APMM Statement on Harassment of Migrante International
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants
Stop harassment of Migrante International
Reference: Ramon Bultron, APMM managing director (+852-27237536)
Harassing and intimidating advocates, organizers or anyone for that matter should be a crime and should be stopped.
This is the statement of the Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants as it strongly denounces the recent harassment experienced by Migrante International in Manila, Philippines.
On the evening of July 1, a staff of Migrante International discovered outside their International Home Office two men taking photos of the office’s second floor, which was clearly visible from the street. When he asked the two men who they were and what they were doing, the two men ignored him and moved to another street. Persistent, the staff followed and confronted them telling that what they were doing was harassment.
Such an incident is becoming more apparent in the Philippines and somehow involves elements of the Philippine military. While similar cases of intimidation and harassment have been reported by union and community leaders, church people, activists and journalist from all over the country, the most recent case was experienced by a staff of the National Council of Churches of the Philippines on June 28, just days before the Migrante International incident.
Both Migrante International and the National Council of Churches of the Philippines (NCCP) are partner organizations of the APMM. The NCCP was crucial in founding the APMM way back in 1984 while Migrante International has been a partner of APMM in reaching out to, assisting and organizing Filipino migrant workers wherever they may be.
The APMM asks: Why would the military harass organizations like Migrante International? Is there something wrong with helping or assisting distressed migrants like Mary Jane Veloso? Is being critical of government’s inaction a threat to national security?
Harassment and intimidation is a fear tactic that should be stopped immediately.
The APMM calls on the Philippine government to take immediate action on these cases while ensuring protection for Migrante International. With Philippines being one of the biggest migrant-sending countries, Migrante International to APMM’s opinion is an important fixture and institution because it has truly been consistent and steadfast in attending to the needs of migrant workers.
The APMM will be closely coordinating with Migrante International about this incident while informing the greater interntional community through the International Migrants Alliance (IMA), a global alliance of grassroots migrants, refugees and displaced peoples’ organizations.
Asia Pacific Mission for Migrants (APMM)
Office Address: G/F, No.2 Jordan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR
Tel. no.: (852) 2723-7536
Fax no.: (852) 2735-4559
General E-mail: ap...@apmigrants.org
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