MANILA — Thousands braved the heat and rain in other parts of the country yesterday to protest what they called as ‘Duter-tyranny.’
In Davao City, President Duterte’s hometown, hundreds of protesters gathered along Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue for the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of Martial Law declaration. They called on the the government to stop the killings and to lift Martial Law in Mindanao.
Duterte placed the entire island of Mindanao under military rule following the May 23 clash between ISIS-inspired militants and government troops.
Davao Today reported that policemen barred members of the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT) from marching to Rizal Park. The stage at the Rizal Park was covered with tarpaulins with words, “Resist Destabilization We Support PRRD.” Not one Duterte supporter was scene at the supposed site of the gathering however.
Some 300 members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Northern Mindanao also gathered at Magsaysay Park, D.V. Soria in Cagayan de Oro City demanding the lifting of martial law in the island.
In Cebu City, MAT also led some 1,000 Cebuanos to condemn Duterte’s war on drugs and human rights violations in the region.
In Tacloban City, members of the local chapter of MAT assembled in front of the Marcoses’ summer mansion before marching around the city in protest of the worsening human rights violations under the Duterte government, according to Eastern Vista report.
In Bicol region, hundreds gathered in Albay, Camarines Sur, Masbate and Sorsogon.
Protesters were demanding justice for victims of extrajudicial killings and human rights violations under Duterte. In Sorsogon alone, 14 civilians were allegedly killed under Duterte, according to Baretang Bikolnon.
The Movement for Nationalism against Tyranny (Banat) was also launched in Naga City.
In Baguio City, members of the University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio community joined the protest action led by MAT. Despite heavy downpour, protesters continued with their program until evening, according to a report by Northern Dispatch.
With reports and photos from Davao Today, Kilab Multimedia, Northern Dispatch, Baretang Bikolnon, Aninaw Productions, Eastern Vista, Andrew Uy.
