Press statement, March 16, 2005

Ref: DEE AYROSO

When I learned about the disappearance of Danny "DM" Macapagal, I felt a sudden coldness, reminiscent of the feelings of fear which came over me when my husband Honor and my friend Johnny went missing three years ago.

Three years ago, DM was with our families, the Ayrosos and Orcinos, when we came searching for Honor and Johnny Orcino, at the detachment of the 71st IB of the Philippine Army in Sto. Nino III in San Jose City, at the San Jose City PNP headquarters, at the provincial PNP in Cabanatuan city, the PNP Regional HQ in San Fernando, Pampanga, at the 7th Infantry Division in Fort Magsaysay.

DM, who was secretary general of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN-Nueva Ecija) for 17 years, had been a prominent figure in protests and mass actions in the province since the late 70s. Even though his failing health had lately caused him to beg off from major tasks in BAYAN, he remained as a Bayan Muna coordinator, his advice frequently sought by peasants involved in land disputes, and other political and economic issues.

His abduction could only be motivated by an evil, political desire to put a stop to such activities. Who stands to benefit from the abduction? In the light of the recent killings and abduction of other activists and mass leaders in other places all over the country, it is clear who stands to benefit from abducting DM, Honor, Johnny and the more than 110 desaparecidos who have fallen victim under the regime of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

The state, representing landlord-comprador class interests, and its protectors, the AFP, PNP, as well as the minions of paramilitias and private armies of landlords and local government officials “ they all stand to benefit from these abductions and killings. As much as it is the landlords, big business and foreign investment interests“ as represented by the Arroyo government “ that stands to benefit from the implementation of oppresive and regressive taxes, they also stand to benefit from stemming the people's protests against economic and political oppression. They are the ones who will benefit from silencing people like DM, Honor and Johnny.

During the Marcos regime, there were 769 desaparecidos; under the Aquino regime, 810; Ramos, 19; Estrada, 38, and under GMA, 115 and still increasing. Enforced disappearance was a state policy during Martial Law and the succeeding regimes. Clearly, the Arroyo regime goes by the same policy.

And so I ask, who's next?