BY CARLA P. GOMEZ
Protesters on board about 40 vehicles drove through Bacolod City’s main streets late Saturday honking and flashing their lights to air their call for the return of ABS-CBN, and the repeal of the Anti-Terror Law.
The people who joined the caravan, who massed up in front of St. Scholastica’s Academy at about 5:30 p.m., said they responded to text messages inviting them to join.
Businessman Marius Hechanova said he had received an invitation by text, and along with other people with similar sentiments, just showed up to pour out their feelings of discontent.
They are protesting the closure of ABS-CBN, the imposition of the anti-terror law, abuse of power, and the killings, he said.
What is important is that the people are able to express their discontent, and they hope their message will reach government, he said.
“What we are asking for is transparency, that they listen to the sentiments of the people. That is very important in any government,” he said.
ABS-CBN should be allowed to continue because they are the ones giving us the news, it’s more of freedom of press and of speech, he said.
He said the participants in the caravan were the religious, youth, businessman, people from various sectors, and members of civil society.
Among the messages on the vehicles that had red, green and blue ribbons were: “Repeal Terror Law”, “Masked but not silenced”, “Ibalik ang ABS-CBN”, “We will not be silenced”, “Busina para sa ABS-CBN”, and “Defend Press Freedom”.*
