TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines- Different groups from Cagayan Valley joined the September 21 protests nationwide in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
In Santiago City in Isabela province, several progressive groups held a prayer rally and program to denounce the killings under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.
In a statement, the Masakbayan Cagayan Valley said the anti-poor policies and human rights violations continue even under the “Duterte regime.”
“Sa kasalukuyan, sa ilalim ng rehimeng US-Duterte, ay nagpapatuloy pa rin ang pasistang atake sa karapatan ng mamamayang Pilipino na nananatiling lugmok sa kahirapan at biktima ng karahasan ng estado,” the statement said.
The protesters also urged Duterte to lift Martial Law in Mindanao as they ask for the continuance of peace talks between the government and the armed groups.
Students of Cagayan State University in Tuguegarao City and St. Mary’s University in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya also staged a modest protest denouncing the extrajudicial killings.
Meanwhile, major peasant and militant groups of the region also joined the protest in Luneta in Metro Manila.
The groups marched together with thousands of protesters from around the country. Most of them have been in the University of the Philippines – Diliman since August 31 for the Lakbayan 2017.
In a statement, the Karapatan (rights) Cagayan Valley said there are over 10,000 victims of human rights violations in the region, most of them are farmers who fought for their rights.
“Dito sa rehiyon ng Cagayan Valley, hindi pa man Martial Law ay ginigipit na ang mga kabataang nag-oorganisa sa kanilang hanay. Ang mga komunidad na tumututol sa dayuhang pagmimina ay binibulabog ng operasyong militar. At ang magkapatid na Mendoza ng Baliao, Benito Soliven ay walang awang pinaslang ng mga sundalo ni Duterte. Marami-rami na din ang kaso ng iba pang extra-judicial killings (EJK) bunga ng giyera laban sa droga,” the group said.
President Duterte earlier declared September 21 as “National Day of Protests” as he suspended works in government offices and schools. Northernforum.net
