Statement from CyberDyaryo

Condemning the assassination of Popoy Lagman (Feb.7, 2001)
Japanese

CyberDyaryo Wednesday, 07 February 2001
http://www.codewan.com.ph/CyberDyaryo/

Condemning the assassination of Popoy Lagman

The Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA) condemns the assassination of Felimon "Ka Popoy" Lagman. Such was a dastardly and cowardly act that could only have been perpetrated by people who want to derail the momentum of the progressive movement.

.....As leader of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) and as one of the key figures in the peoples' movement, Ka Popoy has earned the enmity of a lot of people most especially those in power. He has also angered leaders of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) when he challenged its ideas and bolted out of it. But for all his faults, Ka Popoy has consistently advocated the interest of the poor particularly the workers and has constantly posed ideas that challenged the ruling elite.

.....Harassments and surveillance are common occurrences experienced by those who work in peoples' organization most particularly those who work in militant organizations. Not a few people were killed particularly those who are strongly opposed to government's anti-people policies. Still, the killing of Ka Popoy comes as a shock because it happened at a time
when we are still jubilant over our victory in the movement to oust a corrupt and inefficient government.

.....We cannot help but remember the abduction of Lando Olalia and the assassination of Lean Alejandro just after the EDSA uprising in 1986. We cannot help but fear that the killing of Ka Popoy is but a similar warning to the peoples' movement.

.....Ka Popoy's organization has consistently advocated a "No to Erap, No to Gloria, Resign All" position, which has gained a substantial number of adherents during the campaign against Erap. He has also consistently worked for the unification of some members of the left. His killing will no doubt put a dent to these efforts. Worse, the intrigues and suspicions it created will further deepen the rift within the already splintered peoples' movement.

.....We therefore call on the government to conduct a thorough investigation of the case and we call on all members of the peoples' movement to further strengthen its resolve in our fight for the rights and interests of the people and not be swayed by intrigues that could further divide us.

(Signed) Santos A. Lamban
Secretary General, PAHRA