From an article in the Philippine Daily Inquirer (2/26/02):
At the US embassy, a different rally took both embassy staff and
policemen by surprise. Chanting "USA! USA! USA!" more than 400
truncheon-wielding members of the pro-US group Discovery Crusade of the Philippines Inc. marched to the embassy to campaign for US statehood.
"We love America, mother of our democracy! We love her Excellency
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo for her heroic decision (to allow)
America as our security partner," proclaimed one of the group banners.
A certain retired major Fred Bello, the group's "chief-of-staff," said
they intended to set up camp outside the embassy to push for statehood
for the Philippines.
"We will stay here and we will not leave. I think nobody will apply for (US) visas anymore, especially when we become part of America," Bello said.
