Militant groups to picket Asean gab

Despite stern warnings from authorities that militants and other "troublemakers," especially foreigners, will be barred from the 12th ASEAN Summit on Dec. 11-14, members of civil society groups said they are ready to hold protest actions and challenge government leaders.

The Freedom from Debt Coalition, Jubilee South, Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya, and Sanlakas said that their activities, called the ASEAN People’s Camp and Week of Action, are already scheduled from Dec. 9 to 13.

In a joint statement, they said they "will gather different cause-oriented groups, civil libertarians, social movements and people’s organizations in a struggle for security, human rights, economic justice and democratic governance for the people of Southeast Asia."

"Our activities will be peaceful to show our basic rights to freedom of expression and assembly. The governments of the ASEAN should pay attention to what citizens’ groups from their respective countries have to say," Jubilee South international coordinator and FDC vice president Lidy Nacpil said.

If the government pushes through with its warning to prevent protest activities, "it will demonstrate very clearly that the ASEAN theme of a ‘sharing and caring community is a sham," said Nacpil.

The week of action will have activities and mobilizations not only in Cebu but also in Manila and in other ASEAN countries, the group’s officials said. — Wenna Berondo, The Freeman News Service