Manila: Many living on less than a toonie a day photo: Stefan Christoff

A history of popular rebellion defines contemporary political history in the Philippines. In 2001, mass demonstrations forced Joseph Estrada, the previous president, to resign, while in 1986 the authoritarian regime of then-president Ferdinand Marcos was halted by mass protest.

Progressive movements in the Philippines have played a critical role in shaping recent history and are now calling for the current U.S.-backed administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to step down. In parallel, a long string of extrajudicial assassinations targeting left-leaning politicians, labour organizers and social activists has taken the lives of over 800 people since the Arroyo administration took office.

Canada's Conservative government is, like the current U.S. administration, a strong supporter of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. A delegation of left-leaning Filipino lawmakers is visiting Canada this week to call on Canada to reconsider the present political relationship with the current administration in the Philippines.

"Our democracy is in great crisis today - it's essentially being thrown out of the window," says Crispin "Ka Bel" Beltran, a Filipino congressman, labour leader and former political prisoner. "The judiciary, the congress, the elections commission are being disregarded by the current leadership of the country."

"I will speak to people in Canada about the economic, social and political crisis that we are facing in the Philippines, the massive corruption in the high offices, the political killings and extrajudicial killing," Beltran says of his visit. "President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is strongly supported by the current Canadian government, even through direct military assistance to a military that is engaged in political killings."

Amnesty International has concluded that the Armed Forces of the Philippines have had direct involvement in the ongoing political killings targeting left-wing movements there. Canada currently provides military assistance to the Armed Forces of the Philippines through joint training programs.

Hear from social movements in the Philippines, including rare presentations of Philippine lawmakers, on Saturday, April 12, at 6:30 p.m. at 6767 Côte-des-Neiges, sixth floor.

For more info: http://cap-cpc.blogspot.com.
 
 

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