Bonifacio’s 152nd birthday marked with protest by militants

Militant groups staged a protest to mark the 152nd birthday of national hero Andres Bonifacio on Monday.

More than 500 protesters converged at Rizal corner Recto Avenues in Manila to push for P125 across-the-board wage increase, junking of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec), and the elimination of the contractualization employment scheme, among other calls.

They wore red scarves like those worn by members of Bonifacio’s secret revolutionary society Katipunan, saying that it signifies their pledge to continue the hero’s fight for freedom and better conditions for the people. 

The groups who participated in the protest include Gabriela, Piston, Bayan Muna, Anakbayan, ACT Teachers party-list, and Alliance of Health Workers. 

The protesters claimed that if Bonifacio were alive today, he would also join them in the streets to call for fair wages and “just” labor conditions for workers. 

“One hundred fifty-two years after Bonifcaio was born, Filipino workers are suffering from worsening hunger, poverty, and indebtedness as a result of starvation of wages,” Kilusang Mayo Uno chair Elmer Labog said. 

They also lament that through the Apec, the Philippines is being subjected to “a new form of colonialism.”

“The Philippines continue to be treated as a colony of big foreign powers,” Labog added.

The country has hosted the 2015 Apec summit two weeks ago which saw leaders from Apec’s 21 member economies engage in talks seeking to build inclusive economies. 

The hosting of the summit also inconvenienced thousands of Filipinos due to road closures and cancellation of flights, forcing some to walk to work and endure flight delays. 

The government reportedly spent P10 billion for the Apec and has welcomed more than 10,000 delegates.