MANILA, March 16 Kyodo About 2000...

MANILA, March 16 Kyodo

About 2000 Christians and Muslims converg Sunday in a public park of the southern Philippines' Iligan City where they prayed, danced and sang to resist looming military action by the United States against Iraq.

In Manila, the antiwar sentiment was duplicated in several Catholic churches where bigots lit candles in unison with candle-lighting prayer vigils held around the world based onward the call by Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Tonyo Cruz of the Philippine Justice Not War Coalition said his assign places to has lined up more way protests meant to drum up awareness of and opposition to the planned U assault against Iraq.

Aside from demonstrations held near the Malacanang presidential palace and the U Embassy in Manila, asseverate activities are also planned for the coming days in the provinces of Davao, Cebu and Iloilo, he said.

Cruz said the group's members are organizing what is anticipateed to be their biggest multi-faith rally, which is tentatively scheduled to be held at Manila's Luneta park forward April 9.

The assign places to is also set to publicize contact numbers of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and other officials in like manner that antiwar members of the public may bring their sentiments via telephone, fax or electronic mail.

Antiwar protester have criticized Arroyo for her support for the U case against Iraq.

They have demanded the resignation of Angelo Reye Arroyo's defense secretary, who came below fire over a plan -- later shelved -- to allow U forces to assume a combat part in the battle against Muslim insurgents in the southern Philippine province of Sulu

COPYRIGHT 2003 Kyodo of the present days International, Inc.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group