Martial law tactics used to stop anti-pork protestors

We condemn the Aquino administration and its Philippine National Police for their various attempts to sabotage the Abolish Pork “Edsa Tayo” protest last Sept. 11.

Early that day, various groups had assembled to march to Edsa and participate in the peaceful prayer vigil organized by concerned citizens and religious groups. But thousands of riot police had been mobilized and were already waiting around Edsa-Ortigas to block the roads and stop the different contingents from participating.

Our group of about a thousand people, led by Anakbayan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Kilusang Mayo Uno and Gabriela, was blocked as we were marching to the Edsa shrine. The police commander said we could not proceed because we had placards and banners. We explained to them that they had no business blocking us and that we had arrangements regarding banner placements with the organizers, and these did not concern them and so, these should not be used to ban participation in the vigil.

Nevertheless, to be able to join the contingent already at the Edsa Shrine, we asked our members to fold their banners and flags just so we could march to the venue. Everyone followed, but the police refused to give way and instead continued to harass us. We marched on and asked them to let us walk to the Edsa Shrine. They were obviously looking for reasons to make trouble. They were pointing to a small cartolina sign and a bond paper sign brought by a participant as a reason not to allow us to go further. They insisted on blocking our path, until the people already in the shrine started shouting and chanting: “Papasukin! Papasukin!” (Let them enter! Let them enter!)

We successfully entered the shrine and joined the Edsa interfaith vigil which turned out to be a success.

The police’s terror acts show the desperation and paranoia of the Aquino administration. Martial law tactics are being employed to divide us and to undermine our united actions against the pork barrel and the corruption under this administration. We will not be cowed.

We demand that the police not be allowed to employ further such terror tactics in the next protest activities and neither should they be allowed on rally sites. We condemn the Aquino administration for its efforts to sabotage the protests.

Congratulations to Edsa Tayo!

Congratulations also to UP, Miriam and Ateneo for their successful Katipunan Kontra Kurupsyon unity noise barrage in the afternoon. Thousands marched and chanted!

Tama na ang kasinungalingan, pambobola, pananakot! (Away with the lies, empty promises and threats!) AbolishPork!

—VENCER CRISOSTOMO,

national chair, Anakbayan,

[email protected]