DABAWENYOS from different walks of life showed their indignation against House Resolution (HR) 1109 and charter change Wednesday as they lit torches and marched starting 5 p.m. from the Freedom Park to Rizal Park in neat rows occupying just one lane of the street.

Vehicle traffic slowed down but continued to file past the marchers along the major roads on the way to the Rizal Park.

"The Manny Pacquiao Blog". Click here for stories and updates on the Filipino boxing champ.

Along with the city folks were representatives of farmer groups from Compostela Valley and Sta. Cruz, Davao del Sur.

At the Rizal Park, the rallyists occupied the side road behind the stage allowing regular traffic to proceed at the main carriageway of San Pedro Street and park activities to go on unhampered. The activity, which will include performances and speeches, is intended to last until 10 p.m.
However, there was one sector among the 400 gathered whose absence was glaring: Catholic priests.

The search for the priests started with the assignment to interview Archbishop Fernando Capalla. Not finding Capalla, Sun.Star reporters were sent to seek out priests to ask where Capalla is. No Catholic priests, just nuns from Sisters' Association in Mindanao (Samin) and the religious from other sects like Protestants and the Independent Church.

Former party list representative Joel Virador asked about the missing priests. He could only shrug his shoulders, saying, "I don't know why they are not here. I do not know their stand."

Brother Dennis Maquilme of the Philippine Independent Church, however, attributed this to the "hierarchical policy" of the Catholic Church where the bishop would be the one to say who among the members would attend.
"Pero naa sila'y leter na naga-support sila (But they came out with a letter of support)," he said.

City Councilors, however, were there as they promised. Among them were Councilors Pilar Braga, Angela Librado Trinidad, Danilo Dayanghirang, Tomas Monteverde IV, and Myrna Dalodo-Ortiz.

Marching under the banner of People's March Davao, the rallyists were one in their disgust against HR 1109 and the Constituent Assembly.

"There is no need for Con-Ass," lawyer Karlos Isagani Zarate said. "It is the selfish agenda of those in Congress and Malacañang."

"Usa kini ka dakong panglapas sa atong katawhang katungod (This is a grave violation of our human rights)," he added.

Virador of Bayan Muna, meanwhile, vowed bigger protest actions, saying Wednesday's march is but a show of support of the city for the Filipino people's condemnation of HR 1109.

"This is just the start as more people are expected to join the protests," he said.

More or less 200 policemen were sent off to keep watch on the rallies, with several more waiting for orders of augmentation.

Davao City Police Office Investigation and Detection Management Section chief Supt. Antonio Rivera said that the policemen are from the DCPO Mobile Patrol Group and the San Pedro Police station.

"May mga policemen din tayo na ini-augment galing sa RMG (Regional Mobile Group) pero on standby lang sila. Gagamitin lang kung maging unruly na ang mga naga-rally," Rivera told Sunstar Davao.

He also said that some policemen from the DCPO Taffic Group were also waiting to be dispatched should the need arise.

At the Rizal Park, however, when the main protest action had already started, there was also just a few number of policemen coming from just one precinct, the San Pedro Police Precinct. They were hanging around on the sidelines, not even appearing on alert. Some were seated inside patrol cars while others were just standing around.

A few were in camouflage uniforms, believed to be from the Task Force Davao. But like the policemen, those in camouflage were just standing around.

Earlier at 10 a.m. Wednesday, groups led by Anakbayan Southern Mindanao started the day with a rally in front of the congressional office of House Speaker Prospero C. Nograles as a precursor to the bigger protest torch parade at 5 p.m.

The protesters carried placards against President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and accused Speaker Nograles of being a traitor.

In Tuesday's regular city council session, the councilors unanimously passed a resolution of indignation.