Bonifacio mobilisation in the Philippines

By Nick Soudakoff MANILA — On November 30, 23,000 people demonstrated outside the presidential palace in solidarity with the plight of the urban poor. Similar demonstrations were held across the country. The Bonifacio Day demonstration in Metro Manila was organised by the Unified Urban Poor (UUP) in cooperation with the multi-sectoral organisation Sanlakas. Andres Bonifacio was one of the three key leaders of the 1896 Katipunan Revolution in which the Philippines become an independent Republic — for a brief period. He is known colloquially as "the hero of the workers". Before the march and rally, the UUP leaders of the Smoky Mountain settlement gave a press conference outside the Senate where the demonstrators was assembling. Just two days before, police and demolition crews had attacked the settlement. In the ensuing battle one squatter was killed and several injured. Fidel Ramos has ordered the site cleared before the APEC meeting in Manila next February. The militant demonstration marched to Malacanang Palace, swelling as contingents from different assembly points joined along the way. Each new contingent was greeted with cheers and chanting. By the time the march reached Malacanang, contingents from BMP, a socialist trade union federation; Kamalayan, a socialist youth organisation; the Muslim community and Sanlakas had joined in. Much of the march was made up of urban poor, although participation from many urban poor communities was hampered by a lack of resources in the communities to provide transportation. Police harassment also stopped people from joining in the mobilisation. At Freedom Island, some 20 heavily armed police harassed people as they boarded buses hired to transport them to the rally. The police threatened the drivers, and 18 of the 30 fled, as did many residents. Organisers, who protested the police actions and tried to rally the people, barely avoided being beaten up. Eventually the local mayor arrived with a bus-load of body guards and the police quickly left. Of the 3000 at Freedom Island, only 500 eventually joined the rally. The continuing police presence at Smoky Mountain meant that most residents stayed to protect their homes. Those who spoke at the press conference had to be smuggled out. Speakers at the rally included: Renato Constantino Jr, Sanlakas president, and representatives from the Smoky Mountain, Freedom Island, Fort Bonifacio and Samawata communities, the Muslim community and the National Confederation of Labour. The main theme was the government's treatment of the urban poor. Developments under President Fidel Ramos' "Philippines 2000" plan have led to increased demolitions, inappropriate relocations of the urban poor and increased rice prices due to speculation. Ruth Palma, a school teacher who taught at Smoky Mountain for many years, told the rally that despite the government's promise to negotiate and consult, demolitions are still taking place. In a symbolic gesture of anger with the government the crowd tore up their residents cards.