Central Luzon groups gird for protests vs Balikatan

CLARK FIELD, Pampanga — Multisectoral groups in Central Luzon are girding for month-long protest activities against the presence of US troops in the country under the Balikatan military exercises.

The protests will kick off tomorrow with a torch parade and a two-day rally which the revived Central Luzon Alliance for a Sovereign Philippines (CLASP) and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Gitnang Luzon expect to be joined by the biggest number of protesters to gather at this former US military base since the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) was approved in 1999.

Bayan regional chairman Roman Polintan said no less than 3,000 representatives from militant, religious, youth, cultural minority, human rights and women’s groups are expected to gather in San Fernando City for the march and torch parade along the MacArthur Highway toward Angeles City, covering some 16 kilometers.

The marchers will converge in front of Clark’s main gate where they will stay overnight for film showings and cultural presentations dramatizing their opposition to the US military presence in the country. — Ding Cervantes