Militants confront police in Cebu City during rallies in commemoration of the 33rd anniversary of people power. WENCESLAO H. MENDOZA
Hundreds of kilometers from Edsa, militants commemorated the 33rd anniversary of the peaceful revolt that toppled the Marcos dictatorship at rallies that looked no different from the ones that drove the late dictator to exile.
In the provinces of Cebu, Negros Occidental, Capiz, Iloilo and Aklan at least 2,000 people gathered at rallies on Monday.
In Bacolod City, some 200 members of an urban poor group assembled at a monument for the late Sen. Benigno Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 led to the Edsa revolt.
‘We are few’
Joy Jarabelo, head of the Federation of Urban Poor in Bacolod, said the group wanted to show “the spirit of Edsa is alive in our hearts.”
“We want to recapture that greatness,” she said. “We are few but we will insist.”
In Cebu City, militants and some policemen nearly came to blows at a rally in front of the police headquarters on Osmeña Boulevard.
The protesters were angered when police suddenly played music from the cartoon series “Voltes V” loudly, drowning out speeches being delivered by protest leaders.
Peaceful end
Protesters approached the police office gate and shook it. An order to disperse the militants came, but bloodshed was prevented when the protesters left peacefully.
In Iloilo City, at least 500 members of the clergy and militant groups took part at a prayer rally at Sunburst Park.
In the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan, some 500 protesters, led by Bayan, held a protest rally at Pastrana Park. At least 250 protesters held a picket in Roxas City in Capiz.