Patriotic groups continue protests
Antiwar protests by different democratic and patriotic forces continue across the country. Along with their opposition to the US imperialist war against Iraq, the protesters also condemn the US-Macapagal-Arroyo regime's all-out war in Mindanao.
"Stop the war in Mindanao and withdraw support for the war in Iraq!" the Moro people cried in unison in their protest actions against the Macapagal-Arroyo and Bush governments.
Led by the Bangsamoro Alliance Against Injustice, the Moro people launched one of the biggest protest actions in Cotabato City on April 2. They demanded that the regime observe the ceasefire to stop the ongoing mass evacuations and allow civilians to return to their homes. They also called for the regime's withdrawal of support for the US aggression on Iraq.
Some 5,000 marched along Ayala Avenue in Makati City on March 28 led by various religious groups, professionals and businessmen. BAYAN, KMU, KMP, Gabriela, Kadamay, Anakpawis and other mass organizations likewise joined the protest action.
Militant groups staged a lie-in protest along Session Road in Baguio City. Masses were held in the cities of Laoag and San Fernando in the Ilocos region. Before proceeding to Makati, the delegates from Pangasinan, Tarlac and Pampanga held a brief rally in the city of San Fernando, Pampanga while delegates from Nueva Ecija staged a caravan from Cabanatuan City. People from Bulacan, Laguna and Naga City also launched a caravan.
In the Visayas, rallies led by BAYAN and the Justice not War Coalition (JNWC) were held in Cebu City and Tagbilaran City. Earlier, local governments in the Visayas passed resolutions condemning the war in Iraq and calling for the regime's withdrawal of support for the war. A cultural rally was held in Bacolod City while an interfaith forum and prayer rally were held in Tacloban City.
The JNWC and US Troops Out of MindaNOW! held a procession in Davao City. Before this, a manifesto by Catholic bishops calling for a stop to the war in Iraq and in Mindanao and to let justice prevail was circulated in the island. In General Santos City, a protest march was launched, participated in by people from South Cotabato, Sarangani and Gen. Santos City. A candle march was held in Cagayan de Oro City.
Other sectors of society likewise held various forms of protest.
On March 27, artists and their representatives from different parts of the country gathered to attend the Solidarity Gathering for Peace at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Award-winning director and poet Marilou Diaz-Abaya enjoined all artists to boldly express their sentiments through their works. The organizations that attended were, among others, the Concerned Artists of the Philippines, PETA, Ugat-Lahi, Gabriela, Mindanao People's Coalition, Philippine Islamic Council, Mindanao Commission on Women and others. A similar gathering was held in the cities of Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Iloilo and in New York City, USA. Four hundred journalists and mass media workers signed an antiwar manifesto entitled Media for Peace.
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