By Dhel Nazario
Cause-oriented groups critical of the administration have chosen to hold their protest action in Commonwealth Avenue near St. Peter’s Parish yesterday to avoid meeting President Duterte, according to rally organizers.
Renato Reyes, secretary-general of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), said they prefer the spacious area provided by the main highway instead of the Batasang Pambansa complex.
Reyes said they did not wish to meet the President like what happened last year.
“Mainam na po hindi magkita at magtagpo ngayon dahil magkaiba dahil magkaiba po ang tindigan natin sa mga usapin at isyu,” Reyes said.
Last year, Duterte unexpectedly met with rallyists after his second State of the Nation Address (SONA), catching his security team off-guard.
Reyes also said that they were even the ones who recommended the complex be utilized by the pro-administration supporters.
During the rally, Reyes will tackle the current economic crisis, political repression, the scuttled peace talks, Charter change and the prospect of dictatorship.
At noon, BAYAN members assembled at the University of the Philippines Diliman campus to unveil their effigy “DuterTRAIN, Sagasa sa Mamamayan” that depicts the current situation of the country.
At the same time, #BabaeAko held its assembly program in front of Robinson’s Supermarket in Tandang Sora – Commonwealth Avenue. Laban ng Masa had their assembly program at Toyota Center in Commonwealth Avenue where they will be joined by Kalipunan and Coalition for Justice at 1 p.m.
