OnJune 20, 1985, the province of Bataan was witness to the biggest protest-action directed against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), also known as the infamous “Monster of Morong”.
That day was the tail-end of a three-day protest dubbed Welgang Bayan Laban sa Plantang Nukleyar that drew an estimated 33,000 concerned Filipinos from all walks of life from as far as Manila and nearby provinces to march to Balanga, the capital town of Bataan. It was a march that made history, the overwhelming sentiment to put a stop to the operation of the BNPP made the province of Bataan stand still for a day.
They braved the heat, rain, fatigue, thirst and hunger, yet unwavering and steadfast against tanks and soldiers’ barricades. Bataan’s streets and dirt roads overflowing with ordinary folk, young and not so young, standing up for the sake of their loved ones against the danger of a fully-operational nuclear plant. It bespoke of the kind of heroism and unity that would bring about the EDSA Revolution only a few months away.
Now, with the operation of the BNPP relentlessly pursued by Pangasinan Cong. Mark Cojuangco and his cohorts in Congress, and as anti-nuke leaders and members face harassment and repression;we need to reflect on thelessons of the 1985 Welgang Bayan as we renew our efforts to dismantle the BNPP.
Nuclear Free Bataan Movement Network or NFBM would like to invite you in commemorating the historical Welgang Bayan on June 20,2009. We will retrace the SALAKBAYAN ( Sakay at Lakbay) all through the towns of Bataan, to the momentous meeting ( salubong ) at Barangay Tuyo in Balanga of the North and South contingents of that historical marchand will finish off with a program at Balanga Town Plaza.
For those who will be coming from Manila and other parts of the National Capital Region, please coordinate with us so that we can caravan to Bataan.
So that you can plan accordingly, the send-off in San Fernando Junction is scheduled at 7am and we are expected to meet up with the Zambales contingent by 9am in Layac.
From there we would caravan to the towns of Orion and Samal. In Samal, we will march to Abucay where we will have our lunch then afterwards continue onto Bgy. Tuyo to meet the South Contingent for the ‘salubong’ and a short program.
From there, the whole march would head to Balanga Town Plaza for the program proper.
Please wear comfortable green shirts, and footwear, as well as bring provisions for food and drink.If you can, please bring enough to share. If you would like to participate in the program, please don’t hesitate to inform us.
We hope to see you there!
You may contact Chester Amparo @ 09228765851 or email nfbmnet@gmail.com for more information.
Susugalan mo ba ang panganib ng plantang nukleyar?
Sa Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, nakasalang ang kaligtasan at kapakanan ng ating mga minamahal sa buhay at mga susunod na salinlahi.
Lalo’t desidido at determinado ang mga pro-nukes, sa pangunguna ni Cong. Mark Cojuangco at Cong. Herminia Roman na paganahin ang Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP) sa bisa ng panukalang HB 6300 (An Act Mandating the Immediate Rehabilitation, Commissioning and Commercial Operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant or Bataan Nuclear Power Plant of 2009).
Mula simula, pinuruhan ng dalawang tusong Kongresista ang probinsya ng Bataan, partikular ang bayan ng Morong na syang tahanan ng BNPP.Umugong ang bali-balitang may inilaang P50 Milyon para basagin ang anti-nukleyar na sentimyento ng taga-Bataan. Usap-usapan ding may Vice Mayor na pinagbili ang paninindigan sa halagang limang milyong piso.
Walang pinalampas na pagkakataon si Cojuangco, (karay nuong una ang mga konggresistang napapirma nya sa kanyang panukala) na mag-ronda barangay sa Morong, pilit kinukumbinsi ang mga tao na kaunlaran at trabaho kung sila’y susugal sa BNPP. Kaalinsabay nito, sunod-sunod namang naglabas ng pamprobinsya at pambayang resolusyon na tumututol sa BNPP.
ISSUES: Human rights defenders; torture victims; torture; right to liberty and security; arbitrary arrest and detention --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear friends,
The Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) writes to inform you of the arrest of three human rights defenders. At the time of the arrests no warrants were produced. They were arrested on 27th May 2009 in Samal, Bataan. The three, who have been campaigning against the possible renewed operation of a nuclear power plant, have been tortured and remain in detention.
House Bill 4631 (HB 4631) sponsored by Pangasinan Congressman Mark Cojuangcofailed to pass the House Committee on Appropriations, instead of $1B to re-commission the three-decade old nuclear power plant the Committee ruled to allot Php 100 Million for a ‘ feasibility study’ (this despite past voluminous studies on the plant).
Immediately, the bill was modified by members of the Committee on Energy and Appropriations (most of them are signatories to Cojuangco’s HB 4631) and was re-submitted to the Committee on Rules in substitution to four earlier bill pertaining to the BNPP (HB 1039, HB 4631, HR 250, HR 257).This came to be known as HB 6300 (An Act Mandating the Immediate Rehabilitation, Commissioning and Commercial Operation of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant or Bataan Nuclear Power Plant of 2009).
May 28, 2009 Yesterday afternoon, elements of 303rd PMG nabbed anti-nuke activist Archie Betan in Samal Bataan, while waiting for an anti-nuke youth forum. In the process, the military ‘discovered’ arms and subversive documents allegedly in his possession.
We strongly condemn the attack against anti-nuke activist Archie Betan, a leader of Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) in the province of Bataan, a province once again gaining prominence with Congressman Mark Cojuangco’s bid to re-commission the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP).
We believe that the military planted the arms and subversive documents in order to implicate Bathan.
Unfortunately for us, this is not the first time that the military has attacked young human rights defenders, like Bathan, we have not forgotten what happened to Audie Lucero, a nineteen year old member of YND found face down in a rice field, summarily executed a day before Valentine’s Day in 2006. He was last seen in the company of military and police in Balanga, Bataan.
As for two others who were said to be with Bathan, surely they were talking about the campaign. We as anti-nuke activists talk with anyone on the basis of the anti-BNPP campaign. We believe that Archie has no knowledge of the alleged identity and affiliation of the two.
We are not surprised that many have lost faith in our law enforcement agencies when they dirty their hands with human rights violations.
For the record, Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) is a national mass organization of youth and students committed to upholding genuine freedom and democratic rights and welfare, taking their inspiration from national hero Jose Rizal and the First Propagandists.
YND has made concrete its nationalist stance in various issues since it was formed. It has taken up student concerns like tuition fee increase, rationalization of state colleges and universities (SCUs), commercialization of education, campus repression. Also, its commitment to unite the youth and serve the people extend to taking on issues of a broader perspective like the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the on-going war in Mindanao, Charter Change, E-VAT, oil deregulation law among others.
Bathan has been with YND during his student days in Baguio, organizing the University of the Cordilleras ( formerly known as Baguio College Foundation), and in coming back to his home province, organizing for YND at Bataan Heroes’ Memorial College and in the Bataan Peninsula State University.
His anti-nuke engagement is only a logical offshoot for a socially-involved individual like him.
We believe that this is the beginning of a crackdown aimed at cooling the fiery protest of the people of Bataan and other advocates perpetuated by the GMA government and its military as well as pro-nuke forces deeply entrenched in the present system.
Force of might and guns are their answer to the irrefutable facts surrounding the BNPP and the bitter reality of nuclear energy, still the most expensive and damaging energy alternative known to man.
Indeed, the pro-nukes have every right to be concerned, since in just a short time, the anti-nuke debate was quickly elevated as a national concern, with veterans and an ever-growing younger crop of anti-nuke advocates galvanized into action.
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Bathan, the authorities have no reason to hold him. We will not be cowed not silenced by such brute attacks, but remain resolute and steadfast in our stance to uphold youth and students’ democratic rights and welfare as well as continue our efforts in raising awareness of young people against the falsehoods of nuclear power. ####
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