Multisectoral groups launch Bantay Demokrasya coalition

Navy Lt. (sg) Antonio Trillanes IV and the other Magdalo mutineers are inspirations to a group of religious leaders but these young leaders are not out to stage their own mutiny.

In fact, their disgust over the foiled July 27 Oakwood mutiny "inspired" the Samahang Itinatag ng mga Kabataang Lingkod na Aangat sa Bayan (Siklab) to form a coalition to protect democracy.

Called "Bantay Demokrasya," the 12-group coalition was launched yesterday in a bid to quell future military coup attempts.

"This group is triggered by our disgust over the July 27 mutiny. We want to show Trillanes and the other mutinous officers that they don’t have the exclusivity when it comes to vision on idealism. We also want and respect our democracy but we will not be arming ourselves to protect it," said G.V. Aquino of Siklab.

He added the coalition was born after they found that there were other groups fed up with the unending chains of coup plotters.

Realizing "Bantay Demokrasya" could fall prey to politics, the youth leader and one of convenors of the coalition, said the group’s goal is only to protect democracy regardless of who the president is.

"We will be distancing ourselves from politicians and will only be serving as a watchdog of the government," Aquino said.

Although, they condemned the actions of the mutineers the coalition called on President Arroyo not to turn a deaf ear on their demands.

"The government has to investigate. President Arroyo should not ignore their complaints or we will never see the end of these coup plots," said Omar dela Cruz of the New Guardians Inc.

Nathan Zulueta, representing the business sector in Quezon City, for his part called for the unmasking of the "real financiers of the failed coup. People should be vigilant or we will be losing our hard fought democracy and will be ruled by a military junta."

Aside from Siklab, New Guardians Inc. and the Quezon City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, other members of the coalition are the Gawin Natin-Lakas Pinoy, United Filipino Seafarers, NACTODAP — an association of tricycle driver, Kaibigan ng OCWs, Bantay Turista International Philippines, Women’s Sector, SUMAMAKA, National Alliance for Democracy and Akbay Pinoy.