Press Statement
On the release of Angelo De la Cruz
20 July 2004

Reference: Ramon Bultron, Managing Director
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)

The Release of Angelo De la Cruz is a People’s Victory

After weeks of protest actions and prayers, Angelo Dela Cruz will soon reunite with his family. This is a victory to all the people who supported the campaign in and outside the Philippines.

This campaign forced President Macapagal-Arroyo to pull-out the Philippine Military contingent from Iraq. She was forced to do so in order to save her administration against the Filipino people’s wrath despite the US government’s displeasure.

Thus, we congratulate MIGRANTE International, BAYAN and other groups and individuals both in the Philippines and other parts of the world who supported the campaign to save the life of Angelo De la Cruz. This was done in a coordinated manner. This succeeded in spite of the brutal dispersal of BAYAN’s vigil and rally in Manila and the government’s attempt to dissuade mass actions of overseas Filipinos abroad.

However, the campaign against the immoral and unjust occupation of Iraq by US Military troops and its allies will continue.

The experience in this campaign for Angelo Dela Cruz proved that when people are united and organized in their actions it creates positive results. The Filipino people and their friends are the major players that saved the life of Angelo Dela Cruz!

Let us not forget this experience and let us continue to be united and organized!

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