Independence rallies hit terrorism, US involvement in Marawi

MANILA, Philippines - Peace and human rights advocates yesterday marked Independence Day with a protest rally to condemn terrorism in Marawi City and US involvement in the conflict as well as to demand the lifting of martial law in Mindanao.

The Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) also gathered in front of the Chinese embassy in Makati to condemn China’s reported threat of war should the Philippines assert its sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

Militant labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) accused the US of instigating the Marawi crisis, saying it is the US’ response to President Duterte’s pro-China and Russia leanings.

The Partido Manggagawa urged workers to defend political freedom and oppose the declaration of martial law.

It said the accounts of abuses in Mindanao due to martial law were no different from the cases of extrajudicial killings or arbitrary arrests of labor unionists because of the war on drugs.

Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros urged Duterte to exercise control and accountability in government, noting all agencies including the military should follow the Constitution and respect the people’s civil liberties.

Hontiveros issued the statement during an event dubbed “Gathering for Civil Liberties” at Plaza Miranda, Quiapo yesterday.

Cristina Palabay of Karapatan said the Independence Day celebration would always be a preposterous and shallow display of festivity amid martial rule and impunity.?    “We have our modern day Bonifacios who are victims of political killings and who remain political prisoners,” Palabay said.

KMU secretary general Jerome Adonis said the US mobilized its henchmen to sow terror in Mindanao under the guise of an anti-terror operation against Isnilon Hapilon, an alleged Islamic State (IS) leader in the Philippines.

Bayan called for the demilitarization of the South China Sea and the pullout of military warships by both China and the US.

Respect SC

Hontiveros urged Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez to respect the Supreme Court should it decide to order the two houses of Congress to jointly discuss the declaration of martial law in Mindanao.

She said the issues surrounding the implementation of martial law, including the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus and doubts on violations of civil liberties, could cause further trouble.

Former Commission on Human Rights (CHR) chairman Etta Rosales said that while the Duterte administration was said to be creating a culture of fear, people should not be afraid.

Rosales is a survivor of martial law during the dictatorship of former president Ferdinand Marcos.

She urged the people to gather, uphold their civil liberties and overcome their fear.

Rosales urged authorities to lift martial law and stop the air strikes in Marawi. – With Ghio Ong, Mayen Jaymalin, Janvic Mateo, Evelyn Macairan