EDSA Commemoration: Cops, militants nearly clash

Police and militant groups nearly clashed when the protesters forced their way near the Malacañang sa Sugbu during a rally yesterday morning in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of EDSA I Revolution.

Some 100 members of the Panaghugpong sa Gagmay'ng Mananagat sa Sugbu who were on a "lakbay-dagat" or fluvial protest from Tangke, Talisay City were blocked by a Philippine Navy boat while approaching Malacañang sa Sugbu yesterday morning.

Navy men tried to disperse the fisherfolk who did not insist in going near the Malacañang. Instead, they stayed in their pump boats and just waived their streamers and placards to demand for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's ouster.

The fishermen were supposed to join their allied organizations Bayan, Alyansang Makabayan, Anakpawis, Gabriela, Nagkahiusang Drayber sa Sugbu, among others, that have staged a rally in front of the Malacañang sa Sugbu building in Pier 1.

PAMANA members backed out and returned to Talisay City, but later and took a land trip to join their allied organizations in another rally on Colon Street.

At the rally in front of the Malacañang sa Sugbu, tension arose when members of the Special Weapons and Tactics tried to apprehend some NADSU members whose vehicles were parked inside the premises of the South Reclamation Project.

Jaime Paglinawan, Bayan provincial chairman, said they peacefully negotiated with the police authorities to avoid trouble.

During their rally, militants condemned the administration for declaring a "state of emergency," saying it is to preempt protests by the people that would force Arroyo to step down from power.

Protesters also "crowned" Arroyo as the "Rayna sa Katalagman" or Queen of Disasters because of her alleged anti-people policies like the Reformed Value Added Tax, anti-terrorism bill, militarization, mining, and among others.

Some 1,000 members of Laban ng Masa, Sanlakas, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Labor Power Council and other groups gathered in Fuente-Osmeña yesterday afternoon.

Lito Vasquez, Laban ng Masa spokesman and FDC-Cebu secretary general, said that Arroyo's declaration of state of emergency is a desperate move for her to stay in power.

Cebu City Police Office director Melvin Gayotin announced a heightened alert yesterday following the announcement of Arroyo of the state of emergency.

Gayotin said that although they normally have to automatically announce a red alert status during EDSA revolution anniversary, so far the city remained generally peaceful in the past 20 years of its commemoration.

There were around 300 protesters who staged a rally at the Malacañang sa Sugbu, but Gayotin immediately sent a team of Crowd Dispersal Management to the area.

Gayotin said that as long as the protesters stayed outside the gate of Malacañang sa Sugbu, they would not be dispersed as he had ordered his men to impose maximum tolerance.

Regional police director Eduardo Gador said Central Visayas remained generally peaceful despite the tension that arose in Manila.

Gador also stressed that he has not received reports on the recruitment of police officials in the region to join the possible coup in Manila.

Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano called on police, and city and barangay officials to be vigilant and repeal any form of lawlessness relating to the present political upheaval.

During an emergency meeting, Ouano said Mandauehanons have reaffirmed their unwavering support for the President, strongly condemning the brazen attempt to grab power.

Ouano also instructed the police to tighten the security of the city's vital installations like the Petron Corporation Oil Depot in barangay Looc as well as the two bridges linking the city to Mactan Island.

Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Eric Ng Mendoza also rallied strong support for Arroyo, saying such declaration is aimed to protect the civil society. But he admitted that the present scenario is not favorable for business, hoping that it will not last long.

Philippine Councilors' League national president Carlo Pontico Fortuna, a member of the Mandaue City Council, reaffirmed the league's full support for the President. - Wenna A. Berondo, Flor Z. Perolina and Mitchelle P. Calipayan