Philippines: 11 Injured as Anti-War Protests Turn Violent

MANILA, 19 March 2003 — Riot police used truncheons and water cannons to disperse anti-war protesters in front of the US Embassy yesterday in melees that injured at least 11 people. Two activists were arrested, police said.

Left-wing and Roman Catholic groups opposing a US-led attack on Iraq have staged almost daily rallies in recent weeks in the Philippines, a staunch US ally in the war on terror. Although small in number, the protests have become more aggressive lately.

The anti-war activists called on the United Nations to disarm the United States and on the American people to oust US President George W. Bush in 48 hours, the same deadline Bush gave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or else.

The anti-war activists called on the United Nations to disarm the United States and on the American people to oust US President George W. Bush in 48 hours, the same deadline Bush gave Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and his sons to leave Iraq or else.

“Peace will be attained only by clipping the wings of the militarist hawks in the Pentagon and the White House,” said Renato Magtubo, national chair of the Partido ng Manggagawa. Renato Reyes Jr., spokesperson of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, said Bush’s speech was “a shameful cry for war, for Iraqi blood, land and oil.”

Reyes called for bigger peace rallies, saying only “the power of gigantic people’s mobilizations across the globe has delayed the mad rush to bomb Iraq.”

Magtubo appealed to the American people — ”especially the working class” — to oust Bush. “The Bush administration represents not the will of the American public but the interests of the oligarchs in the oil industry. It follows the lead of the oil monopolies that want control over Iraq’s oil-the world’s second largest oil reserve,” he said.

In Congress, a number of lawmakers affiliated with President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s ruling coalition denounced the looming war in Iraq.

“The US decision to disregard the authority of the United Nations is deplorable. It has undermined the rule of law among nations,” Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.

Sen. Manuel Villar Jr. warned against allowing America to become “the constable of the world,” saying it was dangerous to empower a nation to discipline erring regimes.

The lawmakers’ statements were in contrast to that of President Arroyo, ever the dutiful Bush ally, who prayed that Saddam would “take all steps to avert war and pave the way for a peaceful resolution of the conflict.”

Earlier, she told Bombo Radyo that it was really up to Saddam to stop the course of war. He must comply with his obligations to mankind to bring out a lasting peace,” the president said.

But after a meeting of the National Security Council in Malacañang last night, President Arroyo’s spokesman Ignacio Bunye said: “We support one last chance for a diplomatic settlement.”

Earlier in the day, Vice President Teofisto Guingona Jr. said in a statement that the government’s apparent support for the impending war on Iraq raised doubts on the morality of Philippine foreign policy.

“There should be no illusion that the war will be limited to Saddam Hussein and the Iraqi people. It will prove to be a trigger for a global conflict,” Guingona said, adding:

“The moral issues cannot and should not be viewed as a mere question of semantics. In the face of the imminence of war, the Philippines must remain on high moral ground.”

Confrontation

In the first confrontation yesterday, about two dozen protesters, some holding up a streamer reading “No to US war in Iraq,” managed to get beyond concrete barricades and approach the embassy gates, witnesses said. “The war Bush will wage on Iraq is not justified because clearly his only intention is to control oil,” said a protester who identified himself only as Tom.

Police confiscated the protesters’ placards and streamers as another group of more than 100 anti-war activists approached the embassy.

Tension rose when a second group burned a portrait of US President George W. Bush labeled “murderer,” then crossed the road toward the embassy. As they tried to press forward, police pushed them back with shields and water cannons, and hit them with truncheons.

In the ensuing melee, a policeman trained his water cannon on three activists atop a passenger jeep, causing them to fall. Another policeman, armed with what looked like a lead pipe painted white, smashed the jeep’s windshield.

Two injured activists were seen carried away by companions. Organizers said at least 11 protesters were injured. Police said two activists were arrested.

Later Tuesday, a pro-US group briefly clashed with left-wing activists. A shot rang out as riot police separated the two feuding groups, journalists at the scene said. There were no reports of injuries.

“Iraq is a symbol of terrorism so we have to be on the side of democracy, freedom and liberty,” said Carlos Salazar, a leader of the pro-American group.