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Thursday, September 22, 2005
Children’s presence in rally prods police investigation
On the day the country marked the 33rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, anti-Arroyo groups took to the streets of Cebu for protests.
The White Ribbon Movement, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, Anak Pawis and urban poor organizations from Cordova town gathered at Fuente Osmeña and renewed their call for President Arroyo to resign.
The Labor Power Council and the Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbo also joined the rally to protest against the Expanded-Value Added Tax Law.
Some of the rallyists brought their children with them, prompting Cebu City Police Chief Melvin Gayotin to order an investigation, as this violates a prohibition against putting children in harm’s way.
Gayotin said the Commission on Human Rights should also look into the liability of cause-oriented groups who allow children in their rallies.
“Minors are not supposed to be with the adults in rallies, especially if a commotion is likely to erupt. These groups just want public sympathy,” he said.
During a rally last July outside Malacañang sa Sugbo, some children inhaled the tear gas the police used to disperse the protesters who wanted to break down the gate.
Yesterday, different militant groups under the banner of Coalition of Cebuanos Against Gloria held a rally at Fuente Osmeña that lasted about two hours.
The City Traffic Operations Management put the crowd estimate at not more than 500 people.
Lawyer Vic Biaño, convenor of the Coalition of Cebuanos Against Gloria and former Mandaue City administrator, said Arroyo’s presiding over the UN Security Council did not boost her political hold in the country because for majority of the Filipino people, she should resign.
Biaño called the officials who accompanied Arroyo in New York a mere “cheering squad.” That group included three Cebuano members of the House of Representatives.
For his part, Pete Negara of the Alliance of Transport Organization Members Intra-Cebu City said that unless the Oil Deregulation Law is repealed, there’s no end to the sufferings of drivers and the riding public.
The Labor Power Council also said that the workers and the poor will be hit the hardest, once the E-VAT takes effect.
It called on the Supreme Court to strike down the law. The High Court has stopped the implementation of the new tax pending the resolution of questions on its legality.
During the rally, protesters held a noise barrage and tore copies of their tax declaration to symbolize their opposition to the E-VAT. (AIV/EOB)
(September 22, 2005 issue)
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