Militants renew call for PGMA's ouster
Around 3,500 joined protests actions on Panay Island calling for the ouster of President Macapagal-Arroyo while the President delivered her State of the Nation Address (Sona) yesterday.
In Iloilo City, around 2,500 protesters led by the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, assembled from Molo and Jaro plazas before marching to the grounds of the Iloilo provincial capitol.
Carrying placards and streamers describing their plight, the protesters mostly farmers and slum dwellers and students said the government has failed even to address the needs of typhoon victims who have been left homeless.
Speakers took turns lambasting the administration for failing to address the high prices of rice, oil products and basic commodities and services.
Reylan Vergara, Bayan-Panay spokesperson belied the President's statements that blamed the worsening crisis to international factors.
"While the increase of oil products are caused by the increase in the world market, government's policies have only worsened the impact of the increase because of its refusal to even just remove taxes on oil products," said Vergara.
The protesters held a noise barrage before burning an effigy of the President.
In Roxas City in Capiz, around 1,000 protesters led by Bayan held a rally at the Roxas City Bandstand while around 500 people led by Bayan and Kadamay marched from the ABL Sports Complex in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan to the town's public plaza where a rally was held.