Rallyists to Duterte: Cut ties with Marcoses

CEBU, Philippines - The so-called Black Friday Protest in Cebu City pushed through and was carried out peacefully yesterday morning despite spots of rain due to effects of tropical depression Marce.

 While the rally was part of the continuing protests against the burial of dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani, the message of the local groups did not zero in on Marcos but was directed to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Jaime Paglinawan, secretary general of Bayan in Central Visayas, said they are urging Duterte to cut ties with the Marcos family immediately.

 "Tin-aw among mensahe sa Presidente: Putlon na niya iyang pakig alyansa sa mga Marcos," he said.

"Nagtan-aw siya (Duterte) nga aduna siya'y utang kabubuton sa mga Marcos. Presidente na siya ug angay na siyang magtan-aw sa kabubut-on sa katawhan," Paglinawan added.

 The rallyists believe Duterte is still beholden to the Marcoses because of the support the family has given him during the elections. It can be remembered that Duterte's running mate was former senator Ferdinand Marcos.

What the government can do to let people move on, Paglinawan said, is work on the long sought quest for justice for the victims of Martial Law.

 They also challenged Duterte to take back the supposed ill-gotten wealth from the Marcoses.

 The rally started past 9 a.m. and ended shortly before noon. A noise barrage and chanting punctuated speeches during the demonstration. The rallyists shouted, "Marcos is not a hero!", "Never forget, never again!"

 Aside from members of Bayan and its affiliates, the local transport sector, students, and alumni of the University of the Philippines - Cebu and other schools also took part.

Organizers estimated the crowd in Colon Street at 300.

Monabelle Timosa, 20, of the University of San Jose - Recoletos, dispelled speculations they were paid to stay under the rain.

 "We care for the Philippines and we have the heart… rallying today is a sort of revolution for the next generation," she said.

She said she and the other students who took part in the rally joined because they wanted to be heard.

For her, burying Marcos at the Libingan was an act of shaming history and insulting the people who were victimized during Martial Law.

Paglinawan said another round of protests will take place on November 30, Bonifacio Day. — Dale G. Israel with Frances Denise Lagdameo (FREEMAN)