Protesters gather early for Marcos' SONA

Militant groups from Southern Tagalog gathered early Monday morning to prepare for their rally to mark the first State of the Nation Address (SONA) of President “Bongbong” Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

The groups assembled in the vicinity of PHILCOA in Quezon City as early as 7:30 a.m., with their banners calling for wage increase, lowering of prices of basic goods, and addressing agriculture issues, among others.

They also aired their grievances on human rights violations and the atrocities committed in the past.

The groups ended their program with the symbolic burning of their banners.

Environmental group Kalikasan were seen holding placards with inscriptions: “pro-people mass transport”, “scrap PH mining Act of 1995”, and “protect PH biodiversity.”

Teachers likewise attended the rally, calling for safe resumption of face-to-face classes and salary hike of public school teachers and non-teaching personnel.

Led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), the groups march “Mad in Malacañang” effigy on their way to Tandang Sora to conduct their program.

Personnel of Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) directed traffic along Commonwealth Avenue.

Anti-riot police of the Philippine National Police, meanwhile, were stationed few blocks away from the makeshift stage of protesters

Ka Leody

Meanwhile, labor leader Ka Leody de Guzman, who joined the protesters, said he would have allowed protesters to enter the premises of the Batasan Complex had he won the 2022 presidential race.

According to Luisito Santos’ report on Super Radyo dzBB, De Guzman said some chairs would be reserved for protesters in Batasan Complex.

“Papapasukin ko sa Batasan yung mga lider ng masang Pilipino kasabay ng mga trapo doon sa gobyerno,” he said.

(I will allow leaders of the Filipino masses to enter Batasan Complex along with the corrupts in the government.)

“Lalagyan ko ng malawak na upuan yung buong Kongreso para makapasok for the first time yung mga lider ng ating mga mamamayan na naghahangad ng pagbabago. Yun ang gagawin ko,” he added.

(I will arrange seats for them in Congress so for the first time the leaders of our people who desire change can proceed in the Batasan Complex.)

The local government of Quezon City allowed Bayan and its allied organizations to hold their protest actions on Commonwealth Avenue.

The LGU eventually decided to allow the protest, after Quezon City's Department of Public Order and Safety denied BAYAN's rally permit application, when Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte arranged a dialogue between city officials, police officers, and leaders of the progressive groups. 

Other groups

In an 11:00 a.m. update, the PNP said that at 9 a.m., around 30 members of  Tigil Muna Party List gathered at Gate 1 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) office along Visayas Avenue in Quezon City.

At 10:28 a.m., around 2,000 members of different groups were monitored in Tandang Sora. According the PNP, the following groups participated in the protest action:

• Katribu Youth
• Sanlakas
• Philippine Movement for Climate Justice
• Socialista
• Bayan Muna
• Kilusang Mayo Uno
• Kabataan Partylist
• Student Christian Movement
• Timog Katagalugan
• Piston
• Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP)
• Amihan
• SAKA
• Gabriela

Meanwhile, in Naga City at 9:30 a.m., around 70 members of Anakbayan, Gabriela, and Bayan Muna gathered at the National Irrigation Administration office on Panganiban Drive, the police said. —with Joviland Rita/KBK/RSJ, GMA News