Filipino maids in Hong Kong demand GMA ouster

HONG KONG (AP) — About 60 Filipino migrant workers protested yesterday outside the Philippine consulate general in Hong Kong, denouncing their nation’s president for declaring a state of emergency and demanding she step down.

"Oust, oust GMA!" yelled the protesters outside the consulate’s office, referring to President Arroyo. "Oust the US-Arroyo regime!" read another placard.

Critics have questioned whether Arroyo’s emergency declaration Friday was justified since no actual coup attempt occurred. Philippine police have arrested at least three vocal critics of the president and raided a newspaper over the weekend.

Eman Villanueva, one of Sunday’s protest organizers, blasted the decree as "martial law in disguise."

The declaration by Mrs. Arroyo bans rallies, allows arrests without warrants, and permits the president to call in the military to intervene and lets her take over facilities — including media outlets — that may affect national security.

"The Filipino people have had enough of the fascist rule of Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s government," Villanueva said. "We’ve had enough of the poverty, the injustice, the human rights violations under her presidency."

In a reference to the days of former dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the protesters chanted "never again, never again to martial law" outside the Philippine consulate office and handed in a petition to a consular official.

Philippine Consul-General in Hong Kong Alejandrino Vicente was not immediately available for comment.

Several domestic workers covered their eyes with a yellow sticker bearing the words, "Police brutality!"

"I’m so mad," said demonstrator Eva Mayor from the southern Filipino island of Mindoro. "The declaration is a suppression of our rights. It’s military rule."

More than 218,000 foreigners work as domestic helpers in Hong Kong. Most come from the Philippines, with smaller numbers from Indonesia, Thailand and Nepal.