Metro Manila, Philippines – Various groups will hold protests, forums, marches, and other activities across the country on September 21, organizers said on Thursday, Sept. 18, marking the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, while also calling for accountability and raising other national issues.
In Bicol, groups are scheduled to hold a march-rally in Legazpi and Naga City.
In Baguio City, an “Alternatibong Klase” or AKLAS will be held at UP Baguio from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., followed by a march-rally from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with Malcolm Square as the venue.
In Iloilo City, a program is set at the General Luna Flyover at 9 a.m., followed by a march to the Office of the Ombudsman-Iloilo at 11 a.m. Similar activities are planned in Roxas City, Capiz; Aklan; Negros; Davao City; Mountain Province; Kalinga; and Abra.
In Luzon, protests and related activities are also scheduled in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, and Quezon. These include gatherings at SM Bacoor, LIIP in Biñan, Balibago in Santa Rosa, the NLRC IV-A office and Crossing in Calamba, Batangas City Port, and the Provincial Capitol in Lucena City.
In a Palace briefing Thursday, Sept. 17, Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said protests must remain peaceful.
“Ang pagiging peaceful, ito po ay nasa batas natin. Gusto ba nila maging marahas, gagawin po ba nila ang kanilang pagpoprotesta ng may karahasan? Iyan ay bawal sa batas,” she said.
[Translation: The requirement for protests to be peaceful is provided by law. Do they want to be violent? Will they conduct their protests with violence? That is prohibited by law.]
Castro said protesters are not being prohibited from holding demonstrations but questioned whether violence, including attacks on police officers, should be tolerated.
She also asked protesters to clarify the purpose of their demonstrations.
“Ano ba ang ipinaglalaban nila dito? Para sa taumbayan o para sa karahasan?”
[Translation: What are they fighting for here? Is it for the people or for violence?]
Meanwhile, activities ahead of September 21 are also scheduled in Bicol, Tabuk City, Kalinga, and Tacloban, including forums on human rights, the environment, and indigenous peoples’ rights.
