More than 50 anti-riot police block the perimeter fence of Radisson Blu, one of the venues of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu, as more than 20 student activists hold a five-minute protest. (CDN PHOTO/ JUNJIE MENDOZA)
At least 20 students from different youth organizations in Cebu City staged a protest rally yesterday afternoon against the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings.
Members of Anakbayan and Rights for Education gathered at the sidewalk of Radisson Blu fronting SM City Cebu.
Nino Olayvar, vice president of Anakbayan– Visayas, said they wanted to express dismay over and opposition to the foreign investment policies of the government.
“Our country has produced skilled workers in other economies with cheap labor force. Filipinos have no choice but to leave the country because there are not enough jobs here,” Olayvar said.
The student activists also wanted to tell the government and APEC delegates that the K to 12 program which will be implemented next year is untimely.
“There are still a lot of things that need to be done like the completion of classrooms. The K to 12 program has encouraged students not to finish a degree because of the option to take vocation courses,” Olayvar added.
Tension rose when police in full anti-riot gear arrived and blocked one of the gates to the hotel.
A policewoman identified as Emelie Santos based on her APEC identification card asked the protesters not to block the road and transfer their activity to Plaza Independencia.
Ken Ecarma, spokesman of Rights for Education, retorted, “No ma’am. I have to tell you, you have no right to pull us out.”
Student activists also accused the anti-riot police of pushing one of their members.
“We will look at our video and photos taken before taking the next action,” Olayvar said when asked for a comment.
Other anti-riot police then started to occupy half of the road fronting the Radisson Blu Hotel when student activists moved toward the front of the hotel.
The protest lasted for a little over five minutes.