The stand-off in Makati is the result of the continuing and festering problems involving the Arroyo regime. The issues raised by the rebel soldiers have been long standing problems of the country; these include the absence of legitimacy of the president, massive corruption and human rights abuses.
We understand and sympathize with the grievances and issues being raised by Sen. Antonio Trillanes. The Arroyo regime has long disregarded the rights and welfare of the people in its bid to desperately cling on to power. The Arroyo regime has long disregarded the legitimate calls for her to step down. Her failure to address these issues has led to widespread dissent from the people and even from the ranks of the military. It is therefore not difficult to understand why these actions from the military are happening.
We warn the Arroyo administration against using violence or other repressive measures to resolve the stand-off. We take exception to statements of the likes of Sec. Norberto Gonzales who is again desperately trying to link progressive and leftist groups to the ongoing Makati incident. These baseless allegations are similar to the so-called “Left-Right conspiracy” that the government fabricated last February 24, 2006 to crackdown on the Opposition.
The last thing the country needs right now is a declaration of a “state of emergency” similar to what the government imposed last year. The people will resist such a declaration.
Filed under: Economy, Media, Philippine Updates, Politics | Tagged: Corruption, Human rigths abuses, Makati stand-off
