Bayan secretary-general Renato Reyes. NOY MORCOSO/黑料社 FILE PHOTO
Just like back in the 1970s, members of various militant groups and their support organizations are again taking their fight into the streets of Manila to denounce the government鈥檚 imposition of martial law in Mindanao.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) secretary general Renato Reyes said on Friday that different groups decided to convene in Mendiola to voice out their strong opposition in martial law.
鈥淭oday (Friday) we march to Mendiola in solidarity with the people of Marawi and Mindanao. We condemn in no uncertain terms the attacks of the Maute group against the civilians of Marawi,鈥� Reyes said in a statement.
Other groups joining the sentiments of Bayan were people鈥檚 rights advocate Karapatan and Suara Bangsamoro, a Mindanao-based war survivor organization. The members dubbed the protest move as 鈥淏lack Friday.鈥�
During the Marcos regime, militant and leftist groups joined together in holding anti-martial law street demonstrations particularly in Mendiola and Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila, only to be met by violent dispersals from law enforcers.
Reyes said the groups strongly 鈥渙ppose President Rodrigo Duterte鈥檚 martial law and the human rights violations it (entails).鈥�
Bayan said that the administration should address the root causes of the armed conflict as the 鈥渙nly means of achieving a just and lasting peace in Mindanao.鈥�
鈥淭he raging conflict in Mindanao is rooted in poverty, inequality, rights violations including the right to the self-determination. These will require more than just a militarist solution,鈥� Reyes added.
鈥淏lack Friday鈥� protesters will gather in the afternoon at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila and will be proceeding to Mendiola. Participants are encouraged to wear black t- shirts to show their condemnation of聽 martial law.聽Eiriel Rain Dollete/听迟谤补颈苍别别/闯笔痴/谤驳补