Photos from Richielyn Canlas/MANILA BULLETIN
Around 300 people joined the "Animal Rights March" in Manila on Saturday afternoon, June 3.
Animal Rights March is an annual event organized by independent local animal rights activists based in the Metro and nearby provinces.
Participants brought signs, banners, and placards, and wore costumes to show their support against animal cruelty.
During the march, the animal rights activists went in front of Manila Zoo and Manila Ocean Park to discuss the lives of the animals inside the zoos.
Animal rights activists said that cages and aquariums in zoo parks are causing distress and depression to the animals.
"We literally stole their freedom by putting them inside zoos and marine parks, " the activists said.
Other independent animal rights activists also gave their speeches.
"Tayo lang ang meron sila. Kailangan natin maniwala sa ating mga sarili na may kakayahan tayo na gumawa ng malaki at matinding pagbabago sa mundong ito para sa mga biktima—para sa mga hayop (We are the only ones they have. We have to believe in ourselves that we have the ability to make a big and drastic change in this world for the victims—for animals)," Jofer Santos, one of the organizers of Animal Rights March said.
Manila Vegans Founder Nancy Siy also gave her speech, "Ang dami na natin. Dati, wala akong nababasa sa mga pahayagan tungkol sa veganism. Ngayon, ang dami nang naisusulat, at hindi lang bilang isang diet o lifestyle, kundi tungkol na sa animal rights (There are so many of us vegans now. I used to read nothing in the newspapers about veganism. Today, a lot is being written, and not just as a diet or lifestyle, but about animal rights)."
"Sana maging inspirasyon ang march na ito para ituloy natin ang laban para sa mga hayop. Huwag tayong tumigil hanggang ang bawat hayop ay maging malaya (I hope this march will be an inspiration for us to continue our fight for animals. Let's not stop until every animal is free)," she added.
Karlo Cleto, Ibaloi tribe member, vegan, and activist for animal rights and indigenous people's rights, said, "Sa bansang tinatratong terorista ang mga aktibista at indigenous people's rights advocates, radikal ang rumespeto sa dignidad at kasarinlan ng kapwa hayop (In a country where activists and indigenous people's rights advocates are treated as terrorists, it is radical to respect the dignity and independence of fellow animals)."
The animal rights activists urged the public to join their future marches and activities to end animal abuse. (Richielyn Canlas)