GABRIELA, the largest coalition of women's organizations in the Philippines, together with other women's groups commemorated International Women's Day through a nationally coordinated protest action.

In Metro Manila, the women started the day at 6 a.m. with a pagsambang bayan (people's mass) and harana para sa kababaihan (a serenade for women) at the Statue of The Oblation of University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. Afterwards they proceeded to the Welcome Rotonda marking the border between Quezon City and Manila. Here more women joined them for a short program.

GABRIELA's commemoration of international women's day focused on the continuing political repression and persecution by the Arroyo regime of the vocal critics of her bad economic policies and governance. The group carried the calls "Assert women's rights! Stop political repression and persecution! End Poverty!" The women showed their anger with Mrs. Arroyo by forcibly removing a gecko (tuko) with Mrs. Arroyo's caricature from a mock-up presidential seal.

In the afternoon, GABRIELA joined other women's organizations in a march from Makati fire station to Paseo de Roxas. The wives and children of the five-partylist representatives Satur Ocampo, Teddy Casino, Joel Virador of Bayan Muna, Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis also joined the march.

"What is ironic in this year's March 8 celebration is that the women's movement is deliberately being attacked by a woman-Mrs. Gloria Arroyo," said Emmi de Jesus, secretary general of GABRIELA.

She cited the plight of Gabriela Women's Party (GWP) Rep. Liza Maza, who for the first time in her involvement in the women's movement since 1987 cannot join any of today's activities because of an impending arrest. Rep. Maza is charged with rebellion, together with five other progressive partylist representatives and is under protective custody of the House of Representatives. Also included in the government's list of those to be arrested is GWP founding vice-president and former GABRIELA international relations officer Elisa Tita Lubi.

The day's activity ended with a cultural night at Paseo de Roxas in Makati where noted mainstream and alternative women artists and cultural groups performed.

GABRIELA chapters in the following areas also held whole day protest activities: Baguio City, Ifugao, Mountain Province, Davao City, CARAGA,Tagum City, Kidapawan City, Butuan City, Cebu City, Bacolod City, Dumaguete City, Bohol, Albay, Camarines Sur, Tuguegarao City, Isabela, Calamba Crossing, EPZA in Rosario Cavite, Batangas City, Lipa City, San Pedro, Sta. Rosa, Sta.Cruz, San Pablo in Laguna, Antipolo City in Rizal, Lucena City in Quezon, San Jose City in Nueva Ecija, Mindoro Occidental and Puerto Princessa in Palawan