Protesters fear another Martial Law in the offing

CEBU, Philippines — Local cause-oriented organizations fear that another dictatorship may arise in the country.

Aubrey John Ampo-on, one of the organizers in yesterday’s rally, said citizens are threatened that the country may lose democracy as the present administration is slowly gearing towards changing the Constitution widely known as “Charter Change” and shifting from democratic to federal government.

Several groups led by Cebu Citizens’ Assembly staged a protest rally in downtown Cebu City yesterday in time for the 32nd EDSA People Power Revolution, which ousted former president Ferdinand Marcos from its authoritarian regime.

“Anaa’y mas dako nga hagit na mawagtang na sad ang demokrasya ug mabalik na pud sa mangitngit na panahon parehas sa Martial Law ni (former president Ferdinand) Marcos,” said Ampo-on.

“Pinaagi sa Cha-Cha (Charter Change) nga ilang giduso aron makahimo og bag-ong Konstitusyon, makahatag kini ni Duterte og igong gahum nga mamahimong diktador na pamuno,” he said further.

The protesters’ battle cry is: Anti-ChaCha; Anti-Federalism; and Anti-Dictatorship.

The groups also called on the present administration to stop the implementation of newly-approved law Republic Act 10963 or Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN).

“Ang TRAIN Law makapasamot sa pagpalisud sa mga kapobrehan ug nagpasamot sa pagkadato sa mga adunahan,” said Ampo-on.

He said the protest rally is a local initiative that carries the same call with other individual and entities that demonstrated a nationwide movement during the 32nd EDSA People Power commemoration.

“Until there is a sign of suppressing our democracy and until there is oppression among the marginalized sector, we will continue to fight and we will not stop informing people that there is an issue that exists,” he said.

The event is also supported by several groups like Akbayan partylist; Akbayan youth; Partidong Manggagawa; The Silent Majority; Tindig Pilipina; Pagtambayayong Foundation; and Kaabag sa Sugbo, among others.

Meanwhile, preparedness and gradual change in the attitude of the public was credited for a "generally peaceful" 32nd EDSA People power Anniversary.

Police Regional Office (PRO)-7 said that even with around a hundred members of different militant groups that staged a protest, the day went smoothly with no major reports of any untoward incident.

"Around a hundred rallyists have gathered along Colon Street in metro Cebu and celebrated the 32nd People Power anniversary through a protest. The rally being conducted is peaceful," Chief Superintendent Robert Quenery, director of PRO-7, said.

Superintendent Reyman Tolentin, PRO7 spokesperson, said that unlike the previous years, they noticed that protesters have lesser desires to stage a protest.

"Well, the interest and view of the people could have changed in the span of time, mao wala kaayo nag-attempt o kundi busy ang mga tawo.  Gawas ana, naa prepared nga security measures mga CDM personnel were in position, mao peaceful ra," he said.

Quenery said that as law enforcers give maximum tolerance, they urged protesters to give way to vehicles and pedestrians.

"We just appealed to protesters not to block the streets and allow smooth passage of vehicles and pedestrians," Quenery said.

In a short side comment, Quenery, as the highest-ranking police official in the region, said that remembering the EDSA People Power is a symbol of unity to bring back freedom.

"Let us not forget, however, that the same freedom we had fought for must be nurtured with our individual and collective discipline and responsibility as well-meaning, peace-loving, and patriotic citizens," Quenery said.  (FREEMAN)