Philippines: Successful Asian Socialism Conference; Bonifacio Day in Manila (video)

By Reihana Mohideen, Partido Lakas ng Masa (PLM) international desk

December 2, 2014 – Links International Journal of Socialist Renewal – A very successful Asian Socialism Conference was held in the Philippines, November 28-29, followed by a rally on November 30. Around 350 delegates participated in the conference, well exceeding our target of 250 leaders who had registered prior to the conference. A contingent of around 3000 rallied and marched on November 30 to mark Bonficacio National Hero's Day.The conference was organised by the Partido Lakas ng Masa (Party of the Labouring Masses, PLM).

A strong feature of the conference was the participation of women leaders of the Philippine Socialist Feminist movement.The conference brought together the socialist feminists, revolutionary LGBT activists, with a strong contingent of socialist workers, intellectuals from the University of the Philippines, urban poor leaders and out-of-school youth, and students from high schools and campus.

Many thanks to all our international guests whose presence and presentations made the conference such a tremendous success: Comrades Woody Aroun, from the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA), who showed that class struggle unionism was alive and well; Comrades Pradeep Gyawali CPN-UML and Manarishi Dhital UCPN-Maoist from the Nepali left who demonstrated that parties can get together and discuss their differences in the most comradely fashion; Comrades Nasir Hashim and Letchumanan from Socialist Party of Malaysia (PSM); Comrades Vivin Sri Wahyuni and Wahida Baharuddin Upa from Peoples Democratic Party (PRD) Indonesia, and; Comrade Alex Bainbridge from Socialist Alliance, Australia.

Day two of the conference was opened with solidarity greetings from Comrade Yelitza Ventura, the charge' d'affaires of the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

Asian socialism conference resolutions

1. Thailand: Solidarity with our comrades in their democratic struggle

We support the call for:

The abolition of the Lese majeste law;
Release of all political prisoners;
The abolition of the military junta;
The holding of elections, now!

We pledge to hold regional and local campaigns to show our support through mass mobilisations, activists exchange programs, and to continue to organise left parties in the region to discuss and plan further actions to counter the devastating effects of neoliberalism.

2. Militarism, women, violence and war

Whereas, socialists should play and active role in the campaign to scrap the Visiting Forces Agreement and the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement, as well as claim justice for the family of Jennifer Laude and the Filipino people;

It is moved that,

This conference will take part in the campaign and will conduct massive education among themselves on the intersection of patriarchy, militarism and neoliberalism, which perpetrates violence against women, including transgender women, such as the commodification and murder of Jennifer Laude.

3. Regional campaigns against neoliberalism

The divide and rule strategies of neoliberalism aims to destroy the mass movements: labour, anti-imperialist, women, students and others. Therefore, we must plan for united regional campaigns and actions against neoliberalism, such as against labor contractualisation and militarism. We should find ways to maximise out unity in action against neoliberalism in the region.

4. South Africa

This conference stands in solidarity with the National Union of Metal Workers of South Africa (NUMSA) in their campaign to defend the working class movement against the attacks of the neoliberal policies of the government. The Conference also supports the initiatives being undertaken to renew the socialist movement in South Africa to advance the struggle for socialism.

5. Germany

This conference warmly receives the solidarity greetings sent by Die Linke. We send our heartfelt congratulations to Die Linke in its recent electoral victory in winning the state prime minister position in Thuringia for the first time.