More than 200 localized revolts led by the critical mass of the landless peasantry,

combined with the profound aspiration of the Filipino people to free themselves
from the dictates of foreign power and Spanish rule, gave birth to the 1896
revolution, which led to the Philippine Declaration of Independence on June 12,
1898. Sadly, the three years of resistance to the colonial and feudal rule was
reversed by the class betrayal of Gen. Emilio Aguinaldo, an exemplar of the
subservience of the elite to US imperialism.
One hundred seventeen years after the declaration of Philippine independence in
Kawit, Cavite, and yet the Philippines continues to languish the surrender and
engagement to a foreign power instead of celebrating its independence. The Filipino
people continue to struggle for genuine democracy and social change as the
countrys leadership seems to forget its roles in safeguarding the democratic rights
of its people, upholding their interests, and promoting long-lasting peace and
justice.
During the Aquino regime, we witness the reestablishment of US colonial rule and
the strengthening of US imperialism in the Philippines as indicated by the signing of
the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), alongside with the motive to
amend the 1987 constitution (chacha or charter change). EDCA would only allow US
forces and their war machines and equipment to be stationed in the Philippines for
free not for the genuine development of the countrys national defense, but for the
geopolitical interests of the imperialist US. Not only that it tramples on the
constitution, it also puts the Filipino people to the brink of the brewing tumult,
making them vulnerable to attacks by US enemies, and opening up the possibility of
replaying the social costs that were incurred by the previous treaties.
The charter change further undermines Philippine sovereignty by removing
economic provisions considered as restrictive to foreign investors and opening the
country to full foreign ownership of strategic enterprises. It is neo-liberalization in its
grand scheme, subjecting the country to worse forms of capitalist domination and
plunder and subjecting the Filipino people to graver economic hardships. Through
EDCA and chacha, the Aquino regime intensifies and perpetuates the US military
and economic domination in the Philippines, reflecting its shameless puppetry to
the imperialist US, and making an absolute mockery of the so-called Philippine
independence.
Furthermore, the widespread poverty, social inequality, and exploitation of the
people wreak havoc on the Filipino people and their struggle for national freedom.
The working sector is held captive by heightened job insecurities,
contractualization, and wage cuts; the farmers and peasants are locked up in
landlessness and oppression; and the youth is confined away from quality and
accessible education. Even those who fight against these injustices and those who
take the role in leading the plight of masses have been pacified by the state or put
behind bars with trumped up charges. Maricon Montajes is having her 5 th year in
prison; Karen and She remain missing; and just today, three UPLB student are
incarcerated after holding a lightning rally in light with the 117 th Independence
day celebration of the country. And there are more political prisoners who remain far
from freedom. The only people who are free are those perpetrators of human rights

violations, and those government officials who are involved in massive corruption
and betrayal of public trust.
It is now high time for us, as one Filipino nation, to unite in calling for genuine
freedom and democracy. While the Filipino people are incarcerated by state fascism
and irreconcilable state neglect, we shall remain tireless and continue to challenge
the government and its allies in this quest for justice, equality, and freedom. After
all, genuine independence is independence from imperialism, feudalism, and
bureaucrat capitalism.