All systems go for the “November 30 Baha sa Luneta 2.0” anti-corruption protest at Rizal Park, organizers announced.
The Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, TAMA NA, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) said their preparations for the next big rally against government corruption and for accountability are complete.
Like the September 21 rally, the Luneta protest action, set from 9AM to 12NN, will be held along Roxas Boulevard.
The organizers held coordination meetings with Manila City officials and Metro Manila Development authority (MMDA) on Tuesday.
Cesar Chavez, chief of staff of the Office of the Mayor, reportedly stated that the Manila government poses no objections to the Luneta protest and is ready to provide traffic and perimeter support during the day.
In a separate meeting, MMDA general manager Procopio Lipana said the agency will also assist the local government in rerouting traffic as well as readying units for emergency response.
Kilusang Bayan Kontra Kurakot, TAMA NA and BAYAN urged authorities to remove undue restrictions they said “undermine the people’s freedom of expression.”
The groups mentioned the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Malacanang Palace as barriers to the protesters right to peaceably assemble.
The police arrested hundreds of protesters last September 21 in the biggest mass arrest in Philippine history.
“Amid the unfolding corruption crisis, the people are determined to pursue truth, accountability, and justice. Baha sa Luneta 2.0 will gather tens of thousands of citizens, including flood victims, who are demanding accountability against corrupt officials,” the organizers said.
In an earlier announcement, BAYAN said simultaneous rallies will be held in regional centers across the country.
BAYAN said its chapters will lead rallies in Davao City, Iloilo City, San Jose (Antique), Roxas City, Kalibo City, Bacolod City, Calamba City, Cebu City, Tacloban, Baguio, Naga City and Legazpi City.
The organizers said the protest rallies demand that ongoing investigations on government corruption should spare no one and the focus should be the country’s top officials led by Vice President Sara Duterte and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
The groups further said the recent video expose of former lawmaker Zaldy Co should not be outrightly dismissed since the information he shared can be used to verify earlier accusations and dig deeper into the flood control corruption scandal.
“On November 30, all roads lead to Luneta and other public gatherings where the people are strongly expressing outrage against corruption and demanding meaningful change in governance,” the organizers said. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
