Opposition, militants set ‘coordinated’ protests to mark Edsa 1

February 21, 2008

THE United Opposition yesterday said it would offer a thanksgiving mass at the Ninoy Aquino monument in Makati City on Monday, the 22nd anniversary of the 1986 Edsa Revolution.

Various militant organizations are also planning “nationally coordinated” protest actions on Monday.

They will not be allowed to use any portion of the 24-kilometer Edsa for their activities, according to the Metro Manila Development Authority, but they may use the People Power Monument in the White plains area, said MMDA chairman Bayani Fernando.

Fernando said any activity that will hinder traffic flow on Edsa from Monumento to Baclaran will be prohibited.

Fernando aid the preparations for the Edsa 1 activities, which include deployment for about 300 traffic enforcers, was not meant to suppress freedom of expression.

UNO president and Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay said the thanksgiving mass will be their own “solemn” way of commemorating the people power revolt.

Key personalities in the 1986 uprising have been invited, particularly Cory Aquino who became president after Ferdinand Marcos was ousted by Edsa 1.

UNO, civil society, and Church-based groups spearheaded last Friday’s protest rally in Makati City. Binay said UNO decided to stay at the sidelines during the rally to show it is the people, not the politicians, who want a change in the government.

The Bagong Alyansang Maka-bayan (Bayan), which is among groups participating in the thanksgiving mass, said there is a difference between the “people power” revolts and the current protest movement.

“The new people power will not be led by any religious leader like Cardinal Sin. Nor will it just seek to replace one regime with a worse one. We have certainly learned lessons from Edsa 1 and Edsa 2,” said Renato Reyes, Bayan secretary general.

“People power is springing forth from the grassroots, the schools, factories, communities, businesses, with various political formations are coming together. It is spreading despite the limitations of the church hierarchy,” he added.

Aside from protest actions in other parts of Metro Manila and urban centers nationwide, a concert is scheduled Monday at the Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City.

“A Concert for Truth, Accountability and Reform” hopes to make the youth aware of developments, particularly the ZTE scandal, Reyes said.

The PNP said it has not monitored any specific threat in the upcoming mass actions. For the mass actions, some 10,000 policemen were placed on standby.

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