Press Release
20 June 2005

For reference: Dolores Balladares
Chairperson
Tel Nos: 28104379, 97472986


“Arroyo exports her fascism to HK”
OFW groups vow more protest to oust GMA


A dastardly act of cowardice and fascism.

This was how the United Filipinos in Hong Kong (UNIFIL-HK) called blocking of their protest action with big police vans just as Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was stepping out of the Island Shari-la hotel, the site of her meeting with the business community of Hong Kong.

“For sure, this uncalled for action was ordered by Mrs. Arroyo. It is not beyond her to resort to such repressive actions when faced with protests from the Filipino people,” declared Dolores Balladares, UNIFIL-HK chairperson.

The UNIFIL and about 30 migrant workers conducted the protest action today to call for the ouster of Mrs. Arroyo amidst the controversies surrounding her election, the massive corruption that involved her family, and the escalating violations of human rights in the country.

Balladares reported that UNIFIL-HK and its allied organizations have been conducting the said peaceful protest action across the road facing the hotel when about after an hour, two huge police vans parked in front of them. After a little while, a convoy of vehicles moved out of the hotel premises including the vehicle of Mrs. Arroyo.

“Mrs. Arroyo is much too afraid of the backlash of the numerous anomalies and controversies that she has been involved in. She cannot even face the glaring truth that even Filipinos abroad want her out of office,” Balladares added.

Balladares believed that the move of Mrs. Arroyo was made to “save face”.

“However, she should know that she has no more face to save. She has no more credibility to preserve. She has been exposed for what she really is: an illegitimate president, corrupt and fascist to the core.”

The group also said that the action of Mrs. Arroyo was a reflection of the treatment of the Philippine Consulate General in HK to protest actions.

“Whenever we conduct a peaceful and legitimate picket protest at the PCG lobby, they turn off the lights, lock the glass doors, and block us from the sight of onlookers. Is this how Mrs. Arroyo’s democracy works?” Balladares asked.

UNIFIL-HK said that Mrs. Arroyo is mistaken if she will think that her action today will deter Filipinos abroad from calling for her ouster.

“In fact, this has given us even more reasons to bring the full weight of the OFW’s wrath to kick out Arroyo from office. She doesn’t deserve to be there and there is no more ground for her to stay in Malacañang,” Balladres concluded.