UP students run naked in protest against Arroyo, Gonzalez

About 20 male students belonging to a fraternity in the University of the Philippines ran naked Monday in protest against President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez, radio station dzBB said. Amid anti-Arroyo and anti-Gonzalez chants, the students, all full-fledged members of the Alpha Phi Omega (APO), gathered at UP's Palma Hall around 11 a.m. to hold their anti-government program. Minutes later, the students ran naked around the said hall, covering only their face with white t-shirts. Some of them carried streamers that read, “Kung hindi kaya sa Batasan, dalhin sa lansangan," (If we failed in Congress, we’ll take it to the streets), in obvious reference to the failed impeachment bid against the President. Other streamers read “Fight for greater subsidy, fight for our right to education" while others carried banners reading, “Gonzalez at Gloria, pahirap sa Masa" (Gonzalez and Gloria - apparently referring to the President - burden to the people). The protest run was sparked by a remark from Gonzalez who described UP as the breeding ground of "destabilizers and naked runners." The students also condemned Arroyo for the problems besetting the state of education in the country. The run is traditionally called the "Oblation run," which is held in December. However, it is also held to air the fraternity members’ sentiments on the prevailing political situation in the country. The statue of the Oblation is the main symbol of the UP which means selfless offering of one’s self to his country. It was made by national artist Guillermo Tolentino. -GMANews.TV