DINALUPIHAN, Bataan – Over a hundred cyclists on a three-day bike ride from Manila made a short stop-over on Saturday at the Plaza Miranda in Angeles City, Pampanga where some 100 members of the Youth for Nationalism and Democracy warmly welcomed them.
The cyclists belonging to leading cycling groups in the country joined in what was dubbed by the Kilusan Para sa Demokrasya (KPD) as “Padyak Para sa Kasarinlan” in their commemoration of the Philippine Senate’s rejection of the RP-US Military Bases Agreement 20 years ago on September 16, 1991.
Atty. Virginia Suarez-Pinlac, KPD spokesperson and leader of the cyclists, said the commemorative bike ride seeks to create awareness on a September 16 event that will give recognition to the “Magnificent 12” senators and the countless organizations and individuals who fought for Philippine sovereignty.
“Ito ay isang pagdiriwang habang inaalaala ang tagumpay ng mamamayan sa pagpapalayas sa tropang Amerikano ngunit tunay bang wala ng tropang Amerikano dito?” she said.
The lawyer claimed that the country faces the sad fact that the US troops sent away with the closure of the bases have come back and stayed.
“Noon sa Subic lang ang mga Amerikano pero ngayon kahit maliliit na tropa ay nasa buong Pilipinas naman sila,” Pinlac said.
Members of the Youth for Nationalism and Democracy (YND) in Pampanga carried big red flags and recited nationalistic chants against the Visiting Forces Agreement.
“Para sa Bayan Huwag Sa Dayuhan”, “No to VFA” they chorused as they went around the Rotonda in Angeles City.
Chester Amparo, YND-Pampanga secretary-general, said the youth must be well-informed of the present situation that intervention of the Americans in the Philippines is on-going.
“Dapat manindigan ang mga kabataan upang hindi ito magpatuloy,” the youth leader said.
The cyclists left the Bonifacio Shrine in Manila on Friday, made the first stop at the Bulacan Provincial Capitol in Malolos.
They stayed overnight in the city hall of San Fernando, Pampanga and arrived in Angeles City at past 10:00 a.m. of Saturday.
The group proceeded to Dinalupihan, Bataan before going to Subic.
