On Bonifacio Day, militants march vs Aquino

(Updated 2:43 a.m., December 1, 2014) Militant groups gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio and Plaza Hernandez in Tondo on Sunday not just to commemorate the 151st birth anniversary of revolutionary Andres Bonifacio, but also to protest against President Benigno Aquino III's policies.

While reaffirming their commitment to continue Bonifacio’s unfinished revolution, the militants slammed the Aquino government on the continued joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States.

“If we are serious about the subject of change, then we say, Aquino must go,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes Jr. “His regime has exacerbated all sorts of social problems such as pork barrel corruption and foreign military occupation. He continues to find new ways of keeping pork in the national budget. He continues to find ways to bring back US bases to our shores.”

Bayan has long advocated for the scrapping of the Visiting Forces Agreement, as well as the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA).

Bayan also led the filing of impeachment raps against Aquino over the issue of the Disbursement Acceleration Program, accusing the president of violating the Constitution, the General Appropriations Act, the anti-graft law and of betrayal of public trust. The complaint was defeated by Aquino allies at the House Committee on Justice

The protesters in Tondo, Manila, meanwhile, asked the President to stop the pending demolition of an informal-settler community along the R-10, a road in the area.

"Dapat ang Pangulo natin, sagutin niya 'yung, mga hinaing ng residente at bigyan ng lupa ang mga residente ng squatter's area. Hindi niya dapat i-demolish ang mga iyan at ilagay sa malalayong lugar," said Rem Carlo Bautista, secretary-general of Anakbayan-Manila, in a "24 Oras" report.



Reyes estimated the number of people who attended the event in Liwasang Bonifacio at 8,000 to 10,000, while the Plaza Hernandez group were about 100 people.

Bayan also likened Aquino to Emilio Aquinaldo, the country’s first president, who ordered the execution of Bonifacio.

“Aquino is more Aguinaldo rather than Bonifacio. He claims to be for change yet he defends the status quo. He has betrayed the people’s aspirations for genuine freedom and democracy. His ‘daang matuwid’ is a sham,” Reyes said.

The group also condemned the arrest of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas secretary general Antonio Flores during a protest in front of Aquino’s house in Quezon City. Flores is detained at Camp Karingal.

Other activities

Meanwhile, the President celebrated the Katipunan's founder's birthday by detailing his administration's accomplishments against corruption.,

"The Philippines has become a dynamic and progressive hub of business and commerce, and it will continue to thrive as we fight to vanquish the culture of greed and corruption once rampant in our system as we renew our dedication to fostering integrity and accountability in our institutions," Aquino said in a statement.

"We have created for ourselves the opportunity to fulfill the dreams Gat Andres envisioned for us," he added.,

In contrast ot the protests, local governments had traditional wreath-laying activities in different Bonifacio shrines in Metro Manila.

Bonifacio's great-grandchildren and actor Robin Padilla joined in the celebrations in Caloocan City, where Bonifacio's “monumento” stands.

"Mga mahal kong kababayan, taga-ilog, mga Tagalog, at Pilipino, utang natin sa taong ito ang ating kalayaan," said Padilla, pointing to the monument.

"Hindi lamang po dapat sa Caloocan nangyayari ito, dapat sa buong kapuluan mangyari ang ganitong klaseng pagmamahal sa sting bayani," said Padilla, whose next starring role will be as Bonifacio in the upcoming movie "Bonifacio, Ang Unang Pangulo". — Rouchelle R. Dinglasan and Patricia Denise Chiu/BM/DVM, GMA News