LOOK: Protesters hold program near CHR office before ‘People’s Sona’

MANILA, Philippines – Militant groups have converged near the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office along Commonwealth Avenue prior to the holding of their “United People’s Sona” at the St. Peter’s Parish in the afternoon.

According to the official numbers coming from the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) as of 2:06 p.m., more than 5,200 members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, Anakbayan, Anakpawis, Bayan Muna, Concerned Artists of the Philippines, Gabriela and Kabataan joined together and occupied three lanes of the road.

Parties allied with President Rodrigo Duterte, numbering 3,380, also held their own demonstrations, police said.

Anti-administration demonstrators brought with them several effigies, placards and other protest materials to convey their demands, asking the government to uphold sovereignty over the West Philippine Sea, better labor conditions, and an end to the bloody war on drugs.

The protesters also braved the heavy downpour and stood their ground along Commonwealth Avenue.

The United People’s Sona will take place at 3 p.m., before Duterte delivers his fourth State of the Nation Address. /jpv

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TAGS: CHR, Local news, rally, Rodrigo Duterte, SONA 2019, Sona2019