Militants blast Duterte ‘anti-people’ policies

Members of militant groups protest in Quezon City before the second State of the Nation Address of President Rodrigo Duterte Monday afternoon, July 24, 2017. PHILIPPINE DAILY INQUIRER / EDWIN BACASMAS

President Rodrigo Duterte should talk about the most relevant issues the people face in his second State of the Nation Address (Sona), a militant leader said on Monday.

“Sana sabihin ng pangulo tugunan niya ang pinakamaiinit na problema ng bayan,” Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Secretary General Renato Reyes told reporters at the Sona rally in Commonwealth Avenue.

Reyes urged the government to rethink the extension of martial law, go back to the negotiating table with the National Democratic Front, and address the perennial issues of contractualization, land reform and social services.

“Wag na palawigin ang martial law, bumalik sa usaping pangkapayapaan, tugunan yung mga problema sa kontraktwalisasyon, reporma sa lupa, serbisyong panlipunan,” he said.

Duterte should also stop giving “consent” to the rampant human rights violations in the country, Reyes said.

“Itigil na yung pagkunsinti sa napakarami at talamak na paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa ating bayan,” the leader said.

Reyes said that the rally, dubbed as “People’s Sona”, was a protest against Duterte’s “anti-people” and “anti-national” policies. CBB/rga