Revolution in Manilla - Department Store Guerillas

[Rastafari]

I don't know if you all are attuned to this, but watch the news or read it or something. From what I can gather, about 100 communist and muslim rebels in the Philipines have set up explosives and are setting up shop at a mall. Stay tuned for details.
(I guess this should be in news, but what the hell)

[Hampton]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/weekly/n...7jul2003-16.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/news/justin/weekly/newsnat-27jul2003-16.htm)
http://campaigns.f2.com.au/html.ng/site=ag...reaking&loc=top (http://campaigns.f2.com.au/html.ng/site=age&adspace=468x60&cat=breaking&loc=top)
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LA319181.htm

[Dirty Bird]

Viva la revolucion! Arroyo is about to learn that she hasn't been doing a very good job in the P.I...


(Edited by Dirty Bird at 10:14 am on July 27, 2003)


(Edited by Dirty Bird at 10:18 am on July 27, 2003)

[Ian]

They don't sound to be particularly communist
http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle/pictures/2003/07/27/mn_philippinescoup07.jpg maybe that red flag is something significant

[Dirty Bird]

Pio del Pilar's Rising Sun Flag(1896). A red flag with a white triangle on the left side, became well-known through General Pio del Pilar of San Pedro de Makati, who used it up to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato. The triangular strip at the left side preceded the national flag design. At each of the angles of the triangle was a letter K. The rising sun in the middle, had eight rays denoting the first eight provinces that revolted against Spain namely, Tarlac, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga, Bulacan, Manila, Cavite, Laguna and Batangas.

"The Sun and the Stars." The second phase of the Philippine revolution (1898-1902) began the hopes for creating the first Philippine republic. And one of the first tasks of the founders who were exiled abroad is to create the flag and a new anthem, the symbols of a state.


The flag, designed by Aguinaldo, was tasked to Marcela Marino de Agoncillo because of her sewing skills. Together with two women, her daughter Lorenza and Dr.Jose Rizal's niece Herbosa de Natividad, they skillfully sewed what was later to be known as "The Sun and the Stars."


The flag's design spoke of the Filipinos' sprit and their deep yearnings for the country. A white triangle on the flag stood for equality; the upper stripe of dark blue for peace, truth and justice, the lower stripe of red for patriotism and valor, the sunburst of eight rays representing the first eight provinces that took up arms against Spain and the three stars symbolizing Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.



Yes, the red flag means a lot. It represents the history of revolution in the Philippines. I believe there are communist influences in this incident. The 'rogue soldiers' declared that they did not want power, they want change in the government.

[Ian]

It doesn't look like the one you described, Actually I can't really picture the one you described perfectly, well check out this (http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/ph-histo.html) website

[Ian]

Well if someone get's rid of Arroyo and all the pro-yankee crap without Abu Sayyaf I'll be happy.

Also the head of the armed forces said "[the officers] associated themselves with some groups with personal and/or political interest." Perhaps left wing groups?

Well let's not get over-excited

[RevolucioN NoW]

the 'revolutionaries' accuse the Arroyo government of corruption and staging terrorist attacks in order to get greater American, and now australian, military aid.

The rebels fly a sun-symbol flag used in the resistance against Spanish colonial rule, probably not communist but at least moderatly leftist.

They have been given an extended altermatum to surrender however leaders say they will blow up the many C4 charges laid all over the area if the area is stormed.

They are ready to negotiate however several have said they are willing to 'fight to the death'

[Ian]

Well I think they just surrended, so much for fighting to the death

[Felicia]

yeeeeaaaah, I already started a thread about the "coup" attempt yesterday........

[Rastafari]

so much for that, they surrendered.

[Felicia]

yep

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article....RTICLE_ID=33776 (http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=33776)

(Edited by felicia at 2:59 pm on July 27, 2003)

[schumi]

hmmm...that's not very brave smart of them...They're going to be executed anyway ( I think) so why not fight to the death while you still have a small chance of escaping???

[Dirty Bird]

Yes, they did surrender. And although I agree that they will probably be killed or imprisoned down the road, it is important to remember what it is they did. They brought attention to the fact that Arroyo wanted them to stage a fake terrorist attack so that she could declare martial law and solidify the US in the Philippines. No one was killed, which, although anticlimactic by todays standards, is a GOOD thing. Even though this 'coup' was short, it was very important.

[Severian]

They also accused Arroyo of "selling weapons to communist and Muslim guerillas", according to press reports.

I think it's not clear if they were coming from a leftist or a rightist perspective. Even if it is leftist, hailing a military coup as if some officer can ride up on a white horse and be the "savior of the nation" reflects a political problem.

There is no substitute for the action of the working class.