Militants stage protest action in Bicol in Duterte’s last SONA

LEGAZPI CITY––Militant activists led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) in Bicol launched on Monday morning “Kadena Bicolandia,” a simultaneous protest action against the lies that President Duterte would report during his last State of the Nation Address (SONA).

Jen Nagrampa, Bayan Bicol chairperson, said in an interview that hundreds of activists from the cities of Naga, Legazpi, and Sorsogon converged and held a simultaneous protest action at 10:30 a.m. at Plaza Rizal in Naga City, Pinaglabanan Monument in Legazpi City, and the Sorsogon City Park.

In Naga City, the protest started at the rotonda, with march rallies at the government offices of the Department of Agrarian Reform and Department of Education, culminating at the Plaza Rizal for the major event.

In Albay, the protest action started in Camalig town, with the participants marching along the Maharlika Highway to Daraga town, then to Peñaranda Park and Pinaglabanan Monument.

In Sorsogon, protest rallies would be held at the Sorsogon Park in this City.

The protest focused on the Duterte administration’s alleged failure to address economic, social, and health issues promised during his term, Nagrampa said.

In a statement, Bayan accused Duterte of his lies and failures, including the war on drugs, corruption, the West Philippine Sea issue, unemployment, and hunger.

They cited the mishandling of the COVID-19 pandemic, where thousands of people got sick and died of the viral disease.

Aside from Duterte’s alleged inability to address these health crises, 12 million people lost their jobs and went hungry, Nagrampa said, citing a recent Social Weather Station survey.

Major Maria Luisa Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said all police units were placed under full alert for the SONA.

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