Dennis Maga, a Filipino trade unionist and the spokesperson for the Free Ka Bel Movement, is touring the country in the coming week to speak. Maga, the Secretary General of ANGLO-KMU (General Workers Federation within the May First Labour Movement), will be speaking at public meetings around the country on resistance to state terrorism in the Phillipines.

His national speaking tour was planned to coincide with the NZ visit of Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, between May 27th-30th, for an interfaith dialogue in Waitangi, hosted by Helen Clark. Since Arroyo came to power six years ago, nearly 850 people have died in extrajudicial killings and many have been detained – including left-wing politicians, rights activists, unionists, journalists and religious leaders. Renowned human rights expert and New York University Professor, Philip Alston, has said that “virtual impunity” prevails in the country with regard to the extrajudicial killings which are “convincingly attributed” to the military.

Auckland: Monday 21 May, 7.30PM Trades Hall 147 Great Nth Rd, Grey Lynn. Wellington: Wednesday 23 May, 7pm, 2nd Floor ANZAC HOUSE, 181 Willis St. Christchurch: Thursday 24th May, 7:30pm, Trade Union Centre, 199 Armargh St

Whangarei: Sunday 27 May, 7pm, St John’s Church Centre, 149 Kamo Rd, Whangarei Paihia Monday 28th May, 7:30pm Bounty Inn, Cnr Bayview & Selwyn Rds, Paihia