Anti-Arroyo protests gain momentum

The movement to oust Gloria Arroyo has gained momentum. Successive mass actions and gatherings by various groups and sectors are being launched after a successful rally in Makati on February 15. The anti-Arroyo alliance continues to expand, with its actions and statements becoming more militant.

The youth have a significant participation, especially students from various schools in Metro Manila. According to the latest Pulse Asia survey, three out of four Metro Manila residents believe in Jun Lozada and 76% expressed distrust for Arroyo and her chief minions. Sixty-nine percent (69%) of residents said they approved of protest actions to remove all leading officials involved in the NBN-ZTE anomaly, with one-fourth of them ready to join rallies to oust Arroyo.

Huge Makati demonstration

More than 75,000 people gathered in what was dubbed an inter-faith rally in Makati City on February 29—the biggest number so far since 2005 demanding Gloria Arroyo's resignation or ouster. The rally brought together various religious groups, schools, progressive United Opposition, Jesus is Lord Movement, Makati Business Club and other business groups, Black and White Movement and the Catholic Educators Association of the Philippines, among others.

The rally was marked by te attendance of personalities like former presidents Corazon Aquino and Joseph Estrada, former vice president Teofisto Guingona and a number of senators, former government officials and big businessmen like Manuel Pangilinan of PLDT.

The Communist Party of the Philippines and Comrade Jose Maria Sison, chair of the International League of Peoples' Struggles issued separate statements hailing the successful protest action. Sison said that a new people power uprising may erupt once 100,000-500,000 people gather to oust Arroyo.

Tens of thousands of people succeeded in gathering in Makati despite efforts by the police and military to block protesters. Checkpoints mushroomed along all entry points to Metro Manila to bar rallyists from Southern Tagalog and Central Luzon.

Eleven jeepneyloads of rallyists from Southern Tagalog were stopped in San Cristobal, Calamba and Cabuyao, Laguna, aside from Kilusang Mayo Uno members who were blocked in San Pedro, Laguna. Hundreds of students from Dela Salle University-Dasmariñas were unable to leave Cavite.

In Quezon City, students and teachers from the University of the Philippines-Diliman were barred from marching to Makati.

Two members of the Workers' Assistance Center in Rosario, Cavite were brought to a police station for launching a protest action.

Nationwide protests

Other cities likewise launched successful mass actions. In Dagupan City, Pangasinan, an estimated 5,000 students, church leaders, residents and IBP members attended a mass at the St. John the Evangelist Cathedral and later marched to call for Arroyo's resignation.

In Pampanga, Gov. Ed Panlilio and Bishop Roberto Mallari led a "unity walk for truth" joined by some 500 students. Rallies were also held in Subic, Zambales attended by 1,000 residents and in Baguio City attended by students.

Various protest actions were launched in Bicol. In Naga, more than 2,000 persons linked arms to form a "human chain" around the city and launched a noise barrage. In Sorsogon City, a thousand people joined a rally led by BAYAN and church groups. Mass actions were likewise held in Legazpi City; Daet, Camarines Norte; and Masbate City.

In San Pablo City, Laguna, up to 1,000 people united in a prayer vigil.

In the Visayas, up to 3,000 persons from various sectors attended a rally in Bacolod City. In Iloilo City, an estimated 1,000 people marched in a "Walk for Truth and Justice." They were joined by Archbishop Angel Lagdameo, president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines. On the other hand, 500 students and activists rallied in Cebu City. Students launched a forum at the University of the Philippines-Tacloban City.

In Mindanao, 700 persons attended a rally in Cagayan de Oro City, along with Kamatuoran! (Truth), a broad anti-Arroyo alliance. Eight hundred people gathered in Davao City and 400 in Iligan City. Three hundred students from the Mindanao State University in Gen. Santos walked out of their classrooms to show their disgust for the regime. In Cotabato City, up to 200 persons simultaneously lit candles in protest. For the first time, activists launched a noise barrage in Digos City, Davao del Sur.

Protests abroad

Migrant Filipinos also launched protests in various parts of the globe. Part of the protests was the implementation of No Remittance Day as a way of pressuring the bankrupt Arroyo regime that depends on the billions of dollars sent by migrants.

In Hongkong, UNIFIL-Migrante led a rally on February 29. Filipinos meanwhile picketed Philippine embassies and consulates in San Francisco and Los Angeles, California; Seattle; and New York City.

Migrants in Ottawa, Winnipeg and Vancouver in Canada gathered together in protest. In Europe, a mass action was held in Italy.

In the Middle East, migrants declared February 29 a Day of Action. In Sydney, Australia, migrant Filipinos launched "Babay Gloria" (Bagong Bayani, Ayaw kay Gloria or New Heroes Hate Gloria).

Meantime, 61 former cabinet members from the Aquino, Ramos and Estrada regimes, along with members of the Arroyo cabinet who have resigned, called on cabinet members involved in the anomalies concerning the NBN-ZTE project to step down. They gave the Arroyo regime one week to institute reforms against corruption and will call for her ouster should Arroyo remain obstinate.



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