AS FERDINAND “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. enters his fourth year in office, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Panay (BAYAN Panay) sees nothing but worsening conditions for the Filipino people: intensifying attacks on their lives and livelihoods, gross human rights violations, and relentless oppression of the poorest and most marginalized. BBM is indeed a Papet, Pasista, Paantos sa Masa, kag Wala Pulos.
PAPET — Marcos Jr. remains a puppet of US imperialism and foreign corporate interests. He has allowed the further erosion of national sovereignty through the expansion of EDCA (Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement) sites and the return of US troops under the guise of “defense.” Here in Panay, our lands and resources are being surrendered to foreign-backed projects like mining and mega dams.
PASISTA — The Marcos regime continues the bloody legacy of state fascism. In Panay, nine Tumandok leaders were massacred in December 2020, and until now, justice remains elusive. Militarization persists in both urban and rural areas, terrorizing communities of peasants, indigenous peoples, fisherfolk, the urban poor, and even schools. Activists and community organizations are subjected to red-tagging and harassment. Fisherfolk communities in Iloilo, Aklan, and Capiz face profiling, threats, and surveillance by state forces.
PAANTOS SA MASA — The cost of living in Panay continues to rise: rice now sells between ₱40–₱60 per kilo, while farmers suffer from liberalized rice importation and rampant land-use conversion. Prime agricultural lands are being turned into subdivisions and malls, while irrigation systems crumble. Meanwhile, jeepney drivers and operators are pushed to the brink by the forced phaseout under the PUV Modernization Program.
WALA PULOS — The Marcos regime has proven useless in addressing real crises. It has failed to resolve the soaring price of rice and the continued record-high rice importation, the persistent flooding in Iloilo and other cities, the worsening loss of biodiversity, the lack of job creation, and the daily economic struggles of ordinary Filipinos. Corruption remains rampant — from overpriced infrastructure projects, to the plunder of public funds through the Maharlika Investment Fund, to the privatization of basic services and utilities that benefit only Marcos’ cronies and political allies.
Despite all this, the people of Panay have tirelessly fought to alleviate the worsening conditions of our people. Through the United Labor Alliance, we have won the ₱63 wage hike over two years for private sector workers. With transport groups, we have defended the rights of drivers and operators and exposed the failure of the PUV Modernization Program.
We joined the national movement to frustrate Marcos’ charter change, rallied our people to call for Rodrigo Duterte’s arrest and prosecution by the ICC, and pushed for the impeachment of VP Sara Duterte amidst the scandal of confidential and intelligence funds — forms of pork barrel that we continue to oppose. Indeed, through our collective strength, we can effect change and forward our people’s national and democratic aspirations.
Today, our country is being used as a springboard for US proxy wars in the Indo-Pacific, particularly against China. We strongly denounce the rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea, call for its demilitarization, and demand an end to all foreign military treaties and exercises. Only by doing so can we truly assert our sovereignty.
Let us strengthen our collective struggle and continue asserting our people’s rights. Let us expose and oppose the anti-people policies of the US-Marcos regime, its puppetry to foreign powers, and the local bureaucrat capitalists and landlords who have long exploited our people.
Let us make our voices louder and bolder:
Maghimakas, indi mahadlok!
Padayon nga dampigan ang kabuhi, kinamatarung, pangabuhian, kag kalinong nga may hustisya sang pumuluyo! – ELMER FORRO, secretary general, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan — Panay, Iloilo City <bayanpanay2014@gmail.com>
