Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (AJLPP)-USA
Contact: Mario Santos


AJLPP to Mark International Human Rights Week;
Migrant Workers, Pro-Filipino WW2 Vets and Inter-faith groups in NY, SF, LA and Seattle to Raise Political and Financial Support for Detained Philippine Labor Leader


“Rep. Crispin “Ka Bel” Beltran was never guilty of any charge and he should have never been detained,” says Linda Abad of DAMAYAN, a migrant workers-based organization that campaigns for legalization and full rights for all immigrants. On December 10, membership will hold a General Assembly Meeting to highlight the human rights situation in the Philippines, especially the unabated political killings that to date has reached 780 workers, peasants, pastors, student leaders, journalists, lawyers, women, indigenous people and other social activists. A holiday celebration will follow in the evening.

Inter-faith and peace advocates will march and converge at the United Methodist Church in Daly City in the Bay Area at 4 PM. The event is entitled: “Pagsambang Bayan: People’s Worship Service and Candlelight Vigil for the Disappeared and Killed Religious and Community Leaders in the Philippines.”

Rev. Horace Wilson De Ocera, currently the chairperson of the California-Nevada United Methodist Conference Legislative Committee will lead the service.

On Dec. 17, a forum called “A Celebration of Life, A Call for Justice” will be held after the service at the Highline United Methodist Church, which hosted the same gathering of top leaders of the Pacific-Northwest Conference and the Greater Seattle Church Council during a visit by a pastor activist last Nov. 2-5.

On the other hand, Los Angeles will host a party for the World War 2 Vets and relate their oppression in the US to the kind of day to day injustices in the Philippines.

Within the week are several consultations in the universities, churches and progressive groups as both San Francisco and Seattle are gearing up for fact-finding delegations to the Philippines: one in February and the other in July.

Beltran has been detained since Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared a “state of emergency” last February, 2006, despite the fact that Beltran by law was supposedly protected by parliamentary immunity. His salary, allowance and all benefits have been cut-off.

The human rights activities hope not only to highlight the issue of illegal detention but also to raise financial support that will defray the cost of Beltran’s hospitalization. If anyone wants to donate, please write a check payable to:

AJLPP or Alliance for a Just and Lasting Peace in the Philippines (for donation of $50 and above, make check payable to People’s CORE and a receipt will be sent)

And send the check to:


People’s CORE
1610 Beverly Blvd. Suite No. 2
Los Angeles, CA 90026


Schedule of Human Rights Week Events

Dec. 10
DAMAYAN Migrant Workers General Assembly
Metro Baptist Church
4:30 PM
Followed by Christmas Party
New York

Dec. 10
Pagsambang Bayan (People’s Worship Service)
Daly City United Methodist Church
4 PM
San Francisco

Dec. 17
A Celebration of Life, A Call for Justice Forum
Human Rights Philippines/ AJLPP Seattle
Highline United Methodist Church
11:30 AM
Seattle

Other Events

Dec. 8
Sayaw ng Kalayaan (Dance of Freedom)
Justice for Filipino-American Veterans (JFAV)
Philippine Village Center
Eagle Rock
Los Angeles

Dec. 15
Release Mumia Abu Jamal and Anti-Police Brutality Discussion
AJLPP Supports ANSWER- LA
Remy’s On Temple
8 PM
Los Angeles