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Saturday, January 13, 2007
A brighter future for Asean, region: Arroyo
CEBU CITY -- Plans to turn Southeast Asia into a tighter-knit political bloc and to establish a free trade zone will dominate Saturday's summit of the region's leaders.
Sun.Star Network Online's 12th Asean Summit Watch
The leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have agreed to write a charter to create a more formalized regional bloc and establish the free trade zone by 2015, according to a draft of their final statement obtained by The Associated Press.
China and Japan are hoping to extend that zone to bring themselves into the grouping's economic orbit.
"The future looks brighter for the region," President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said in a statement.
The Asean leaders' statement, to be issued after the summit concludes tomorrow, also includes an agreement on counter-terrorism and the protection of migrant workers, both major issues in the region. It will also promise to increase energy security and intensify the fight against poverty and Aids.
The summit brings together the 10-member Asean and their dialogue partners: Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, and New Zealand.
The Philippines was on high alert as seven more leaders arrived for the summit, which was preceded by three bombings that killed seven people in General Santos, Cotabato and Kidapawan last Wednesday night.
Officials denied any direct link to the summit.
Left-wing groups have accused Arroyo of stifling legitimate dissent to avoid embarrassment during the summit.
Anti-riot policemen dispersed a rally by the Laban ng Masa Friday noon in Mandaue City and arrested three persons.
The rally was held about a kilometer from the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, where activities of the Asean summit were held.
Protesters criticized the dispersal and arrest. They said they were about to leave the area when policemen in full anti-riot gear arrived.
There were about 200 protesters from the Laban ng Masa, a coalition of cause-oriented groups including Akbayan, Sanlakas, Partido ng Manggagawa and Kilusang Mangingisda.
They aired their sentiments against the Arroyo administration, calling the President a "terrorist."
Driver Roberto Abellana, Allan Besquera of Partido ng Manggagawa and Edwin Ruaza of the Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino were arrested.
Farrah Gamalo of Task Force Detainees was also inside the bus with them but Laban ng Masa spokesperson Lito Vasquez told Sun.Star Friday afternoon that she just escorted the three.
Vasquez also said he was about to tell his companions that they will already leave the vicinity when the anti-riot police dispersed them.
A handcuffed Ruaza still kept on shouting even while he was already inside the detention bus. He said he also lost his cellular phone.
But Abellana said he is not involved with the group. He only drove the truck that the group rented for P2,000. His wife cried as policemen arrested him.
The protesters assembled in front of the San Miguel Complex along M.C. Briones Highway. Around 10:20 a.m., they marched a few meters past a nearby gasoline station until the corner of A. del Rosario St. and C.D. Seno St.
They weren't able to get past the orange traffic barriers placed in the middle of the road, so they just held their program there.
After a while, they lighted some firecrackers and burned an effigy of Arroyo, just a few meters from the gasoline station.
In an interview, Francisco Nemenzo of Laban ng Masa said the demonstration was against the Arroyo administration, which is "illegitimate."
He also said any declarations signed during the summit are just "statements of good intentions."
"Don't expect investments to pour in. They have their ways of finding out whether or not a place is good for investment," he said.
Party-list group Akbayan, for its part, said in a press statement that the Asean is a "breeding ground of dictators, fake governments, military regimes and corrupt leaders."
Mandaue City Police Office Director Alexander Abadinas said the rallyists were dispersed after being given enough time to leave the vicinity.
All of Mandaue, including its freedom parks, has been declared a "no-rally zone" during the summit.
The protesters had about an hour to hold a program, mainly dances performed to the Sinulog beat. They also blocked an entire lane.
Meanwhile, in Lapu-Lapu City, police officials invited for questioning two alleged members of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), who arrived at the city wharf.
"We just questioned their presence here because they had fatigue uniforms with them," said Lapu-Lapu City Police Chief Louie Oppus.
He said the duo carried IDs signed by MNLF chairman Nur Misuari and identified them as Jofil Visitacion Siroy, 43, a major of the Special Action Force 508th Infantry Brigade; and Joseph Reyes Fadriquela, 34, a captain and deputy battalion commander.
In his report, operations officer SPO3 Mario Poblete said he and his men spotted the two disembarking from a ferry in Muelle Osmeña at 7 a.m.
The two were carrying big bags and both were wearing jackets and shades. They were later released after questioning. (AP/With AAG & OCP of Sun.Star Cebu)For more Philippine news, visit Sun.Star Zamboanga. (January 13, 2007 issue)
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