SIMULTANEOUS protests in Visayas and Mindanao were held hours before the second State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte, Monday, July 24.
In Bacolod, former Bayan Muna partylist Representative Neri Colmenares led the burning of photos of National Security Adviser Hermones Esperon, Armed Forces of the Philippines Chief General Eduardo Año and Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana in a protest held at the Bacolod public plaza.
Colmenares questioned the failed promises of Duterte from the time he assumed office in July last year. The promises included an end to labor contractualization, resumption of peace talks (with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the Communist Party of the Philippines, and the Moro National Liberation Front), land distribution, free education, independent foreign policy, among others.
In Davao City, where President Duterte has been the mayor for more than three terms, protesters gathered early this morning Monday at the Magsaysay Park to raise issues against lumad killings and displacement, labor contractualization, and the pull out of military operations in Mindanao including an end to martial law.
Transport groups in Cebu marched along Jones Avenue moving toward the busy Colon Street demanding for an increase in minimum wage, and to not phase out public utility vehicles, among several issues.
Officials of the Cebu City Police Office Chief Senior Superintendent Joel Doria and City Councilor Dave Tumulak joined in the protest march for a quick inspection to ensure a peaceful conduct of the protest.
Militant groups from Bohol also participated in the nationwide protest during the State of the Nation Address (Sona) of President Rodrigo Duterte today, July 24.
Around 300 participants from the groups of Humabol KMP, Bayan, Gabriela, Anakpawis, Kabataan and Bokana convened in the City Square Area B. Inting Street , Tagbilaran City, Bohol.
The group demanded among others free irrigation for farmers, free housing, an end to labor contractualization, and land reform for farmers.
In Metro Manila, protesters gathered along Commonwealth Avenue ahead of Duterte's Sona.
Some also gathered at the Philcoa in Quezon City marching toward the Batasang Pambansa.
In Baguio City, members of the progressive group Tongtongan ti Umili or the Cordillera Peoples Alliance carried a report card made of cardboard of the president's one year in office and gave him an "angry" emoji. The group asked for genuine land reform, national industrialization and genuine peace.
Militant groups from Cagayan de Oro were not able to participate in a big rally in Iligan City as they were held by the many checkpoints mounted by police. In these photos taken earlier today, militants can be seen lining up in a checkpoint in Opol, Misamis Oriental.
(Vanessa L. Almeda/VoxPop Philippines/Johanna Bajenting of VoxPop Cebu/Glazyl Y. Masculino of VoxPop Bacolod/VoxPop Davao/VoxPop Baguio/VoxPop Cagayan de Oro)
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