BAYAN USA

We as BAYAN USA vehemently condemn this brazen display of arrogance and disregard for Filipino lives. The military tries to blame the victims for their deaths but it is the AFP that willfully kills its own people for the sake of upholding the interests of the ruling elite and their foreign masters. The honorable youth, human rights defenders, peasant organizers, community leaders, and people’s fighters who were killed in Negros were the brave individuals who upheld the interests of our people. Their efforts are major contributions that have been commemorated by communities in Negros, across the Philippines, and even overseas.

As Filipinos in the diaspora, the lives taken from the ongoing militarization in the Philippines only makes us more motivated to seek justice. 

We call on all Filipinos to join in the campaign to Defend Negros and to join our call to stop the killings and militarization of the countryside! Justice for the Negros 19! 

Learn more about the campaign: bayanusa.org/defend-negros

"Why should the Philippine government get a seat when it is the cause of a civil war in its own country?

The Philippines is currently experiencing one of hte longest ongoing people's revolutions in the world. And instead of addressing the root problems of the country to end the war, the government, run by big business, landlords, and political dynasties has instead committed multiple violations of the Geneva Conventions and International Humanitarian Law against its own people, including the recent Toboso massacre in Negros Occidental...

Regardless of who is president, the ruling system will continue to violate the rights of the Filipino people with no path to justice."

What can you do?

Mount protest actions in front of Philippine Consulates and the Embassy on June 3 and in the days after, especially if Marcos wins the seat to register our condemnation.

Conduct widespread education about Marcos’ crimes and record to dispel any notion that he is a good public servant of the Filipino people. Go out into your local communities and discuss the upcoming bid.

All out propaganda offensive. Create your own forms of propaganda and work with other organizations to release public statements, graphics, reels, op-eds, etc condemning the bid.

Sign the petition: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat

WHY MARCOS IS NOT FIT FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

“A seat for Marcos is essentially a seat for U .S. imperialism. It's very apparent when you look at the record of the U .S. and the Philippines and how it's being used as a puppet. It is already being used for a refueling station, a weapons depot, a launching pad, testing grounds and basically an entire de facto military base for U .S. wars of aggression on the people of West Asia, the Asia Pacific and really the entire world.

This is preparation for a world war happening on Philippine soil. A U.S. war against China very clearly will impact everyone. And so that is what's at stake here."

Leo, ILPS US Steering Committee

Take action: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat

WHY MARCOS IS NOT FIT FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

"The U .N. Security Council exists to try to protect civilians. To uphold international humanitarian law. To hold states accountable when they kill people they are meant to protect. How can a government that stonewalls accountability for the Negros 19 be trusted to champion those principles at the highest table of global security?

So we are calling on every U .N. state member to not reward repression with legitimacy. Do not give a seat at the table of international peace and security to a government that is killing the people who seek peace on the ground."

Rev. Sadie Stone, ICHRP Global Council

Take action: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat

WHY MARCOS IS NOT FIT FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL

"The recent fact-finding mission, however, confirmed from the community themselves that they were unarmed, and they were civilians, immersing amongst them and learning from them genuinely.

The community welcomed them.

The AFP killed them and committed violations of international humanitarian law."

Marienne, wife of Lyle Prijoles

WHY MARCOS IS NOT FIT FOR THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL?

"The threat the Marcos administration poses to peace and security is the brutal fascism carried out by the Philippine military and police, especially in the countryside."

-Andan, BAYAN International Officer

Take action: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat

Hustisya para sa Negros 19! No UN Security Council seat for Marcos Jr.!

May 19th marked the one month anniversary of the deadly Negros 19 massacre which killed 19 people in total, including 9 unarmed civilians.

On May 5th, progressive human rights organizations across the U.S. took part in the International Day of Rage and Mourning. Community members from Oregon, Washington, New York, the DMV, Hawaii, and beyond took to the streets and gathered to honor the memories of the fallen 19.

Community members expressed not just their grief, but also their anger at the U.S.-Marcos regime that facilitated this massacre. Organizers renewed their commitments to serving the people in just the same way as Filipino-American activists Lyle and Kai and the rest of the Negros 19.

Since 2022, Marcos has been campaigning for a seat on the UN Security Council. The vote is set to take place on June 3, and we must do all we can to expose Marcos Jr. as the #1 security threat to the Filipino people. He needs to be held accountable for war crimes committed under his watch.

Take action today: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat

ICYMI: From April 28-May 8, organizers from all across the United States came together for the Migrant Workers, Unite to Fight Fascism, Exploitation, and War! Week of Action in New York City ahead of the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

Hundreds united to expose the corruption and violence of the U.S. and its collusion with puppet governments by highlighting the realities of the oppressed peoples and migrant workers across the U.S.

Organizers confronted Philippine government officials who were there to further sell out the Filipino people. They brought forward the issues and demands of Filipinos and migrant workers, only to be met with deflection and non-answers. These actions forced a meeting with DMW Policy and International Cooperation Assistant Secretary Levinson Alcantara who promised to act on demands to end the policies that require proof of legal status before repatriation and the practice of disbursing public assistance funds to personal accounts.

The week also highlighted the fight for the Justice for the Negros 19, with the massacre occurring just days before the week of action began. Philippine government officials like DMW Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac and Permanent Mission to the UN second secretary Paolo Mapula were asked about the killings and claimed to not know anything.

As Marcos Jr. vies for a seat on the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC), we DEMAND that no platform should be given to greedy sell-outs and fascist war criminals! Marcos Jr. is the #1 security threat to the Filipino people!

Take action: tinyurl.com/NoMarcosSeat