Kin of missing activists join Labor Day rally
The families of missing activists Nilo Arado and Ma. Luisa Posa-Dominado joined yesterday's Labor Day protest rallies in Iloilo City. They called on the abductors of the two to release them unharmed.
Around 2,000 members of militant groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and the party-list Bayan Muna converged at the grounds of the provincial capitol before marching in the city's main streets.
Many of the protesters wore black and carried placards with pictures of Arado and Dominado.
The two activists have been missing since April 12 when unidentified armed men waylaid their vehicle and abducted them in Oton town, Iloilo.
"We strongly condemn the recent abduction of Ma. Luisa Dominado and Nilo Arado whose whereabouts could not be ascertained until now. It has been almost twenty days since the two disappeared… We cannot just let these things happen without holding the Arroyo government and the Armed Forces of the Philippines through its Military Intelligence Battalion accountable for this criminal act," said Bayan-Panay spokesperson Aurelio Bosque.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines has repeatedly denied that they were involved the abductions and has blamed the attacks on an internal purge in the Leftist movement.
Meanwhile, around 1,000 protesters led by Alab Katipunan held a separate rally at the Jaro District plaza before marching in the city's streets.
In the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan, around 500 protesters led by Bayan Muna held a caravan from the towns of Ibajay, Tangalan and Numancia before holding a rally at the Pastrana Park.
Around 1,000 protesters led by Anakpawis and Gabriela joined a similar rally at the Roxas City Bandstand in Capiz.