https://iclfi.org/pubs/tap-en/2024-pdc-jeepneys
The Spartacist Group Pilipinas (SGPil) and the Partisan Defense Committee in the United States stand with MAKABAYAN in condemning in the strongest terms the filing of charges against their leftist senatorial candidates Mody Floranda and Mimi Doringo and MANIBELA and PISTON jeepney federation leaders Mar Valbuena, Regie Manlapig and Bong Baylon. The charges arise in connection with the public transport strike on August 14, 2024. They are being charged for violating Batas Pambansa 880 (the Public Assembly Act), a law used by the ousted Marcos dictatorship to suppress strikes and dissent. We demand: Drop the charges now!
The prosecution of the MAKABAYAN, MANIBELA and PISTON leaders—the latest in a string of attacks against leftists, labor and other oppressed—is intended to silence opposition to the Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP) and other imperialist impositions that will lead to the destruction of livelihoods of small owner-operators and jeepney drivers and greater immiseration for the toiling masses in the Philippines. The left, workers movement and all opponents of imperialism have an interest in defending MAKABAYAN, MANIBELA and PISTON.
We are publicizing this latest attack internationally and call on the left, unions and anti-imperialists to join in defense of the anti-PTMP protest leaders.
Drop all the charges!
Hands off MAKABAYAN, MANIBELA AND PISTON!
BP 880 Ibasura! PTMP Ibagsak!
