Protests across Aotearoa have marred the week long tour of the Phillipine's President Gloria Arroyo. A counter-tour of Aotearoa by trade union leader Dennis Maga has put the Arroyo regime on the defensive and gained international media attention for the cause of the Free Ka Bel Movement and the Stop the Killings campaign protesting the nearly 850 people who have killed in extrajudicial assasinations of left-wing politicians, human rights activists, unionists, journalists and religious leaders.

On Monday in Wellington unionists and activists protested Arroyo's visit and lunch at parliament with Helen Clark. On Tuesday a group of around fifteen human rights activists and unionists led by Dennis Maga held a noisy four hour protests outside the Copthorne Hotel in Waitangi as Arroyo and Clark addressed the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Forum. Whistle-blowing, drumming and chants of "Gloria, Murderer!", "Blood, Blood, Blood on your hands!" and "Long live international solidarity!" could be heard inside the conference. Several dozen white crosses were planted in the ground at the entry to the treaty grounds to symbolise the 858 extra judicial killings during the Arroyo regime.

On Friday two hundred members of the National Distribution Union at the Progressive Enterprises supermarket distribution centre at Favona Road Mangere, held a spontaneous walkout and demonstration in solidarity with the Fillipino labour movement.

Wellington: Report+Photos | Video
Waitangi: Report | Photos | Videos: Demonstration against Arroyo | Dennis Maga speaks out at Waitangi | Jane Kelsey speaks out at Waitangi
Favona Road: Report+Photos | Video