The Greater Disaster:

Noynoy Aquino, waray pulos! (Walang silbi!)

Statement of Hustisya on the 1st year commemoration of Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan)
November 8, 2014

Hustisya (Victims United for Justice) is one in solidarity with the survivors of super typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) in demanding justice today, one year after the strongest typhoon hit the Eastern and some parts of Western Visayas of the Philippines.

We demand justice, as we stand firm that the Aquino government is guilty of criminal neglect. Pres. Noynoy Aquino bragged that the government is prepared for the coming disaster, but later justified its ineptness amid the overwhelming destruction wrought by the super typhoon. The Aquino government declared a “state of national calamity” four days after, only when the people have been too desperate for food, water and shelter. More lives were lost and put in danger in the coming days, while government agencies were ready making different excuses why help did not reach the people on time.

We hold the Aquino government accountable for the massive loss of lives and the absence of much-needed relief and rehabilitation. The people looked for ways to survive while enduring the pain and sudden loss. Various cause-oriented individuals and groups, both locally and internationally have set foot in the areas affected, way earlier than the government, way much earlier than Pres. Aquino himself. The national government, that should have the means, the resources and machinery for disaster response, was quick to pass the blame.

If there was one disaster that the people suffered from in the event of super typhoon Yolanda, it is the inutility, inaction and outright callousness of the Aquino government.

We are enraged that the approval of the rehabilitation plan for areas affected by super typhoon was only signed shortly a week before the first year commemoration of the super typhoon. Meanwhile, the Aquino government was quick to allow the entry of multinationals and local compradors and landlords in the affected areas in a matter of months after the super typhoon. Big businesses have begun dividing the affected provinces among themselves, using “rehabilitation” as a way to pursue their interests of business and profit. Pres. Aquino not just showed his inutility and callousness to the needs of the victims – he showed whose interests he favors.

The survivors of typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) continue to rise up. They continue to muster strength after the disaster, not just to rebuild their lives and livelihood, but to hold accountable a government that is not worth staying another day in power.

We enjoin everyone to echo the call for justice.

Justice for victims of typhoon Yolanda! Justice for victims of criminal neglect!