News Update Militants get 'festive' for Arroyo exit, offer 'help' to Noynoy

Even militant groups are getting into a festive mood in marking the exit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, even as they offered "help" to her successor, Benigno Simeon Aquino III, as he prepares for his inauguration on Wednesday.

But police in eastern Metro Manila are not taking chances as they tightened security around the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City in time for Aquino's inauguration.

Militant groups led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) have scheduled street activities Tuesday in celebration of Mrs. Arroyo's exit from power and to welcome the new administration with "reminders" to be true to its campaign promises.

"Isa itong [pagkilos na] may halong pagdiriwang kasi sa wakas matatapos na rin, pero meron ding halong pagpapaalala sa paparating na administrasyong Aquino na yung outgoing administration ni [Arroyo], dapat maimbestigahan at dapat mag-account sa dami ng kasalanan nito sa taumbayan. Kailangan ng hustisya sa matinding kaso sa nakaraang siyam na taon," militant umbrella group Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr. said in an interview on dwIZ radio.

(Our activities will be festive because at long last, the Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo administration is ending. But we will also be reminding the incoming Aquino administration to make Arroyo accountable for her crimes to the people. We want justice for the Arroyo government's abuses in the last nine years.)

He said the festive mood will carry over to their "protest" activities scheduled for Tuesday.

The activities include a 10 a.m. march to Mendiola Bridge near Malacañang where they will unveil a mural calling for Mrs. Arroyo's incarceration.

At noon, the militants will start a countdown marking the last 24 hours of the Arroyo government at Timog Avenue in Quezon City.

In the evening, a noise barrage will then be held at the Mabuhay Rotonda at the boundary of Manila and Quezon City.

Militant lawmakers are to join the activities, Reyes said.

Ready to help Aquino

On the other hand, Reyes said the activities will also serve as an advance message of sorts to Aquino, who takes his oath as the country's 15th president at noon Wednesday.

"Sa administrasyon na papasok ni Ginoong Aquino, sa mga issue tulad ng human rights, corruption, handa kami makipagtulungan kung seseryosohin ang pagpapalagot kay Mrs. Arroyo at kasamahan niya (We are ready to help Aquino on issues of human rights and corruption, especially if the Aquino administration will be serious in going after Arroyo)," Reyes said.

But he said they will not give Aquino a honeymoon period, and will point out what they perceive to be his mistakes in government.

"Magkakaroon ng matinding hidwaan at pagbatikos kung tataliwas ang Aquino administration sa kanilang pinangako (Aquino can expect scathing criticism from us if his administration strays from its promises)," he said.

He said that while they have seen some positive signs such as the appointment of human rights lawyer Leila de Lima as Justice Secretary, they also saw some negative ones such as the retention of Alberto Romulo at the Foreign Affairs department.

"Susuporta tayo kung kailangan pero handa tayong bumatikos kung di gaano katuwid ang tinatahak ng administrasyon (We will support the new government if needed but we are ready to criticize it if it strays from its self-proclaimed straight path)," he added.

Cops secure EDSA Shrine vs surprise rallies

Meanwhile, the Eastern Police District on Tuesday secured the EDSA Shrine in Mandaluyong City against possible surprise protest actions, radio dzBB's Sam Nielsen reported.

EPD head Chief Superintendent Francisco Manalo Jr. said this is despite them getting no advice from militants regarding rallies near the shrine.

Manalo pointed out the shrine's administrators had declared the facility a no-rally zone.

Ironically, the shrine was built shortly after the EDSA-1 peaceful revolt in 1986 that ousted then President Ferdinand Marcos and catapulted Aquino's late mother Corazon to the presidency. — LBG/RSJ