N E W S  R E L E A S E
12 OCTOBER 2001
Reference: Apolinario Alvarez, ANAKBAYAN Secretary-General (#09172057067)

US Imperialism is the World's #1 Terrorist; GMA is the #1 Puppet of the 
Imperialist

In a big anti-war protest of the youth at the US Embassy in Manila today, 
ANAKBAYAN hit US imperialist policies as the main source and driving force 
of terrorism in the world.

"US imperialist policies on foreign affairs, economy, politics and culture 
of other nations propel some groups in different countries to retaliate 
using desperate means, such as terrorism.  Now, the US is showing its own 
brand of grand-scale terrorism with its war of aggression on Afghanistan 
and other sovereign nations.  US imperialism is indeed the number one 
terrorist in the world," said ANAKBAYAN Secretary-General Apolinario Alvarez.

The militant youth ANAKBAYAN reiterated its condemnation of terrorism, 
especially that being sown by the United States government with its long 
history of wars of aggression and other covert actions against sovereign 
nations in the world.

"US imperialist policies have not just destroyed economies and livelihood 
of nations and peoples, but out-and-out caused destruction of millions of 
lives with its wars and covert actions.  Its carpet bombing on Afghanistan 
has already forced thousands of families out of their houses, and has left 
Afghans in constant fear and danger.  This is clearly not an act of 
justice, but terrorism," Alvarez said.

ANAKBAYAN slammed US President George Bush's pronouncements that its army 
will also attack other "terrorists" and countries "harboring 
terrorism."  "Terrorists and terrorism is Bush's best pre-text for his war 
of aggression.  The expansion of his anti-terrorism campaign is nothing 
less than military invasion of nations opposing US domination in the 
world," Alvarez explained.

ANAKBAYAN also held the Arroyo Administration responsible for the ongoing 
war in the Middle East.  The youth group condemned the all-out support of 
the Philippine government for the US war of aggression, and called 
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo a rabid puppet of US imperialism.

"President Arroyo could quickly respond to the demands of her master's 
war, while it cannot budge a single finger for the basic demands of the 
Filipino people for wages, land and services.  She has dragged our nation 
into a war that endangered the welfare of our people and our nation's 
integrity.  She could easily abandon the Filipino people for the sake of 
her imperialist master," Alvarez said.

ANAKBAYAN also warned against Pentagon's statement that it would launch 
covert actions against the terrorist Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao in the 
Philippines.  The youth group called Security Adviser Roilo Golez's 
disclaimer on this statement a cover-up for the dirty plans of Pentagon.

"The bandit Abu Sayyaf is still at-large in Mindanao, and it could be 
always be used as a pre-text for the US to also attack our country.  With 
the rate of the Arroyo Administration's subservience to US, the people 
cannot expect it to resist any attacks by the US on the Philippines," 
Alvarez warned.

ANAKBAYAN vowed to resist the continuation of the US war, in coordination 
with other anti-war youth groups in other parts of the world.  "The US war 
is a high state of barbarism, not bounded by any international convention 
or moral standard.  This is how the US wants the world to see itself -- 
all mighty and powerful.  But any freedom-loving citizen of any nation 
would resist this arrogance and domination.  The international anti-war 
movement is determined to defeat US' objectives in its war of aggression," 
Alvarez concluded. ###