportar a tres jóven migrantes Eritreos que resultaron heridos después de diez horas de caminata durante el invierno desde el valle de Roya hasta su hogar en Niza. Las rescatistas marítimas Sarah Mardini y Seán Binder fueron encarceladas durante más de 100 días en Grecia y aún pueden enfrentar una pena de prisión de hasta 25 años por cargos de espionaje, contrabando de personas y pertenencia a una organización criminal. Estamos asombrados de que estas personas y su organización que intentan ayudar a los migrantes y refugiados más vulnerables a escapar de una muerte segura en el mar Mediterráneo tengan prohibido extender una mano amiga, mientras que al menos 1.680 migrantes y refugiados han muerto en ese mar desde 2014. 2
Nosotros los Filipinos estamos muy familiarizados con los ataques contra activistas y defensores de los derechos humanos, porque también esto ocurre en las Filipinas. Ahora que nuestros defensores en Europa están siendo atacados, no podemos quedarnos de brazos cruzados y permanecer callados. La injusticia que ha acosado a este continente no nos afecta solo. Esto porque somos testigos de la humillación que nuestros defensores Europeos han enfrontado (injusticia,abuso,violencia e idiotez oficial).
Nuestros defensores europeos que solo defienden los valores ejemplares europeos de los derechos humanos y la vida humana están siendo criminalizados sistemáticamente. Como una alianza que trabaja para inmigrantes filipinos, los apoyamos e instamos a nuestros países de acogida a detener esta parodia de la justicia. Siempre debemos recordar la nobleza de la solidaridad y cómo se utiliza para servir a los que tienen menos, a los que no tienen nada, a los que tienen que sufrir cada gramo de injusticia e indignidad, día tras día.
¡ El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!
Magkaisa at Labanan ang Kriminalisasyon ng Pakiki-isa sa Europa
Ang Migrante-Europe ay nagkakaisa sa paglaban at pagkondena sa sistematikong kriminalisasyon ng gawaing pakiki-isa sa loob ng Europa. Lubos kaming nababahala na hindi bababa sa 158 na mga indibidwal at/o ang kanilang mga organisasyon sa buong Europa ay tinuturing na mga kriminal sa pag-aabot ng tulong, kabilang na ang pag-alay ng mga makakain at kanlungan sa mga migrante at bakwit. 5
Kabilang sa mga ito ay si Pierre-Alain Mannoni ng Pransya, na nanganganib na mabilanggo ng hindi hihigit sa limang taon dahil sa pagtulong nito ng tatlong sugatang migranteng Eritrean matapos ang sampung oras na paglalakad sa panahon ng taglamig mula sa Roya Valley hanggang sa kanyang tahanan sa Nice. Ang mga manggagawang tagapagligtas sa dagat tulad nina Sarah Mardini at Seán Binder na nakulong ng higit sa 100 araw sa Gresya at maaari pa ring maharap sa pagkabilanggo na aabot hanggang sa 25 taon dahil sa mga bintang na pag-espiya, smagling at/o kabilang sa isang kriminal na organisasyon. Kami ay nasusulasok na ang mga indibidwal na ito at/o ang kanilang mga organisasyon na nagsisikap lamang na matulungan ang pinaka-kahabghabag na mga migrante at mga bakwit na tumatakas lamang sa tiyak na kamatayan sa Dagat ng Mediteranyo ay pinagbabawalang tumulong, habang mayroong hindi bababa sa 1,680 na migrante at mga bakwit ay namatay na sa dagat na iyon mula pa noong 2014. 2
Ang Migrante-Europe, na binubuo ng iba’t ibang mga samahang Pilipino sa maraming bahagi ng Europa, ay naalarma sa mga kilos ng mga estadong Europeo na nagtutulak upang gawing krimen ang pagtulong. Ang sitwasyong nararanasan ng mga tumutulong sa karapatang pantao ay pamilyar sa pag-atake ng pamahalaan ng Pilipinas sa mga aktibista at tagapagtanggol ng karapatan. At dahil ngayon nasasaksihan namin ang mga ito sa mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao ng mga migrante at bakwit sa Europa, hindi na naming kayang umupo at manahimik na lamang. Ang kawalang-katarungan sa anumang porma ay dapat labanan. Bilang isa isa mga komunidad na titutulungan ng mga tagapagtanggol na ito, naninindigan ang Migrante-Europe na ipakita ang aming pakiki-isa sa mga tagapagtanggol ng karapatang pantao na humaharap ngayon sa kawalan ng katarungan, pang-aabuso, karahasan at opisyal na katangahan.
Ang mga tagapagtanggol na ito sa Europa na nagpapakita lamang ng mga huwarang pamantayang para sa karapatang pantao at pagpapakita ng importansya ng buhay ng bawat mamayan sa sandaigdigan. Bilang isang katipunan ng mga organisasyon ng mga Migranteng Filipino sa Europa, nananawagan kami sa mga bansang Europeo na tigilan ang kriminalisasyon ng pakiki-isa. Ibig naming ipaalala sa kanila ang dahilan ng pakiki-isa: maglingkod at tumulong sa mga walang boses; maglingkod at tumulong sa mga walang ni ano; at maglingkod at tumulong duon sa mga taong nakakaranas ng walang katarungan araw-araw.
Migranteng Filipino, Ngayon ay Lumalaban!
Vereinigung und Widerstand gegen die Kriminalisierung der Solidarität in Europa
Migrante-Europe ist sich einig, dass es sich gegen die systematische Kriminalisierung der Solidaritätsarbeit in Europa wehrt und diese verurteilt. Wir sind sehr bestürzt darüber, dass mindestens 158 Personen und ihre Organisationen in ganz Europa kriminalisiert werden, weil sie Migranten und Flüchtlingen Hilfe, einschließlich Nahrung und Unterkunft, anbieten. 6
Unter ihnen ist der Franzose Pierre-Alain Mannoni, der fünf Jahre Haft riskiert, weil er drei junge eritreische Migranten, die nach zehn Stunden Fußmarsch, im Winter, vom Roya-Valley zu seinem Haus in Nizza half. Die Seenotrettungshelfer Sarah Mardini und Seán Binder wurden in Griechenland für mehr als 100 Tage ins Gefängnis gesteckt und können noch immer mit einer Gefängnisstrafe von bis zu 25 Jahren wegen Spionage, Menschenschmuggel und Zugehörigkeit zu einer kriminellen Organisation verurteilt werden. Wir sind erschrocken, dass es diesen Personen und ihrer Organisation, die versuchen, den verwundbarsten Migranten und Flüchtlingen zu helfen, dem sicheren Tod im Mittelmeer zu entgehen, verboten ist, eine helfende Hand auszustrecken, während seit 2014 mindestens 1.680 Migranten und Flüchtlinge in diesem Meer gestorben sind. 2
Wir Filipinos sind leider sehr vertraut mit Angriffen auf Aktivisten und Verteidiger der Menschenrechte, da sie auch an den philippinischen Küsten stattfinden. Jetzt, da unsere Verteidiger in Europa angegriffen werden, können wir nicht untätig bleiben und schweigen. Die Ungerechtigkeit, die diesen Kontinent heimgesucht hat, betrifft nicht nur uns. Als Unterstützer dieser edlen Arbeit können wir nicht zulassen, dass dieser Spott weitergeht, denn wir können nicht behaupten, dass wir die europäischen Werte kennen, und doch die Augen vor den Demütigungen verschließen, denen unsere Verteidiger jeden Tag begegnen: Ungerechtigkeit, Missbrauch, Gewalt und staatlische Idiotie.
Unsere europäischen Verteidiger, die nur die vorbildlichen, europäischen Werte der Menschenrechte und des menschlichen Lebens verteidigen, werden systematisch kriminalisiert. Als ein Bündnis, welches sich für philippinische Migranten, Immigranten und Exilanten einsetzt, stehen wir an ihrer Seite und fordern unsere Gastgeberländer auf, diese Travestie der Gerechtigkeit zu beenden. Wir müssen uns immer an die Vornehmheit der Solidarität erinnern und daran, wie sie genutzt wird, um denen zu dienen, die weniger haben, denen, die nichts haben, denen, die Tag für Tag jedes Quäntchen Ungerechtigkeit und Demütigung erleiden müssen.
Hoch die internationale Solidarität!
Unissez-vous et résistez à la criminalisation de la solidarité en Europe
Migrante-Europe s’unit pour résister et condamner la criminalisation systématique de l’aide solidaire aux migrants et réfugiés fuyant vers l’Europe. Nous sommes profondément affligés qu’au moins 158 personnes et leurs organisations à travers l’Europe soient criminalisées pour avoir offert de l’aide, notamment de la nourriture et un abri, aux migrants et aux réfugiés. 7
Parmi eux, Pierre-Alain Mannoni, de France, qui risque cinq ans de prison pour avoir transporté trois jeunes migrants érythréens blessés après dix heures de marche en hiver de la vallée de la Roya jusqu’à son domicile à Nice. Les sauveteurs Sarah Mardini et Seán Binder sont emprisonnés depuis plus de 100 jours en Grèce et encourent toujours des peines de prison allant jusqu’à 25 ans pour espionnage, traite d’êtres humains et appartenance à une organisation criminelle. Nous sommes étonnés que ces personnes et leurs organisations qui tentent d’aider les migrants et les réfugiés les plus vulnérables à échapper à une mort certaine en Méditerranée ne puissent pas tendre la main, alors qu’au moins 1680 migrants et réfugiés sont morts dans cette mer depuis 2014. 2
Migrante-Europe, composée de diverses organisations philippines dans de nombreuses parties de l’Europe, est alarmée par ces actions de l’État de traiter comme des actes criminels qui visent à aider les personnes vulnérables. Cette situation vécue par ceux qui ont donné de leur temps et de leurs talents pour aider les migrants et les réfugiés en Europe est bien connue des Philippins qui ont été témoins d’attaques du gouvernement philippin contre des militants et des défenseurs des droits. Maintenant que nos défenseurs des droits de l’homme en Europe sont attaqués, Migrante-Europe ne peut plus rester les bras croisés et garder le silence. L’injustice qui a frappé ce continent n’affecte pas seulement les migrants et les réfugiés en fuite. En tant que bénéficiaires du noble travail de ces défenseurs des droits de l’homme, nous ne pouvons pas permettre que cette moquerie de la justice se poursuive parce que nous ne pouvons pas prétendre connaître et connaître les valeurs européennes et pourtant garder les yeux fermés sur les humiliations subies par nos défenseurs des droits de l’homme.
Nos défenseurs européens des droits de l’homme, qui ne font que démontrer les valeurs européennes exemplaires des droits de l’homme et de la vie humaine, sont systématiquement criminalisés. En tant qu’alliance travaillant pour les migrants, les immigrants et les exilés philippins, nous les soutenons et exhortons nos pays d’accueil à mettre fin à cette parodie de justice. Nous devons toujours nous souvenir de la noblesse de la solidarité et de la façon dont elle est utilisée pour servir ceux qui ont moins, ceux qui n’ont rien et ceux qui doivent souffrir chaque once d’injustice chaque jour.
Vive la solidarité!
Uniti Resistiamo Contro la Criminalizzazione della Solidarieta’ In Europa
Migrante Europa è unita nel resistere e nel condannare la criminalizzazione sistematica del lavoro di solidarietà in Europa. Siamo molto preoccupati per il fatto che almeno 158 persone e i loro organizzazioni in tutta Europa vengano criminalizzate per aver offerto aiuto, compresi cibo e alloggio, a migranti e rifugiati. 8
Tra questi c’è il francese Pierre-Alain Mannoni, che rischia cinque anni di prigione per aver trasportato tre giovani migranti eritrei che sono rimasti feriti dopo dieci ore di cammino durante l’inverno dalla Valle della Roya alla sua casa di Nizza. I soccorritori marittimi Sarah Mardini e Seán Binder sono stati incarcerati in Grecia per più di 100 giorni e possono ancora essere condannati a 25 anni di carcere con l’accusa di spionaggio, rapina e associazione a delinquere. Ci è chiaro che questi individui e le loro organizzazioni che cercano di aiutare i migranti e i rifugiati più vulnerabili a sfuggire a morte certa nel Mediterraneo non possono dare il loro aiuto, mentre ci sono almeno 1.680 migranti e rifugiati che sono morti in quel mare dal 2014. 2
Noi filippini abbiamo purtroppo molta familiarità con gli attacchi contro gli attivisti e i difensori dei diritti, perché si verificano anche nelle Filippine. Ora che i nostri difensori in Europa vengono attaccati, non possiamo restare in silenzio. L’ingiustizia che si è creata nel loro continente non colpisce solo noi. Come destinatari del loro nobile lavoro, non possiamo permettere che questa beffa continui. Non possiamo chiudere gli occhi davanti alle umiliazioni che vediamo ogni giorno infliggere ai nostri difensori: ingiustizia, abusi, violenza e idiozia ufficiale.
I nostri difensori europei che difendono solo i valori europei esemplari dei diritti umani e del rispetto per la vita umana vengono sistematicamente criminalizzati. Come alleanza che lavora per i migranti filippini, gli immigrati e gli esiliati, ci schieriamo con loro ed esortiamo i paesi che ci ospitano a porre fine a questa farsa della giustizia. Dobbiamo sempre ricordare la nobiltà della solidarietà e come sia utile servire coloro che hanno meno, coloro che non hanno nulla, coloro che devono soffrire ogni singola traccia di ingiustizia e di indegnità, giorno dopo giorno.
Since January 12, Taal Volcano has erupted and is now at Alert Level 4, which means the danger zone can be extended up to 9 kilometers due to the possibility of “highly hazardous eruption.”
Thousands have fled the volcano, and the island is considered “no-man’s land”. Currently, there are 22,472 families including 96,061 people affected in the provinces of Batangas and Cavite and not including those in the provinces of Laguna and Quezon.
According to Sagip Migrante, they need financial help to meet the needs of evacuees such as: food, water, clothing, medicine, blankets, N95 face masks, flashlights and more.
