Netherlands-based migrant Filipinos stage Nov. 30 anti-corruption rally

UTRECHT – Filipino migrant groups in the Netherlands joined the Bonifacio Day protests to call for everyone linked to corruption to be held accountable, adding that the theft of public funds is an issue that crosses political lines.

The migrant groups – composed of Migrante Netherlands, Duterte Panagutin Network, Balikbayan, Migrante, Pinay in Holland-GABRIELA, and other Dutch citizens – gathered in front of the Utrecht Central Station, chanting “Lahat ng sangkot, dapat managot.” (Everyone involved should be accountable.)

Icai Enriquez, the convenor of the Duterte Panagutin Network, said the theft of public funds may go by different names, but all of these still end up in Filipinos being robbed of services and their taxes.

She called on other migrant Filipinos to stand together for justice and accountability as corruption is a gut issue that goes beyond political lines and affiliations.

“Kailangang maintindihan ng mga supporters ng dating Pangulong Duterte, o ni President Marcos or ni Vice President Sara Duterte na hindi ito tungkol sa mga personalities o kung anong kulay mo, o kung sino ang binoto mo noong eleksyon. Ito ay isang issue sa lahat ng mga Pilipino – ang taxes natin, ninanakaw, pati ang mga serbisyong nawala sa atin. [Ito rin ay para sa] mga namatay dahil sa corruption sa flooding, yung mga schools na hindi naipagawa at mga doctor na hindi natin mabayaran kasi wala tayong pera.”

(Supporters of former President Rodrigo Duterte, President Ferdinand Marcos, or Vice President Sara Duterte need to understand that the issue is not just about personalities, political leanings, or who they voted for in the past election. This is an issue for all Filipinos, because our taxes are being stolen, and even the public services that are meant to support us have all been gone. The issue is [also to find justice and accountability] for the people who perished during the floods, the schools that were not built, and the doctors who we cannot pay because we don’t have the funds.)

In his speech, Bayan International officer Andan Bonifacio lamented that the Philippines is drowning from back-to-back typhoons that worsened floods amid the flood control controversy, with people losing their homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.

“The remittances we send [are] being stolen. Our support to our families back home, to those affected by disasters, ‘yun po ang pondo na ninanakaw (that’s the funds being stolen),” Bonifacio said.

Some Dutch nationals who supported the Pinay sa Holland-GABRIELA group carried banners saying, “Marcos at Duterte, walang pinagkaiba” (President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte are the same).

One of the local protesters, history student and activist Paul Evers, called on his Dutch compatriots to speak out and “not let [their] government be complicit in human rights violations in the Philippines.”

Upcoming anti-corruption protests

The protest organizers said they will continue holding demonstrations and sharing information to help migrant Filipinos know about what’s happening back home.

“[Ang mga activity na ito ay] pagpapalawak ng mga support amongst Filipinos. Maghanapan at magtulungan tayo [para] i-build natin nang mas malakas yung community natin mga Pilipino all over the world,” Enriquez said.

(These [planned] activities are meant to widen support among [overseas] Filipinos. We should find and help each other to build and strengthen Filipino communities around the world.)

“Ang pinaglalaban natin dito ay hustisya, katotohanan, ang accountability. Kung may maling ginawa ang taong pinaniniwalaan o sinusundan niyo, hold them accountable. Fight for justice. Fight for the Filipino people,” she added.

(What we are fighting for are justice, truth, and accountability. If those you support or follow do wrong, hold them accountable. Fight for justice. Fight for the Filipino people.)

Long time coming

The Filipino groups in the anti-corruption protest in Utrecht also welcomed the decision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals chamber to reject the interim release plea by former President Duterte’s defense team.

“It’s a long time coming. It’s not yet full justice, but he’s getting what he deserves,” Bonifacio said.

Duterte’s defense counsel Atty. Nicholas Kaufman said their team would “reintroduce” a request to release the former President once the results of his medical evaluation are released next month.

Although the Duterte camp could file more appeals, Enriquez said the decision of the ICC Appeals Chamber made it clear that the former President still has power and that his support network remains.

“Kung lumabas man siya, impunity will persist. Although we are happy na na-deny ang kanilang request, at mag-appeal man sila, sure, gawin nila iyon. Pero tuluy-tuloy din kaming lalaban dito at dapat makita ng mga tao na konektado ang lahat ng mga isyung ito, from Marcos Sr. to Marcos Jr. to Rodrigo Duterte as former president, at Sara Duterte. Lahat ng mga corruption issues at human rights abuses, dapat tuluy-tuloy nating labanan,” Enriquez said.

(Had former President Duterte been [conditionally] released, impunity would persist. Although we are happy that their request has been denied, they can still file an appeal, but we will continue to fight. And it’s important [for Filipinos] to see that all these issues are connected, from the time of [former President] Marcos Sr. to President Marcos Jr, and from former President Duterte to [his daughter] Vice President Duterte. We should continue fighting against corruption issues and human rights abuses.) — JMA, GMA Integrated News