Peasant Protesters from Central Luzon Blocked in NLEx

By BULATLAT
Posted 3:38 p.m., Oct. 19, 2006

Southbound traffic in Northern Luzon Expressway (NLEx) has been paralyzed as police tried to block 14 vehicles of peasant protesters who were to join their colleagues from Central Luzon in Quezon City.

All northbound lanes were closed since 2 pm.

Roman Polintan, chair of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan or New Patriotic Alliance)-Central Luzon, said the act is “part of the government, the police and the military’s attempt to prevent legitimate protests.”

Meanwhile, peasant protesters from the Southern Tagalog were heading for the People Power Monument after giving their support to Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay at the Makati City Hall. Binay, along with other local officials who have been suspended by the Department of Interior and Local Government, have been accused of misconduct for keeping “ghost employees.” The opposition however believes it was part of the government’s political crackdown.

The caravans from the north and the south are supposed to meet at the Department of Land Reform in Quezon City to protest the plight of poor farmers on the occasion of peasant month. Bulatlat

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