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KMU NEWS RELEASE
August 18, 2004
Aim to silence media merits protest from civil libertarians, press freedom advocates
“Arroyo’s arrogance will further isolate her from the people” — KMU
The militant labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s conceited attitude will further prompt her isolation from the population. “Her serious attitude problem and arrogance will cause her to loose whatever support she’s getting from the political elite, business sector and the mainstream media. She already lost the people’s support when she exposed her brand of leadership and loyalty to foreign dictates.”
KMU Secretary General Joel Maglunsod said that Mrs. Arroyo’s dyed-in-the wool arrogance is just too much to bear for workers and other poor sectors. “We don’t need a big-headed and pompous leader like her. We are sick and tired of her awful attitude.”
“Arroyo’s arrogance towards the media and obvious efforts to stifle press freedom will only push the people farther away from her government. Her aim to silence her critics, political rivals as well as the media merits widespread condemnation and resistance from all sectors.”
The KMU leader encouraged advocates of press freedom and civil libertarians to take cudgels against Arroyo’s virtual gag order against the media. “First she had Tribune Editor-in-Chief Ninez Cacho Olivarez arrested, now she’s harassing GMA 7 and other Malacanang reporters. Soon she’ll be shutting down all independent TV and radio stations and will be running government controlled media outfits to her own advantage and political interests. We must not allow that to happen.”
Maglunsod said that there’s only a hairline difference between Arroyo’s high and mighty mind-set a despotic tyrant. “She’s hiding under Marcos’ cloak of fascism. She must be stopped.”
The labor group said that they will not allow Arroyo to suppress press freedom and other civil liberties. “If she could put reporters and media people under military surveillance, what more could she do to leaders of militant and progressive organizations. We are not safe under Mrs. Arroyo’s government. Militant mass leaders and government critics are either killed or harassed. We must stop this wanton violation of democratic rights. We must continue to expose and oppose Arroyo’s anti-people leadership and frustrate her political ambitions for 2004,” Maglunsod concluded.
