Gabriela strongly condemns the US-Marcos regime and its agents for harassing former Gabriela Women’s Party (GWP)-Marikina chairperson Tess de Jesus.
De Jesus reports that three men in plainclothes visited her on August 13 and pressured her to “surrender” in exchange for government aid. They also demanded she stop participating in GWP activities.
“This consists of government’s modus operandi against civilians who are arbitrarily and dangerously accused of being members of alleged armed groups, which clearly violates International Humanitarian Law and other laws,” Gabriela deputy secretary general Cora Agovida states.
“The government’s dirty tactics cannot silence the just demands of women, especially amid the worsening crisis in livelihood, housing, climate, and rights,” the group explains.
The incident occurred while the largest regional conference on IHL in the country was being held and presided over by the Philippine government.
Gabriela says that the US-Marcos regime’s leadership of the conference is an utter insult to the people’s struggle for democratic rights and just peace, as it is itself the country’s main IHL violator.
“The conference is a government attempt to cover up its bloody record of abuses, human rights and IHL violations, and brutal attacks on the Filipino people. All of these are carried out through repressive policies and programs such as EO70, the Anti-Terrorism Law, and the National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development,” the group explains.
“We call on the international community to stand with us and hold the regime accountable for its violence against Filipino women and the people,” Gabriela appeals.
