Activists rally in Philippines for democracy in Myanmar

Aug 8, 2008, 8:28 GMT

Manila - Dozens of Filipino democracy activists marched with cardboard Olympic torches in the Philippine capital Friday to protest China's continued support for the military junta in Myanmar.

The protesters, wearing sports uniforms, gathered in front of the Chinese and Myanmar embassies in Manila to demand democracy and freedom for the South-East Asian country formerly called Burma.

The protest also commemorated the bloody uprising in Myanmar 20 years ago. The anniversary of the August 8, 1988 uprising coincides with the opening of the Olympics in Beijing.

'Light up the torch of freedom and democracy for Burma,' the activists said as they urged the Chinese government to revise its policy towards Myanmar.

'Sports, according to the Olympics charter, should promote human rights and social justice,' said Egoy Bans, spokesman for the Free Burma Coalition-Philippines.

'We urge the Chinese government to now replicate that in their policy on Burma,' he added.

Bans said China should also improve its own human rights records.

The coalition reiterated its call on the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) to push Myanmar's military leaders to implement genuine democratic reforms.

Myanmar is one of 10 ASEAN members. The other members are Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.