Philippine Forum June 2000 Newsletter

What's Inside:

Filipino Workers Center Marches for Immigrant Amnesty

by Dan Wilson

Nearly 3,000 immigrant workers took to the streets of downtown in the middle of last Monday's workday to pressure for a general amnesty for undocumented workers. The march was organized by the National Coalition for Dignity and Amnesty for Undocumented Immigrants.

Participants included the Filipino Workers Center, the Latino Workers Center, Asociacion Tepeyac, the Garment Workers' Justice Center, UNITE!, Refuse and Resist!, and Bangladesh Society, Inc.

The crowd was diverse, including workers and supporters of many nationalities standing in solidarity with one another. During the procession down Broadway that lasted two hours, marchers chanted continously in Spanish and English: "The people, united, will never be defeated!" and "Amnesty Now!" Even children walking with their parents or riding in strollers sported signs reading: "I'm a US citizen, but my mommy is not. She deserves amnesty."

"Amnesty is an important issue for the Filipino community," said Robert Roy of the Philippine Forum. "A very large proportion of Filipino immigrants in New York City are undocumented, yet they work hard in jobs that a lot of people don't want to do, like domestic work, cleaning and cooking."

The May Day march is a tradition that began in 1886 when immigrant workers marched to demand an eight hour day. In that year, 25,000 people held a torchlight procession down Broadway.

"In the year 2000, immigrant workers are still at the forefront of those marching to pressure for the rights of working people," said Amanda Vender of the Filipino Workers Center. "We won amnesty a decade ago, and we will pressure for another one now. As most immigrant workers know, all improvements for immigrants and working people are not simply given to them, but come through hard work and pressure."

Members of the Filipino Workers Center say they will continue to work with other immigrants in the city for better working conditions, amnesty for undocumented workers, and general support to low-income Filipino workers in the wide variety of problems they face.

People's Assembly Reclaims D.C. Streets

Washington, DC - Giant puppets carried by the Philippine Forum of New York, and more than 100 other protesters from the People's Assembly Against the IMF/World Bank reclaimed the streets of Washington, DC the weekend of April 16 after their forum was kicked out of George Washington University and their Youth Caucus was harassed by police in Malcolm X Park. The People's Assembly denounced the anti-people policies of these US-controlled international financial institutions and the military/police crackdown on people exercising their democratic right to express their opinions on the IMF/World Bank.

The People's Assembly is an international movement led by people of color to expose and oppose the adverse affects of the IMF/World Bank on the people and environments in the Third World. "'Junk, Junk IMF!' is our call," because we want to end these institutions of oppression," said Ace Saturay of the People's Assembly and convenor of the Seattle International People's Assembly which contributed to the shut down of the WTO meeting in Seattle last November. In addition to the Philippine Forum-NY, other marchers in the People's Assembly were Just-Act, the South Bay No to WTO, Coalition for Community Environmental Justice, and students from DC, Chicago and New York.

"The police operations against protesters was one huge psy-war," said Carol Pagaduan-Araullo of BAYAN-Philippines (New Patriotic Alliance). "Their actions over the past week have included a military show of force using hundreds of troops, riot gear, tear gas and pepper spray, motorcycle teams to run down protesters, and undemocratic and illegal mass arrests, particularly against our more vulnerable youth. This was meant to intimidate the growing numbers of people who simply question the policies of the IMF, World Bank and WTO. The military and police, therefore, are simply part of the state apparatus to defend corporate capitalism and their instruments -- the IMF/World Bank/WTO."

But on April 16 the People's Assembly was able to claim the streets of GWU near the IMF/World Bank and to march to the chant of "Long live international solidarity!" as students from the university formed a human chain around the buildings. The protesters included Filipinos, African-Americans, Paraguayans, Indians, and many other people of color who oppose policies of the IMF/World Bank and World Bank.

Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP) formed

A new organization, the Network in Solidarity with the People of the Philippines (NISPOP), had its founding meeting on the first of May, International Workers' Day. NISPOP's mission is to build support for the movement for national democracy in the Philippines among people of all nationalities living in North America. Before its founding meeting, NISPOP members marched with Philippine Forum and the People's Assembly Against the IMF/World Bank in Washington, DC on April 16 and with the Filipino Workers Center in New York on International Workers' Day. NISPOP has created several educational fliers and is working to build several educational forums and a campaign against the neocolonial Visiting Forces Agreement between the US government and the government of the Republic of the Philippines. NISPOP also has a website under construction at www.geocities.com/nispop. For information about upcoming events, contact NISPOP care of Philippine Forum or at [email protected].

Nikimalika Benefits Filipino Workers Center

The World Premiere of the play, Nikimalika/L'il Brown Brothers was not only an opportunity to educate audiences about the history of the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair and the indigenous Filipinos who were put on display there. During the weekend of May 12 the play also became an opportunity for the community to support a new organization, the Filipino Workers Center. The play was written by Filipino playwright and director Chris Millado and performed at the Grove Street Playhouse.

"Like the indigenous Filipinos who told the story of their journey to the US in this play, Filipina domestic workers and other workers also have stories to tell," commented Julia Camagong of the Philippine Forum Cultural Committee. "We wanted to give domestic workers the opportunity to see this play that they might not otherwise be able to see. And by making this an event for the benefit of the Workers Center, we wish to make known to the public that there is a new workers center for Filipinos to offer needed services, support, and to facilitate build strength within the community and the telling of workers' stories."

The Filipino Workers Center is a new project of the Philippine Forum that aims to defend the rights and welfare of Filipino Workers in the New York City area. The Center aims to promote awareness of common interests, issues and problems as workers of an ethnic minority, and to build a movement of Filipino workers aware of their rights and confident to lead actions to influence or abolish oppressive structures.

The Workers Center includes the core programs: Organizing, Social Services, Leadership and Skills Development, Education, Culture, and a Youth Internship Program.

Filipino Workers! Get involved in supporting the Filipino working community! Come to the first meeting of DAMAYAN Workers Association on Sunday, June 11, at 2:00 PM at the Filipino Workers Center Office. 122 W. 27th Street, 10th Floor.

Makabayan Joins F.Y.S.T. in Midwest

CLEVELAND,OHIO-- "COMMUNITY!!!" was the spirit that electrified the room as students shouted this simple word over and over again at the annual Heritage Quest: 2000, sponsored by Filipino Youth Standing Together or F.Y.S.T. Similar to the East Coast's F.I.N.D. (Filipino Intercollegiate Networking Dialogue), F.Y.S.T. provides a venue for Filipino-American students in the surrounding Cleveland area to converge, hold workshops and discussions concerning the Filipino and Filipino-American culture and community.

This year, the day-long conference welcomed MAKABAYAN/Mag-aaral at Kabataan Para sa Bayan (Youth and Students for the People) of New York City among its list of speakers and facilitators. Along with close friends from the League of Filipino Students in Chicago, MAKABAYAN members Gary Labao, Rusty Fabunan, Nick Cordero, Bernadette Ellorin, Donnie Manuel, and Allan Alda spoke to the attending youth (ages 14-25) on a range of issues from identity to community activism.

"We wanted to show the students how much power they have just in knowing what's going on in the world around them. We wanted to break barriers and misconceptions and define the word 'activist' in its most dynamic forms." What resulted was a series of in-depth discussions on The Philippine-American War and its absence in history books, the Visiting Forces Agreement, Globalization and its effects on the Filipino people, proving once and for all that inquiring young minds DO want to know, and fast. "It's empowering to see the youth respond to these heavy subjects early on. Don't let their baby faces fool you, they are concerned about the global Filipino community, and their place in it, just as much as the older generation."

Following the educational portion of the conference was a traditional Pilipino Cultural Night, in which members of F.Y.S.T. performed Filipino folkdances, songs, as well as dramatic monologues and spoken word. In the true fashion of Fil-Am flair, critical dialogue and education was capped off with overwhelming cultural pride and celebration. As one F.Y.S.T member proclaimed in his spoken word piece- "In this world of greed and money--I got rice, forget about milk and honey."

Situation Critical-Over 413,100 Mindanao Citizens Displaced by Crisis

By Neal Stone

Violence on the island of Mindanao has dramatically increased recently, with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intensifying the war against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The terrorism of the Abu Sayyaf, a radical fringe militant faction which does not speak for the majority of the Mindanao Islamic community, has provided the pretext for the resurrection of armed vigilante groups. Now, the situation continues to become more complicated as unidentified forces (neither Abu Sayyaf, MILF, or AFP) are now bombing both civilian and military targets in Mindanao and else-where.

The MILF broke away from its three-year old peace talks with the national government, after AFP units attacked their camps in retaliation for the unrelated actions of the Abu Sayyaf. The Abu Sayyaf abducted 31 Filipinos on 20 March 2000, and two Filipinos and 19 foreigners on 23 April 2000. The abduction of foreigners followed the kidnapping by a vigilante group of family members of an Abu Sayyaf leader, in retaliation for the earlier abductions.

The violence in Mindanao has now displaced a total of 77,565 families or 413,171 individuals from 60 towns and cities since January. One hundred eighteen civilians have reportedly been killed during military operations, while 69 were killed in unattributed bomb attacks.

Military Aspect Of The Mindanao Conflict

By Capt. Danilo Vizmanos, P.N. (ret.)*

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Press Statement, May 24, 2000

In order to understand the worsening crisis in Mindanao, one must place it in the context of the plunging popularity of Joseph Estrada. There was a need to create a war situation in Mindanao for two urgent reasons: 1) to divert the people's attention from the ineptitude and rotteness of a drifting and directionless Estrada regime. 2) to rally the people behind Estrada's crusade against the MILF "infidels". Its aim is to project him as "saviour" of the nation through his "one nation, one Constitution" incantations that, hopefully, would restore his former popularity.

The "military solution to a military problem" scenario raises the following implication: 1) military hardliners have the upperhand in the decision-making process on the handling of the Mindanao problem; 2) because he personally benefits from a diversionary war situation, Estrada merely reponds to the initiatives of the military hardliners as a nominal commander-in-chief; and 3) the military hierarchy is trying to prove a point, i.e. that sheer military action can "degrade" the enemy's combat capability and eventually force the MILF to capitulate.

The Estrada regime's recognition and identification of the Mindanao conflict as a military problem betrays its gross ignorance of the deeply embedded social and historical roots of conflict.

Furthermore, it underestimates the staggering cost of an all-out war in terms of large military expenditures, high military and civilian casualties, destruction of towns and communities, displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, mounting human rights violations, disruption of agricultural production and commercial activities, and dissipation of scarce and critical funds and resources in a self-destructive and open-ended war. Given this dismal situation it is virtually impossible for GRP forces to gain the support of the people who are at adversely affected by Estrada's military misadventure.

The redeployment of thousands of troops from Luzon and Visayas to Mindanao indicates that the regime is serious in pursuing a military solution in the region. One may ask, for what purpose and objective? Is it the total destruction of MILF forces? Is it to inflict maximum casualties and material destruction that can force the MILF to capitulate or accept dictated surrender terms? Is it occupation and control of territory?

The regime seems to believe that sheer numerical superiority in manpower, arms and equipment is the decisive factor in the resolution of the arm conflict. Also, the continuous aerial bombing and artillery shelling will force the enemy to display the white flag of surrender. It tends to underestimate the combat capability, "will to fight" and morale of MILF forces in a "people's war, people's army" form of protracted struggle.

A military solution to deeply rooted social and historical problems in Mindanao and Sulu had already been tried in the past by Spanish colonial and US imperialist forces and their local proxy and mercenary armies. All their efforts have failed to attain the objective of conquest and control of the Moro people.

The Estrada regime suffers from a delusion that through an ill-defined and open-ended war, its "brilliant" defense secretary and generals can succeed where previous military commanders have miserably failed. We maintain that given the present critical state of the nation an all-out war against the Moro people is not only self-destructive but also unwinnable.

Kalinaw Mindanao offers the unsolicited proposal that for the advancement of the nation and well-being of the people, the Estrada regime should take the initiative in resuming peace talks with the MILF and all other parties in the present conflict.

* Vizmanos is Chairperson of the Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainee Laban sa Detensyon at Para sa Amnestiya (Selda) and National Council Member of BAYAN. He is also the military consultant of the Nuclear-Free Philippines Coalition (NFPC).

Celebrating Unity, Displaying Diversity: Pagbubunyi Emotes Pride

Pagbubunyi, a rare showcase of the wide range of traditions and forms of artistic expression in the Filipino community presented on April 1, was indeed a historic event. It involved over a year of planning and preparation, with Philippine Forum members playing a key role on the organizing committee. In the end it brought together, for the first time in one venue, over ten major music and dance groups for two extraordinary performances. "In addition to the different performing groups, many organizations and individuals also shared their expertise with the community through interactive workshops. These allowed participants of all ages to reach a new level of understanding and love for our culture through a hands-on experience," noted Julia V. Camagong of the Philippine Forum and Publicity Coordinator for the event.

The major performances were complimented by performance workshops, a Philippine cultural history workshop, martial arts demonstrations, and children's games and storytelling. Pagbubunyi may be the first event joining so many diverse groups, but it will certainly not be the last. Pagbubunyi proved the need for us to continue to work together to educate the community and to answer questions about the nature of our identity as Filipinos and Filipinos in America.

UPCOMING EVENTS

June 10 & 11, 7:30 PM Kinding Sindaw presents "Lemlunay": A dance drama epic of the T'boli people
Puffin Room

June 11, 2:00 PM DAMAYAN Workers Association gathering. All welcome!
At Filipino Workers Center, 122 W. 27th St. 10th Flr

June 13, 7:00 PM Forum: Japanese Comfort Women's Struggle for Recognition. With visitors from LILA Philippines, an organization representing comfort women
Hunter College

June 20, 7:00 PM Forum: Understanding Current Events in Mindanao: With cultural presentation by Kinding Sindaw
Venue: TBA.

Contact info:

Philippine Forum
122 West 27th Street, 10th Floor
(between 6th and 7th Avenues)
New York, NY 10001
Tel/Fax: 212-741-6806
Email: [email protected]
www.geocities.com/philippineforum