Cardinal Jaime Sin of Manila may be the darling of President Corazon Aquino´s supporters but not of her deposed predecessor´s loyalists who have been holding anti-government protests, say observers here.
During a rally May I before the U.S. Embassy, supporters of former president Ferdinand Marcos threw rocks at Aquino supporters celebrating Labor Day at nearby Luneta Park and lambasted Cardinal Sin for his role in ousting their leader during February´s "people power" revolution.
At least one person was killed and 15 injured in stone-throwing incidents lasting until midnight when police attacked with water cannon and teargas.
As police moved in, loyalists uncovered a large statue of Jesus Christ and a miniature Santo Nino, while cultists, garbed in white cassocks, knelt down and flashed the "V" sign (for victory) in an attempt to stop the dispersal.
-- One placard held by a loyalist wearing a black robe and red tiara asked, "Cardinal Sin, are you still a virgin?" Fastened below it was a "We Love Marcos" sign, while on the tiara was written "Mortal Sin, Don´t Interfere."
Foreign reporters swarmed around protesters who danced and blew a whistle to the beat of Marcos´ campaign songs.
Aquino supporters, kept 30 meters away by police, chanted at the protesters, "Fools, fools," and accused them of taking money to stage the protest.
"We are not paid," fumed movie-actor Rusty Salazar, now loyalist spokesman. "Those who accuse us of being paid must be receiving grease money."
"We´re under a revolutionary government and all laws are silent in this kind of government. We seek the face of a constitutional government," he said.
Behind Salazar, a placard read, "Cardinal Sin, restore faith."
Loyalists, demanding that the U.S. return their deposed leader from Hawaii, say Marcos won the Feb. 7 election and call Aquino an "illegitimate president."
They covered a mock coffin with a Philippine flag, a protest symbol once used by anti-Marcos Church people.
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