Press release

​Multi-sectoral Friendship Association Asks Philippine Government to Vote against Blockade against Cuba
 
“The United States, by applying a severe and prolonged system of unilateral sanctions against Cuba that amounts to a commercial, financial and economic blockade, is very unjust and is obstructing the development of the Cuban economy and preventing the people from fully enjoying all human right,” goes the opening of statement of PhilCuba.
Members of the Philippines-Cuba Cultural and Friendship Association (PhilCuba) gathered to day at the entrance of Palma Hall of the University of the Philippines to register their position on the issue of the 56 years of embargo, which to Cuba amounts to a monstrous commercial, financial and economic blockade against Cuba.
Carrying placards and some wearing baller wrist bands with the call “Unblock Cuba,” PhilCuba members timed their gathering on the eve of the voting in the UN General Assembly on a Cuba-drafted resolution urging the United States to lift its 56-year-old blockade.
“We are glad the Philippine government voted against the blockade several times now.  But we would like to appeal for it to continue to stand against US’s policies and actions that run contrary to its avowed aim: To help the Cuban people achieve freedom and a better life.”  Ms. Gina de la Cruz of PhilCuba said.
“We denounce the blockade because it is against human rights.  It is even an act of genocide against the Cuban people and we should be concerned, she added.”
The Cuban government has been presenting to the UN General Assembly (UNGA)a draft resolution urging the US to end its embargo against Cuba every year since 1992. It first won majority vote in 1993 and overwhelming votes since 1994.  In 2016, the US and Israel abstained from voting on the resolution and in 2017, these two countries were the only ones that voted against the lifting of the embargo.
PhilCuba is an agglomeration of educators; writers; workers’, women’s and youth organizations; NGO workers; health enthusiasts; businesspersons, etc., who want to promote understanding and friendship and cultural, scientific and educational exchanges with the Cuban people for world peace and peoples’ development. Together with the Philippines Cuba Friendship Society, it hosted the Eighth Asia Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba in April 1917.