ManilaMailDC.Net - GMA?s dictatorial rule gags critics

WASHINGTON D.C. – The DC-based Asian Studies Center of the conservative Heritage Foundation says Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has been resorting “to the methods many dictators use to silence criticism.”
Dana R. Dillon, senior analyst of the Heritage Foundation, a group that is often being listened to by conservative Republicans, In a recent study called “The Deteriorating Rule of Law,” Dillon said the Arroyo government “is in trouble,” and the political situation in the Philippines “is in crisis.”

Deteriorating rule of law
He said that Arroyo, in the wake of dropping popularity ratings, demonstrations and an alleged failed coup attempt, “appears to have given up on convincing her her constituents of her competence.”
He noted that a close observer of foreign policy on Capitol Hill said recently, there is a “growing awareness in Congress about the deterioration of the rule of law in the Philippines." “That awareness extends to the White House, where debate continues over whether President Bush should meet with President Arroyo," Dillon added.
Turning to the spate of killings of journalists in the Philippines, Dillon cited the report of “The Reporters Without Borders Web which says that 52 reporters who covered the Philippines have been murdered since 1986, and 42 of the cases remain unsolved. The Committee for the Protection of Journalists says that 22 have been murdered since 2000, making the Philippines the most murderous country in the world for journalists over that period. “
He continued: “The April 5 edition of The New York Times carried a story that alleges intimidation of the press by security forces in the Philippines. Members of the Philippines press corps in Washington confirmed a campaign of oppression and said at least one of them had been directly intimidated and had property confiscated by the Philippines military.
“Elsewhere, Philippines troops surrounded a TV station on the islands for more than a week recently to punish negative reporting.
No one claims that President Arroyo ordered or knew of any of the killings of reporters. But government foot-dragging when it comes to apprehending the killers is unacceptable for a country that receives such large amounts of American aid.
“Meanwhile, the United States continues to prop up the Arroyo regime. Indeed, it bestowed more aid on the Philippines in 2006 than the year before.
“In a stunning display of Orwellian ”doublethink," Arroyo wants to convince policymakers that her illegal and unconstitutional suppression of journalists actually serves to preserve the constitution and rule of law.
“Congress and President Bush must show her that this ‘logic’ doesn’t fly here, and that this goes for all allies in the global war on terror.
“Instead, Congress and President Bush should review the security assistance provided to the Philippines and ensure that accountability procedures are followed and American-provided equipment and aid is used properly.
We have a carrot to offer. Arroyo desperately wants a visit with President Bush to shore up her shaky political situation at home. We should tell her to get serious about apprehending those who kill journalists and about preventing intimidation of the press. If she does, we can discuss a presidential visit. But not before."