Japanese cyclists join local protest vs JPEPA
GMANews 03/04/2008
Japanese cyclists join local protest vs JPEPA
MANILA, Philippines — At least 10 Japanese cyclists will participate in a "Peace Cycle" in Metro Manila that started Tuesday, joining local militant groups in opposing the ratification of the controversial Japan-Philippines Economic Partnership Agreement (JPEPA).
Radio dzBB reported that 10 members of the Santama Peace Cycle Network-Japan joined the Kilusang Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) in the two-day "Peace Cycle."
"We stand firm in our rejection of the unfair Japan-Philippine Economic Partnership Agreement and commend our Filipino friends in their efforts to expose JPEPA for what it is - an attempt by the Japanese government to further exploit the economy of the Philippines with a dubious promise of mutual benefit and gain as well as wreck havoc in our already precarious ecological system," Ichiro Hirata read from a prepared statement.
It was the first time the event, which features advocacy through bike-riding and gained popularity in Osaka in 1994, was held in Metro Manila. This year’s "Peace Cycle" also aims to oppose the presence of American soldiers in the country and labor contractualization.
According to the report, cyclists gathered early Tuesday at the Bonifacio Monument in Balintawak. Their itinerary included the Caloocan-Malabon-Navotas-Valenzuela (Camanava) communities, Manila and the Japanese Embassy in Pasay City, and the Philippine Senate.
The second leg unfolds Thursday in Marikina City and will proceed to Pasig, San Juan and Manila cities. A program will be held in front of the labor department to oppose labor contractualization.
