"National Day of Protest"

CEBU, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte has declared September 21, Thursday, as a "National Day of Protest" but while there will be no work and school on that day, the day is not a holiday.

Groups are expected to hit the streets, though, in observance of the declaration of Martial Law on September 21, 1972.

In Cebu, the Cebu Citizen's Assembly Against Tyranny will join a nationwide protest, which will also be participated by the Anti-Bongbong Coalition, Akbayan, Sanlakas, Kilusan, Pagtambayayong, Partido Manggagawa, The Silent Majority, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) and Magdalo.

"We have to cripple Duterte's dictatorial tendencies," said Noel Tabasa, spokesperson of CCAAT.

The groups will converge along the Sto. Rosario Church at 8:30 a.m. and will march down to Gaisano Metro along Colon Street for a rally. They will also proceed to Plaza Independencia to lay a wreath down and light a torch at the Martial Law marker.

"Duterte is a threat to our democratic institutions. He is dismantling all our democratic institutions except the press," Noel said.

Noel is also the spokesperson of the Anti-Bongbong Coalition.

Youth groups and students are also expected to hit the streets.

In a statement, Crisostomo said the recent ‘Duterte tricks’ – from threatening martial law against protests, declaring a national earthquake drill day, to the cancellation of classes – are all desperate moves to stop big protests in the context of the growing resistance to Duterte’s tyrannical rule.

In Cebu, joining the nationwide protests are students from UP Cebu, University of San Carlos, and Cebu Normal University.

Crisostomo said further that Duterte has become the biggest threat to the lives, livelihood, and rights of the Filipino people and must be ousted from power. (FREEMAN)