To defend the student’s rights in the Philippines, requires a broad and comprehensive vieuw on (and analysis of) the Philippine society and its history.

This truth has been put into question more than once. Groups in the Philippines and abroad blame the militant youth organisations, student publications and student unions for being ‘leftists’ and drawing students away from their books.

“You can also be an activist while attending classes.”

The objective conditions in the Philippines, however, demand of young people to put in question and actively oppose not only their education system, but also the policies of their govenment on broad issues such as human rights, military spending and international relations.

These issues are not ‘far away’ for students in universities like the University of the Philippines, who have seen their tuition fees increased by more then… 300%. Despite these anti-social policies and budget-cuts of the govenment, more money is spent every day on foreign debt and on military spending. The struggle against militarisation, against the “global war-on-terror”, extravagant counter-insugercy campaigns,… is thus perfecly justifiable for a Philippino student who wants to advance the rights of his or her fellow students.

A recent example of this necessity is the proposal of Cebu Rep. Gullas to reinstall the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) for students. The administration wants to train as many students possible as reservists for their beloved Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

Ironically, in a recent discussion I had with a student-union leader, the abolishment of this program was mentioned as one of the big victories of the student movement over the last years.

The political killings of young activists, the consant treath of budget-cuts toward education, the growing number of tuition fee increases, the growing military spending of the Aroyyo administration and their attemps to militarise the campusses should make the students aware that the struggle against militarisation is also their struggle…

This requires the students to organise themselves, to study the history and today’s society in the Philippines and to go out into the streets and protest against the govenement’s policies.

August 13, 2007
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Reference:
Sarah Katrina Maramag
Vice-Chairperson/Media Officer, 09193486790

Eleanor de Guzman
Chairperson, 09282555423

Youth group slams proposed resurrection of mandatory ROTC
“How many more lives is the gov’t willing to ’sacrifice’?”

Youth group Anakbayan today balked at Administration Rep. Eduardo Gullas’ proposal to abolish the National Service Training Program (NSTP) and to restore the mandatory Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) among college and university students.

Cebu Rep. Gullas was reported to have submitted House Bill 309, seeking to repeal Republic Act 9163 (NSTP Act of 2001), to the House Committee on National Defense. In turn, Pangasinan Rep. Arthur Celeste said his panel would take up the said proposal.

“As early as now this proposal must be nipped in the bud. It seeks not only to totally disregard what students nationwide have fought for in the past but also to train students into becoming passive, docile reserved soldiers for a mercenary and war-mongering armed force,” said Anakbayan chairperson Eleanor de Guzman.

Under the proposed house bill, the secretary of national defense shall direct the conduct of military training for the purpose of producing enlisted and officer reservists.

“How many more is this government willing to ’sacrifice’ in the name of its mindless war on terror? Are the lives of the soldiers killed in battle in Basilan and the 4,000 more troops deployed there under circumstances the AFP cannot justify not enough?,” de Guzman said.

“We won’t be surprised if this move is also a part of the government’s AFP recruitment program since not many are willing to subject themselves to ‘pinoy laban sa kapwa pinoy’ wars,” de Guzman said, citing Pres. Arroyo’s latest statement calling on college graduates to consider joining the Philippine National Police.

Anakbayan called on students nationwide to actively oppose the said house bill.

The ROTC was abolished in 2001 as a result of nationwide protests from students following the death of University of Sto. Tomas student and ROTC cadet Mark Chua from alleged ROTC ‘hazing’. ###

More information can be found at:

• http://www.wrongbee.blogspot.com
• http://youngradicals.blogspot.com
• http://www.anakbayan.cjb.net
• http://nusp.blogspot.com

So, this was my first post ever in English. If you liked it, plz. comment and I will try to make some more in the (near) future.