Cops disperse Mendiola rally marking 49th anniversary of Martial Law

Members of the Manila Police Department on Tuesday morning dispersed a rally at the foot of Mendiola Bridge which called on the government to stop "tyranny."

The protesters were at the area to stage a rally to mark the 49th anniversary of the Martial Law declared by former President Ferdinand Marcos.

The rallyists held placards with the words "Stop the killings" and "Stand for democracy! Rage against tyranny!"

The cops stood in front of them, blocking their way so they could not go farther.

At the other end of Mendiola Road is Malacañang Palace.

Meanwhile, labor and youth groups gathered earlier Tuesday at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani for wreath laying to remember Martial Law victims.

They will then proceed to Carriedo in Manila before proceeding to Gomburza Plaza to meet with the militant group BAYAN.

On Monday, a group of nuns also held a protest action in front of St. Scholastica's College in Manila to denounce the alleged corruption in government. 

According to Mariz Umali’s separate report on “24 Oras,” members of the Kilusang Mayo Uno were blocked at the Mac Arthur Bridge. They were forced to retreat to Santa Cruz to hold a program.

However, at the start of the program, authorities fired water cannons at the protesters.

Meanwhile, Sanlakas which marched from the University of Santo Tomas was also blocked at Welcome Rotonda.

Rallyists who refused to leave were asked by organizers to seat by the road, causing traffic along España.

Even Bayan Secretary-General Nato Reyes was almost blocked by authorities.

“Very ironic na anniversary ng martial law, pero ‘yung pakiramdam ng mga tao, hindi sila malayang makapagtipon at makapagpahayag,” he said.

“Significant ‘yung martial law commemoration ngayon dahil nga meron tayong nakaluklok na pangulo na gustong gayahin si Marcos at ayaw nang umalis sa pwesto. Gusto ng Duterte forever at Duterte dynasty,” he added.

Reyes stressed the importance of remembering and learning from Martial law.

“Ang masaklap pa nga dito, hindi lang Duterte ‘yung gustong manatili sa puwesto. Gusto din makabalik sa Malacañang ‘yung mga Marcos. So parang walang nangyaring hustisya,” he said.

GMA News has reached out to Malacañang for comment.

Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said they respect the rights of the protesters.

“Nirerespeto ng inyong PNP ang pagsagawa ng mga kilos protesta kaya inaasahan natin na igagalang din ng mga nag pro-protesta ang mga alituntunin lalo na sa panahon ng pandemya,” PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said.—Joahna Lei Casilao/KG, GMA News