Violence increases in Manila
By Sonny Melencio
MANILA — Election-connected violence continues to rise. As of April 27, 66 persons were reported killed in various parts of the country. This is seen as normal in a country noted for bloody electoral exercises.
There is also a rise of kidnapping and harassment cases against students in Metro Manila. Students from various schools and universities have formed an organisation called Student Advocates for Voters' Empowerment (SAVE), which is launching a movement against traditional politics. Its targets are the traditional politicians, popularly called "trapos", who have monopolised the elections in the country.
On May 1, a group of 25 SAVE members was attacked by goons belonging to a Congressional candidate in Pasig City. The students were already marching to disperse, after a picket in front of the candidate's campaign headquarters, when they were ambushed by a jeep load of men armed with guns and wooden clubs.
Six persons were hurt, all SAVE members, with one woman falling unconscious for a few minutes after being hit by a wooden bench in the nape of the neck.
Prior to this, two SAVE members were abducted in separate incidents in Mandaluyong City. The two were pasting posters with the slogan "Trapo Kadiri" (Trapo, Revolting), when they were confronted by men belonging to a Congressional candidate. One was brought to the candidate's house, where he was handcuffed in the guardhouse for hours. The other was mauled and pasted with a "Trapo Kadiri" poster on the face.
SANLAKAS, a federation of mass organisations in Metro Manila, started the anti-trapo campaign by forming several electoral coalitions and fielding candidates in seven of the 23 congressional districts in Metro Manila. The candidates range from known political activists to feminists and environmentalists.