Politicians, party-list groups dominate Labor Day rallies

MANILA, Philippines - Labor Day marchers held aloft yesterday streamers of various candidates and party-list groups rather than traditional placards calling for wage hikes and the protection of workers’ rights.

Marchers belonging to Bayan, Anak Pawis, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela and Partido Manggagawa waved streamers and posters urging the public to vote for their senatorial candidates Satur Ocampo and Liza Maza as well as banners endorsing party-list groups affiliated with their organizations.  

Police, however, said the rallies and marches were peaceful and orderly. Manila Police District (MPD) director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay said he has conducted a series of dialogues with rally organizers and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).

More than 2,000 policemen from the MPD and the National Capital Region Police Office secured the route of the marches and rally sites at Liwasang Bonifacio and Mendiola.

Magtibay has asked marchers to refrain from vandalism and spray painting walls along their routes.

He has allowed labor groups to march to Mendiola but only up to the foot of the Chino Roces bridge. “I believe that the labor groups have the right to express their sentiment, provided there will be no calls for overthrow of the government,” Magtibay said.

He also assured CHR representative Carmelita Rosete that police officers will respect the rallyists’ human rights and none of the police officers carried firearms at rally sites.