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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Metro Manila devider Groups call for independence, Cha-Cha opposition on EDSA day

Groups call for independence, Cha-Cha opposition on EDSA day

Published Feb 25, 2024 09:49 am

Several groups, including youth, workers, and student leaders, gathered in different parts of Metro Manila on Sunday, Feb. 25, to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. 

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Several groups gathered on Sunday, Feb. 25, to commemorate the 38th Anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution. (Photo courtesy of The LaSallian/MANILA BULLETIN)

Police said around 300 activists participated in the march at JB Music Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in Mandaluyong.

They called for various issues, such as democracy and opposition to charter change.

A cardboard coffin was brought along during the caravan to symbolize the death of democracy. 

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Rallyists brought a cardboard coffin to symbolize the death of Philippine democracy (Photo courtesy of The LaSallian/MANILA BULLETIN)

Placards with messages such as “No to Cha-Cha", “Youth unite against charter change", “Libre at dekalidad na edukasyon (free and quality education)", “Sigaw ng Kabataan: Edukasyon, Kabuhayan, Kasarinlan, hindi CHA-CHA (Voice of the youth: Education, livelihood, independence, not Cha-Cha)," were also seen during the march.

Some of them used their voices to express their opposition to charter change, saying that it would only strengthen foreign interests. 

"Hindi uunlad ang Pilipinas sa mapang-abuso at ganid na pulitiko. Sigaw ng kabataan [ay] kalayaan at kasarinlan, hindi Cha-Cha-han (The Philippines will not prosper with abusive and savage politicians. The cry of the youth is freedom and independence, not Cha-Cha),” Movement Against Charter Change Convenor Gie Rodenas said. 

Lloyd Manango, vice chairperson of the League of Filipino Students, believed that Cha-Cha was only a way for the current administration to “sell” the country. 

He said that Filipinos are becoming "robots" who are ready to serve capitalist countries.

A secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas also called for better land reform policies instead of Cha-Cha. 

They urged Filipinos to unite and act as one to fail the Cha-Cha, which can worsen the Filipinos' condition. 

The protesters also chanted to end contractualization and demanded an increase in the national minimum wage, rejection of foreign control of public utilities, environmental protection, and rejection of the US-Marcos Cha-Cha.

Among the groups who were also present during the protest were Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayan (SAMASA PUP), Anakbayan, Panday Sining, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Bayan Rizal, the National Council of Churches in the Philippines, Promotion of Church People's Response, Alyansa ng Kabataan Para sa Tunay na Demokrasya, Hustisya, at Katotohanan (ADHIKA-Southern Tagalog), Kadamay, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, and Kalikasan.

The protesters had reached the EDSA Monument as of 3:43 p.m. 

In Makati, 50 people staged a protest along Ninoy Aquino Monument along Ayala Avenue to commemorate EDSA Day and cancel Cha-Cha.

Authorities said two separate rallies were held in Sampaloc and Mendiola.

Read more: https://mb.com.ph/2024/2/25/1500-mpd-deployed-on-edsa-day

Along EDSA Taft Rotonda in Pasay, 30 members of Kabtaan Party List held "Balik EDSA" Labanan ang Cha-Cha! Ipaglaban ang Edukasyon, Kasarinlan at Karapatan. 

Meanwhile, Caloocan police said 30 individuals gathered at Monumento BMC, in front of Araneta Square to propose a hybrid election and oppose Cha-Cha.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said it recorded a total of 10 rallies held in Metro Manila.

Thousands of Philippine National Police (PNP) and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel were deployed in the areas to secure the events and monitor the traffic situation.

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