PR on Nagazaki bombing anniversary

BMP Press Release, August 9, 2011

NEVER AGAIN TO HIROSHIMA AND NAGASAKI BOMBINGS!

PURSUE REAL JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS!

Today, August 9, 2011, exactly 66 years ago, Nagasaki in Japan was bombed during the World War II. The experience was horrible for the Japanese people for they have suffered enough that even up to this very moment they continuously experience the effects of the devastation.

The incident became an eye opener to the whole world but such lesson did not succumb to the evils of the modern day society. Many countries particularly those belonging to the league of superpower seemed not alarmed of the danger of harnessing nuclear technology. Ironically, Japan as a nation is harboring the use of nuclear energy in its bid for industrialization and modernization.

Months ago, Japan was struck by a powerful tsunami that left another place in Japan a state of devastation. Fukushima, an industrial town with its nuclear plant in place was totally in disorder and wreckage. Unfortunately, the incident could have served as a wake up call to the rich nations but to no avail they have not abandoned the use of such technology. Nuclear arms race is still the flavor of every rich nation.

After the tragedy in Japan, a third world country like the Philippines would only surmised that the use of nuclear energy is not advisable for it cannot measure up the capacity of industrialized nations harboring the technology. But we have the benefit of the doubt of these assertions because prior to the tragedy in Japan, many of our lawmakers were keen on passing a law that would touch the operations of nuclear power plant in Bataan, a facility that is dormant for decades.

As a way of commemorating the tragedy that struck in Nagasaki, Japan on August 9, 1945, members of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino and Partido Lakas ng Masa held a short program in front of the Japanese Embassy with their offering of flowers and candles remembering and mourning the victims of that fateful day.

Mr. Leody De Guzman, BMP President in his speech during the program retorted that “There is now a clamor to stop the use of nuclear technology in any form, instead we must call on every nation that what the people need now is food and jobs and peace based on social justice.”

Mr. Sonny Melencio for his part challenged the Japanese and Philippine governments to “Totally abandon the use of nuclear technology and pursue real justice to the victims of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki Bombings”. (30)