MANILA, Philippines — A group of Muslim community held a picket rally at Bonifacio Global City, Taguig to denounce US President Donald Trump's declaration of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.
Alvin Bantuas, representative of the group, told Philstar.com that they aim to march towards the Israel Embassy in Manila, located in Taguig City, to protest against Trump's pronouncement.
"Jerusalem is the capital of Israel and to agree [with Trumps' pronouncement] is an opportunistic move," Bantuas said in Filipino. He also slammed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanhayu for allowing "Jerusalem be taken away from Palestine."
The group held a photo of Trump and Netanyahu with devil horns and fangs.
Members of Muslim community picket to denounce US President Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Alvin Bantuas, representative of the group, said they aim to march towards the Israel Embassy of Manila. | @kristinepatag pic.twitter.com/NmnfAfqK7X
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) December 21, 2017
The American president, on December 6, signed a proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital despite opposition from leaders across the world.
Critics cited that Trump's move crushed the Middle East's hopes for peace and could spark new violence in the nation haunted by decades of war.
But Trump said: "We cannot solve our problems by making the same failed assumptions and repeating the same failed strategies of the past."
READ: US vetoes UN resolution against Trump's Jerusalem decision
Bantuas said that their group come from Manila, Taguig, Quezon City and Pasay.
No permit
Police Chief Inspector Romel Bulan, chief of Bonifacio Global City police, said that the group could not present a rally permit when asked.
"I allowed them to express their grievances here. Earlier, they were forcing their way to march, but I did not allow them," Bulan said in Filipino.
The police chief said that the rallyists started gathering at around 11:00 a.m. He said that they reached a compromise to hold a short program at the sides of Market Market.
Bulan said they will disperse the rallyists once their program is done.