LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Why Ban Foreigners from Mobilization?
As foreign church and development workers in the Philippines organized in the Philippine International Forum (PIF), it was with surprise and concern that we took notice of the announcement on May 1 that foreigners who join rallies on Labor Day may face arrest and deportation. Two days later, we learned that several foreigners who joined the May 1 mobilization in Baguio City were under investigation. This development surprises us even more because the activity concerns an international celebration. May 1 celebrations take place in many countries all over the world and is regarded as a day when workers worldwide can either demand for their rights and / or celebrate the successes they have gained over the previous year. Foreign workers usually celebrate Labor Day in the country they are in together with the workers of that country.
For decades, foreigners have been joining mobilizations in the Philippines not only on Labor Day, Human Rights Day and other international celebrations, but also when mobilizations on local issues such as human rights violations and issues affecting the poor and marginalized are convened. This solidarity with the Filipino people has also been expressed by taking part in mobilizations that demand for a just government like the 1986 People Power and EDSA II in 2001, which brought the current administration to power. As far as we can recall, only during the Marcos dictatorship was a foreigner arrested and deported (1977) because of her participation in an anti-martial law mobilization. She was however pardoned the Christmas of that same year. Aside from this incident, the Marcos dictatorship and all democratic governments thereafter have never made an issue of foreigners' participating in mobilizations whether on international or local issues. The Filipino people have always very much appreciated this expression of international solidarity with their local issues and struggles.
We wonder what the Arroyo government's intention is with this new policy. Why this deliberate effort to place foreigners who participate in internationally recognized and celebrated issues on the same camp as international terrorists? Such a policy will only further damage the democratic image of the Arroyo government that is already being questioned, and is not a solution to any of the social and political problems the country is beset with.
We urge the Arroyo government to maintain the democratic stance it vouched to defend and not to allow itself to be influenced by the Bush rhetoric of 'who is not with me, is against me' and 'who is not against terrorism, is a terrorist'. It will not be necessary to explain in this letter the distinction between real terrorists and foreign nationals who try to contribute to the economic and social development of the marginalized groups in the country and in the process, actualize this commitment by taking part in Philippine political life.
We sincerely hope that the Arroyo government will reconsider this policy and we would appreciate its respect for the active participation of foreigners in the vibrant social and political life of the country they call their second home.
Philippine International Forum
47 Kalayaan Ave., Quezon City
pif@topica.com
