Filipinos Protest Burma Elections, Welcome Suu Kyi's Release

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Filipino activists marched to the Burmese Embassy in Manila Wednesday... protesting the military-ruled state's recent elections and to welcome pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi's release from house arrest.

The protesters, mostly women wearing yellow chrysanthemums in their hair and holding masks of Aung San Suu Kyi, called for a genuine dialogue between the Democratic Party and the military junta in Burma.

On November 7, Burma, renamed Myanmar by the military regime, held its first elections in two decades. But the global community has criticized the elections over suspected ballot tampering and rampant military harassment of its citizens.

[Wilnor Papa, Amnesty International Philippines Coordinator]:
"We want Myanmar to realize that freeing Aung San Suu Kyi is just the first step. They have to do a lot of things. They have to make sure that the roadmap towards democracy is really genuine. That's why we're asking not just for the freedom of Aung San Suu Kyi, but also for a genuine dialogue between the junta and all the people inside Burma. And of course for the country itself to open up to the international community for reforms."

Activists criticized the elections and asked the international community to increase its pressure on Burma to hold political dialogue with Suu Kyi. They also want 2,100 political prisoners released, who are still inside the country's detention centers.

Activists say Aung San Suu Kyi's recent release from her most house arrest will help them greatly in their push for Burma's road to genuine democracy.