Anakbayan Vito Cruz

PRESS RELEASE: Defend Manila, alongside various people's organizations and human rights advocates, raise a collective and militant voice in the face of escalating attacks against the people's freedoms. Today, we stand in firm solidarity with all Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Manila who face systematic state-perpetuated harassment, intimidation, and violence. (Read the full statement in the post.)

Anakbayan Vito Cruz calls on the Lasallian community to take a stand against red-tagging, an instrument of the fascist state that has put countless students’ lives at risk for exercising their constitutional right to protest and express their dissent towards the government.

We must act now more than ever, as the recent attacks on the four student leaders show the state’s unrelenting force to silence the youth.

We invite the Lasallian community—the student body, the USG, and campus organizations—to join the struggle of our fellow Manileños. Let us unite, organize, and mobilize. Our collective power is the ultimate guarantee of our rights.

DEFEND MANILA SOLIDARITY STATEMENT:
A Great Manila is a Manila That Defends Its Human Rights Defenders! Pass the Manila Human Rights Defenders Protection Ordinance!

Defend Manila, alongside various people's organizations and human rights advocates, raise a collective and militant voice in the face of escalating attacks against the people's freedoms. Today, we stand in firm solidarity with all Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) in Manila who face systematic state-perpetuated harassment, intimidation, and violence.

The situation is dire and the evidence is overwhelming. The Duterte regime's legacy of terror has bled into the current administration, with a continuing policy of political repression marked by red-tagging, illegal arrests, and judicial harassment.

We highlight the blatant injustice of the September 21 arrests in Manila. On that day, defenders and activists were illegally detained for peacefully exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and speech. This case is a glaring example of the weaponization of the law against those who dare to criticize the government and defend the poor and marginalized. It is a highlighted case in the regime's portfolio of fascist attacks, and it screams the urgent need for a local mechanism to protect our defenders.

Our organizations are not just witnesses; we are documenters of this tyranny. We have meticulously recorded these cases of rights violations—from the September 21 arrests to the relentless red-tagging of community organizers and the threats against union leaders. This documentation is our testament to the culture of impunity that the state security apparatus enjoys. It is undeniable proof of why we need the Human Rights Defenders Protection Ordinance in Manila—not as a mere policy, but as a crucial shield and a tool for the people to fight back.

To the human rights defenders, we declare: your courage is the nation's conscience, and we pledge our unwavering collective defense.

To the Manila City Council and the Office of the Mayor: The people's demand is clear and our expectation is firm. We expect the immediate filing of the Human Rights Defenders Protection Ordinance and we expect its swift passage. The documented evidence of abuse leaves no room for hesitation. This is the people's mandate.

To the People of Manila: The fight to protect our defenders is the fight for our own rights and futures. Let us unite, organize, and mobilize. Our collective power is the ultimate guarantee of our rights.

FILE AND PASS THE ORDINANCE NOW!
FIGHT FOR RIGHTS, DEFEND THE DEFENDERS!

ICYMI: Last Monday, October 13, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde witnessed a historic walkout where more than 500 Benildeans, Lasallians, and members of National Democratic Organizations united at the Design and Arts (D+A) campus driveway, calling an end to state corruption and violence.

Among the speeches and performances, Anakbayan Vito Cruz Propaganda officer Dali Manes gave voice to the anger and discontent, condemning the state’s role in the systemic oppression of Filipinos across all sectors of our society and its inability to hold those guilty responsible.

While he commended the turnout and support of our fellow students, he concluded that meaningful and effective change can only be effected through organized action, ending his speech with a rallying call to join the coming march to Mendiola on October 17th.

The overwhelming number of students, faculty, and non-teaching staff who unified during the walkout is a testament to the exhaustion and agitation of the Filipino people and their desire for a true alternative to a broken system.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

LASALLIANS, BENILDEANS, AND ST. SCHOLASTICANS, GET ORGANIZED! JOIN ANAKBAYAN VITO CRUZ AND CONTINUE THE FIGHT FOR NATIONAL DEMOCRACY!

bit.ly/JoinABVC

LASALLIANS-BENILDEANS UNITE AGAINST CORRUPTION!

Lasallians, it was our fellow Benildeans who encouraged us to take to the streets our rallying cries against corruption when our campus spaces limited us. Now, it is our time to help amplify their rage and discontent towards the corrupt system that has plagued the streets of Taft and the entire Philippines! Join the walkout on October 13, Monday!

TAMA NA, SOBRA NA! BENILDEANS WALKOUT NA! For as long as there are people swimming in excessive wealth, and there are Filipinos submerged in floodwaters, we must continue the fight outside our campuses towards systemic change!