6 militants arrested in GMA's Laguna visit

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines – Police arrested eight members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog (Bayan-ST) after they held a lightning rally during President Arroyo’s visit to Calamba City yesterday morning.

Christine Macabetcha, spokeswoman of Bayan-ST, identified the arrested activists as Bujs de la Cruz, Andrianne Ng, Fredie Bernal, Jose Gloria, Aly Naredo, Efraim Ponce, Riza Adiaton, and Rechel Tanteo.

Macabetcha said police accosted the eight when they unfurled placards with messages as “Never Again to Martial Law” and “Pahirap sa Masa, Patalsikin si Gloria” some 10 meters away from where Mrs. Arroyo was boarding a bus and waving to residents.

Superintendent Nestor de la Cueva, Calamba police chief, said Mrs. Arroyo was in Barangay Mayapa for a medical mission and the inauguration of a regional government center.

De la Cueva said they have yet to file charges of alarm and scandal against the eight militants detained at the Calamba police station. – Arnell Ozaeta