Cops, military tagged as ‘butchers’

CEBU, Philippines — Protesters call the police and the military executioners and killers in a protest yesterday at downtown Cebu City.

In a placard, the protesters said: “AFP-PNP (Armed Forces of the Philippines and Philippine National Police) berdugo ug mamamatay-tao!”

They also said in one tarpaulin: "Stop the killings! Stop impunity! Fight for human rights and human dignity!"

Protesters marched on the streets in downtown Cebu City on Sunday afternoon calling on local authorities and officials to put a stop on the spate of killings.

Protesters vowed to continue shouting for justice and demonstrate their indignation over human rights abuses and the “anti-poor and anti-people” policies of the present administration.

They staged the protest rally shortly before the government and police officials held a gathering showing support to President Rodrigo Duterte.

Protesters wanted to condemn police brutality, killings, and attacks against the people.

Jaime Paglinawan, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN)-Central Visayas chairman, said their protest only shows that they are unhappy by the recent bloody events, particularly the killing of Mayor Mariano Blanco III of Ronda town, Cebu.

“Kun sayon ra ang pagpatay og mayor, unsaon na lang pagdepensa sa mga ordinaryong tawo sama nato?” he said in his speech during the main program held on Colon Street, Cebu City.

He said along with the rising increase of prices of basic commodities are the rising of number of deaths under the government’s campaign against the illegal drugs.

Paglinawan also countered claims that protesters are paid to stage protests.

He said these are all lies and cautioned the public that time will come, if their families are affected by the killings or they suffer severely from inflation, they may also come out to the streets and join them.

Protesters are determined to demonstrate the same rally call all over again if these killings continue. (FREEMAN)