Anti-WEF protesters, cops clash in Makati

MANILA, Philippines - Some 200 protesters, led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), clashed with police officers near the Makati Shangri-La Hotel as they tried to disrupt the World Economic Forum on East Asia (WEF) yesterday afternoon.

At least two protesters were arrested as police officers, in full riot gear and carrying truncheons, broke up the rally at around 2:45 p.m., Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said.

The rally was staged as President Aquino arrived at the hotel to deliver his speech before conference delegates.

During the clash, the police officers were able to drive back the protesters some 100 meters back from their position at the corner of Ayala and Makati Avenues.

The clash – punctuated by shoving between the police officers and the protesters – erupted as former party-list congressman Teodoro Casiño was giving his speech. During the clash, the policemen also grabbed the protesters’ placards.

Makati police chief Senior Superintendent Manuel Lukban defended the dispersal, saying the protesters did not have a permit to stage the rally and they were blocking traffic at the intersection of Ayala and Makati Avenues.

Meanwhile, labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said the country’s economic growth – which is supposed to be showcased during the WEF – is “fake and not felt by most Filipinos.”

In a statement, KMU chair Elmer Labog said chronic joblessness, the bad state of workers’ rights and other factors belie Aquino’s claims that the Philippines is no longer the “sick man of Asia.” – With Sheila Crisostomo