Violence in Mendiola 'campout' dispersal hit
Militants: More demonstrations in the coming days
MANILA, Philippines – Labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) condemned the government’s actions against youth demonstrators who took part in a “campout” to protest the growing hunger and poverty in the country.
The youth activists marched to Mendiola Bridge on Tuesday but were blocked by riot police using truncheons and water cannons.
On Wednesday, the activists again attempted to reach Mendiola but were once again stopped by police.
At least 10 protesters were hurt while 5 more were arrested and brought to the Manila Police District (MPD). Seven injured policemen were also rushed to the MPD's clinic.
"We condemn the Aquino government's repression of our right to hold protests even as it fails to solve the growing hunger and poverty in the country. The president, a beneficiary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre for which he has not sought justice, is showing a glimpse of the iron hand hidden under his velvet glove," said KMU chairperson Elmer Labog in a press statement.
KMU is calling for a significant wage hike, an end to contractualization of work forces and demolition of urban poor communities, the imposition of controls on the prices of basic goods especially oil, and the distribution of Luisita lands to farmers.
"We are calling on all sectors of society, especially the country's legislators and religious leaders, to condemn the Aquino government's violence against participants in the Mendiola Campout protest. The repression of protestors for two days now is a bad precedent which we should all condemn," Labog added.
Militant youth group Anakbayan, who also joined the demonstration, plans to file a complaint against police.
Activists are also planning more rallies in Mendiola from Thursday to Saturday for Hacienda Luisita farmers and to mark International Human Rights Day.
Police, meanwhile, said rallies are allowed until the peace arch at Mendiola but demonstrators are not allowed to camp out or sleep there. -- With a report from Niko Baua, ABS-CBN News
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hindi estudyante
yong iba dyan ay hindi mga students. rent a crowd sila at naghahanap ng cheap thrills. itong mga students naman ay masyadong gaya-gaya sa trends ng ibang bansa. kung gusto nilang mag-camp out they can do it inside UP campus. that way hindi nila mapupurwesyo yong mga naghahanapbuhay at nagsusumikap lalo na ngayon na malampit na masyado ang pasko. siksikan ang traffic ngayon. stay home students, study hard and read your texts. or better still, help your parents with their chores. they can do with an extra pair of hands.
occupy mendiola daw
itong mga nagproprotestang mga estyudante at mga estyudante-kuno e dapat tumigil na sa pang-gagaya sa "occupy wall street." sa wala lang mapupunta yang "occupy mendiola" ninyo. ang dapat sa inyo e mag-aral kaysa mag aksaya ng panahon sa kakaprotesta sa kalye. ginagastusan pa naman kayo ng mga magulang at taxpayers para mag aral. wag nyo nang asahing gumaya sa US at mga bansa sa Europe na may "occupy-" protests. unang-una, aminin na natin na ang mangmang na pinoy ay walang sinabi sa mangmang na amerikano o anumang banyaga sa europa. higit sa lahat, kahit isang taon mag-protesta ang mga taga US o europa sa kanilang bansa, uunlad pa rin sila. kanyo, bakit? may sarili clang disiplina sa gawa o kahit sa kanilang pang-araw araw ng pamumuhay na wala sa pinoy. kaya't kung ako sa inyo, mag-aral na lang sa kayang abutin ng pagpapaaral sa inyo at gamitin ang pinag-aralan para umasenso naman ang buhay nyo at ng pinas.
Tama lang iyan,kahit
Tama lang iyan,kahit demokrasyang bansa tayo dapat pakita rin may ipin ang gobyerno sa mga walang katuturang rally katulad nitong KMU, lahat na lang ng issues ng bansa pinakikialaman pati mga estudyante na dapat nasa eskwelahan damay at kasama sa rally na lalo lang nagpapasikip ng trapiko.Pag ininterview mo naman ang karamihan madilim pa sa pusali ang paliwanag kung ano ang pinaglalaban.Yung iba makasama lang pakiramdam bida na sila. mga lintik!!