Thousands Protest in Manila

by PGA 12:40pm Tue Dec 7 '99

On Tuesday, Nov. 30th, thousands of left-wing union members and activists rally at the U.S. embassy and near the Malacanang presidential palace agains Philippine membership in the World Trade Organization.

Some 8,000 people attended the rallies in front of the U.S. Embassy and other places in Manila, police said. The activists chanted slogans against the World Trade Organisation's meeting in Seattle, which starts this week, saying the talks could lead to unneeded food imports and a drop in local farmers' incomes.

Thousands of people also attended rallies in the cities of Bacolod and Iloilo in the central Philippines, witnesses said. In Iloilo, rallyists protested against the 1995 Mining Act, which allows 100 percent foreign equity in local projects but has been challenged by tribespeople who say natural resources are a heritage that should not be exploited by overseas companies. The Supreme Court has yet to resolve the case.

The Bacolod rally protested against President Joseph Estrada's plans to amend the constitution to allow for greater foreign investment, witnesses said.

Tuesday was a public holiday in the Philippines to commemorate the 136th birth anniversary of working class hero Andres Bonifacio, who led the fight for independence from colonial rulers Spain in the late 19th century.

Left-wing activists usually mark the day with protests

From: Independent Media Center
http://www.indymedia.org