Militant students to stage walkouts vs Cha-cha

JOHANNA CAMILLE SISANTE, GMANews.TV
Article posted August 21, 2008 – 04:25 PM

MANILA, Philippines – Militant student organizations will lead a Metro
Manila-wide walk-out on Friday to protest against Charter change and a
possible “all-out war” against secessionist rebels, a statement
released on Thursday said.

Youth for Accountability and Truth Now! (Youth ACT Now!), a coalition
of militant student organizations, said students from various
universities and public high schools from Metro Manila have pledged to
walk out of their classes show the youth’s opposition against
President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s “moves to perpetuate herself in
power.”

Youth ACT Now! spokesperson and National Union of Students of the
Philippines president Alvin Peters said youth and students are opposed
to charter change or any moves to implement martial rule “because
these would allow the extension of a corrupt, treacherous and
unrepentant regime.”

The students will hold programs in their respective campuses before
convening at Taft Avenue at noon for the central program.

They will then march to Roxas Boulevard to merge with other sectors
for the ‘Truth Festival’ rally, said the group.

For his part, League of Filipino Students (LFS) chairperson Vencer
Crisostomo said they are protesting because President Arroyo’s ‘game
plan and scenario-building’ are becoming apparent.

“First, Charter change, then Arroyo and her militarist-thinking
advisers are now manipulating the Mindanao conflict to sow an
atmosphere of panic and chaos even in Manila and other regions,” said
Crisostomo.

Anakbayan chairperson Ken Ramos, meanwhile, said the government should
prioritize boosting the economy before politicking.

“Instead of self-serving schemes, Mrs. Arroyo should address the
present economic crisis burdening the people. Last we checked oil
prices are still at record-high levels, the lines at NFA retail shops
are not getting any shorter and the government is earning more
windfalls via the VAT at the expense of our poor countrymen,” said
Ramos.

Youth ACT Now! said they are expecting participation from students
from the University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the
Philippines, De La Salle University, College of St. Benilde, St.
Scholastica, Ateneo, University of the East, University of Sto. Tomas,
Far Eastern University, Adamson, Philippine Christian University,
Lyceum, Letran, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Normal
University, Jose Rizal University, Technological Institute of the
Philippines and some public high schools around Metro Manila.

Members of Youth ACT Now! earlier staged a noise barrage in
preparation for Friday’s walk-out. – Johanna Camille Sisante,
GMANews.TV