Metro Manila, Philippines – A number of groups staged protests in parts of Metro Manila hours before the State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, July 17.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Timog Katagalugan, with members from Calabarzon, gathered along Quezon City Memorial Circle to demand priority for local agriculture and oppose projects that they claim are destructive to the environment.
Tensions rose after demonstrators claimed the police were forcibly trying to remove them from the area.
“Mas lalo lamang pinapatunayan ng kapulisan na wala itong ibang pagsisilbihan kung hindi ang naghaharing uri at wala itong balak pakinggan ang hinaing ng sambayanan,” the group said in a statement.
[Translation: The force shown by the police only further proves that they serve no one but the ruling class and have no intention of listening to the grievances of the people.]
Farmer organizations and students from the University of the Philippines also staged a protest in front of the Department of Agrarian Reform, standing against the construction of the Pax Silica Project.
Groups also gathered in front of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to demand accountability in corruption issues, specifically the flood control kickback controversy.
The Philippine National Police has called on rallyists to keep their demonstrations peaceful.
“Let us abide by the law so that we can avoid potential problems,” Metro Manila police chief Anthony Aberin said.
A pre-SONA survey by Pulse Asia said the fight against corruption was the top issue Filipino adults want President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to discuss in his address.
Other topics were concerns on affordable basic goods, cost of daily necessities, livelihood opportunities, and poverty.
Palace press officer Claire Castro said the SONA will be a simple but dignified event. Presidential son and House Majority Leader Sandro Marcos said the address is expected to last for an hour and a half.
