Group to hold anti-GMA protest without permit

A new group against President Gloria Arroyo calling itself KAHIUSA-Kahugpungan alang sa kamatuoran ug kalamboan was launched yesterday. This early they already have a plan to challenge the government by holding a rally without a permit.

KAHIUSA, which is composed of 36 different organizations, is calling for the ouster of the president, is composed of farmers, fishermen and peasants from the different towns of Cebu.

KAHIUSA spokesman Serge Repuela said that they formed the group after the president did not address the needs of the farmers.

"Tungod sa wala pagtubag sa suliran nga dugay nang giplastar namo pinaagi sa iyang mga ahensya. Ang mga kabos wala gihapon makatagamtam ug ginhawa, kun nagkalisod lang gihapon, (It's because of their ignorance to the problems that we have been telling her agencies for a long time. The poor have not improved but are still suffering)" Repuela said.

He added that they will test the government's patience by staging a rally without a permit on October 21 at the Gaisano Metro and the Malacañang in the South.

"We are ready to face the consequence. Dili mi mahadlok kay ang among dala mga suliran sa agrikultura, (We are not afraid because the problem we present are those of agriculture)" he added.

Expected to attend the rally are about 3,000 farmers and fishermen in the different towns in the province.

In their press statement KAHIUSA said that problems such as land acquisition, agrarian cases, agricultural liberalization, illegal fishing, lack of social services for farmers and fishermen and demolition are some of the problems that the agricultural sector is facing right now.

"So far, they have not answered all these problems. They have lots of promises that were not addressed," Repuela said. - Jasmin R. Uy