Protesters call for better COVID-19 response, end to 'tyranny' at ‘SONAgkaisa' protest
MANILA, Philippines (Updated 2:08 p.m.) — Various groups converged at the University of the Philippines campus in Diliman to stage a protest action Monday hours before President Rodrigo Duterte’s penultimate State of the Nation Address.
The city government of Quezon City prohibited public protests on the day of Duterte’s SONA, in line with the government’s restrictions on mass gatherings. Demonstrations, however, are allowed inside UP Diliman.
Groups from the sectors of health, labor, education, transport and youth participated in the protest action dubbed as “SONAgkaisa” to voice their criticism of the government’s handling of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) crisis, the denial of a legislative franchise for media giant ABS-CBN and the enactment of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which is feared to infringe on people’s fundamental rights.
Protesters strictly adhered to minimum health standards such as observing physical distancing and wearing of face coverings.
COVID-19 pandemic
Maristela Abenojar, president of Filipino Nurses United, said the worsening COVID-19 pandemic in the country illustrates the neglect of the Duterte administration.
“Umabot na sa 80,448 [cases] at umabot na sa kulang isang libo ang namatay sa sakit na ito ngunit wala pa ring konkretong programa ang Department of Health at Inter-agency Task Force. Malayo pa sa katotohanan ang flattening of the curve,” Abenojar said as she called on the government to prioritize the health sector.
(COVID-19 cases reached 80,488 and deaths are approaching 1,000 but the DOH and the IATF still don’t have concrete programs. The claim of flattening the curve is still far from reality.)
Ruben Baylon, deputy secretary-general of transport group PISTON, appealed to the government to allow all traditional jeepneys to return on the road.
“Kami sa sektor ng transportasyon ay ginutom ng halos apat na buwan, wala man lang ayuda. Nag-protesta at kinulong. Yan ang tugon ng gobyernong Duterte sa humihingi lamang na makabalik pasada,” Baylon said.
(We, from the transportation sector, experienced hunger for four months and did not receive assistance. We held protests but we’re arrested. That’s the answer of Duterte government to those who were only asking to return to roads.)
Police earlier arrested members of PISTON who were on their way to “SONAgkaisa” protest action at UP Diliman for allegedly violating the rule banning traditional jeepneys on Metro Manila roads. They were brought to Camp Karingal where charges are being prepared against them.
Youth groups, meanwhile, expressed concern on the plights of students who will be left behind as the country's education system shifts to blended mode.
“Handa sila sa milyon milyong mag-dadrop out, handa sila sa daan daang paaaralan na magsasara kaya marami ang mawawalan ng kanilang karapatan sa dekalidad at abot kayang edukasyon,” Raoul Manuel, president of National Union of Students of the Philippines, said.
([The government] is ready for millions of students who will drop out, hundreds of schools that will close down. Many students will be deprived of their right to quality and affordable education.)
‘Virus in Malacañang’
The Union ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura said Duterte has done nothing for agriculture workers and has only made their lives miserable with his militarist approach to addressing the pandemic.
“In all those four years, he remained deaf to our pleas of a P750 National Minimum Wage, an end to contractualization, and genuine agrarian reform. With Covid-19, he refused to heed our call for free mass testing, socio-economic aid, and plots of land to grow subsistence crops," Antonio Flores, UMA chairperson, said in a statement.
Rights group Karapatan said Filipinos have suffered enough for the past four years under Duterte’s administration.
“Tapos na ang panahon ng pagkatakot. Mas nakakatakot mamatay ng kumakalan ang sikmura ng ating pamilya at kawalan ng aksyon. Mas nakakatakot ang posibilidad na ilang taon pang mananatili ang ‘veerus sa Malacañang. Mas nakakatakot na ang ating pamilya at anak ay magmamana ng ganitong klaseng pamumuno,” Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said as she called on the public to fight back.
The Confederation for Unity, Recognition and Advancement of Government Employees (COURAGE) also urged people to hold the Duterte government accountable.
“Panahon na para harapin ang masalimuot na katotohanan—pinabayaan na tayo ng ating Administrasyon at marapat lamang na kumilos tayo para panagutin sila, ngayon na!” Manuel Baclagon, COURAGE secretary general, said.
Duterte will address a nation that is grappling with the impacts of a worsening health crisis and battered economy. He is expected to unveil measures to revive the country's roadmap to recovery. — Gaea Katreena Cabico
- Latest
- Trending
