My heart bleeds as I listened and looked at the eyes of people who shared their stories of how the oil spill ruined their lives during our launching of Save our Lives, SOS- Guimaras Chapter last September 22. A fisherfolk in teary- eyed shared how their lives anchored to the sea. The wind they breathe, the food they eat and the dreams they build were suddenly washed away last August 11, 2006 by the oil spill tragedy. The fishes , shells, sea weeds and corals as well as the beautiful beaches and the sweet laughter of kids playing along the shorelines were just but images of the past and will remain only as memories nobody knows when will be a reality once more.

All these beautiful gifts of nature to this wonderful people of Guimaras are gone. Only horrible images of hunger, sickness, displacement, confusion and uncertainties are left among the people. I felt so much pain not only because this is the place where my parents grew up but because I was so attached with the people in their struggle for a better life and a better place to live in. It's sad that people like us who are struggling to survive amidst poverty brought about by the unjust structures and the ruling powers are being abused and deprived of our basic rights for safe and clean environment.

The half-day launching-forum is not enough to hear all the voices of lamentation, sadness, helplessness of the victims. I know there are still more to hear and the silence must be broken. The affair provided venue in airing out their grievances against Petron Corporation and the snail -paced disaster response of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The presentation of our scientist consultant on the bio-physical aspects of the oil spill and its medium and long-term implication to both the environment and the people provided a pro-people and scientific explanation of the devastation created by the oil spill. The highlight of the gathering was the signing of the Unity Statement declaring the participant’s commitment in demanding justice from Petron Corporation and the Arroyo government.

The gathering was the first since August 11 and discussing their problems in an organized and collective manner was very empowering. They eventually found among themselves an emerging collective strength to carry on. There were local government officials and local priests who joined the alliance and expressed their strong support to the affected residence.

As I underwent the whole process of the activity, I can't help but get angry of the situation and the national government who had no commitment of helping the people of Guimaras to the fullest. It's now getting nearly two months since the tragedy but the vessel still loaded with almost 1.7 million liters is still underwater and continue to leak bunker fuel. There are still communities that are not cleaned-up by Petron Corporation. Health situation of the people are getting worse everyday. The national government are not doing enough to help, instead, they rely more on the local government to solve the problems. People are becoming more helpless and dependent on relief assistance making their lives more vulnerable to deception and exploitation.


But witnessing the determination of the participants during the forum, I believe the people will stand up and fight for what belongs to them. For sure there are many obstacles and adversaries along the way such as coercions from powers that be, contradictions among the people themselves, limitations of possible actions and limited resources. But I believe we will overcome inspired by the determination of the people, the correctness and justness of our demands and the support of those who believe in us. Our voices will be heard united in chanting “Stop Oil Spill! Remove the Bunker Fuel NOW!

Today, September 21 is the 34th anniversary of the Declaration of Martial here in the Philippines. It was during the period of Marcos Dictatorship in 1970's when our country experienced too much repression from the hands of a dictatorship. Human rights violation was extremely high. Numerous student activists were imprisoned and simply summarily executed. Others went underground and joined the revolutionary movement to continue their struggle against the fascist rule of Former Pres. Marcos.

As we commemorate the 34th year of the Declaration of Martial Law, we are under Arroyo’s regime of undeclared martial law. Political killing is the menu of the day having almost 800 political killings since Mrs. Gloria Macapagal came to power in 2001. Almost all of the victims of political killings were leaders and members of progressive political party list groups of Bayan MUna (Country First), GABRIELA Women's Party, ANAKPAWIS and other militant groups who are very critical of the Arroyo Administration.

We have an illegitimate president and for her to stay in power is to silent the people who are critical of her. But history had taught us that dictatorship and tyrants will not last long in power. Ultimately, the enlightened and empowered citizens will judge their destiny and forever they will be condemned as the pages of history roll by.

We are then calling the support of the international community to be a part of our struggle for freedom and justice. You can be a part of our struggle by simply joining human rights groups in your country and let your voices be heard to end state terrorism especially in developing countries like ours!

hi, i just want to share with you our on-going campaign on the oil spill tragedy at Guimaras Island last august 11, 2006. After 36 days of the worst oil spill in our country's history, the threat of more oil spill remain unsolved. The sunken vessel M/T Solar I owned by Sunshine Maritime Development Corporation remains underwater and still loaded with 90% of ita 2million liters cargo. Petron Corporation the ownerof the bunkerfuel and the Arroyo government have no commitment when to remove the remaining bunker fuel that continue to threat the people of Guimaras, Iloilo and Negros Occidental. As a convenor of SAVE OUR LIVES, SOS! Panay and Guimaras , a broad alliance of organizations, institutions , groups , individuals and the affected communities of Guimaras who joined hand together to address the problems created by the oil spill remains steadfast in our demand for the immediate removal of the bunker fuel from the sunken vessel and the speedy total clean up of oil sludge in the affected areas. This afternoon, we just had our press conference with our scientist consultants and the local media on our assessment of the actions undertaken in solving the problem. The solutions remain very slow and we feel that Petron Corporation and the national government is dragging the process and trying covering up the devastation incurred by the oil spill tragedy. No definite timeframe when to remove and how to remove the sunken vessel despite the continuing damages to the marine resources and the population. We therefore call all sectors from the local to the international level to unite and support the demands of the people of Guimaras for their fight for clean and safe environment and economic survival. We believe that only through our concerted effort , we can pressure Petron Corporation and the Arroyo Government to remove the threath of more oil spills .