Text, photos and video by VINCENT GO
VARIOUS activist groups commemorated Women’s Day Friday with an assembly and a program at Plaza Salamanca off Taft Avenue in Manila, before marching to the United States Embassy.
The groups called for the scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement and demanded the release of two of their companions who were arrested the previous day for taking part in a lightning rally in front of the presidential palace Malacañang.
A police blockade stopped the rallyists before they could reach the Embassy. A scuffle ensued, resulting in injuries on both sides.
That same afternoon, the group marched towards the Manila Police Department Headquarters along U.N. Avenue to demand the immediate
release of their two detained companions.
Upon their release, the group headed for Liwasang Bonifacio where they staged a program. They later marched to Mendiola causing heavy traffic in the area.
