March 31, 2000

Dear Editor:

Last March 31, public transport ground to a halt in major cities and provinces nationwide, including major routes in Metro Manila. Despite moves to downplay the protests, we in the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan declare the resounding success of these nationally-coordinated mass actions and congratulate all the patriotic drivers, workers and other progressive sectors who joined in this show of militancy and unity.

We congratulate those who contributed in making the protests in these areas an overwhelming triumph by crippling public transportation, especially jeepney routes: Bulacan (90%); Pampanga (100%); Tarlac (95%); Bataan (100%); Calamba, Laguna (95%); San Pablo City, Laguna (90%); Cavite (74%); Albay (99%); Sorsogon (100%); Camarines Sur (100%); Bacolod City (100%); Negros Occidental (98%); Negros Oriental (98%); Cebu (100%); Bohol (100%); Tagbilaran City (90%); Butuan City (90%); Cagayan de Oro City (90%); Davao City (98%); Kidapawan (100%); Cotabato (95%); Mati (98%); Tagum City (99%); Digos (100%); General Santos City (100%); and in Metro Manila where 85% of major jeepney routes were crippled.

In no small way, we clearly voiced out the people's unmistakable position against the oil cartel's price hikes and the scheme to raise taxes through the proposed Road User's Tax. Through the strikes, we sent a clear message that the people reject President Estrada's shameless defense of the foreign-owned oil cartel and his refusal to act on the people's demand for a rollback of oil prices, the scrapping of the oil deregulation law, the dismantling of the oil cartel and the nationalization of the oil industry.

Secondly, the protests and strikes highlighted yet again the isolation of the US-Estrada regime from the Filipino people. The protests and strikes provided an accurate backdrop for the plummeting popularity ratings of Pres. Estrada among the common folk who are disgusted with the endless stream of hardships this regime is responsible for.

Third, we tore to pieces the black propaganda and witch-hunting of the Philippine National Police that aims to strike fear and apprehension among the strikers, protesters and the common folk who sympathize with the mass actions. Not even the brute force nor the lies of the PNP was able to douse cold water on the protests. That no one bit the PNP's line that communists were behind the strikes is proof not just of the legitimacy of the issues raised by the protests but also the absolute lack of the credicility of the PNP.

It is now incumbent upon the the government to respond swiftly, rollback oil prices and stop future oil price increases. We call on our legislators to repeal the oil deregulation policy on the oil industry and instead institute measures that will alleviate the people from future oil price shocks. It must also take steps, like passing the Oil Exchange Bill, toward the nationalization of the oil industry.

The US-Estrada regime will be committing suicide if it insists on its shameless puppetry to the oil cartel. And given the triumphant people's protests since Aug. 20 last year, it won't be farfetched if the people now opt to oust a regime that torments while serving the interests of foreign monopoly capitalism.

TEODORO A. CASIÑO
National Secretary-General
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan

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