Bicol militants protest against charter change, EJKs

LEGAZPI CITY — Eight hours before President Rodrigo Duterte was scheduled to deliver his third State of the Nation Address (Sona) at the Batasan Pambansa in Quezon City on Monday, militants joined protests in four cities and two towns in the Bicol Region.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Bicol’s multisectoral protest happened simultaneously with the broader protests in Metro Manila and other parts of the country.

“Amid the worsening economic crisis, intensified human rights violations, peace talks, violations of national sovereignty, foreign intervention and threats of dictatorship, the people are about to witness Rodrigo Duterte’s lies in his third Sona,” Bayan said in a statement.

Protesters gathered at the Ibalong Cetrum for Recreation in Legazpi City, Peñafrancia Church in Naga City, the Capitol in Sorsogon City, Freedom Park in Masbate City, Elevated Plaza in Daet and Freedom Park in Virac.

“We have come together to oppose charter change and dictatorship, the oppressive TRAIN Law, widespread human rights abuses and the attacks on our sovereignty,” Dan Balucio, secretary general of Bayan Bicol said.

Balucio said that the planned charter change would not be of any value to the country in solving economic problems and human rights abuses.

“Charter change cannot solve the recorded inflation, labor and agrarian unrest, and even the worsening climate of impunity,” he said.

Balucio also criticized the two-day public consultation last July 5 and 6 that was led by the Consultative Committee reviewing the 1987 Constitution.

“[The consultation] revealed lies that more than 6,000 people from all over Bicol region support federalism of the Duterte government,” Balucio said, referring to a report posted by PTV News on its website. /atm