PHILIPPINE WORKING CLASS MOVEMENT AND PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC STRUGGLE

• Workers to GMA: "You can run in '04 but please not in the Phils."
• ON US DECLARING RP AS NON-NATO ALLY

ON US DECLARING RP AS NON-NATO ALLY
There's nothing to be proud of, workers say

BUSH GOVERNMENT'S declaration of the Philippines as a major non-Nato ally is something Filipinos should not be proud of, the militant workers' party Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said today adding that Arroyo's US visit would just lay another groundwork for more US intervention in the country.

"The Philippines has been in colonial relationship with the United States for a century old now. And to regard this nation being a non-Nato partner of US shows no difference but an extension of our subjugation. US would still stand as "master" while we, as small nation, will remain playing the roles of slaves suffering the lashes of US imperial might as
byproduct of our government's continuous subservience to foreign control," said PM Chair Renato Magtubo.

"To note, many members of Nato are now in shape of opposition to US war policies. Some are even contemplating withdrawing their membership to Nato because of similar disgusts with the US government," Magtubo added.

"WAR DINNER"

PM also tagged GMA's visit to US as "war dinner" saying "nothing really has been tackled about how to alleviate the unhealthy economic situation in the Philippines characterized by millions of Filipinos who were caught in hunger and joblessness."

"Bush simply finds GMA as his "cutest war ally" who always had a ready smile for a warmonger like him. It shows that they just talked about war and how to plot more wars," Magtubo explained.

"To dismiss the problem of local rebellion in Mindanao as problem of terrorism is to discount the historical creation of these rebel groups. Of course, GMA would subscribe to that old cliché of declaring rebels as mere bandits. But in so doing, she would more illustrate the ineptness of her administration in confronting the crisis of rebellion," he
stressed.

NO THANKS TO WAR TOYS!

Unpleased by the US government's military support to the Philippines that include $126M foreign military finance, 30 Huey helicopters and a number of C-130 cargo planes, Magtubo said "there is no reason to give back a smile just because US greeted the government with "war toys."

"Giving our government plenty of ammunitions is not an answer to the country's problem. It's not even a question. For as long as poverty and injustice are poor people's, especially our workers' constant companion, no amount of US artilleries could make us sigh in relief," the PM Chair furthered.

"Instead of spending much talk with warmongers like Bush, we urge GMA to prioritize the need of the poor people especially the workers who are now coughing with difficulty because the state can't provide just protection for them. For the workers, what constitutes a strong government is not its military power but rather a well-fed and healthy people making all of them benefit the sincere attention of the state," Magtubo concluded.##