AS the global debate continues about Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s all-out war against drugs, the newly organized advocacy group of Filipinos in America called “U.S. Pinoys for Real Change in the Philippines” (USPRCP) will hold a vigil rally in front of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. on September 11 to declare full support for the Philippines’ controversial campaign to prevent it from becoming a narco-state.
USPRCP will also underscore its support for the rule of law and due process and respect for human rights.
“We will hold a prayer rally on that day and present our ‘Statement of Support for the Philippines’ Drug War, Justice and Multi-Sector Solutions,’ either to Foreign Affairs Secretary Jun Yasay when he comes here on September 16, or to Deputy Chief of Mission Patrick Chuasoto,” declared immigration and human rights lawyer Arnedo S. Valera, founder and chair of USPRCP’s Convenors, and the co-executive director of the Migrant Heritage Commission.
According to Convenor and Co-Chair Elizabeth Babiera Valera, USPRCP is concerned that the drug menace in the Philippines “has damaged the future generation, ensnaring on a national scale millions of young Filipinos as users, and countless children used as drug pushers by criminal syndicates.”
Beth Valera, a registered nurse who is Atty. Valera’s wife and a member of the Philippine Nurses Association in Metropolitan D.C. (PNAMDC), is also from Davao in Mindanao (Southern Philippines). She spearheads the move to have a Statement of Support for President Duterte as well as a vigil rally.
In its Statement of Support relayed to this writer, USPRCP described the drug problem as “a Global Scourge in Our Time,” urging Duterte “to engage all branches of government and others in the private sector, as well as the international community, in attaining a worthy goal.”
USPRCP leaders encourage other kababayans “to join us in expressing ‘constructive criticisms’ with the end in view of proposing solutions, instead of simply engaging in political posturing and advancing a divisive agenda.”
Fund drive for families of police killed in drug war
In a press statement, Atty. Valera announced:
“USPRCP is establishing the ‘Fund Drive’ and will donate to the Philippine government, for the families of the members of the Philippine National Police who are killed in the line of duty in the drug war.”
He pointed out: “One cannot overstate how extremely dangerous and thankless task this total war against drugs in the Philippines is – because the enemies are many and include enemies within the government, not to mention the powerful international drug cartels which stand to lose billions in illegal drug trade.”
Co-Convenor Mike Ocampo of Anchorage, Alaska — president of Boses ng Pinoy sa Amerika — said, “Now is the time to show our full support for Philippine law enforcement authorities, and express that our prayers are with them.”
Atty. Valera said that today, the Philippines is in the midst of a turning point, and stressed, “If not now, when? If not President Duterte, who? We wish him success in his unprecedented, bold national leadership aimed at bringing hope, peace and a better life for all Filipinos that would last for many generations.”
As laudable as the cause is, Valera said, due process should be followed. The USPRCP’s statement underscored “Full support for transparency, accountability and full disclosure of the actual number of killings in the drug war and full support for the investigation of the death of innocent civilians and bystanders, as well as extra-judicial killings.”
Other members of the USPRCP are: Jun Teves of Carson, California; Dan Jimenez, Philippine Military Academy (PMA) graduate, of Washington, D.C.; Dr. Tablang Jimenez, and Conrad Martinez of Silver Spring, Maryland; Pastor Guillermo Gucilatar, Senior Pastor of Seventh Day Adventist of Las Vegas; Dr. Butch Palmero, Country Director of ADRA in Yemen, Africa. As of September 1, the group has close to a hundred members.
Will you support this advocacy?
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Gel Santos Relos is the anchor of TFC’s “Balitang America.” Views and opinions expressed by the author in this column are are solely those of the author and not of Asian Journal and ABS-CBN-TFC. For comments, go to www.TheFil-AmPerspective.com, https://www.facebook.com/Gel.Santos.Relos
