Labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno condemned the US government for being a “die-hard supporter” of former Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, as shown by US embassy cables exposed by Wikileaks, saying the Filipino workers and people should never forget US support for the hated government.
“These cables confirm what we know all along, that the US was solidly backing Gloria amidst the political crisis that threatened to oust her from office. This confirmation adds fuel to our smoldering anger against the US government,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
“US support for Arroyo was reflected in these cables not only in the rejection of Gloria’s removal from power but in the demonization of nationalist people’s organizations, which were the staunchest of Gloria’s critics. The statements revealed by Wikileaks support the severe repression that was inflicted on leaders and members of people’s organizations,” he added.
“These cables shed light on many things that were happening under Arroyo, including the extra-judicial killings. It is impossible to read these cables and not see the continuing power of the US government over the Philippines,” he said.
Demonizing the KMU
KMU also slammed the depiction of itself and other progressive organizations in the cables, which say that KMU was behind the massacre in Hacienda Luisita in 2004 and that it supports the New People’s Army.
“The so-called data contained in the Wikileaks cables about the KMU and other nationalist organizations are distortions of the truth. They are lies that were manufactured precisely to support the various forms of repression that were directed at our leaders, organizers and members,” Labog said.
“We were attacked for fighting for the basic rights of workers and poor people and for calling for the ouster of the illegitimate and anti-worker Arroyo regime. The Wikileaks cables confirm the US’s role in these attacks against labor leaders and organizers and workers,” he added.
“The Wikileaks cables confirm US support for rabid pro-US regimes, such as that of Arroyo, even if these are unpopular among their people. These cables also confirm the US’s role in suppressing pro-people and pro-worker opposition to its puppet regimes,” Labog said. Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU Chairperson
