Groups denounce “fascist” Duterte

CEBU, Philippines — Denouncing the "dictatorial rule" of President Rodrigo Duterte, local cause-oriented and political groups in Cebu City staged a protest rally yesterday morning joining the nationwide mass action against the declaration of Martial Law decades ago.

Teody Navea, Sanlakas-Cebu secretary general, said the protest rally is organized by Cebu Citizens Assembly against Tyranny, in which their political bloc is part of.

He said the group's main agenda is to oppose the apparent "dictatorship" of the president.

"We believe the Duterte leadership is becoming more like  the Marcos rule... Our message is 'oppose dictatorship, never again to Martial Law,'" he said.

"This is the same with the Marcos years when the former president has the rule over other branches of the government. If he (Duterte) can do the same without martial law, all the more if he would formally declare one.  Things would be worse," he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)-7, in collaboration with the Cebu City government's social welfare office, were monitoring the protest action to check if there are minors involved.

Grace Yana from DSWD-7 said while everyone is allowed to express his or her opposition or sentiment, it is also the responsibility of adults to protect the child's welfare.

The Movement against Tyranny and the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also marched called on the people to fight for the country’s peace and democracy, as they gathered yesterday at Osmeña Circle in Cebu City.

With the theme, “Stop the Killings: Never Again to Tyranny,” they aimed to urged the public to stand for the democracy to fight for their right as humans and citizens in the country.

They also took the opportunity to express their disapproval to armed oppression and the series of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) due to the current administration’s ongoing war on drugs.

During their march, they made a short stop at the offices of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR)-7 and the Police Regional Office-7.

Bayan-Central Visayas Chairman Jaime Paglinawan presented the names of the victims in police operations but whom they believed to be innocent when they were at the CHR.

Paglinawan asked the commission to do a thorough investigation on the victims of these operations, adding that the victims are mostly coming from the marginalized sector of the society.

He said that a case should be filed to police officers and local government units who abuse its authority and power.

CHR Special Investigator Leo R. Villarino said they were dismayed after learning that the congress lowered down their budget for next year.

“Karon nalipay mi nga na-restore, nabalik ang amoang budget on its original amount.  Nalipay mi kay, finally, we have obtained that sobriety sa atoang lower house and hopefully by 2018 ma-approved na gyud na siya nga budget.  But we will still remain in doing our work no matter how much the cost of our budget is,” he said.

“Kami dili gyud mi kontra sa gobyerno. We are part (of) the government.  We want to work with the government, but we want to work with a government that respects human rights,” he added.

Villarino said that they are always willing to work with the government especially in the promotion of the importance and advancement of human rights.

“We also encourage the police to cooperate with us, we don’t want a police organization kun asa adunay pagduda kalakip na ang mga binuang sa mga pipila lang ka mga pulis. We want that the government to run a police organization to protect and promotes human rights,” he said.

During the interview, he personally gave his message to President Duterte.

“Please let us do our work Mr. President. I can assure you that our office will help you for a better country, a better Philippines,” Villarino said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Phoebe Zoe Sanchez of Karapatan Cebu, a human rights organization, told the police officers during their short stop at the PRO-7 to always side with what is right and to stop the killings caused by the Tokhang operations.

“Buhata ninyo kun unsa ang sakto. Undangi na ang padayon nga pagpatay. Always side with what is right ug dili tungod kay gimandoan lang mo sa kadagkoan,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez said that the institution should promote peace and should always protect the people.

She even said that the administration’s campaign did not solve the problem of illegal drugs at all, but only causes war, injustice and chaos among people.

Isabella Villarojo, Representative from the Youth Sector, condemned the administration and the government’s move and actions in solving the country’s conflict and even criticized the current administration.

“The only change that has been significant so far is the brutal mass murder of the people he promised to protect. We don’t inspire the culture of violence and other disregards to human rights,” Villarojo said.

Meanwhile, Cebu City Police Office Director Joel Doria said that the National Protest Day in the city went generally peaceful.

“Generally, peaceful ang assessment natin sa naganap na rally,” Doria said.

The rally marks the 45th year of the declaration of Martial Law by former president Ferdinand E. Marcos last September 21, 1972.  Youth Group Anakbayan described Duterte as a fascist who wishes to follow the footsteps of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

"Amidst rising killings, political repression, and threats of martial law under Duterte, we take to the streets to resist and foil Duterte’s plans to install himself as a fascist dictator,” said Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, in a statement.

Kabataan Party-list also reminded the government that the nation has not forgotten of the horrors and struggles during Marcos' martial law.

"The people remember the 21st of September. The fight is far from over. Trembling in fear, Duterte is deploying tactic after dirty tactic to try to stifle the protests," Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Elago said.

Senator Bam Aquino, in a separate statement, said that people need to be more vocal.

"Kailangan mas maging vocal tayo sa hindi natin gusto sa ating bayan. I think, puwede naman tayong magkaisa rito. Kahit anong partido ka pa, kahit saan pang panig mo, basta't pagdating sa pagpatay sa kapwa Pilipino, dapat sabay-sabay nating sabihing itigil na ito, tama na," said Aquino said.

Senator Risa Hontiveros likewise called on the public to defend democracy from what she called the "threat of Dutertatorship."

"We live under a 'Dutertatorship.' It is an authoritarian regime distinctive for its policy of killing, use of fake news as a political tool to stiffle dissent, and its palpable hatred and persecution of women leaders who dare stand up to blatant disregard for democracy. It is Marcos-inspired. It is modern-day Philippine autocratic governance. It has little or no regard at all for the rule of law and civil liberties," Hontiveros said.

Hontiveros urged all democracy-loving Filipinoys to "push back" and "turn the tide" in favor of democracy and human rights.

Hontiveros is part of Tindig Pilipinas, a broad coalition of people's organizations and civil society groups formed to register their protest against human rights violations particularly extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration  (FREEMAN)