Protesters march vs Apec meet

CLARK FREEPORT, Philippines—Members of party-list group Anakpawis marched around a park in front of this free port on Monday as government officials inaugurated a roundabout ahead of the First Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) to be held here beginning Jan. 26.

Joseph Canlas, Anakpawis Central Luzon chair, said about 150 people joined the protest. Police, however, estimated the number at 40.

Police barred the activists from getting near Clark Development Corp. president Arthur Tugade, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Arnel Casanova, Angeles City Mayor Edgardo Pamintuan and Mabalacat City Mayor Marino Morales as they inaugurated a rotunda, road, drains and gardens that cost P12.85 million.

“We are protesting against Apec because, as led by the United States, this organization of countries is being used to further exploit the natural resources and markets of developing countries,” Canlas told the Inquirer.

Chief Supt. Ronald Santos, Central Luzon regional police director, said security at Clark remained tight for the start of the SOM1.

More than 3,700 policemen will secure some 1,700 Apec delegates until Feb. 7.–Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Luzon