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Wednesday, September 22, 2004
Hundreds join march rally on Martial Law anniversary
By Ben O. Tesiorna
HUNDREDS of placard-bearing protesters on Tuesday marched along Davao City's main thoroughfares as they commemorate the grim days of Martial Law 32 years ago.
Shouting "Marcos, Gloria walang pinag-iba! Parehong tuta, diktador, pasista! Patalsikin, patalsikin si Gloria", the militants urged President Arroyo "to stop her replica of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos' repressive leadership".
The group, belonging to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Kadamay, Farmers Association of Davao City, Karapatan, Gabriela, AnakBayan and Kadidja first held a picket rally at the Military Intelligence Group's headquarters in Camp Panacan Tuesday morning to protest the alleged human rights violations perpetrated by the military against the people.
They then marched in the afternoon from Magsaysay Park to Rizal Park where they held a rally in commemoration of the declaration of martial law.
Jeppie Ramada, Bayan-Southern Mindanao Region spokesperson, said that when then president Ferdinand Marcos was ousted 18 years ago "the Filipinos should have been freed from nightmares of horrible days and experiences with the military's brutality."
"Yet, with the mounting number of cases perpetrated by the State's elements against the Filipino people, this time under Gloria, we are reminded that it is not so," he said.
Ramada criticized Arroyo for employing "Marcosian tactics" by allowing the US-RP joint military exercises in the country, specifically in Mindanao.
"The Filipinos have been victorious in the early 90's for their resolute call and active mass actions for the abolition of the US military bases. Why then is Gloria forcing their comeback amidst the peoples' strong resistance," Ramada asked.
He said Arroyo must be sensitive on this issue adding that she will face the people's wrath if she pursues her plans of opening Mindanao and other parts of the country to foreign exploitation.
Members of the progressive groups vow to conduct big protest actions against Balikatan.
Ramada said they are now preparing for the Southern Mindanao-wide rally on October 6 in time for the arrival of American Ambassador Francis Ricciardone for the opening of the US virtual embassy at the Ateneo de Davao University. (with PR)
(September 22, 2004 issue)
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