9 students nabbed in anti-US rally

Police arrested nine militant students who conducted a lightning rally in front of the US Embassy along Roxas Boulevard in Ermita, Manila yesterday.

The students, who carried placards condemning US participation in the Middle East war, managed to cross the police line guarding the US Embassy, unfurled their streamers and started condemning policies of US and Philippine officials.

Police immediately rounded up nine of the rallyists, three of whom were minors.

The rallyists, belonging to militant group Anakbayan, were brought to the Ospital ng Maynila for medical examination before they were booked for charges at the General Assignment Section (GAS) of the Manila Police District (MPD).

They were given "no external physical sign of injury" certificates by their attending physicians.

The students, mostly from the University of the Philippines and the University of Sto. Tomas, denounced their arrest, saying they were merely exercising their freedom of expression.

However, GAS chief Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo Jr. said the rallyists do not have a rally permit and were blocking traffic.

Police confiscated the group’s placards which read: "US, Keep off the Mid East!," "Down with US Imperialism," "Stop the US-Israel War in Lebanon," and "No Blood for Oil." Ironically, some placards have anti-President Arroyo messages such as "Patalsikin si Gloria."

Those arrested were identified as Mae Martin, 20; Cristina Umali, 19; Peter James Sandoval, 19; Rhenna Flores, 21; Lyn de Guzman, 24; Arlo Cervantes, 22; two 17-year-olds and a 15-year-old boy.

They are now facing charges of violation of the Public Assembly Act of 1985, the arresting officers said.