Groups from Southern Tagalog jumpstart Sona rally in Batasan

Militant groups from Southern Tagalog head to Batasang Pambansa in anticipation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address. KRISTINE ANGELI SABILLO/INQUIRER.net

Militant groups from Southern Tagalog were the first to go near the Batasang Pambansa ahead of President Rodrigo Duterte’s first State of the Nation Address.

According to Bagong Alyansang Makabayan – Southern Tagalog (Bayan ST), around 2,000 rallyists are holding a program 600 meters away from the Batasan.

They reached Commonwealth Avenue at around 8 a.m. after marching from the Department of Agrarian Reform.

The group brought with them a Mary Magnificat statue to symbolize their call for peace.

Present at the rally was Labor Undersecretary and former Anakpawis representative Joel Maglunsod who talked about the Duterte administration’s plans to end contractualization in the country.

Police Chief Inspector Kimberly Molitas said 600 meters away from the Batasan is the closest the rallyists could get. She said they agreed on it during the last consultative meeting with cause-oriented groups and pro-government organizations.

In previous years, rallyists were only allowed to reach Commonwealth Avenue. They were usually blocked by a large contingent of police, barbed wires and even fire trucks, which were used to disperse the protesters.

Molitas said the groups “committed to a peaceful rally.” She said it also helped that some leaders of the cause-oriented groups are members of Duterte’s Cabinet. CDG/rga

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