International Solidarity Mission Against US Armed Intervention in the Philippines

Dear friends,

Greetings from Manila, Philippines!

This is an urgent appeal for international solidarity from BAYAN MUNA (People
First) and other organizations in the Philippines which oppose the escalating
armed involvement of the Unites States in our country.

We do not want our country turned into another Afghanistan and a staging
ground for US war of aggression in the world. Some 660 US troops have already
been deployed in Basilan, Southern Philippines since January this year under
the pretext of Philippine-US joint military training exercises against
terrorism. The exercises are set to end in July 31, 2002. But this early, top
US and Philippine officials are setting the stage for an indefinite stay and
involvement of more US troops in the Philippines.

In this light, we wish to invite you to join an International Solidarity
Mission (ISM) to the Philippines on July 24-31, 2002. Its main features are
a three-day fact-finding mission and a two-day Peoples’ Caravan in Mindanao,
Southern Philippines.

The objectives of the ISM are: a) to determine the real nature, objectives
and extent of US military involvement in the Philippines; b) assess the
impact of US armed intervention in the country; and c) forge international
solidarity links and cooperation in our common quest for global peace free
from wars of aggression and intervention.

The mission will be composed of peace advocates, human rights defenders,
parliamentarians, academicians, artists and representatives of peoples’
organizations and NGOs from US, Canada, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Latin
America, Africa, Europe and the Philippines.

Since the organizers and hosts are basically mass-based and self-reliant
organizations, the international participants are requested to raise funds
for their plane fare to Manila and to partially cover the cost of modest
accommodations and local travel.

For any questions, please contact:

· Grace Saguinsin, Bayan Muna: telephone (63-2) 921 3499; fax (63-2)
921 3473; email: bmhq [at] info.com.ph
· Rita Baua, Bayan: telephone (63-2) 435 9151; fax (6-32) 922 5211;
email: bayan [at] myrealbox.com

Attached is the ISM concept paper and program of activities.

We look forward to your participation in the solidarity mission!

Very truly yours,


(Sgd) SATUR OCAMPO
President BAYAN MUNA





International Solidarity Mission
Against US Armed Intervention in the Philippines
July 24 to July 31, 2002

Background

United States President George W. Bush has expanded the “war against
terrorism” beyond Afghanistan. The US has opened a new war front in the
Philippines and has threatened Iraq, Iran, North Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia,
Thailand and many more. The momentum of the so-called borderless war is being
sustained even if its targets has little or no connections with the al-Qaida.

A former US colony, the Philippines has a population of over 75 million,
mostly impoverished peasants and workers. Three major islands Luzon, Visayas
and Mindanao comprise the Philippine archipelago.Filipino Muslims (Moro) and
other national minorities make up about twelve percent of the populace.

Six hundred and sixty US soldiers are now involved in military operations
focusing on Mindanao. The official line is that the US forces are there to
train Filipino soldiers in counter-terrorism, specifically to crush the Abu
Sayyaf, a small bandit group of about 80 men based in the small island of
Basilan.

Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has uncritically embraced and
committed all-out support to the US-led “war against terrorism”, including
the deployment of US forces into the country.

The six-month joint US-RP training exercises dubbed Balikatan 02-1
(Shoulder-to-Shoulder) is supposed to end by July 31, 2002. But this early,
top US and Philippine officials are setting the stage for the indefinite stay
of more US troops and the expansion of US armed involvement beyond Basilan
and its original target, the Abu Sayyaf.

Philippine Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes is on record as saying that the
next target of US-RP operations is the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF)
as well as the New People’s Army (NPA), the military arm of the Communist
Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the National Democratic Front of the
Philippines (NDFP). Both Philippine and US governments have tagged NPA and
MILF “terrorists.”

Some 2,700 US troops are arriving in April in Central Luzon purportedly for
another set of joint military exercises. But unlike in Mindanao there is no
armed Moro or Muslim group based in Luzon. There is, however, a resurgent
revolutionary movement, which has mass bases in Luzon and in almost all major
provinces. The CPP/NPA/NDF is waging war against US imperialism and the local
ruling elite.

Opposition to the renewed presence of US forces in the Philippines is
growing. In 1991, the US military bases were booted out from the country as a
result of massive people’s protests. Critics point out that the Balikatan war
games are not mere military exercises but a prelude to prolonged if not
permanent US armed intervention in the country’s internal affairs. They are
undeniably an affront to Philippine national sovereignty, territorial
integrity and the people’s right to self-determination.

Anxiety is high over potential “collateral damage” to civilian communities
and the environment, violations of human rights, abuse of women and children
and various adverse socio-economic effects. Even the fate of the peace
negotiations with the CPP/NPA/NDF and the MILF now hangs in the balance.
Moreover, the Philippines might become the staging ground for US aggression
against other countries.

It is in this context that concerned organizations in the Philippines are
inviting individuals and representatives of organizations in different
countries to take part in an

International Solidarity Mission
Against US armed intervention in the Philippines
July 24 to July 31, 2002

Objectives

The International Solidarity Mission or ISM aims to

· Investigate and expose the real nature, aims and extent of US armed
involvement in the Philippines and the responsibility of the Macapagal-Arroyo
government.
· Start assessing the socio-economic, political and cultural impact of US
armed intervention in the Philippines.
· Move peace loving peoples the world over to stop military intervention
and aggression and promote international solidarity and cooperation for
justice, peace and progress. Special Areas of Concern

The ISM will look into the following special areas of concern:

1.Respect for national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the right to
self-determination of the Filipino and Moro peoples.

2.Observance of international humanitarian law and protection of human rights.
3.Social cost of US military presence especially on women, children and
national minorities as well as the environment and economy.

4.Impact on the peace negotiations with various armed movements: the
CPP/NPA/NDF, MILF and MNLF.

Highlights of Activities

July 24Arrival, reception, registration and briefing of delegates in Manila
July 25Opening press conference; travel to Basilan and to Central Luzon
July 26-28 Fact-finding mission
Drafting of team reports and consolidation of reports
July 29Presentation of report to the public through a press conference
July 30-31People’s Caravan in Mindanao


ISM Organizers

The main hosts and organizers of the mission are: Bayan Muna, Bayan,
Karapatan, Moro-Christian People’s Alliance and OUT NOW!

Bayan Muna (People First) is a progressive political party representing the
marginalized and oppressed sectors of Philippine society. With 1.7 million
votes, it topped the party-list elections in 2001 and currently has three
representatives in the Philippine Congress.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) or Bayan is a
multi-sectoral, multi-issue alliance of national people’s organizations,
including the largest alliances of trade unions, peasants associations,
youth, women and indigenous peoples’ organizations.

Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of Peoples’ Rights) is a national
alliance of organizations and personages advocating the promotion and
protection of human rights, especially civil and political rights.

Moro-Christian People’s Alliance (MCPA) is an interfaith solidarity of groups
and individuals promoting understanding and a just resolution of the
underlying causes of the centuries-old armed conflict in Mindanao.

Providing vital support for the mission are the following organizations
(initial list):

Gabriela (a national alliance of women’s organizations)
PIF (Philippine International Forum)
PCPR (Promotion for Church People’s Response)
KMU or Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Labor Movement)
KMP or Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines)
Migrante International (an international organization of migrant Filipinos)
Anakbayan (an all-youth association)
Pamalakaya (alliance of fisherfolk organizations)
Head (Health Alliance for Democracy)
ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers)
Courage (a national federation of government employees’ associations)
Kalikasan (Peoples’ Network for the Environment)
KAMP or Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayang Pilipino (a national council
of indigenous peoples’ leaders)
EMJP (Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace)


You are invited to participate in the ISM!

Stop US military intervention and aggression!
Let the cause of peace prevail over unjust wars of aggression!

Join anti-war activists, peace advocates, human rights defenders,
parliamentarians, artists, leaders of people’s organizations, political
parties, church institutions, from the academe and other individuals
committed to the cause of peace, justice and human rights.

Invitation is open to all interested persons and groups from the
Asia-Pacific, Middle East, US, Canada, Latin America, Europe and Africa.

The organizers and hosts of the ISM are basically mass-based, self-reliant
organizations. Thus, international participants are encouraged to raise funds
for their plane fare and to partially cover the cost of modest accommodations
and local travel. Local participants are likewise expected to contribute a
reasonable amount to cover their expenses.

For your reply to our invitation and for any questions, please contact the
ISM secretariat:

Bayan Muna National Office c/o Ms. Grace Saguinsin
Office: 28 Magiting St., Teachers Village, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: ++632-9213499; Telefax : ++632-9213473
Email: bmhq [at] info.com.ph

Bayan National Office c/o Ms. Rita Baua
Office: 23 Maamo St., Sikatuna Village, Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: ++632-435-9151; Telefax: ++632-9225211
Email: bayan [at] myrealbox.com