Organizers of today’s mass protests have warned against “dark forces” that might attempt to “hijack” the anti-corruption rallies at the People Power Monument along EDSA and at Luneta Park in Manila.
Both Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) and Akbayan have expressed wariness over groups that would call for the resignation of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., saying this would only benefit the camp of Vice President Sara Duterte who they said should be impeached.
Political analyst Ronald Llamas, for his part, warned that “bad elements” will try to piggyback on peoples’ anger over the anomalous flood-control projects to push their own agenda.
“These weeds must also be pulled out or we might find ourselves sabotaged,” Llamas said.
Be vigilant…
Llamas also warned of “bad elements” that he said could derail the good intentions of the protests.
Bayan chairperson Teodoro Casiño added: “We are very wary of calls for resignation. Although we think it is a legitimate call, the call for the impeachment of Sara Duterte is also legitimate. We don’t want the protest to be caught in the middle of their fight.”
Akbayan party-list Rep. Percival Cendaña also warned that some “self-serving” groups backed by Duterte supporters will try to seek the President’s ouster.
“The Duterte groups have been trying to ride our protest movements this coming Sunday. Their call for President Marcos’ resignation – who will benefit from these ouster calls?” Cendaña said.
“‘Their Vice President will be the president. So let us be careful of these self-serving groups,” he added.
Malacañang, for its part, reiterated that President Marcos respects the people’s rights to air their grievances over alleged corruption in flood control projects but warned against letting “personal interests” take over the planned protests.
“Just be critical and vigilant because people who want to discredit the government and advance their personal interests could take advantage of the protests’ legitimate objectives,” Palace Press Office Claire Castro said.
Earlier, President Marcos said he does not blame people for taking part in street protests “one bit” as anger mounts over alleged substandard and even “ghost” flood control projects.
“Do you blame them for going out into the streets? If I [weren’t] President, I might be out in the street with them,” he said when asked about the protests set for today.
“Of course, they are enraged, they are angry—I’m angry. We should all be angry because what is happening is not right.”
“You have to remember: I brought this up and it is my interest that we find a solution to what has become a very egregious problem,” the President added.
Mr. Marcos, however, called on protest organizers to keep the rallies peaceful.
“Make them answerable for the wrongdoings that they have done. Let them know your sentiments, scream, do everything—demonstrate, just keep it peaceful,” he said.
