Police Assault Anti-US Protesters In Manila

from Inquirer.net

10 hurt, says resistance group

MANILA, Philippines – A protest against the Visiting Forces Agreement, which included the burning of the US flag, erupted into violence Monday when police stopped the rallyists from entering the US Embassy in Manila.

At least 10 people were hurt, according to Ferdinand Gaite, national president of the Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE).

Using their shields and batons, the anti-riot squad pushed away members of COURAGE and Gabriela who have been asking the government to junk the VFA after one of the US soldiers was convicted of raping a Filipina in 2005.

The custody of Lance Corporal Daniel Smith is the subject of debate, especially after the Supreme Court ruled that the US Marine should be detained by local authorities and not by the US who placed him under its embassy’s care here following his conviction.

Earlier on Monday, COURAGE and Gabriela held protests at the Plaza Ferguson across the US embassy.

In an interview with INQUIRER.net, Joms Salvador, Gabriela spokesman, said that in addition to their demand to junk the VFA, they also condemned the US Army for dismissing the rape charge against Army Specialist Ronald Hopstock by a Filipina identified only as “Hazel” in Okinawa, Japan.

The rape case against Hopstock was among the 70 major crimes listed in 2008, implicating US military personnel covered by the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement.

"US soldiers who have violated the rights of women go scot free at talagang pikang pika na kami [and we're fed up]. It is disappointing that even the Philippine government was very dismal in handling the rape cases. Nakakahiya [It's shameful]," Salvador said.

Salvador said that the Philippine government was providing amenities for US soldiers who have wronged many Filipinas through the VFA.

While conveying its right to protest in front of the US Embassy, members of Gabriela were blocked by police and pushed back to the sidewalk along Roxas Boulevard where they continued their rally.

Gabriela media relations officer Cynthia Felicia told INQUIRER.net that their attempt to get as close to the US Embassy as possible "was the best they've done so far."

Gaite branded the police’s action against them as “fascism.”

"Our goal is to junk the VFA yet look at what you see here, the fascism of the police where instead of helping their own people, have turned their backs against them to serve their colonial masters," he said.

"We are asserting the right to protest, to a concerted action on Philippine ground. Last I checked, this was still Philippine soil we are all stepping on," Gaite said.

Salvador said that Gabriela would continue fighting for the rights of Filipinas who had been denied justice by their own countrymen.

Gabriela and other resistance will hold a candle-lighting ceremony at the Senate at 6 p.m.

"Until March 8, International Women's Day, we will be coming up with different types of actions," Salvador told said.