“As if the daily political killings of activists and leaders of progressive organizations are not enough, Duterte now wants a crackdown of all his critics whom he tagged as subversives,” said Danilo Ramos, chairperson of KMP which is an affiliate of Bayan. KMP reported that “to date, 95 farmers and peasant leaders were killed under Duterte.”
“Last November 16, Perfect Hoyle, 60, leader of Unyon sa mga Mag-uuma sa Agussan del Norte (UMANKMP) and lay pastor of the United Churches of Christ in the Philippines was shot and killed. The following day, Dondon Bartolaba of Sitio Palo 7, Barangay Tomanding, Arakan, Cotabato was shot and killed by suspected military elements,” the KMP said.
It noted that “those who struggle for genuine land reform and oppose militarization and human rights violations are being killed by state forces.”
“This is an open red-tagging not only against Bayan but against all critics of the Duterte administration. Duterte is obviously laying the ground for an open fascist rule and a possible nationwide Martial Law declaration. This is yet another proof of his very fragile leadership and very volatile political situation. Duterte is desperate to hold control of his presidency,” Ramos said.
He said, however, that “threatening the people with a crackdown will never silence the majority who are discontented and disillusioned with your Presidency. We will resist open fascist rule. We will fight looming nationwide Martial Law.”
