THE PHILIPPINES ARE THE FOURTH RECIPIENT OF MILITARY AID BY THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION WHICH CONSIDERS IT AN IMPORTANT FRONT IN THE WAR ON TERROR.
POLITICALLY WEAKEDNED BY ACCUSATIONS OF ELECTORAL FRAUD, THE ARROYO GOVERNEMENT HAS IMPOSED A STATE OF EMERGENCY REMINISCENT OF THE INFAMOUS MARTIAL LAW OF THE MARCOS REGIME DURING THE 1970S.
THIS WEEK-END FILIPINO COMMUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS HELD PROTESTS AROUND THE UNITED STATES AND IN NEW YORK, AFTER A VIGIL AT THE FILIPINO UN MISSION, DOZENS GATHERED AT THE INTERNATIONAL ACTION CENTER FOR A FORUM ON THE DETERIORATING HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN THE PHILIPPINES. WBAI FRED NGUYEN ATTENDED AND FILES THIS REPORT: