Pro-government rallyists show support

MANILA, Philippines – Some 3,000 pro-government rallyists carrying banners and placards joined soldiers yesterday afternoon at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City to openly show their support to the government,

The rallyists were allowed entry into the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters, despite standing regulations barring civilian assemblies in military camps.

The group, led by a certain Vivian del Rosario, Ricardo Dizon, and Inday Las, linked up arms with some 2,000 fully armed soldiers during a “Peace and Unity Mass” at the AFP parade grounds.

National Capital Region Command (NCRCOM) spokesman Capt. Carlo Ferrer said the civilians were in Camp Aguinaldo to attend a Holy Mass.

Positioning themselves behind the phalanx of troops, the group initially tried to display their banners and placards declaring their support to President Arroyo.

“We told them get away with their placards,” Ferrer said, adding that the civilians’ presence inside the camp was covered by an approved request from organizers to Col. Ireneo Espino, Camp Aguinaldo commander.

Most of the rallyists arrived in buses and jeepneys shortly after the mustering of troops by NCRCOM troops. They came from Marikina City and Montalban, Rizal.

With the group was Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Roberto Nacianceno.

On the other hand, the anti-Arroyo groups showed their strength in numbers on the streets of Metro Manila.

But Malacañang said the President has a strong base of supporters though they are not that visible.

Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said that this silent majority have actually made their presence known already, not physically on the streets, but through their representatives.

Bunye said that the governors, mayors and congressmen who have been expressing support to the President “represent large constituencies.”

“I know that these leaders, they speak for their constituencies when they express their support to the President,” he said.

Large crowds have gathered in Metro Manila, particularly in Makati City, to call for the President’s resignation.

Most of the actions from the administration have been prayer rallies in the provinces where the support for the President is strong.

Bunye said that the pro-administration crowd could emerge later to show their support to the President.

“They have those who support Mr. (Rodolfo Noel) Lozada, they are convincing some people, but there are also a lot who do not believe (in what he’s saying),” Bunye said.

As scores of people marched to Makati yesterday for a prayer rally,  a small group of supporters of the Chief Executive gathered at the Mabuhay Rotonda in Quezon City.

Calling themselves “Kongreso ng Mamamayan,” the group has camped out at the boundary of Quezon City and Manila since Thursday. They intend to stay there until today. – Jaime Laude, Marvin Sy,  Reinir Padua