MOTORSIKLO RALLY "A PROTEST FOR FAIRNESS"

  In 1983 Ferdinand Marcos had been in power in the Philippines under Marshall Law for 14 years plus 2 terms prior to that as an elected President.
  There was low confidence in his Presidency and a lot of graft was present in making the system work. Those that had money were able to get things done. Those that had none, got nothing done.
  The father of the current President (Benigno Aquino III) had been exiled because of political disagreement. Many people were imprisoned or exiled at that time. In 1983 Ninoy decided to return from Taiwan with the speech, "The Filipino is worth dying for". Little did he know he was foretelling his future. Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in the Manila Airport shortly after arrival.

 

A short 3 years after the assassination, 2 million people filled the only major artery of the Metro Manila Area. The shorten name is of this highway is EDSA. The occupation took its tool as everything was backed up and didn't move. The leader of the demonstration was the housewife of Ninoy Aquino, the man assassinated at the airport. The above statue shows the image of Corazon Aquino at the top and replicas of people from different occupations holding her up and supporting her. It only took a few days and heavy fighting and the government of Ferdinand Marcos was overthrown. Corazon Aquino became the next President of the Philippines. We pass this monument every day on our way to the office. It is only a short distance away.

  

 

It was at this location that I noticed hundreds of motorsiklo in a gathering. I asked what was happening and I was referred to the leader of the Motorsiklo Organization. The longer I was there the more Motorsiklo that showed up. Including Philippine National Police (PNP). By the way, this organization was the strong arm for Marcos when he was in power. It is now a trusted branch of government and adds security to this gathering. 

  

 

I found the man in charge of the protest and asked what was going on. He enlightened me on many issues that affect the owners and riders of motorsiklos in the country that are unjust. They wanted to peacefully protest these unfair laws. One such law was a sticker to show that the helmet you ware wearing has had the import tax paid. If you had no sticker, you had to pay a fine.  I had to agree, this should be the problem of the outlet that sold you the helmet, not the rider. They had many valid points.

As we talked, I had a man approach me and wanted an interview. He was from Rappler, an online information outlet.

 Oops, it's code day, I have to leave. I don't think my views on motorcycles in this country would be appreciated while I am in service as a missionary. But it is fun to be educated about our surroundings.