Biggest Peace Rally Held 
We must vanquish the enemies of peace -- Sin 

As the United Nations’ Inspection Team presented another round of report before the UN, Filipinos from all walks of life gathered in the biggest anti-war rally in the Philippines last Feb. 28 at the Quirino Granstand in Rizal Park, Manila.

BY RONALYN OLEA
Bulatlat.com  

Led by Bishop Teodoro Bacani Jr. of the archdiocese of Novaliches, at least 30,000 religious, students, artists, workers, farmers, politicians expressed their opposition to the impending U.S. war on Iraq in a prayer rally.

Bacani said he did not expect such a warm response when he called for a Nationwide Assembly for Peace Feb. 22 at St. Peter’s Parish in Quezon City.

“We must vanquish the enemies of peace,” said Manila Archbishop Jaime Cardinal Sin in a message read by Bacani. Urging the people to trust God, he said God “is the font of mercy, He will listen to our prayers.”

Vice President Teofisto Guingona, who has consistently opposed the presence of U.S. troops in the Philippines and earlier initiated a prayer rally for peace at the Plaza Miranda, reiterated his opposition to U.S. war on Iraq. He scored the ongoing military offensive in Mindanao which, he noted, has already led to nine deaths and the displacement of 150,000 civilians.  

Also present were members of the Legislators Against War (LAW). They were Senators Francisco Pangilinan and Vicente Sotto III, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Rep. Carlos Padilla, Manny Villar and Akbayan Rep. Etta Rosales. Former Congressman Wigberto Tañada also spoke against the participation of U.S. Marines in military operations in Sulu.  

Muslims, Catholics, Protestants and other religious sects joined hands in their stand for peace.

Students from Metro Manila’s biggest universities attended the activity, with the largest delegation coming from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) in Sta. Mesa, Manila. Other schools represented were University of the Philippines - Manila and Diliman, University of Sto. Tomas, Ateneo de Manila, St. Theresa’s College, College of the Holy Spirit, Manila Cathedral School, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Philippine Christian University, St. Scholastica’s Academy, Letran, Lyceum of the Philippines, San Beda College, St. Paul’s College, Arellano University and Far Eastern University.

Student representatives from at least 20 schools gave two-minute speeches which called on the people to unite against war.

Eliciting applause from the crowd, comedian and writer Isko “Brod Pete” Salvador  said he prefers to be called ‘Brod Peace.’  Dressed in an orange barong, Salvador said that George ‘Warfreak’ Bush likes the U2 (for double U, Bush’s middle initial) band especially the song With or Without You(r approval, America will attack Iraq).

Musicians Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, Noel Cabangon sang nationalist songs.

The crowd included children of overseas Filipino workers, mothers from Laguna and Quezon who brought their babies with them, Muslim women wrapped in turong (Muslim headcloth) and some students from exclusive schools who obviously found the early afternoon heat distressing. Creating a solemn but impressive picture were the nuns from different congregations, some marching together with militant groups. As usual, artists created a dramatic presentation with a woman dressed in white leading the contingent of the “Artists for Peace.”

Chants of “Peace, Not War!” “No to US War in Iraq!” “Money for Health, Not for War; Money for Schools, Not for War; Money for Food, Not for War”  and “Sigaw ng Bayan – Kapayapaan (Cry of the People – Peace)!” reverberated.

A giant “Quilt for Peace,” sewn together by different organizations, was waved across the crowd. A large kite with the peace symbol design flew above the crowd.

Prayers were uttered by the Catholics, Protestants and Muslims after the speeches. Bulatlat.com  

Related article: Negrenses Join Anti-War Protest

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