PSG ‘picks up’ activist leaders…to bring them to Duterte

It was an unusual scene. Activist leaders were picked up by members of the Presidential Security Group on Thursday but instead of being forced to leave the rally, they were brought to Malacañang — to face the newly sworn-in President Rodrigo Duterte.

Duterte took the time to talk to several of the leaders, including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes, just hours after his oath taking as 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Reyes told INQUIRER.net that they were at a rally in Mendiola when the PSG fetched them.

They went through the usual security checks before being brought to Osmeña Room inside Malacañang Palace.

“It was a bit strange because we were the only folks who weren’t dressed in formal wear,” Reyes said during a phone interview.

He said he was wearing denim pants, which is prohibited inside the Palace, while others were wearing protest shirts. One of them, a representative of the indigenous people, was clad in an Igorot attire.

Reyes said Duterte warmly greeted them and even told them that their clothes were not a problem.

The meeting, which lasted less than an hour, started past 2 p.m. This was around the same time that Duterte’s first Cabinet meeting, which was delayed, should have started.

Reyes said they gave the President a copy of their 15-point People’s Agenda.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte meets with multi-sectoral groups at the Osmeña Room of the Kalayaan Hall in Malacañang after he takes oath as the next President of the Republic of the Philippines.

READ: Militants present 15-point program for Duterte’s first 100 days

“We greeted him. We talked about a lot of topics,” he said. “We talked about economic reforms.”

The militant leader said Duterte was still committed against contractualization and destructive mining and supportive of the distribution of public land to farmers.

“He wants the existing laws on the ancestral lands reviewed,” Reyes said.

Also discussed were the continuation of the peace process, the possible release of National Democratic Front consultants, and release of political prisoners on humanitarian grounds.

Duterte also expressed support for the increase of the government’s budget for health.

“He gave the assurance that he respects  freedom of expression,” Reyes said.

Duterte reportedly told them that they could hold their rally near Batasang Pambansa for the first State of the Nation Address (Sona).

“That would be different. That would be a first also,” Reyes said.

The President also allowed the group to ask questions.

They even had a group photo taken with all of them raising their fists, including Duterte.

Reyes said among those who went to Malacañang were Labor Undersecretary Joel Maglunsod, Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao, Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago, former Gabriela congresswoman Liza Maza, Kilusang Mayo Uno chairman Elmer “Bong” Labog, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas secretary general Antonio Flores and Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay.

There were also representatives from Negros, Southern Tagalog, and Cordillera.

Reyes said that while they were happy that there were progressives in Duterte’s administration “it’s not yet time to fold (their) banners and streamers.”

“The people must be engaged in pushing for specific reforms,” he said./rga

RELATED VIDEOS