COTABATO CITY, Philippines – Militant groups here called for a stop to human rights violations, which they claimed has remained rampant during President Benigno Aquino III’s term.
The protesters, led by Suara Bangsamoro, marched through major city streets here toward the city plaza.
Jerome Sucor Abas, Suara spokesperson, slammed the Aquino administration’s “truckloads of lies, empty promises and lip service,” especially to the Bangsamoro.
“These lies will surely be repeated again during today’s SONA of President Aquino,” he said.
The group also lashed at allies of President Aquino for delaying the passage of the draft Bangsamoro Basic Law, which the group said would bring peace in troubled Mindanao.
“This administration is full of lip service, empty promises and brandishing economic gains, which only made the rich, richer and the poor, poorer,” Abas said.
“We are his boss but he did not listen to us, our appeals were ignored,” he added, calling for a stop to Aquino-US dictatorship.
The city police estimated the number of rally participants at less than 100 persons.