Anti-Estrada rallyists clash with Subic guards

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — Violence erupted at the Subic Freeport when anti-Estrada rallyists tried to enter the gates of the special economic zone but were repulsed by security personnel last Friday.

Reports reaching the regional police headquarters here said about 500 rallyists, among them city officials and employees, barangay leaders and vendors, reportedly wanted to enter the freeport to disrupt operations.

But security forces of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority blocked them, triggering a violent confrontation. The rallyists reportedly threw stones, sticks and other material at the guards who, in turn, were forced to fight back.

A guard, identified as Conrado Medina, and People’s Journal correspondent Jhonny Reblando were injured in the confrontation.

Policemen who were dispatched to the scene pacified the rallyists.

In other developments:

• Pangasinenses stepped up their anti-Estrada campaign with a motorcade rally dubbed "Sakay ng Bayan Laban Kay Erap (Sakbayan)" yesterday, stopping over for at least 15 minutes in each town in the province’s central and western sections.

The Church-led motorcade, spearheaded by the oust-Estrada coalition AGCO (local word for reject), was capped by a huge rally at the town plaza of Lingayen.

Another motorcade rally covering Pangasinan’s central and eastern portions will be held on Nov. 25.

While yesterday’s Sakbayan transpired, the provincial information office issued a statement that 43 town mayors have signed a manifesto of support for President Estrada. But reporters were refused a copy of said manifesto.

Several mayors, however, said they were forced to sign the manifesto to facilitate the release of their respective internal revenue allotments which have been delayed for two months now.

Fourth district Rep. Benjamin Lim, one of the anti-Estrada rally leaders, said they are unperturbed by reports that the government would go after activists.

"They should observe and watch us. The more we will become aggressive. We will continue opposing (Mr. Estrada) because of his wrongdoings. There is nothing wrong about our rallies because we are just informing the people about the issues," Lim said.

• In a pastoral letter, Palo, Leyte Archbishop Pedro Rosales Dean renewed his call for Mr. Estrada’s resignation.

"It is indeed a fact that what’s happening to us is not just shameful and embarrassing. It cries to High Heavens, for it is an insult to the truth, justice and holiness of God who commands us," the archbishop stated in the pastoral letter which will be read in the Palo archdiocese today. — Ric Sapnu, Eva de Leon and Sandy Araneta