Filipino bishops, parliamentarians, artists, academics, activists join hands
to demand end of occupation in Iraq


MANILA (March 11, 2005): A week before the second anniversary of the
invasion of Iraq, prominent Filipinos from all walks of life joined hands to
demand the end of the occupation and the withdrawal of troops in Iraq.

Bishops, artists, parliamentarians, academics, Muslim leaders, and other
representatives from labor and peasants' groups, NGOs and other social
movements today launched the "100+ Filipinos against the War " campaign in a
public forum just across from the US embassy in downtown Manila.

"This war is immoral and should be stopped," said Bishop Julio Labayen, an
influential religious leader.

"The US invaded and occupied Iraq for two things: for oil and to protect
Israel," retired Ambassador Nelson Lavina said.

"I call on all artists to be concerned about this war," noted Lourd Ernest
de Veyra, a famous musician and poet with the popular band Radioactive Sago
Project.

The Filipinos were also joined by Luke Schrock Hurst of the Mennonite
Central Committee from the US and Marco Mezzera, an Italian with the
European Center for Conflict Prevention.

"Millions of people in the United States oppose this war," Hurst said.

Mezzera said he hoped that the Italian government would also follow the lead
of the Philippine government and pull out its troops from Iraq.

Organized by the Iraq Solidarity Campaign, a broad coalition of groups
against the war in Iraq, the campaign aims to showcase the breadth and width
of public opposition to the US-led occupation of Iraq. It hopes to prove
that the call for peace is mainstream and that it is the proponents of the
war who are isolated.

The launch kicks off a week-long series of activities to mark the second
anniversary of the invasion. The events will culminate with a march that is
part of the Global Days of Action against the War from March 18-20. Called
for by anti-war coalitions around the world, the Days of Action will be
marked by public events and mass demonstrations around the world.

Among the signatories of the "100+ Filipinos against the War" campaign are
three Catholic bishops, leaders of Muslim organizations, parliamentarians,
media personalities, lawyers, professors, and representatives from mass
organizations. Also signing up for the campaign is a former ambassador, a
Magsaysay awardee. The organizations involved come from a broad group
spanning a wide range in the progressive political spectrum and beyond.#

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Let Peace Reign in Iraq
End the Occupation

We, peace-loving Filipinos from all walks of life, express our collective
concern over the war that has been raging in Iraq for two years now as we
call for peace and justice throughout the world.

On the second anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, we mourn the senseless
loss over 100,000 of lives of innocent children, women and elderly and the
young and poor soldiers as well as the wanton destruction of property. We
share the grief of the Iraqi people as their nation is laid to waste by a
war that has no factual, moral or legal basis.

We consider it immoral to spend billions for bullets and bombs instead of
helping rebuild the lives of the Iraqi people. We enjoin everyone to take
action, as we cried with the tsunami devastation in Asia and Africa, we
cried more for the bullets and bombs thrown among the women and children in
Iraq.

We appeal to the international community to respect the rights of the Iraqi
people to determine the kind of society and government they want for
themselves. We express solidarity with the Iraqi people as they continue
their quest for a genuinely democratic, free and peaceful society.

We believe that the road to peace in Iraq requires an immediate stop to the
war and occupation, as demanded by the Iraqi people. We urge the United
States and its allies to respect the internationally recognized rights of
sovereign nations, to withdraw their troops, leave Iraq now, pay reparations
and fulfill its obligations as occupying power under international law.

As the war in Iraq enters its third year, we call upon all Filipinos to
gather in unity and work towards lasting world peace and justice. O


Signatories as of March 10, 2005:

Bishop. Julio Xavier Labayen, OCD. DD. (Prelature of Infanta)
Bishop Deogracias Yniguez, DD (Diocese of Caloocan)
Bishop Isabelo Delos Reyes III, IFI (Iglesia Filipina Independiente)
Atty. Wigberto Tanada (Phil. Rural Reconstruction Movement & Gathering for
Peace)
Former Ambassador Nelson La Vina
Dr. Francisco Nemenzo (University of the Philippines)
Representative Loreta Ann Rosales (Akbayan Party List)
Representative Risa Hontiveros-Baracquel (Akbayan Party List)
Representative Mayong Aguja (Akbayan Party List)
Representative Hussin Amin (Lone District, Jolo, Sulu)
Dr. Walden Bello (Focus on the Global South)
Benjamin Abadiano (2004 Magsaysay Awardee)
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB (St. Scholastica’s College)
Pete Lacaba (writer)
Vice Chancellor Roland G. Simbulan (University of the Philippines)

Comm. Nasser Marohombsalic
Ma. Teresa Diokno-Pascual (Institute for Popular Democracy)
Dr. Eddie Alih (Mindanao State University, Tawi-Tawi)
Neil Doloricon (Visual Artist/Cartoonist)
Joel Rocamora (Institute for Popular Democracy)
Dr. Carmen A. Abubakar (Dean, UP Islamic Studies Institute)
Isagani Serrano (Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement)
Sr. Arnold Ma. Noel, SSpS (BALAY)
Muhammad A. Soria (Broadcaster)
Ibrahim M. Mata (Discovery Islam and Guidance Center)
Prof. Arnold Azurin (University of the Philippines)
Prof. Carlos O. Aureus (University of the Philippines)
Fr. Angel Calvo, CMF (Peace Advocates Zamboanga, Zamboanga City)
Zenaida H. Pawid (Gordillera Peoples Forum, Baguio City)
Yasmin Busran-Lao (Al Mujadilah Development Foundation, Marawi City)
Gigi Francisco (International South Group Network)
Fr. Robert Reyes (GOMBURZA)
Karen Tanada (Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute)
Atty. Marvic Leonen (Professor, UP College of Law)
Atty. Virgie Suarez-Pinlac
Gus Miclat (Intitiatives for International Dialogue, Davao City)
Fr. Archie Casey, SX (Xaverian Missionaries)
Jess Santiago (Poet/Singer-Songwriter)
Cookie Chua (Artist)
Bayang Barrios (Artist)
Cynthia Alexander (Singer/Songwriter)
Jess Bartolome of Banyuhay (Singer/Songwriter)
Boy Dominguez (Visual Artist/Illustrator)
Dr.Shakuntala Vaswani (Peacemakers Circle)
Maritess Guingona-Africa (Executive Director, Peacemakers Circle)
Rev. Luke Schrock Hurst (Mennonite Central Committee)
Dr. Djalia Tuburan-Hataman (Chair, National Youth Parliament ZAMBASULTA)
Kim Bagundang (Bangsa Moro Successor Generation Network)
Ramon Bautista aka Dan Michael (TV Personality)
Arvin Jimenez aka Tado (TV Personality)
Quark Henares (Filmmaker)
Prof. Miriam Coronel Ferrer (Program on Peace, Democratization and Human
Rights UP CIDS)
Ed Gerlock (Coalition of Services of the Elderly)
Ms. Maita Gomez
Mario B. Capio, Jr. (Political Science, University of Sto. Tomas)
Francisco Pascual (Resource Center for People’s Development)
Jimmy Regalario (Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya)
HiroVaswani (Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya)
Daniel Santiago (Urban Missionaries – AMRSP)
Prof. Jorge Sibal (NEPA – Pilipino Muna Movement)
Lidy Nacpil (Freedom from Debt Coalition)
Sr. Ma. Pilar Unggay, SCMM
Fr. Rudy Abao, MSC
Sr. Agneta Lauzon, SFIC
Sr. Eufemia De Jesus, AMP
Sr. Divine Marquez, AMP
Jessica Soto (Amnesty International-Pilipinas)
Gina dela Cruz (Alab Katipunan)
Millette Morante (Kilusan para sa Pambansang Democrasya)
Aida F. Santos (East-Asia-US-Puerto Rico Women’s Network Against Militarism)
Marlea P. Muñez (WEDPRO Philippines)
Cristina Ebro (Institute of Popular Democracy)
Alice Raymundo (International South Group Network)
Samira Gutoc-Tomawis
Cherry L. Minero (Bicol Regional Social Action Commission, Legazpi City)
Neren Heinjie Olarte (World Vision Development Foundation, Cagayan de Oro
City)
Joel M. Calla (Social Action center, Legazpi City)
Amabella L. Carumba (Mindanao Peoples’ Peace Movement)
Anwar Upahm (United Youth for Peace and Development, Cotabato City)
Eleanor Conda (WEDPRO Philippines)
Dr. Aurora Parong (Task Force Detainees of the Philippines)
Ka Mentong Laurel
Sonia Soto (Pagkakaisa ng Kababaihan)
Sonny Melencio (Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino)
Randy Tibig (Kilusang Makabansang Ekonomiya)
Roldan Padrelanan (Kaisahan ng mga Samahan ng Mamamayan sa Kalunsuran)
Padjoe Valdenor (Liga Manggagawa)
Dong Atienza (Socialista)
Flor Caagusan (WEDPRO Philippines)
Demit Reyes (Socialista)
Ed Mora (Pambansang Kaisahan ng Magbubukid sa Pilipinas)
Fr. Jose Bagadiong, SVD (Anti-Globalization Movement)
Pete Pinlac (Makabayan, Manggagawa sa Komunikasyon ng Pilipinas)
Pablo Rosales (Progresibong Alyansa ng Mangingisda)
Jess Del Prado (League of Urban Poor for Action)
Djoannalyn Javier (Youth for Nationalism and Democracy)
Abe Tuibeo (Former PUP Director)
Levy Balgos-Dela Cruz (Teatrong Bayan)
Max De Mesa (Task Force Detainees of the Philippines)
Malaya Lolas
Sr. Ging Umalin, AMP
Sr. Yolanda Durian, MMS (Medical Mission Sisters)
Alvaro O. Senturias (Southern Christian College, Midsayap, Cotabato)
Sr. Cecilia Grace Eco, LSJ (Little Sisters of Jesus)
Juanito Penequito (Cardiju Center for Development)
Cynthia Estrada (Philippine Cuba Friendship Association)
Sr. Elvira Valenzuela, MMS (Medical Mission Sisters)
Robert Francis Garcia (Peace Advocates for Truth, Justice and Healing)
Dr. Erlinda Senturias (Southern Christian College, Midsayap, Cotabato)
Marrio Mapanao
Marco Mezzara (European Network Conflict Prevention)
Dave Diwa (Kongreso ng Pagkakaisa ng Manggagawa sa Pilipinas)
Sr. Josephini Ambatali, SFIC
Olola Ann Zamora-Olib (People's Task Force for bases Clean UP Philippines)
Reihana Mohideen (Philippines Venezuela Solidarity Association and Green
Left Weekly Correspondent)
Sr. Lourdes Calleja, O.Carm