Thousands expected to flock to Luneta Park, People Power Monument
As reports of substandard and “ghost” flood-control projects and multi-million-peso kickbacks have opened the floodgates of anger and discontent among Filipino taxpayers, thousands of people are expected to join anti-corruption protests across the country today.
Organizers said the largest demonstrations are set at 9 a.m. at Luneta Park in Manila, and at 2 p.m. at the People Power Monument in Quezon City, dubbed the “Trillion Peso March.”
Some 30,000 protesters from at least 200 various groups are expected to participate at the PPM event, organizers said.
Several groups joining the Luneta mobilization are also expected to convene at various nearby areas – the United Methodist Church said they will hold first an ecumenical gathering at the Iglesia Filipina Independiente Central Office along Taft Ave. while the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order led by Filipino-Chinese civic leader Teresita Ang-See will convene in Intramuros before marching to Luneta Park.
Students from the UP Community will assemble first in Diliman, Quezon City and at the Philippine General Hospital Oblation in Manila before marching toward Luneta.
Protest organizers said the mass mobilizations will push through, rain or shine, as Typhoon “Nando” and the enhanced southwest monsoon or “habagat” are expected to bring scattered rains and thunderstorms as well as strong gusts in Metro Manila in the next 24 hours.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines yesterday called on the faithful to join what it described as a “peaceful gathering” at the People Power Monument.
CBCP president Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David said the gathering “is not a political spectacle” but a moral stand.
“It is a moment of prayer, solidarity, and action against the entrenched culture of corruption that robs our people of dignity, deepens poverty, and betrays our future,” he said.
David also invited people outside Metro Manila to join prayer rallies organized by the church and other civil society organizations “as a sign of solidarity in this nationwide day of peaceful witness.”
“Our purpose is not to destabilize, but to strengthen our democracy,” the Catholic leader added.
Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno, for his part, called for stronger accountability in the flood control scandal, saying those involved in the abuse of public funds should be held fully liable.
“We cannot allow those behind this scandal to get away. We must all ensure that they are punished and placed behind bars for their actions,” he said.
Diokno also underscored the significance of the protest action that coincides with the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law, saying it should serve as a reminder that abuse of power and corruption can thrive when people remain silent.
Ana Borbe, a single mother of three children, is set to share her experiences of perennial flooding in her community in Montalban, Rizal.
“We are deeply submerged every time a typhoon visits us, while the flood control project in our areas has been pending for seven years now,” she said.
Liza Gonzales, who has also borne the brunt of perennial flooding in Quezon City, added: “When rain reaches around an hour, I could not sleep anymore from anxiety. I must guard my family who sleeps on the floor, as the flood rises quickly.”
Protest actions have likewise been set outside Metro Manila, including in Davao City as confirmed by Vice President Sara Duterte.
In Northern Luzon, Baguio-Benguet Laban sa Korapsyon member Louise Montenegro said they will convene at 9 a.m. at the compound of the Baguio Convention and Cultural Center and march toward People’s Park via Harrison Road.
“We will stage a peaceful rally…We appeal that those responsible be penalized and return the people’s money,” she said in an interview yesterday.
In Cebu City, some 30 sectoral groups have vowed to join the solidarity rally against corruption at the Plaza Independencia. Another group will stage a separate protest action at Fuente Osmena.
In Northern Mindanao, the regional police said it will deploy some 3,400 personnel to maintain peace and order while respecting the right of civil groups to hold rallies.
The Civil Service Commission said government workers may participate in the anti-corruption rallies but must “observe limitations so as to not give a bad image.”
“Our friends in the government, like any ordinary citizen of our country, have rights to participate in those kinds of protest-actions,” CSC Assistant Commissioner Ariel Ronquillo said in an interview with dzRH.
“However, because they are in the government, there should be things they aren’t allowed to do that will give a bad image to the government…If you are in the government, you carry the image of the government wherever you go.”
The Philippine National Police said some 50,000 cops nationwide have been deployed for security operations today.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines also ordered the temporary restriction of airspace over the Rizal Park (Luneta) and EDSA Shrine until 6 a.m. on Sept. 22.
“All aircraft and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are prohibited from flying within a 15-nautical mile radius of the center of these locations, from the surface up to 10,000 feet,” CAAP said.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairman Romando Artes has ordered full deployment of traffic personnel to assist the people participating in the mass protests.
At the EDSA People Power Monument, the MMDA said it intends to implement a zipper lane on the White Plains Avenue section if necessary.
Additionally, the MMDA will provide eight ambulances and set up medical stations along White Plains Avenue.
As this developed, the embassies of the United States, Australia and France have issued an alert reminding their nationals to avoid demonstration areas today.
“US citizens should avoid these demonstrations due to the potential for violence,” the US Embassy in Manila said in an advisory. “Exercise caution when in the vicinity of any large gatherings, as even peaceful demonstrations have the potential to turn violent without warning. Follow instructions from local authorities.”
