Militant groups in Albay slam Duterte’s ‘poor’ leadership’

LEGAZPI CITY –– About 500 members of different militant groups based in Albay trooped to the provincial capitol to air their sentiments against President Duterte’s “poor leadership.”

The protesters were asking the government to be courageous enough to drive China out from Philippine territory, particularly in the West Philippine Sea, with streamers bearing the message “Ipaglaban at ipagtanggol ang Pilipinas” (fight for and defend the Philippines).

“What we wanted is total democracy and China should not be meddling with fishing activities, especially bullying the poor fishermen,” Dan Balucio, secretary-general of Bayan Bicol, said.

They also demanded a stop to extrajudicial killings, particularly victimizing human rights advocates in the Bicol region.

“The spike in unemployment should be addressed which affects the poor as the prices of basic commodities keep on increasing,” Balucio said. /lzb