Protesters disrupt Assembly

Press, 25 July 1985, Page 6

Protesters disrupt Assembly

NZPA-Reuter Manila Debate in the Philippine National Assembly was interrupted yesterday when about 200 people, mostly women and students, unfurled banners calling for the impeachment of President Ferdinand Marcos. The Speaker, Mr Nicanor Yniguez, suspended the session when scuffling broke out as guards tried to seize the banners, draped from the upper level public gallery, and locked the doors so the protesters could not leave. Two Opposition members unlocked the doors to let them out. Many of the women were wealthy and went to the

Assembly building in chauf-feur-driven cars. They came from groups with the acronym names W.0.M.8. (Women for Ouster of Marcos and Boycott) and A.W.A.R.E. (Alliance of Women for Action Towards Reconciliation). One of them said: “We want to show our support for opposition assemblymen for their plan to impeach Marcos on the controversy over ill-gotten gains stashed overseas.” Opposition members have signed a motion calling for the impeachment of President Marcos, largely in connection with allegations that he, his wife. Imelda, and

several of their closest friends have considerable property and other investments in the United States and elsewhere. He has ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate the reports, which first appeared in a Californian newspaper and were reprinted in oppositionaligned Philippine journals. His order did not refer to the allegation that he and Mrs Marcos were among the alleged property holders but it named others included in the reports. The demonstration occurred as members were discussing another order from President Marcos for

them to review the agreement with the United States on the military bases and other facilities it has in the Philippines. As the 1-metre banners were waved from the gallery, the Speaker appealed to the demonstrators to maintain the dignity of the legislative body and told guards to escort them from the building. None of the demonstrators was arrested as they left the Assembly hall, Parliamentary officials said. One woman said they smuggled the banners into the building by hiding them in their underclothes.