MANILA, Philippines — The nationwide commemoration of the 32nd anniversary of the 1986 People Power Revolution yesterday was generally peaceful, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said no untoward incident was reported during the three-day protest rallies and the traditional Salubong yesterday.
The NCRPO deployed 1,600 anti-riot police along EDSA and the gate of Camp Aguinaldo along White Plains subdivision near the People Power Monument.
A crowd of 3,000 joined the rally organized by the opposition group Tindig Pilipinas and the traditional Salubong, which was led by former president Fidel Ramos.
Salubong is the reenactment of the dramatic meeting of military officers and soldiers who defected from dictator Ferdinand Marcos and the civilians who gathered at EDSA to protect these military men.
At 3 p.m. yesterday, militant groups and opposition politicians gathered at the People Power Monument.
Opposition lawmakers were one in saying that the spirit of People Power and democracy is still alive despite attempts to curtail the freedoms enjoyed by Filipinos.
“For as long as there are citizens who enjoy freedom, EDSA would still be relevant. For as long as the media can ask questions in a free manner, EDSA would be relevant,” Sen. Francis Pangilinan said.
For Sen. Risa Hontiveros, this spirit is being “challenged by unprecedented problems” but it will persevere.
She also slammed the “historical revisionism” perpetrated by some groups which she said has led some Filipinos to disagree with the essence of the People Power Revolution.
“We are here to say that even in the middle of darkness, despite the blood in the streets, we still believe that democracy will find its way and people power will still win in the end,” she said in an interview.
Militant labor groups took to the streets to express their strong opposition against the Duterte administration’s planned Charter change (Cha-cha).
While admitting that the 1986 People Power revolt failed to bring change in the lives of workers, members of Partido ng Manggagawa (PM) said changing the Constitution is not necessary.
“The people have the right and reason to seek redress and more so demand changes in their present condition of living under poverty and inequality. But such change we never envisioned to be led by Duterte minions in Congress led by Pantaleon Alvarez,” PM said in a statement.
PM noted that those who are pushing for Cha-cha are the same people who deny workers the free exercise of their rights to decent work and human rights.
“We reiterate our position that what ails this nation is not form of government but class rule,” they added.
Buklurang ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP) president Luke Espiritu said genuine change in everyday lives of the people would not come from a Duterte dictatorship or from the yellow elite democracy.
“The Duterte regime may differ in form as compared to the administrations from Cory to Noynoy Aquino, due to its fascist inclinations, but it essentially remains an instrument for class oppression, that is, for the dictatorship of the capitalist class,” he said.
Pastor Boy Saycon, member of the EDSA People Power Commission, said the celebration included citizens from all groups to make the event inclusive.
He said the President directed the commission to invite various officials including former president Benigno Aquino III, Vice President Leni Robredo, former speaker and now Quezon City Rep. Feliciano Belmonte and several others.
“EDSA is not just for the yellow but for everyone,” Saycon said, referring to the color of the Liberal Party, the political opposition. Yellow was the color adopted by the groups that toppled the dictator. ?Saycon said the President could not attend the People Power celebration because he was in Davao. – Non Alquitran, Mayen Jaymalin, Romina Cabrera