Quake drill on Sept. 21 won’t hinder our protests — Movement Against Tyranny

Multisectoral group Movement Against Tyranny on Monday said they will not be intimidated by the supposed efforts to sabotage their rally on September 21.

"Yesterday we received reports that the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is holding a nationwide earthquake drill in the afternoon of September 21, simultaneous with the Luneta rally. We will not be intimidated by such actions. We will not be prevented from exercising our constitutional right to freedom of expression and assembly," the group said.

"Let this year's anniversary of Marcos' declaration of martial law be a drawing of the line against the emergence of a new dictatorship. We shall gather at the Luneta from 4-8 p.m. united in one call: 'Stop the killings, never again to tyranny and dictatorship!'" it added.

The group, in a separate Balitanghali report of GMA News' Tina Panganiban-Perez, urged citizens, especially millennials, to stand with them in opposing the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.

But an official from the NDRRMC clarified that the earthquake drill is not meant to overshadow the upcoming rally.

"This is not a distractive strategy. This is an ongoing campaign," NDRRMC spokesperson Romina Marasigan said.

"Wala pong pulitika iyon. Wala po talagang pulitika," she added.

Marasigan announced the earthquake drill early this month.

Meanwhile, police said they are prepared for the protest actions, noting that the National Capital Region Police Office has enough cops to be deployed around the metro. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ/KVD, GMA News