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</font><font face="arial" size=2>BAYAN USA asks the general community to
particpate in the defense of Political Prisoners Donato Continente.
Details of the case are included below. Please share this message
with friends and family. Please sign on to the BAYAN USA news list
by sending an email to
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message subcribe.<br><br>
BAYAN USA is an alliance of anti-imperialist Filipino organizations in
the U.S., organizing for social and economic justice. As the only
international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), it serves as
an information bureau for the national democratic movement of the
Philippines. <br><br>
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Dear All,<br><br>
Warmest greetings!<br><br>
As the Oust GMA steps up, there is another campaign that will be launched
June 18, Saturday, Manila time, and will end June 28. <br><br>
This is the 10-day campaign for the<br><br>
release of political prisoner, Donato "Donat"<br><br>
Continente.<br><br>
On June 28, 2005, Donat shall have unjustly served his maximum term of 17
years. <br><br>
Donat has been unjustly accused of having killed the Jusmag officer,
former Vietnam war POW Colonel James Rowe, a US army intellegence agent
and trainor posing as a diplomat. In addition to the forced and untrue
extrajudicial confession, the only basis of his conviction by the trial
court was the lone incredible testimony of a dubious witness who is now a
resident of the US.<br><br>
Donat was sentenced to prison under the administration of former
President Cory Aquino. He was then a technical staff member of the
Philippine Collegian, the students' newspaper of the University of the
Philippines, Diliman, and a member of Kadena, community youth
organization, at the time of his arrest. <br><br>
He was severely tortured by officers and men from the National Bureau of
Investigation and was coerced to sign a prepared extrajudicial confession
without the assistance of counsel of his choice.<br><br>
He was originally meted by the trial court with a penalty of reclusion
perpetua (maximum of 40 years) but on appeal to the Supreme Court
questioning the factual and legal bases for his being implicated, his
sentence was lowered to 17 years.<br><br>
Two past Philippine Presidents - Fidel Ramos and Joseph Estrada - would
not release him upon dictation of former US President William Clinton and
first time President and incumbent George W. Bush because according to
the latter, "he is a terrorist" and to do so "will have
adverse effect on relations with the US."<br><br>
Will rabid US puppet President Gloria M. Arroyo release Donat even if
George Bush will again make the same demand?<br><br>
This is one of the rationale for the June 18-June 28 campaign.<br><br>
Thus, we urge for your support for the release of Donat, especially if
PGMA will stall his freedom.<br><br>
Please forward this email to others.<br><br>
There is absolutely no legal basis anymore (even from the framework of
the government) for Donat to stay unjustly in prison any second
longer.<br><br>
Free Donat Continente!<br><br>
Free All Political Prisoners!<br><br>
Rita T. Baua<br><br>
International Relations Officer<br><br>
BAYAN<br>
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<font size=3 color="#FF0000">The Freedom Archives<br>
522 Valencia Street<br>
San Francisco, CA 94110<br>
(415) 863-9977<br>
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