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Progressive groups march for ‘genuine independence’











Progressive groups march for ‘genuine independence’



MANILA, Philippines — Progressive groups marched along Kalaw Avenue in Manila to call for genuine freedom on Friday, which coincides with Independence Day, June 12.


According to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan Secretary General Mong Palatino, around 2,500 individuals joined their protest along Kalaw Avenue to specifically call for the “urgent dismantling of United States bases and missile systems and the rejection of the Pax Silica, which would lead to the establishment of a weapons hub in the so-called Luzon Economic Corridor.”


“There’s no genuine independence as long as US bases and troops are allowed in the country, and the US military continues to use our land and water territories as training and staging grounds for its acts of aggression and intervention against other countries,” Palatino said.


Palatino told the INQUIRER that they aimed to hold a program in front of the US embassy, but police barriers supposedly prevented them from reaching Roxas Boulevard.


“During the march, we were able to remove one layer of barbed wire barrier. We placed our stage in this area. During the program, we lambasted the continuing foreign domination and the expanded US military intervention in the country,” the group’s secretary general said.


“We condemn the police and Marcos Jr government for the overkill security measures and the use of barbed wires to stop the protest march. The newly installed barrier reflects the government’s wrong priorities. There is money for repression, but none for adequate social services,” he added.


In response, NCRPO spokesperson Maj. Hazel Asilo said the security measures along Roxas Boulevard were not intended to prevent any group from holding a protest but were part of a standard security protocol based on police risk assessments.


“The security measures are not meant to stop any group from conducting a rally. They are standard protocols based on our risk assessment to ensure the safety of rallyists, motorists, and the public,” Asilo said.


“Our priority is to maintain peace and order in the area. We ask for everyone’s cooperation so that the use of public roads remaines orderly and safe,” she added.


Aside from the protest along Kalaw Avenue, demonstrations also occurred on Quezon Boulevard in Manila; Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila; Recto Avenue in Manila; East Avenue in Quezon City, in front of the National Housing Authority in Quezon City; and outside the Senate building in Pasay City, among others.


The Philippine National Police earlier said that “untoward incidents” were recorded at events being held this Independence Day, adding that it has deployed over 89,000 personnel to implement security measures. /mr/dp







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