Dear Friends,

On June 20, 1985, the province of Bataan was witness to the biggest protest-action directed against the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), also known as the infamous “Monster of Morong”.

That day was the tail-end of a three-day protest dubbed Welgang Bayan Laban sa Plantang Nukleyar that drew an estimated 33,000 concerned Filipinos from all walks of life from as far as Manila and nearby provinces to march to Balanga, the capital town of Bataan. It was a march that made history, the overwhelming sentiment to put a stop to the operation of the BNPP made the province of Bataan stand still for a day.

They braved the heat, rain, fatigue, thirst and hunger, yet unwavering and steadfast against tanks and soldiers’ barricades. Bataan’s streets and dirt roads overflowing with ordinary folk, young and not so young, standing up for the sake of their loved ones against the danger of a fully-operational nuclear plant. It bespoke of the kind of heroism and unity that would bring about the EDSA Revolution only a few months away.

Now, with the operation of the BNPP relentlessly pursued by Pangasinan Cong. Mark Cojuangco and his cohorts in Congress, and as anti-nuke leaders and members face harassment and repression; we need to reflect on the lessons of the 1985 Welgang Bayan as we renew our efforts to dismantle the BNPP.

Nuclear Free Bataan Movement Network or NFBM would like to invite you in commemorating the historical Welgang Bayan on June 20,2009. We will retrace the SALAKBAYAN ( Sakay at Lakbay) all through the towns of Bataan, to the momentous meeting ( salubong ) at Barangay Tuyo in Balanga of the North and South contingents of that historical march and will finish off with a program at Balanga Town Plaza.

For those who will be coming from Manila and other parts of the National Capital Region, please coordinate with us so that we can caravan to Bataan.

So that you can plan accordingly, the send-off in San Fernando Junction is scheduled at 7am and we are expected to meet up with the Zambales contingent by 9am in Layac.

From there we would caravan to the towns of Orion and Samal. In Samal, we will march to Abucay where we will have our lunch then afterwards continue onto Bgy. Tuyo to meet the South Contingent for the ‘salubong’ and a short program.

From there, the whole march would head to Balanga Town Plaza for the program proper.

Please wear comfortable green shirts, and footwear, as well as bring provisions for food and drink. If you can, please bring enough to share. If you would like to participate in the program, please don’t hesitate to inform us.
We hope to see you there!

You may contact Chester Amparo @ 09228765851 or email nfbmnet gmail.com for more information.

Respectfully,

Monsignor ANTONIO DUMAUAL
Chairman, NFBM

CHESTER AMPARO
Secretariat Head, NFBM-Net

Remembering ’85 Welgang Bayan vs. BNPP

PRESS RELEASE

June 21, 2009

Draw Thousands to Bataan

Balanga, Bataan— ‘Ayaw namin ng Nukleyar’ this was the sentiment running through the hundreds of green-clad anti-BNPP gathered to commemorate the historic Welgang Bayan Laban sa Plantang Nukleyar of 1985.

According to Nuclear Free Bataan Movement Chairperson Monsignor Tony Dumaual, the 1985 Welgang Bayan (WB) represents the vigor with which Filipinos fought against the commissioning of the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant (BNPP), this commemoration retraced the route taken twenty-four years ago from two points, Dinalupihan in North and Orion in the South, meeting up at Barangay Tuyo, Balanga.

He added that GMA’s announcement in Japan that nuclear remains to be one of the options, shows that it is she who is pushing for the BNPP, and is only hiding behind Cong. Mark Cojuangco.

Reminiscent of the WB, NFBM re-enacted the historical moment in Barangay Tuyo, Balanga when soldiers’ barricades and an armored personnel carrier (APC) blocked the advance of North contingent, prompting the South contingent to get them.

NFBM leaders lit fireworks and let go of a streamer held up with balloons with the call ‘Remembering the Lessons of Welgang Bayan, Dismantle the BNPP’ at Bgy. Tuyo. Also a marker was erected in memory of that incident.

The march-caravan against BNPP was joined by Bataan Bishop Socrates Villegas, local officials headed by Gov. Tet Garcia, including councilors from the towns of Dinalupihan, Samal, Orion. Other priests of Bataan also joined the march such as Fr. Ronnie Loreto of Morong, Fr. Froilan Miguel of Dinalupihan.
Around 3,000 participated from as far as Manila, Pampanga, Zambales and all twelve towns of the province. Veterans alongside a new anti-nuke advocates marched from Samal to Balanga in the North while those coming from Morong, Bagac, Limay and Mariveles marched from Orion to Balanga in the South.

The marchers also carried an appeal to free anti-nuke activist Archie Bathan, arrested last month by elements of Police Mobile Group. NFBM believes that Bathan’s arrest are scare tactics to preempt the growing anti-BNPP movement.
According to BAPSTEA President and Action and Solidarity for the Empowerment of Teachers (ASSERT) Chairperson James Pagaduan, the warm response is a clear indication that opposition to the BNPP is beyond the province of Bataan, encompassing the whole country. We have opposed, are opposing and will continue to oppose until the Monster of Morong is no more.

Nuclear Free Bataan Movement-Network
(NFBM-Net)
National Secretariat at 22-A Libertad St., Brgy Highway Hills, Mandaluyong City, Philippines
Telefax: (632) 7173262; Email: nfbm.net gmail.com;
site: http://nfbmnet.multiply.com
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