In a bid to rally public support for its campaign against the controversial Torre de Manila, the Knights of Rizal (KoR) is leading a protest rally on Friday, a few days before it presents its oral arguments against the condo project in the Supreme Court.
In a statement, the KoR said the solidarity walk to mark “Demolish Torre de Manila Day” will start at 1 p.m. from the group’s headquarters on Anda Circle from Fort Santiago and end at Rizal Park.
“The solidarity walk seeks to rekindle and give new meaning to Dr. Rizal’s vision when he established La Liga Filipina more than 100 years ago, which is to unify the archipelago and lead the Filipino people,” said KoR spokesperson Noel de Guia.
“Only this time, our call is for our people to unite behind the call to save Rizal Shrine, the single most important symbol of our struggle for freedom and nationhood, from being permanently desecrated by the nuisance that is Torre de Manila,” he added.
Also expected to join the walk are members of the Philippine Masonry under the Grand Logia Nacional de Filipinas, as well as KoR’s affiliate groups. From Anda, the walk will pass along the side of Intramuros, turn to Padre Burgos Street, Finance Road and Taft Avenue, and enter Rizal Park.
The gathering will culminate in a “ceremonial demolition of Torre de Manila” at Quirino Grandstand.
The KoR hopes that the solidarity walk will draw public interest to the upcoming oral arguments on the Torre de Manila case in the SC on July 21.
The high court is hearing the Knights’ September 2014 petition to have Torre demolished for being a “photobomb” that ruins the view of the Rizal Monument. Last month, the SC ordered construction work suspended on the DMCI Homes condo project, which is now more than 40 floors high.
DMCI Homes has maintained that the condo project—approved in July 2012 by the city government under then Mayor Alfredo Lim and allowed to proceed by the current administration of Mayor Joseph Estrada—complied with all applicable laws and secured the necessary permits for a 49-story residential building.