[asia-apec 1680] Statement to OUST Erap Rally in Korea

[Kevin Yuk-shing Li]

From: KASAMMAKO KOREA <kasammako_korea at yahoo.com>

Dear Friends,

Warm greetings!


The People have already rendered the verdict to
Estrada: GUILTY of crimes to the People. As a
continuing efforts to intensify and hasten his
immediate ouster, the KASAMMAKO will took part in the
rally in Korea on Decemebr 3, 2000 at Hyewa Catholic
Cathedral, 3PM.

We seek your solidaity and support by circulating this
statement and participating in the rally.

For in quiries you can call: 0198041294 



Respectfully yours,
J Mark Ryan
KASAMMAKO

==================

STATEMENT
December 1,2000

THE PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY RENDERED THE VERDICT ESTRADA: 
UNDOUBTEDLY GUILTY OF CRIMES TO THE PEOPLE

   KASAMMAKO or the Unity of Filipino Migrants'
Organizations in Korea is calling for the ouster of
the Philippine president not just to be replaced by
the a new one who will continue the anti-migrant and
anti-people policy. We are removing a puppet, fascist,
gambler, and godfather of criminal syndicate president
in order to pursue the national democratic interest of
the Filipino People. Let it be known to all, to the
broad anti-Estrada opposition and most of all to the
Filipino masses who are truly the makers of history.  

With or without the confirmation of Mr. Estrada's
corruption and cronyism through the impeachment
process, the people have already decided. Mr. Estrada,
even before the "Juetengate" scandal, has lost all
moral and legal right to be president. The people,
especially the poor, have already passed judgement
unto him: Erap must go!

Mr. Estrada has allowed immeasurable misery and pain
to descend upon our nation. In just two years, he has
tormented the Filipino people's lives with poverty,
economic disaster, human rights violation and war. His
policies have delivered untold hardships at our very
doorsteps.  

Overseas Filipinos also experience first hand how this
parody of a president has trampled upon the dignity of
labor by intensifying the very crisis which force us
to work abroad, by heightening the export of people,
and raising the magnitude of his bureaucracy's spoils
through government extortion. 

We cannot stomach  a government run by a syndicate of
gamblers, cronies, philanderers and drunkards who
treat overseas Filipinos  as milking cows for
remittances and profit exemplified by the president
himself.

The Estrada administration has relied on its
oft-declared "new heroes" migrants to send in dollar
remittances for the floundering economy, with US$12
Billion infused to the country's banks & other
channels last year. KASAMMAKO believe that while the
Estrada clique heavily depends on these remittances
for the cash-strapped government, overseas Filipinos
cannot count on his administration to defend our
rights and welfare when they are raped, murdered and
unjustly treated or imprisoned in foreign lands.

Aside from being the patron of jueteng( number game)
and recepient of grease money,we do not accept
Estrada's policy of issuing orders to raise OFW'sUS$25
contributions to the Overseas Welfare Administration
(OWWA) and the recent Executive Order 197 that raises
all government service fees by at least 2o%. this is
in pursuit of its Labor Export Policy that is
shameless commodification of Filipino Migrants

It is no wonder why many of us who are outside the
Philippines continue to advance our resolve: Erap must
resign or be ousted! We are one with the Filipino
people to demand justice and restitution for the
crimes that the Estrada government has committed and
continues to commit while he stubbornly clings to
power. The overseas movement to oust Mr. Estrada, just
like that in the Philippines, has swelled and has
engaged in greater, more creative, militant and
powerful protest actions. 

While we maintain that the impeachment process and the
people's protests brace each other - that the latter
becomes effective and potent only if complemented by
the people's movement in the streets, by the mass show
of force in factories and fields, schools, parishes,
communities, and yes, even in foreign lands, it is
undoubtedly the mass movement which shall deliver the
decisive blow against Mr. Estrada. The people, in
their relentless pursuit for justice, will prevail and
cause the fall of Mr. Estrada. 

We remain united on the conviction that while Estrada
remains president, we shall continue to experience the
gravest of crises.  That is why we remain steadfast. 
Let this momentous event come where Mr. Estrada steps
down or is forced out of office. We add our strength
to the overwhelming and persevering forces in the
Philippines now staging week-long protest actions to
drive away this tyrant and criminal for good. 

Filipinos in Korea and elsewhere in the world are
determined to see this struggle through to the end. We
are committed to make this outcome victorious so that
we may add this as a positive and significant step to
the Filipino people's continuing struggle for genuine
freedom, democracy and a just and lasting peace in our
homeland. 

The Filipino people along with overseas compatriots,
give Estrada two choices: RESIGN IMMEDIATELY OR BE
MERCILESSLY OUSTED BY THE PEOPLE!!!!