TIRED of waiting for the Court of Appeals (CA) resolution on the controversial ordinance banning aerial spraying, some members of the militant group Mamayan Ayaw sa Aerial (MAA) Spraying shaved off their heads.

The group said CA justices gravely violated their rights as they continue to delay the resolution of the case.

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The night before this, the students treated the protesters to a night of music and poetry from various universities and colleges of Cagayan de Oro.

Male protesters shaved off their heads in front of the CA building before staging a noise barrage that lasted for 10 minutes. Also they encouraged motorists to blow their horns as a sign of support to their cause.

Alfredo Calud, one of the senior members of MAAs from Davao City, said their decision to get bald was triggered by the CA's undue delay in resolving the issue on whether or not the ordinance banning the aerial spraying is constitutional.

Earlier, the Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association questioned the constitutionality of the Davao City ordinance that banned aerial spraying in the banana plantations.

"We are demanding justice and this justice is being stolen from us. This (shaving of heads) is our way of telling the Court of Appeals that many are being lost in our villages-lives, good health, livelihood and the environment," Calud said.

Doods Tangonan III, a volunteer of Xavier University's Kristohanong Katilingban Pagkakabana (KKP), one of those who joined the group of people who shaved their heads, explained that he was in solidarity with Maas "because what they are fighting for is the sanctity of human life and the integrity of the creation."

"Let this be the statement of the youth group that I am representing, this is in solidarity of the struggle against aerial spraying because I know, we know, that the environment that they are fighting to be preserved and the lives they struggle to be protected against the harm of aerial spraying, speak of the goodness of their intentions," Tangonan said.

Two members of the Sumilao farmers also shaved their heads. The Sumilao farmers also traveled from Bukidnon to Cagayan de Oro to show their support to the cause of Maas.

For three days, they stayed at the camp called Kampo Alang sa Luwas ug Makinaiyahanong Pag-uma (Kalampag), setup by the Maas few meters away from the CA office.

After shaving their heads, the protesters staged a noise barrage in the hope that they will smash the "continued inaction of the CA justices."

Around 4 p.m. Thursday, at least 30 nuns visited the campers and led a prayer rally, with the special intention that the justices will be enlightened into resolving immediately the fate of the ordinance.

For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga.

(November 22, 2008 issue)
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