Rallyists try to march to Mendiola; Recto Avenue closed to motorists
Courtesy of the Manila Police District
Rallyists calling for good governance tried to breach a phalanx of policemen and barricades, forcing the Manila Police District (MPD) to close both lanes of Recto Avenue on Monday morning, June 30.
The groups attempted to march toward Mendiola but were blocked by the police.
The program began at 10:03 a.m. and was ongoing as of this writing.
The rally was being held at the corner of Recto Avenue and San Sebastian Street.
Authorities estimated the crowd at around 80 participants.
The protest was organized by various progressive and sectoral groups, including Karapatan (Alliance for the Advancement of People's Rights), KMU or Kilusang Mayo Uno (May First Movement), Katribu (National Alliance of Indigenous Peoples' Organizations in the Philippines), Bayan Muna (People First), ACT (Alliance of Concerned Teachers), AHW (Alliance of Health Workers), Gabriela (General Assembly Binding Women for Reforms, Integrity, Equality, Leadership, and Action), KMP or Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines), Kabataan Party List (Youth Party), PCPR (Promotion of Church People's Response), Anakpawis (Toiling Masses Partylist), HEAD (Health Alliance for Democracy), SWEAP (Social Welfare Employees Association of the Philippines), NNARA Youth (National Network of Agrarian Reform Advocates Youth), and PISTON (Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operator Nationwide).
They were led by Raymond Palatino, Funa Ay Claver, Ming Gomez, Atty. Rene Co, and Kej Andres.
Protesters carried messages and demands including: “Bongbong Marcos, papet, pasista, inutil, Bongbong Marcos, pahirap sa magsasaka, Sahod itaas, presyo ibaba (Bongbong Marcos, puppet, fascist, useless, Bongbong Marcos is a burden to farmers, Increase wages, lower prices), and Convict Sara now.”
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Around 110 personnel from the MPD Barbosa Police Station and the Civil Disturbance Management unit were deployed.Motorists traveling to and from Legarda were advised to take alternative routes, including España Boulevard, as traffic remained heavy in the area.The affected portion of Recto Avenue will be reopened once the demonstration ends, according to authorities.