Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30)— Several progressive groups marched in protest on Thursday, calling for higher wages and freedom from poverty as the country commemorates the 160th birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 30) Several progressive groups marched in protest on Thursday, calling for higher wages and freedom from poverty as the country commemorates the 160th birth anniversary of revolutionary leader Andres Bonifacio.
The activists chanted, “Kalayaan mula sa Kahirapan, Karahasan at Pananakop” as they marched from Kalaw Street close to the US Embassy to Mendiola, near Malacañang. A phalanx of riot police stood by, preventing them from moving closer to the embassy.
The protesters included members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino, Alliance of Genuine Labor Organizations, National Confederation of Labor, the All Workers Unity, transport groups, and some youth-led groups.
“Dapat umaksyon na ngayon si Bongbong Marcos sa pagtaas ng sahod ng manggagawang Pilipino sa antas na nakabubuhay. Hirap na hirap na po,” KMU Secretary General Jerome Adonis said.
[Translation: President Marcos should increase wages and make sure that this will be sufficient for Filipino laborers to live. They are really struggling.]
The youth group Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan (Spark) also joined the protest action to challenge the return of ROTC in schools.
“For too long, we have lived under a regime that has treated the country like its plaything,” Spark said. “Our workers’ hard-earned tax money is used as the tokens in imperial slot machines. Our students are set to be dressed up in fatigues, ordered to march into war just because our foreign “allies” told us to do so.”
On Monday, some labor groups also asked for funds to increase the wages of government employees.
READ:
Labor groups want budget for gov’t workers’ pay hike
Labor groups demand higher salary, safer working conditions on Bonifacio Day
The Pagkakaisa ng mga Samahan ng Tsuper at Operator Nationwide also joined the mobilization to continue their call to end the government’s modernization program.
READ: TIMELINE: The government’s PUV phaseout program
Meanwhile, the Philippine Army commemorated Bonifacio Day on Thursday in a flag-raising and wreath-laying ceremony at its headquarters in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City.
“Make sure na tayo ay nagkakaintindihan at isa ang adhikain na makatulong sa ating bansa at mabigyan ng kapayapan ang ating bayan,” Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Roy Galido said during the ceremony.
[Translation: Make sure that we are understanding our intention to help and maintain peace with our fellow Filipinos. ]
The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also held a flag-raising and wreath-laying rites at the Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City.
“Ilaan natin ang araw na ito upang parangalan si Gat Andres Bonifacio at ang kaniyang kontribusyon sa pagtataguyod ng ating pagkakakilanlan bilang Pilipino. Inaanyayahan ko rin ang bawat isa na tularan ang kanyang kabayanihan at pagmamahal sa bayan at ipakita ang mga ito sa ating pang-araw-araw na gawain,” according to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s statement read by Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin, who represented Marcos.
Also on Thursday, Senator Imee Marcos said, “Tulad ni Gat Andres Bonifacio, hindi natin isusuko ang soberanya at kalayaan ng mga Pilipino, teritoryo man o sistema ng hustisya, maging hamon man sa ekonomiya at kahirapan sa kabuhayan.”
[Translation: Just like Gat Andres Bonifacio, we will not give up the sovereignty and freedom of Filipinos, whether it’s territory or justice system, even if it becomes a challenge to our economy and livelihood.]
CNN Philippines correspondent Gerg Cahiles contributed to this story.
