By Martin Sadongdong
Hours after the voting period officially closed, a lightning rally was staged by about 50 members of various activist groups in front of the National Board of Canvassers (NBOC) headquarters, Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City Monday night.
The groups, among them, are members of Anakbayan and Kabataan Partylist, pounced on President Duterte whom they claimed was behind an organized system to get his administration bets a seat at the Senate.
The protest started around 7:30 p.m.
"Nagsagawa ang mga kabataan mg kilos protesta bilang pagtutol sa lahat ng dayaan na nangyari ngayong araw ng botohan at sa mga inilatag na pandaraya ng rehimeng Duterte at ng kanyang mga alipores ngayong eleksyon," said Alexis Danday, Anakbayan spokesperson.
From PICC Gate 1, the group marched until they reached Roxas Boulevard near the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) where they stood in silence for a couple of minutes to remember all those who were killed in this year's elections.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) said at least 20 individuals have been killed since January 13, the start of the campaign period.
Police Captain Leomar Vicente, team captain of the civil disturbance management (CDM) contingent at the PICC, said the group peacefully dispersed around 9 p.m.
"Peaceful naman. Maximum tolerance ang ipinairal natin," Vicente said.
A battalion of CDM contingents of about 50 to 100 personnel followed the group as they marched along Roxas Boulevard.