Protests to meet SONA

CEBU, Philippines — Several militant and cause-oriented groups have united to stage protest rallies on Monday when President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his third State of the Nation Address (SONA).

For them, the real “state” of the nation can be clearly expressed from the sentiments of the people.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Jaime Paglinawan of  Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan)-Central Visayas, said protest actions will not only be concentrated in Cebu City.

He said morning activities on July 23 will be done simultaneously in three “rallying points” namely, Cebu City, Toledo City and Bantayan town.

Protest rallies here are part of a bigger nationwide movement – the United People’s SONA – that seeks to demonstrate their opposition of the present administration’s “anti-people” policies and proposals such as Charter Change and federalism.

Paglinawan said the protest will highlight the real situation of the laborers, farmers, drivers, students and other marginalized sector that are seemingly the “victims” of the policies and programs of Duterte’s administration.

He said the protest will also counter claims over the “success” in the government’s campaign against illegal drugs and criminality, and present as well the rising death count that includes children.

As inflation rates continue to increase, Paglinawan said the people’s SONA also decries the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law or TRAIN Law that has rather burdened the poor.

But he said, sadly, the wages and income of majority of the citizens here remain to be inadequate to sustain the basic needs of each family.

Workers, on the other hand, continue to struggle in contractual jobs even when Duterte has promised to stop contractualization under his presidency, said Paglinawan.

Proposals for salary increase are also left unmoved.  He said no significant reforms were pushed for the agricultural sector as farmers continue to be landless while fishermen still strive from poverty.

The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) will be on full alert status two days before the SONA.

Chief Superintendent Debold Sinas, director of PRO-7, assured that police forces from different units, especially the Civil Disturbance Management (CDM), are equipped and prepared to contain protesters.

 He said that they will not stop militant group from staging protests.

Sinas said as long as members of the cause-oriented groups do not block the road or cause public disturbance, police will exercise maximum tolerance.

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) director Senior Superintendent Royina Garma said there is already an existing security plan that they will follow. — MBG (FREEMAN)