100 protesters decry militarization in Quezon

Protesters splash red paint on a wall along Edsa to protest alleged militarization in Quezon province. FRANCES MANGOSING/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—About 100 leftwing activists staged a protest outside the gates of Camp Aguinaldo Tuesday morning decrying alleged militarization in Southern Tagalog.

Military spokesman Colonel Arnulfo Marcelo Burgos Jr. said the protesters, who are members of Bayan Muna, Anakpawis, Karapatan and Gabriela, marched from the People Power Monument to Gate 2 of Camp Aguinaldo, along Edsa.

The protest stemmed from complaints on alleged human rights violations in Quezon province.

The protesters splashed red paint on the gates before they left, Burgos said.

Security forces observed maximum tolerance during the protest, which lasted for about an hour and a half, he said.

Militant rights group Karapatan in Southern Tagalog said that a large area of Quezon province was under military control, saying it has at least eight combat battalions of police and military.

The group said that soldiers were committing human rights violations as well as engaging in drinking and gambling.

“Karapatan nilang mag rally pero baseless naman yung issues nila,” Burgos said.

He said there was no truth to their allegations.