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Wednesday, December 06, 2006
Activists test convention center security
CEBU CITY -- For the second time, protesters outwitted the police and rallied outside the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), one of the venues of the Asean summit.
Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch
Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Silverio Alarcio Jr. said he will ask Acting Mandaue City Police Office Director Alexander Abadinas to explain how the group entered the premises undetected.
Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano had asked for the replacement of then police chief Eduardo Catabas for his failure to stop protesters from rallying in front of the CICC last month.
Some 20 militant group members held an "exorcism" rite in front of the CICC Tuesday morning.
One member was wearing a white robe and led the activity at the flag area outside the fence of the convention center.
They slashed the neck of two chickens, white and black, saying it was their way of driving away the evils of the CICC.
Capitol consultant on security Byron Garcia said the guards who were stationed near the flag area immediately notified the police about the presence of members of the Kilusan ng Mambubukid sa Pilipinas (Pamana) and Panaghugpong sa Gagmay'ng Mananagat sa Sugbo.
Some 40 policemen were sent to the area and the protesters were given five minutes to vacate the place.
Vince Cinches, spokesman of Pamana, earlier said they will exorcise the CICC of the evils that are instrumental in making the situation of the poor worse.
He said that the P515-million spent for the CICC should have been spent for basic services.
But Alarcio felt deceived by militants' action.
"I think that is deception. You are not true anymore to our agreement and aspiration," he said over radio dyLA. "Mahirap 'yung ganoon na kasama (That's not good)."
The night before, Alarcio met with local militant leaders at the house of Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña where they agreed not to cause any disruptions to the summit.
Abadinas for his part, said the militant members were not able to enter the compound of the CICC, saying they were merely near the flagpoles.
Abadinas said this is beside the main road and not inside the compound.
A civil disturbance management (CDM) team was quickly dispatched from the nearby Uniwide building to keep them out.
Superintendent Mariano Natuel, who is in charge for the CDM, was first in the area.
No violence erupted as the group finished their "exorcism rite" after police asked them to leave.
The protesters brought placards with photos of US President George Bush, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia whom they said are evil.
"I supposed they have first exorcised themselves because they are possessed of an ideology over which they are obsessed. They must exorcise themselves of whatever it is that have taken over their hearts and minds," the governor said.
Garcia said the construction of the CICC "will redound to the benefit of the Cebuanos," adding that she has not forgotten the delivery of basic services.
"These self-anointed protectors of the poor, what have they done for the poor?" she said.
Various militant groups will hold different meetings and conferences in Cebu simultaneous with the Asean summit.
One of the main events is the Asean People's Camp on Dec. 12 and 13. (MBG/MEA/Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Bacolod. (December 6, 2006 issue)
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