ILOILO CITY - Unfazed by President Mapacapal-Arroyo's statement that she may again use emergency powers, protesters yesterday marched in Iloilo, Aklan and Capiz to mark the International Women's Day and to call for the President's ouster.

In Iloilo City, around 1,500 protesters led by the militant women's group Gabriela and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) assembled in front of the University of the Philippines in the Visayas campus before marching to the Iloilo Rotary Amphitheater where they held a program and a mini-concert.

Bayan-Panay spokesperson Aurelio Bosque said their rally was also a "victory march" after the President lifted Proclamation 1017 placing the country in a state of national emergency.

"The determined opposition and defiance of the people against her tyrannical rule forced her to lift the order. But we will remain vigilant and vow to fight back if the suppression of our civil rights continues," Bosque said.

In the capital town of Kalibo, Aklan, around 250 protesters led by Bayan marched from the Pastrana Park before holding a rally at Crossing Bangga.

Around 150 Capizenos joined the protest rally led by Gabriela and Bayan at the Bandstand in Roxas City.*

back to top