Huge rallies in Manila

Press, 22 September 1983, Page 10

Huge rallies in Manila

NZPA Manila Huge anti-Government demonstrations in Manila yesterday marked the eleventh anniversary of the imposition of martial law with a noisy protest erupting in the Makati business district and people marching from four churches to a demonstration.

Along Ayala Avenue, the main thoroughfare of Makati in Manila’s southern suburb, fire-crackers burst, and shredded yellow and black paper and ribbon rained from the buildings as office workers and employees started streaming down to the street.

It was along the avenue on Tuesday that a demonstration in favour of the Government of the President, Mr Ferdinand Marcos, which was led by Makati’s Mayor, Mr Nemesio Yabut, was broken up by a horde of sympathisers of the dead Opposition leader, Benigno Aquino. Four well-known Manila

churches marked the starting points of a protest march towards nearby Bonifacio Square, near downtown Manila, where already tens of thousands were gathered.

“Marcos, resign” placards were the most prominent in a spray of placards and streamers. Despite the mounting wave of demonstrations demanding that he step down, Mr Marcos on Tuesday said that he would stay in power because he had a “covenant” with the Filipino people who reflected him President in 1981.

Although Mr Marcos in 1981 lifted martial law which he had proclaimed on September 21, 1972, his retention of virtually all his emergency powers prompted the democratic opposition to brand his move as “paper lifting.” The opposition designated yesterday a “national day of sorrow” while the Government called it “national thanksgiving day.”