Laguna activists light up candles ahead of Luneta rally

PHOTO FROM MOVEMENT AGAINST TYRANNY’S TWITTER ACCOUNT

SAN PEDRO CITY—A group of activists in Southern Tagalog are set to light up candles in front of the image of Inay Maria of Magnificat, the patroness of the poor, on the eve of a big rally at the Luneta to demand justice for the victims of extra-judicial killings.

Peti Bautista of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Tagalog said September 21 marks not only the declaration of the Martial Law in the Philippines 45 years ago, but it is also the International Day of Peace as declared by the United Nations.

“But instead, ours will be an ‘International Day of Justice,'” Bautista said.

On Wednesday, activists launched a regional chapter of the Movement Against Tyranny, a broad coalition against state fascism, at the University of the Philippines-Los Baños.

Bautista said this would be followed by a candle-lighting in front of the Catholic Church in Barangay Balibago in Sta. Rosa City, Laguna at 6 p.m.

“We are calling for justice, as we oppose tyranny and the killings (under the government’s war on illegal drugs),” Bautista said.

She said the group would then proceed to Manila on Thursday to join the rally at Luneta. /jpv