Press Statement
15 May 2019

Philippine midterm elections have closed and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announced the voting to have been “generally successful, ” contrary to the Overseas Absentee Voting in Europe, which ended with wide criticisms and low turnouts.

In a press statement dated April 3, 2019, Migrante Europe strongly protested the postal voting adopted by embassies and consulates, as it may result to disenfranchisement and non-participation of thousands of registered voters in Europe.

According to Garry Martinez, a migrant advocate in the United Kingdom, only 8, 175 or 25.19% were able to vote in the elections out of 32,443 registered overseas absentee voters. Delayed delivery of ballots by posts was documented and many OFWs who went to embassies to claim their voter’s kit were disappointed because their ballots were already sent by post.

In Italy, only 13,006 were able to vote out of 62,920 registered voters. Rhodney Pasion, Electoral Campaign Coordinator of Migrante Europe documented cases of newly-registered OAVs who were not included in the master list of voters in the Philippine Embassy and Consulate. The voters who filed and requested to change addresses and residences were not updated in the COMELEC master lists.

Limited space of polling places which are not conducive for OAV was also documented. Satellite precincts were not available that would have helped to encourage more voters.

In The Netherlands, 603 ballots cast, out of 2,360 registered absentee voters, while in France, 1,609 voted, from 4932 registered electors.

In Belgium, out of 2,210 registered voters, 1,111 or 50% cast their votes. The 650 voters cast their votes in Austria, out of 1,951 registered voters.

Did the COMELEC and the Duterte government properly prepared for the OAV? Why should migrants be made to pay for the postal stamps for their returned ballots? Lack of budget? Were they sincere to include OFWs in the midterm elections?

Noticeable also was the low percentage of registered absentee voters in countries with a bigger concentration of OFWs and with more than 700,000 Filipinos in Europe considered as bonafide voters. Migrante chapters criticized the COMELEC and embassies for failing to disseminate systematically the necessary information prior to the Registration of Overseas Absentee Voting.

On Election results

As the Midterm Elections closed, and the “winners” officially declared in the coming days, Migrante chapters in Europe have expressed grave concern that Duterte’s allies are most likely to “win” seats in the Senate and Congress. Several of them have records or have been accused and convicted of plunder and corruption, and have condoned Duterte’s crimes against the people.

Migrante Europe and its chapters and members in the region will continue its advocacy to defend and promote migrants rights, to be at the forefront in the fight for truth and justice, and remain steadfast and determined to resist a brutal, corrupt, anti-peace and plunderous administration.###

For reference:

Father Herbert Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe
Chaplain for the Filipino Community
Diocese of Leicester, Church of England
Email: [email protected]

01 APRIL 2019 
BOLOGNA ITALY

OPISYAL NA PAHAYAG NG MGA BALANGAY NG MIGRANTE SA ITALYA.

MARIING KINOKONDENA NG MIGRANTE ITALY ANG KARUMALDUMAL NA PAMAMASLANG NG MGA MILITAR AT ANG KAPULISAN SA CANLAON NEGROS ORIENTAL SA MGA LABING-APAT NA PAWANG MAGSASAKA.

SA ILALIM NG ADMINISTRASYONG DUTERTE NOONG 29 MARSO LANG AY NAITALA ANG BILANG NA 168 NA MAGSASAKA ANG PINATAY AT SA IKA 30 NG MARSO AY UMAKYAT ITO NG 200 DAANG MAGSASAKA NA ANG PINASLANG.

MALIBAN SA MALAWAKANG PAGPATAY SA ATING MGA MAGSASAKA PINAPAHIRAPAN DIN ANG ATING GOBYERNO ANG MGA MAGSASAKA SA BAGONG BATAS NA INAPPROBAHAN AT IPINAPATUPAD NITO.
KAMAKAYLAN LANG INAPROBAHAN ANG PAGPAPATUPAD NG HOUSE BILL 7735 OR RICE TARIFFICATION BILL AT KUNG SAAN IPAPATUPAD NG ATING GOBYERNO ANG UNLIMITED NA PAG ANGKAT NG BIGAS NA SIYA RIN ANG DAHILAN ANG PAGBAGSAK AT PAG KALUGI NG MGA MAGSASAKA DAHIL SA MABABANG PRESYO NG PALAY DAHIL SA SOBRANG SUPPLY NG IMPORTED NA BIGAS.
GANITO TRATUHIN ANG ATING GOBYERNO ANG ATING MGA MAGSASAKA UNTI UNTING PINAPATAY DAHIL SA BATAS NA ITO.

ISANG MALAKING DAGOK DIN ITO SA MGA PAMILYA NG MGA OFW DAHIL KARAMIHAN SA AMING MGA PAMILYA AY UMAASA LAMANG SA PAGSASAKA.ITINUTURING DIN NA DAGDAG PAHIRAP ITO DAHIL SA EPEKTO NG MABABANG PRESYO SA BENTAHAN NG PALAY SA LOKAL NA MERKADO.

ANG HANAY NG MGA NAGKAKAISANG MIGRANTE DITO SA ITALYA PINAPAABOT NAMIN SA ATING GOBYERNO ANG AMING PAGKUNDINA SA LALO PANG LUMALALANG PAGPATAY. NANAWAGAN DIN KAMI NG HUSTISYA SA MGA LABING-APAT NA PINATAY SA CANLAON NEGROS AT SA LAHAT NA BIKTIMA NG WALANG HINTONG PAGPATAY SA MGA ORDINARYONG PILIPINO.

AMING DIN PINAPAABOT ANG AMING PAKIKIRAMAY AT NAKIKIISA KAMI SA PAGHAHANAP NG HUSTISYA SA MGA PAMILYA NG MGA MAGBUBUKID SA NEGROS.

#JUSTICE4CANLAON MASSACRE!!!
#STOP THE KILLING!!!
#BIGAS HINDI BALA!!!

Press Statement
Migrante Europe IWD 2019
March 8, 2019

Today, hundreds of thousands of women from the grassroots, of different races and backgrounds will lead the march, their shouts are even more powerful and they become multitudes in number, the streets and plazas will be blanketed by their rages, they are fed up of social inequality, chauvinism and misogyny and their fight continues.

In the Philippines, every day is a sad story for women: governed by a tyrant and fascist President, the overwhelming majority suffer unimaginable poverty, they are made vulnerable to abuse and exploitation, and they are being attacked and killed. President Duterte’s war on drugs is a nightmare to everyone. The death toll has risen to more than 23,000 and the number of victims continues to escalate. Grieving wives & mothers have become a daily scene in the news, on the tabloids, television and the social networks.

To add insult to injury, Duterte’s “war on terror” is a “war on the poor people.” During the Marawi siege in 2017, resulted to casualties of more than 1,000 people, whilst displacing more than 200,000, majority of whom were women and children. The city in Southern Philippines was totally devastated, including homes and livelihoods of the people. The said conflict has been used as an excuse to declare and extend martial rule in the whole island of Mindanao. The prolongation of Martial Law in Mindanao will mean more abuses, tortures, mass arrests, and extrajudicial killings.

For almost three years of Duterte in power, the Philippines economy has become much worse. Neoliberal policies have maintained if not expanded – leaving the country stunted and underdeveloped, import-dependent and export-oriented, subservient and dominated by foreign capitalists, in particular, the US, and now China. A case in point is the The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion or TRAIN Law – a regressive and anti-poor legislation that will further push people to extreme poverty to the tune of 21.9 million Filipinos. This utter desperation has resulted to the daily deployment of 5,460 OFWs as cheap and docile labour to the global market (IBON FOUNDATION, Jan. 2019).

Exploitation and discrimination experienced by Filipino migrant women.

Filipinos in Europe, particularly women are vulnerable to exploitation, discrimination, and abuse. Many of them are especially exposed to violent and insecure working conditions as exemplified by myriad of cases of sexual abuse and physical injuries that have been reported to Migrante Europe and member organizations in the region.

Migrante and Gabriela Chapters in Europe have been handling increasing number of cases of battered women and recently, sex slavery.

Many Filipinos work as domestic helpers and caregivers, dubbed as the most “in demand” (read: dirtiest) jobs in many countries in Europe. Cases of long hours of work, low wages and unpaid benefits and constant maltreatment have been documented by migrant advocacy groups.

Women events and collective action for March 8.

In Rome, the Gabriela Rome Chapter and friends danced the 1 Billion Rising “Ang Bangon na sa Rebolusyon,” and “Break the Chain” in Sentro Filipino Catholic Chaplaincy last Sunday, 3rd March.

Today, In Brussels, Belgium, trade union members and workers’ advocates joined the “Women Strike on the Street.”

The Gabriela Germany joined the women march and mobilization in Berlin.

On March 17, the Women Committee of Migrants in Italy will once again gather in a cultural event to be participated by different migrant organizations in Rome including UMANGAT-Migrante and Gabriela Rome Chapter.

On the same day, Filipino women will rise and “speak up” in the most awaited launching of Gabriela London in the United Kingdom.

In these challenging times, where women issues are a global concern, it is an urgent call for every woman and for every Filipino to break the chains of silence, exploitation, and discrimination and collectively rage, rise and fight on all fronts until victory is achieved. ###

For reference:

Ann Brusola
Secretary General, Migrante Europe
Email: [email protected]
[email protected]

Rev. Father Herbert Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe
Email: [email protected]

UMANGAT-MIGRANTE ROME STATEMENT RELEASE

Ang UMANGAT-MIGRANTE Roma ay mahigpit na tumututol sa panibagong pahirap ng rehimeng Duterte sa ating mga ofw sa pagpapatupad nito ng POEA Governing Board Resolution No. 4 (GRB 4-2018) na nag-uutos ng mandatory insurance.

Sa resolusyong ito, ipinapasa ng gobyerno ng Pilipinas sa mga pribadong sektor ang kanyang responsibilidad sa pagbibigay ng serbisyo at proteksyon sa mga ofw. Hindi pa lubos na nasiyahan sa pangingikil sa mga bagong migranteng manggagawa, kating-kati naman ang kamay nito na maipahigop sa mga pribadong insurance provider ang bilyun-bilyong pisong kikitain mula sa mga re-hire na mga migrante.

Sa pamamagitan ng US $144 na masisingil sa mandatory insurance sa bawat re-hire na manggagawa, tinatayang kikita ang mga POEA-accredited insurance provider ng Php 7.6 bilyon bawat taon, batay sa datos na halos isang milyong re-hire na mga migranteng manggagawa ang naideploy nitong nakaraang taon. Hindi pa kasama rito ang koleksyong kukuhain sa mga baguhang migranteng manggagawa. Walang pagdududang maihahambing ito sa isang malaking panghoholdap!

Sa karaniwang kaso, ang mga karagdagang singilin na ito ay mauuuwi lamang bilang salary deduction o di kaya’y isa sa mga naglolobohang singilin ng mga recruitment agencies. Kundi man mabagal ang pagproseso, kadalasa’y hindi na nila natatanggap ang kanilang mga claims. Sa kalauna’y ang mga ofw pa ang muling magagastusan sa pagyao’t parito na pag-aasikaso sa napaka-burokratikong proseso ng paglalakad nito.

Ang POEA GRB 4 ay walang pagsasaalang-alang sa ilang mga bansa. Sa Italya, ang mga migranteng manggagawa ay kabilang sa programa at batas sa paggawa. Bagama’t nakabatay sa permit to stay, humigit-kumulang ay tinatamasa ng isang regular na manggagawang migranteng Pilipino ang iba pang mga benepisyong ibinibigay sa isang karaniwang manggagawa. Ang resolusyong ito ng POEA ay magsisilbi lamang na karagdagang pasanin sa balikat ng mga employer sa dahilang nagbabahagi na sila ng pagbabayad sa kontribusyon ng manggaggawa nito sa INPS (katumbas ng ating SSS). Sa pinakamalala, ang dagdag-bayarin na ito ay maaaring ipasa ng employer sa kanyang manggagawa.

Tila hindi pa sapat ang pahirap sa ofw at ng kanyang pamilya sa pagtaas ng mga bilihin at dagdag na gastusin dulot ng TRAIN. Dinagdagan pa ang pagpapahirap sa paggamit sa POEA bilang tagapagpiga ng pribadong tubo ng mga burukratang namumuno rito na may pakinabang at o tuwirang koneksyon sa mga partner na insurance companies.

Kung ang pangulo ay tunay na naglilingkod para sa interes nating mga ofw, tulad ng kanyang pagmamarali, hinahamon natin ang pamahalaang Duterte na i-scrap ang POEA GBR 4-2018 at ganap na harapin ang responsibilidad nito na proteksyunan ang karapatan at kapakanan ng mga migranteng manggagawang Pilipino at ang kanilang pamilya. Itigil ang walang habas na pandarambong ng mga malalaking korporasyon at itaguyod ang interes at kagalingan ng mga migranteng Pilipino.

Ibasura ang POEA GBR 04-2018!
Serbisyo hindi negosyo! Proteksyon hindi koleksyon!

Ugnayan ng Migranteng Manggagawa Tungo sa Pag-unlad
(UMANGAT MIGRANTE), Rome, Italy
Contact information:
Rowena Flores Caraig – email: [email protected]

MIGRANTE BOLOGNA RISE IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE MIGRANTS SECTOR , OPPRESSED OFW ALL OVER THE WORLD TO DEMAND AND END TO ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE , DISCRIMINATION AGAINST MIGRANTS DOMESTIC WORKERS AROUND THE GLOBE.

WE DANCE AND RISE IN SOLIDARITY WITH OUR KABABAYAN IN THE PHILLIPINES AGAINST TYRANNICAL RULE OF DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION. WE ALSO DEMAND TO STOP THE ATTACK OF UNACCEPTABLE STATEMENT OF PRESIDENT DUTERTE ABOUT “RAPE IS A PART OF PILIPINO CULTURE “
WE PILIPINO MIGRANTS CALLING THE GOVERNMENT TO END AND RESOLVE THE PROBLEM OF FORCED MIGRATION THROUGH LABOR EXPORT POLICY OF THE GOVERNMENT.

TO THE OBR COORDINATOR MS. RACHELE HANGSLEBEN AND FWL PRESIDENT DITZ DE JESUS AND ALL PARTICIPANTS, WE CONVEY WARMEST GREETINGS OF SOLIDARITY. WE ALWAYS STAND AS NEIGHBORS AND FAMILY TO REJECT INTIMIDATION AND VIOLENCE.

WE RISE FOR MIGRANTS RIGHTS !
WE RISE AGAINST MISOGYNY !
WE STRIKE AND RISE AGAINST RAPE!

MIGRANTE BOLOGNA

Mariing kinokondena ng Ugnayang Pilipino sa Belgium (UPB) ang patraydor na pagpatay kay NDFP peace consultant Randy Malayao noong Jan.30, sa Hilagang Luzon sa Pilipinas. Siya ay binaril sa loob ng bus habang natutulog. Ang salarin ay pumanhik sa bus habang ito ay naka-stop over sa Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya. Tumakas ang kriminal sakay ng motor ng naghihintay na kasamahan.

Si Ka Randy ay isang dating aktibistang istudyante . Siya ay naging opisyal ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), ang samahan ng mga patnugutan ng mga Kolehiyo at Unibersidad sa Pilipinas. Siya rin ay aktibong nangangampanya para sa paggalang sa karapatang pantao at pagkamit ng tunay na kapayapaan at kaunlaran ng Pilipinas.

Siya ay naging political prisoner noong panahon ng administrasyon ni Gloria Arroyo. Nang siya ay makalaya, ipinagpatuloy niya ang kanyang aktibismo at gumampan ng mahalagang papel sa pagbubuo ng Bayan Muna sa Cagayan Valley. Naging susi rin siya sa pagbuo at paglawak ng organisasyong Migrante sa rehiyon.

Nakadaupang palad ng UPB si Ka Randy noong siya, kasama ang iba pang peace consultants ng NDFP ay pumunta dito sa Europe para sa usaping pangkayapaan sa pagitan ng Goverment of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) at ng National Democratic front of the Philippines (NDFP).

Malinaw at makatwiran ang pagpapaliwanag niya na, ang pagpapatupad ng tunay na reporma sa lupa at tunay na industriyalisasyon ang siyang makakapagbigay daan tungo sa pagkamit ng pangmatagalang kapayapaan at kaunlaran sa lipunang Pilipino.

Ang masidhing pagmamahal ni Ka Randy sa mga magsasaka at mamamayan ng Cagayan Valley, ang pagyakap nito sa kanilang mga hangarin at interes, at ang walang pag-iimbot na pakikipamuhay at pagsama sa kanilang pakikibaka ay lumikha ng malaking pagkapoot at higit sa lahat ay malaking TAKOT ng Rihemeng US-Duterte. Nangangamba silang ang mga mamamayan ay natututong igiit ang kanilang mga karapatan at kagalingan. Ang epektibong paggampan ni Ka Randy bilang isang mahusay na propagandista, guro, o bilang isang matapat na kaibigan at kasama ay naghatid ng takot sa mga pasista. Ito ang tanging dahilan ng patraydor na pagpatay sa kanya.

Subalit ang binhi ng pag-asa at ang marubdob na hangaring mapalaya, mapaunlad at makamit ang pangmatagalang kapayapaan ay naipunla na ni Ka Randy sa malawak na mamamayan hindi lamang sa Hilagang Luzon sa Pilipinas kundi umabot na hanggang dito sa Europa.

Kasama ng INTAL (International Action for Liberation, Stop the Killings platform, ang UPB ay magsasagawa ng kilos protesta sa Brussels ngayong Lunes, Feb. 4.

STOP THE KILLINGS, JUSTICE NOW!
OUST US-DUTERTE REGIME!
JUSTICE FOR RANDY MALAYAO, BEN RAMOS, AND OTHER VICTIMS OF EXTRA JUDICIAL KILLINGS!

For reference:

Romy Corpuz
execom member, Ugnayang Pilipino sa Belgium (UPB)
Email: [email protected]

Press Statement
03 February 2019

Migrante Europe strongly calls on the government of Japan to stop the deportation of Loida Quindoy.

Loida Quindoy is a 56 year old Filipino mother and grandmother facing involuntary deportation in Japan after the Ministry of Justice on October 11, 2018, canceled her provisional release. Her deportation was originally scheduled on October 18, 2018, was temporarily stopped after Migrante Japan and other groups protested in front of the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau on October 17.

Loida came to Japan in 1996 by virtue of her marriage to a Japanese national. She however, filed for divorce in 2000 because of her husband’s verbal and emotional abuse. As a result, Loida lost her 3-year long-term residence status.

For four years, Loida lived with a Filipino who at that time was an “overstay” or undocumented. In 2005, he got arrested and was deported to the Philippines.

In 2007, Loida decided to marry him in the Philippines and upon her return to Japan filed for his eligibility so that her husband can join her in Japan. She was unaware of new immigration policies and the bad immigration record of her husband: two counts of overstaying and used of assumed identity. By signing his application for eligibility however, Loida became a co-conspirator. In 2010, in spite of undertaking voluntary confession before the Tokyo Regional Immigration Bureau, her husband was detained and was deported to the Philippines in 2011.

Loida, on the other hand, was investigated and was found guilty of aiding her husband’s return to Japan in 2007. Her permanent resident status was revoked in 2012, which she obtained in 2009 because of hard work and fervently paying her tax dues.

Loida underwent deportation proceedings and was given a provisional release. Because she was not allowed to take the paid job by the court, Loida sustained herself only through the help of family and friends.

On October 11, 2018, Loida’s provisional release was canceled without warning and was immediately detained and a week later she was scheduled for deportation.

Loida is a victim of injustice; the decision of the Ministry of Justice to revoke her permanent residency was too harsh a punishment. And now being subjected to involuntary deportation is much worse.

Justice for Loida Quindoy!
Reinstate the residence status of Loida Quindoy!
No migrant is illegal!

For reference:

Fr. Herbert Fadriquela Jr.
Chairperson, Migrante Europe

Email: [email protected]

Ang mga balangay ng organisasyong Migrante sa Italya ay mahigpit na tinituligsa ang walang habas na pagsikil sa karapatang pantao, pagtugis at pamamaslang sa mga grupo at indibidwal na kritiko ng rehimeng US-Duterte. Halos araw araw ang pagtaas ng bilang ng mga biktima ng mga ilegal na pagdakip, detensyon at pagsasampa ng mga gawa gawang kaso. Sunod sunod na pagpaslang sa mga lider at organisador ng mga pangmasang organisasyon, pari, abogado at itong huli’y isang konsultant ng NDFP na si Felix Randy Malayao.

Si ka Randy ay nakilala at nakasama ng mga grupo at indibidwal ng organisasyong Migrante sa Italya nuong huling bahagi ng 2016 sa Roma para sa ilang mga paghahanda ng usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng GRP at NDFP. Aktibo sa pagdalo si ka Randy sa iba’t ibang mga Forum at inisyatiba ng organisasyong Migrante. Walang kapaguran nyang nilahukan ang mga paanyaya ng iba’t ibang mga organisasyon kabilang ang mga Italyano para sa paglilinaw ng layunin ng NDFP, nang tunay na kalagayang pang-ekonomiya at putitika, at ang mungkahing mga reporma at pagbabago para sa pagkakamit ng isang makatwiran at pangmatagalang kapayapaan sa ating bansa.

Ang brutal at patraydor na paraan ng mga pagpaslang na ito ay isa nang tatak ng gobyerno ni Duterte. Mismong sa bibig niya nagmumula ang mga pahayag ng kabastusan, pangungutya, paghimok ng galit at pang-eengganyo ng mga pagpatay sa mga kritiko at kalaban sa politika ng kanyang administrasyon. Pagpatay ang pangunahing paraan ng gobyernong ito upang maghasik ng takot sa papalawak at lumalapad na kilusan ng mamamayang nagigising sa katotohang walang positibo at tunay na pagbabagong naganap at magaganap sa ilalim ng kanyang panunugkulan.

Sa kabila naman ng mga ilegal na pagdakip, detensyon at pandarahas, sa papalapit na eleksyon, tuloy tuloy naman sa pagmamaniobra ang mga kasapakat ni Duterte para diskwalipikahin ang mga partylist ng mga tunay na kumakatawan sa mga mamamayan at mas binigyang pabor ang pagpasok ng mga bogus o pekeng partylist. Nag-uunahan ang mga trapong politiko sa pag-agaw ng atensyon sa masmidya sa pamamagitan samut saring gimik elektoral habang tinatabunan ang mahahalagang usapin ng bayan kaugnay ng sahod, trabaho, kalusugan, pabahay, buwis at iba pa.

Walang maasahang kalutasan ang sektor nating migrante sa lumalalang krisis ng lipunang Pilipino sa pamumuno ni Duterte. Patuloy parin ang migrasyon nating Pilipino. Ang mapait pa’y habang tayo’y lumalabas ng bansa ay siya namang pagpasok ng libu-libong lakas paggawa mula sa Tsina sa kadahilanang kulang daw tayo ng mga mangagawang may kasanayan. Tayo ngayo’y nabubuhay sa daigdig ng kabaligtaran. Nirerebisa ang kasaysayan sa pamamagitan ng mga peke at maling datos. Nahihirang at pinararangalan ang mga bwitre at korup, habang nilalait, kinukutya at kinukulong ang tunay na mga lingkod bayan. Buhay na buhay ang mga kriminal samantalang ang mga inosenteng tagapagtanggol at tagapagtaguyod ng karapatan at pakayapaan ay pinapatay.

Itigil na ang kahibangang ito. Itigil ang pamamaslang! Papanagutin ang gobyernong ito sa paglabag sa karapatang pantao! Patalsikin ang rehimeng US-Duterte! Hustisya kay ka Randy Malayao! Hustisya sa Lahat ng Biktima ng Pasismo ng Rehimeng US-Duterte!

UMANGAT-Migrante Roma | Migrante-Como/Milano | Migrante-Bologna | Migrante-Firenze | KAPIT BISIG-Migrante Milan | Migrante-Mantova(kp) | Migrante-Caserta(kp)

We at Migrante Austria hold the Duterte regime responsible for the murder of (NDFP) human rights advocate and peace panel consultant Ka Randy Felix Malayao.

As an NDFP peace consultant, Ka Randy is a holder of a NDFP-GRP Joint Agreement on Safety and Immunity Guarantees identification card that should have given him immunity from arrest, harassment and attacks.

Ka Randy, 49 years old, was a Bayan Muna regional coordinator and a human rights defender, when he was shot dead while sleeping inside a bus in Aritao, Nueva Vizcaya at around 2:30 AM of 30 January 2019.

On 28 January 2017, Randy took part in a Peace Forum jointly sponsored by the Philippine Embassy in Vienna and Migrante Austria, to shed light on the then on-going peace talks between the Philippine government and the NDFP. The said Peace Forum was attended by 30 Filipino community organisations’ leaders, Austrian friends and officials of the Embassy.

He clarified the goals of, and latest developments in, the peace talks to the Filipino community. The event was highly educational and amicable as both panels had high hopes for the Peace Talks resolving the vital issues at hand: i,e genuine land reform, nationalist industrialisation and finally the resolution of the armed conflict, thus the lasting peace.

Why did Ka Randy have to die? It is deplorable that Duterte’s Death Squads operate with a license to kill or harass, in any form, all those with ties to leftist groups.

According to Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, “This is another nail on the coffin of the peace negotiations. It is truly tragic that while we are going all out to resume the peace negotiations, the militarist hawks in the Duterte administration are the ones running the show.”

Yet, such despicable acts will not quell the people’s desire for just and lasting peace. The people who have withstood history in their fight for truth and justice will not be cowed. The call for justice for Randy Malayao and other victims of human rights violations is a call to hasten our collective struggle to change this regime, which brings nothing but death and destruction.

Let us value peace and those who live, work and die for peace!

Justice for Ka Randy Malayao! Justice for all victims of extrajudicial killings!

Reference:

Michael Garlan
Secretary General, Migrante Austria
Mobile Phone +43 688 64588082