By Edith B. Colmo

Highlighting the International Women’s Day yesterday, GABRIELA led the march rally from Lupit Church to the public plaza where women leaders delivered speeches denouncing poverty and oppression.

Ms. Rina Amacio of Gabriela-Negros said the Arroyo regime neglects women. “It is shameful that we have a woman president and yet our rights are wantonly violated and suppressed under her rule. The deepening poverty, worsening unemployment, rising cases of violence against women belies the claim of the Arroyo regime to women’s liberation.”

The march-rally was participated in by women from all walks of life, workers, from peasants to professionals and religious groups to commemorate and protest.

They condemned inhuman working conditions of women today, the low wages and worsening poverty, which have remained the same cry since its first march protest on March 8, 1971.

She also cited the vocal women leaders of Negros who are languishing in jail and the family of the late Beverly Pableo who was allegedly murdered by soldiers of the 11th IB, Philippine Army.

Lt. Col. Franco Nemesio Gacal reacts: “this is the only group that advertizes its criminal offenses, because they want to get public sympathy and make it appear that our justice system is biased.

“But as Filipinos, we have high regard on our women.

“If they were apprehended, it is because they committed a criminal offense, and they are always given the opportunity to defend themselves before the court of justice.”

These people are just diverting the attention of the general public against the law enforcers, acal pointed out.*