MANILA, Philippines – At least 20 groups are planning to stage protest activities on Independence Day, June 12.
With the theme "HINDIpendence Day" – a play on the words "hindi" (no) and "independence" – the activities will be highlighting a string of issues confronting the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Organizers include the Movement Against Tyranny (MAT), #BabaeAko, Let’s Organize for Democracy and Integrity (LODI), Gabriela, and Bayan.
"This peaceful event aims to [bring] to the forefront the pressing issues of the day that concern all of us Filipinos, particulary the issues of freedom, justice, and democracy," the groups said in a statement.
The coalition of groups urged the public to join their gathering, citing the following "dire challenges" facing the nation:
- Train Law's impact on the poor, and the administration's disregard of calls to increase wages and end labor contractualization
- President's controvesial kiss with an overseas FIlipino worker in South Korea and the culture of misogyny it helps strengthens
- The quo warranto decision against Chief Justice Lourdes Sereno in which "our leaders have connived to undermine judicial independence and whatever is left of the system of checks and balances in government"
- China's incursions in the West Philippine Sea and the growing presence of United States troops on our soil
- Extra-judicial killings and similar atrocities and how the government is supposedly trampling on the Filipinos' most basic human rights
The #HINDIpendence Day event will start with the #BabaeAko Freedom March from Luneta to Liwasang Bonifacio at 3 pm. The program will continue at the Liwasang Bonifacio until 7 pm.
"Let us express our commitment and love of country and raise our voices against foreign intervention poverty, and social injustice, tyranny and misogyny," the group added.
Tinding Pilipinas, another coalition of groups opposing the Duterte administration, will also be hosting a solidary gathering on Tuesday at the Bahay ng Alumni in UP DIliman, Quezon City.
"This gathering of forces fighting for the country’s democratic freedoms is given even greater significance by – and will provide a richer and deeper perspective on – our country’s commemoration of our 120th Independence Day," Tindig Pilipinas said in a statement.
Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno is expected to speak at the Tindig Pilipinas event. – with reports from Simona Gemayel/Rappler.com
Simona Gemayel is a Rappler intern. She studies Media Culture Communications at the New York University.