Cebu Citizens’ Assembly to hold anti-Marcos rally

CEBU, Philippines - Martial Law victims in Cebu will join other militant groups today in a nationwide protest against the burial of former president Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.

Teody Navea, secretary general of Sanlakas-Cebu, said they will join the Cebu Citizens' Assembly in the march rally from Osmeña Boulevard to Plaza Independencia at 8 a.m. today. The group will have a stopover rally in front of Gaisano Metro in Colon before heading to Plaza Independencia where a formal activity will be held until 12 noon.

The protest action, which coincides the 153rd birth anniversary of Andres Bonifacio, is dubbed as "rage Against Tyranny."

Members of the Cebu Citizens' Assembly Against the Marcos Burial at the LNMB have expressed their indignation on the alleged resurgence of tyrannical rule in the country.

"Today, we remember Gat Andres Bonifacio. We remember too, Bonifacio's fight against tyranny. We remember too, that the Filipino people put up a brave fight against the tyranny of the Marcos regime. We remember too that we are capable of ousting any dictator," the assembly's statement reads.

The assembly is composed of various organizations like the Anti-Bongbong Coalition, Akbayan, Sanlakas, Kilusan Para sa Pambansang Demokrasya, Nagkaisa, Partido Mangagawa,  Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Free Legal Assistance Group, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, UP ALL Cebu, and Pagtambayayong Foundation Inc.

Inspired by Bonifacio's bravery, the group declared their opposition to the resurgence of tyranny in the country under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

According to the assembly, Duterte's approval to the burial of Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, his constant threat of imposing martial law, his threat to suspend the Writ of Habeas Corpus and his plan to place under one department the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the Philippine National Police as well as his endorsement of extra-judicial killings are all indications of the resurgence of tyranny in the country.

 "Duterte's insistence of burying the dictator Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani is an endorsement of the tyrannical and dictatorial rule of the Marcos regime. His action indicates that he is partial to a tyrannical rule," it added.

The CCA will also have a groundbreaking at the Plaza Independencia of the markers of Cebuano martyrs who fought against the dictator.

Among the Cebuano martyrs are radio personality Nenita "Inday Nita" Cortes-Daluz, Father Rosalio "Rudy" Romano, Lawyer Vicente Balbuena, Professor Evelyn Neri, Ribomapil "Dodong" Holganza Sr., Fr. Louie Hechanova, and Lawyer Valentino Legaspi.

They were chosen by a search committee created by the assembly. The search committee also voted to declare the following as Cebu Martial Law Survivors Worthy of Emulation; Auxilium "Toling" Olayer, Francisco "Bimbo" Fernandez, Judge Meinrado Paredes, Lawyer Democrito Barcenas, Professor Zenaida Uy, Senator Sergio Osmeña III, Fr. Emi Maningo, and Ruben Diaz.

 The committee agreed that the bravery and genuine love for freedom of these people are all worthy of emulation for today's generation and for the generations to come. They were also chosen regardless of political and ideological persuasions.  All 15 of them will be honored in a fitting ceremony in a later date.

The police are calling on participants of the anti-Marcos rally today to maintain peaceful movement and observe safety protocols.

Cebu City Police Office director Senior Superintendent Joel Doria said security personnel will be deployed to secure the protest venue. (FREEMAN)