We in the Artists for the Removal of Gloria (ARREST Gloria) condemn to high heavens the arrest, detention and torture of our fellow artist, Alexis Uy – a gifted musician and recent UP Diliman graduate who helped organize the Artistang Pangkultura ng Mamamalakaya sa Timog Katagalugan (APLAYA), one of our member organizations.

Uy, who also works as a researcher for the Kalipunan ng Samahang Magbubukid sa Timog Katagalugan (KASAMA-TK), was arrested April 30 in Lucena City together with Joey dela Rosa, also a researcher for the said peasant organization; and 12 peasant activists from KOMPRA-Quezon. They were preparing to join a caravan to Manila for the Labor Day rally when arrested.

The 14 are now detained at the headquarters of the military’s Southern Luzon Command (Solcom) in Camp Nakar, Lucena City, as confirmed by its chief Lt. Gen. Pedro Cabuay Jr. Human rights workers handling their case have disclosed that the authorities have refused to allow counsel and visitors for them.

When Uy and his companions were arrested, they were on their way to Manila to join a rally intending to articulate the grievances of workers, as well as their brothers and sisters in the rural areas, against a government that has imposed a good number of the most anti-people policies in decades.

This is a perfectly legitimate cause. For advocating this, Uy and his companions were arrested and are now detained.

We are concerned for the safety of Uy and his companions. Too much have we seen of what is visited upon perceived “enemies of the state” in the custody of government forces. Because President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), we shall hold her accountable for whatever happens to Uy and his companions while in detention.

The arrest of Uy and his companions is an attack against the freedom of expression – a basic human right held especially sacred by artists. It shows that artists are free only for so long as they refrain from challenging the ruling clique and the manner in which it “orders” the country.

To prohibit dissent is to curtail the freedom of expression. As lawyer and historical conservationist Trixie Angeles said, “Without freedom of expression there can be no artist.”

We in ARREST Gloria cannot but condemn the arrest of Uy and his companions – and not simply because Uy is a member of our alliance.

We cannot bring ourselves to be silent at a time when the forces of darkness have begun to haul artists to the silence of the graveyard. To be silent at this point is to put the gun to our heads and pull the trigger.

Artists for the Removal of Gloria (ARREST Gloria)
May 2, 2006

Southern Tagalog Exposure + KASIBULAN Women Visual Artists’ Collective + KUMASA (Kulturang Ugnayan ng Manggagawa at Uring Anakpawis sa Timog Katagalugan) + ARTIST, Inc. (Arts Research and Training Institute in Southern Tagalog) + Kilometer 64 Poetry Group + Tambisan sa Sining + APLAYA (Artistang Pangkultura ng Mamamalakaya sa Timog Katagalugan) + UPLB Umalohokan + Pokus Gitnang Luson + Paolo Martinez + Andrea Muñoz + Gian Paolo Mayuga + Jeffrey Ferrer + Onin Tagaro + Bobby Balingit + Winnie Balingit + Lourd de Veyra + Dong Abay + Ninj Abay + Con Cabrera + Roselle Pineda + Heidi Takama + Boom Dizon + Rommel Lozano + Mary Rose Abano + Aba Dalena + Sari Dalena + Gari B + Adios NCR + Tudla Productions