‘Those who benefited from People Power are first to suppress it’—Bayan

Militant protesters who intended to troop to the Edsa Shrine on Thursday cried “irony” after they were blocked by police and military forces during the 30^th anniversary rites of the historic 1986 Edsa People Power Revolution.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Nato Reyes said it was ironic that rallyists were blocked from marching on a day when the country was celebrating “people power” when it peacefully toppled the Marcos dictatorship three decades ago.

“30 years after the EDSA People Power uprising, it seems those who benefited from people power are the first ones to suppress it. Today as we marched to the EDSA Shrine, we were met with hundreds of truncheon-wielding police and AFP personnel. They were intent on preventing us from marching. Such irony on the day the country was supposed to be celebrating ‘people power,’” Reyes said in a statement.

The protesters and policemen clashed on Edsa Connecticut until the militants were contained along Edsa Ortigas.

Reyes said the blockade was a reminder that “much has not changed” even 30 years after the bloodless uprising that toppled the late dictator.

“We resisted and pushed back until we were able reach the corner of Ortigas. The blockade was uncalled for and violated our right to peaceably assemble,” Reyes said.

“Why is Aquino so afraid of people protesting his regime? Has he not learned of the lessons of Edsa?” he said, referring to the son of the late democracy icon Corazon Aquino, who succeeded Marcos as president.