Int'l Women’s Day rally ends peacefully

The International Women’s Day rally held in Makati City finally came to an end as an estimated 1,000 women sang “Bayan ko" and bade the phalanx of anti-riot policemen, “good-bye." Earlier, tensions rose as Southern Police District deputy director Roberto Bondoc told the rallyists to “go home and take care of their families." Ana Maria Nemenzo, wife of former University of the Philippines president Francisco Nemenzo and Liddy Nacpil, negotiated with the police to let them stay until 8:00 p.m., so they could hold their program. Members of the Black and White Movement, Freedom from Debt Coalition, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, Gabriela, and Bayan Muna sang and chanted poetry while anti-riot policemen watch. To culminate the event, hundreds of women hugged each other. The rallyists dispersed peacefully at 7:30 p.m.-GMANews.TV