Activists protest against high fuel prices
Anger rising against continuing, threatened price increases around the region
Security personnel of an oil company block the path of protesters in Manila (photo: Sam Lebradores)
- Joe Torres, Manila and Ryan Dagur, Jakarta
- Asia
- March 15, 2012
There have been protests across Southeast Asia today at rising oil prices.
Transport groups, activists and students staged a protest in Manila against continuing fuel price increases while workers rallied in Jakarta, Medan and Banten in Indonesia against a government plan to reduce subsidies.
In Manila, students walked out of classes and gathered at several protest centers.
"This is a show of force against the seemingly absolute freedom of the [oil companies] to increase oil prices whenever they want," said Vencer Crisostomo, chair of Anakbayan, a national youth organization.
In the southern Philippine city of Davao, protesters threw red paint at an effigy of President Benigno Aquino in front of an oil depot.
The Indonesian government plans to raise the price of fuel by 30 percent to 6000 rupiah (US$0.66) per litre next month.
Hundreds of workers blocked two filling stations in Tangerang, Banten province, while dozens of activists from various organizations staged a rally in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta. University students protested against the plan in Medan, North Sumatra.
A bigger rally of some 50,000 workers is expected in Jakarta on March 21.
Transport groups, activists and students staged a protest in Manila against continuing fuel price increases while workers rallied in Jakarta, Medan and Banten in Indonesia against a government plan to reduce subsidies.
In Manila, students walked out of classes and gathered at several protest centers.
"This is a show of force against the seemingly absolute freedom of the [oil companies] to increase oil prices whenever they want," said Vencer Crisostomo, chair of Anakbayan, a national youth organization.
In the southern Philippine city of Davao, protesters threw red paint at an effigy of President Benigno Aquino in front of an oil depot.
The Indonesian government plans to raise the price of fuel by 30 percent to 6000 rupiah (US$0.66) per litre next month.
Hundreds of workers blocked two filling stations in Tangerang, Banten province, while dozens of activists from various organizations staged a rally in front of the presidential palace in Jakarta. University students protested against the plan in Medan, North Sumatra.
A bigger rally of some 50,000 workers is expected in Jakarta on March 21.
