Protests greet Arroyo in Davao, Cotabato cities; 8 activists arrested

Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo during her visits Friday, July 17, 2009 to Davao and Cotabato cities. Her visits sparked protests from student activists who are opposing proposals by Arroyo’s allies in Congress to amend the Constitution that could prolong her stay in power. Arroyo is to step down next year, but is said to be seeking a congressional seat in her hometown in Pampanga. And her allies are proposing a shift to parliamentary government where

Arroyo could be elected as Prime Minister. (Photo by Allan Martin Tamayo / Text by the Mindanao Examiner)

COTABATO CITY, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / July 17, 2009) – Police arrested eight political activists during a rally in Cotabato City in the southern Philippines where Filipino leader Gloria Arroyo visited on Friday.

Police whisked the young men as they protested proposals by Arroyo’s allies in Congress to amend the Constitution that could prolong her into power.

“We refuse to be used as laboratory for ‘destabilizers’ and agenda seekers of Charter Change, we refuse to be categorized as ‘harborers’ of terrorists,” said Michael Dumamba, a spokesman for the youth organization called Liga ng Kabataang Moro.

Dumamba said his group was conducting a peaceful rally, but policemen stopped them and arrested the eight, mostly students. The Liga ng Kabataang Moro last week also protested the killing of an eleven-year old Muslim girl who was allegedly shot by soldiers during a raid at a village outside Cotabato.

The militant group Suara Bangsamoro has demanded the immediate release of those arrested. It said police were harassing political activists.

Arroyo arrived in Cotabato from Davao City where she inaugurated a new building at the Awang airport in Maguindanao province.

In Davao City, students of Holy Cross of Davao College lit candles and held a noise barrage outside their school also to protest amendments in the Constitution.

“We hold the future of this nation. We do not favour Charter change because it is a selfish move by politicians who are desperate to remain in power,” said Cai Safar, a social work student, who joined the protest.

Arroyo is to step down next year, but is said to be seeking a congressional seat in her hometown in Pampanga. And her allies are proposing a shift to parliamentary government where Arroyo could be elected as Prime Minister. (Mindanao Examiner)