People Power Redux

Been tired since yesterday and today wasn't better.

I came from Panamao and Tiptipon, Sulu yesterday to cover the Balikatan exercises there. Left at around 5 a.m. yesterday which means, I only got 2 hours of sleep before the flight. Wasn't able to have some shut eye during the visit because we had to work of course. I thought I could rest the next day, which is today.

But I got a call at around 7:30 a.m. reminding me that I should be early for work. I thought the desk person was referring to my 9 a.m. shift, but later found out that what he had said was that I should be at work at 8 a.m. but that's another matter.

Anyway, the reason for the early call time was (at least) initially, people power celebrations today. What I didn't know was the newsroom had been buzy already. Talks of a quelled coup attempt, etc.

I was deployed to cover the rally of Akbayan, Laban ng Masa group. The group was with UP Prof. Randy David, former UP President Franciso Nemenzo, and Akbayan Representative Risa Hontiveros.

The initial plan was to push on to Edsa Shrine. I thought they wouldn't have any problems. They whizzed pass the policemen who blocked them on their way out of the Circle.

Their number grew to about 10,000 (at least according to a rallyist). On the street, they would encourage the uziseros. Their invitation was met with claps, clenched fists, and cheers.

I thought they could go to EDSA Shrine but when they reached Santolan, it was clear, that the the fist of the government would quell them.

There were negotiations initially between the rally group's leaders, Hontiveros, David and Nemenzo and Quezon City Police Chief Nicasio Radovan. But the police just wouldn't let them pass.

The signal to disperse was given. The firetruck beamed their hose toward the rallyists. Within minutes, rocks were being hurled at the policemen. I was on top of the firetruck on the side of the police, I was worried I might be hit. But I guess I was lucky.

Some 18 rallyists were arrested. Later on, I discovered that David, Ronald Llamas, and Atty. Argee Guevarra were arrested (they were later on released).

Hontiveros was safe and so was Nemenzo.

"I remember Martial Law twenty years ago, during the time of Marcos," Nemenzo wryly said.

Fate has a way of reminding how lessons should be learned.