Pinoys in HK rally vs Bush

HONG KONG (AFP) — Anti-war activists and migrant groups marched to the United States consulate in Hong Kong yesterday to protest the arrival of US President George W. Bush in the Philippines.

Some 50 protesters waved placards and chanted slogans objecting to a planned meeting between Bush — "the world’s number one terrorist" — and President Arroyo during his whirlwind visit to Manila on Saturday.

The protest was to show solidarity for demonstrations in the Philippines against the US leader’s visit, said Connie Bragas-Regalado, a spokeswoman for co-organizers the United Filipinos in Hong Kong.

She said there was no other reason for Bush to visit the Philippines other than "to ensure the pursuance of its borderless war against terror."

"The global anti-war sentiment hounds Bush wherever he goes. Now he’s stepping into the territory of one of his most faithful warmongering ally, Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, it is right for the people to again rise up in protest," said Bragas-Regalado.

"Bush’s terrorist hysteria and witch hunting are not welcome in the Philippines or anywhere else in the world," she added.

Bush arrived in the Philippines capital on Saturday for an eight-hour state visit, the second leg of a six-nation swing through Asia and Australia.

He will hold talks with Mrs. Arroyo — a key Southeast Asian ally in the US-led war on terror and address the Philippine Congress.