Poverty is the real tragedy that besets million of Filipinos: On the Stampede Tragedy at Ultra

(Feb 09 2006) Melbourne, Australia - Migrante Melbourne, in a reaction the recent Manila stampede that killed 88 people and wounded more than 300, has concluded that although the Ultra stampede tragedy is regrettable, the biggest and single most killer of Filipinos today is poverty. Tens of thousands have lined up at the Ultra Philsports Arena in Pasig to get a chance to win prizes running up to millions in cash and kind, scheduled to be given away during the anniversary celebration of Wowowwie, a TV noontime show run by Philippine media giant ABS-CBN. Majority of those who came were impoverished Filipinos hoping to win from give aways to break from the burdens of poverty, exacerbated by rising prices of basic commodities. "We expressed our sincerest condolences to the victims of stampede, condemned the management of ABS-CBN for condoning the mentality of mendicancy, dependency among the people, depending only on cash or material rewards if they attend the program and turning such into entertainment assets for higher ratings” said George Kotsakis, Chairperson of Migrante Melbourne. “More importantly, Migrante puts the primary blame into the Arroyo regime and its anti-poor policies as the ultimate killer of many Filipinos today and that drives millions of Filipinos into leaving the country to look for greener pastures" concludes Kotsakis. - ends - For further information and to arrange an interview, contact: George Kotsakis Chairperson Migrante Melbourne Tel: 0413 041 514 B Bassig Community Relations Officer Migrante Melbourne Tel: 0404 034 397 email: melbourne@migrante.org.au

09 Feb 2006

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