“When we sit down with the President, we will not only brief him on what actually happened during the dispersal. We will also take that opportunity to explain to him the calls and demands of national minorities.”
At Mendiola Bridge, the same calls were heard: to defend the ancestral lands, pullout soldiers and paramilitary groups in the communities and give justice to slain victims. Only louder this time, and interspersed with “Death to US Imperialism!”
“We see no difference between the paramilitary groups and the Manila police who showed us the same brutality.”
“Sandugo condemns this as a terrorist act by the PNP.”
“Today, we witnessed how even our local security forces are keen on employing violent tactics to quell the dissent of the marginalized and the oppressed.”
“We are one with you.”
“This is a historic event for all of us, to see all marginalized and minoritized tribes gather in Manila.”
For the first time, the unified ranks of indigenous peoples and Moro bring their calls to the National Capital Region.