Protests, walkouts vs. corruption continue

Progressive groups and students held protest actions on Friday, dubbed as the “Black Friday Protest”, as they continue to call for action against corruption in the government. 

People’s Surge, an alliance of disaster survivors, trooped to the Department of Energy compound in Taguig City where the headquarters of the Independent Commission for Infrastructure (ICI) is located. The group was joined by the members of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas. 

The protesters decried that those involved in the flood control project mess must be held accountable and to stop the alleged “cover up.” 

Based on the video by Super Radyo dzBB’s Christian Maño, protesters tried to open the gate of the DENR’s compound as one shouted, “Mga kasama, kaya ‘yan! Buksan ninyo ang gate! Hayaan ninyo ipakita ng mga mamamayan ang galit!” 

Students of the University of the Philippines Diliman also protested against the alleged targeting of student leaders following the subpoena issued to UP Diliman University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin "Waks" Buenaflor. 

According to a post by the Philippine Collegian, the official student publication of UP Diliman, police forces are reportedly visiting houses of student leaders who participated in the September 21 anti-corruption protests. 

“Hindi kami natakot sa simpleng subpoena lamang ng rehimeng Marcos-Duterte, pero mas lalo kaming tumatapang, mas lalo namin gagawin yung paninidigan namin na labanan, singilin lahat ng korap,” said Buenaflor in Jamie Santos' report on "24 Oras."

(We are not afraid of a simple subpoena from the Marcos-Duterte regime; instead, we are becoming bolder, and we will even uphold our stand to fight and hold all the corrupt accountable.) 

Students of Rizal Technological University held a walkout and called on the Anti-Money Laundering Council to release the names of those involved in corruption as well as their assets.

“Huwag tayong matahimik, dahil ang boses ay nasa atin, nasa kabataan po,” said Celeste Selda, Secretary General of RTU Supreme Student Council.

(Let's not be silent, because the voice is with us, it is with the youth.)  

Meanwhile, several groups converged again at EDSA Shrine to demand that corrupt individuals, especially those involved in the flood control project mess, be held accountable.

“Wala sanang mahirap, kung walang nangungurakot. Kailangan natin magkaisa this time, kasi kailangan nang mabuhay, magising ng bawat mamamayan na hindi na ito inuuli-ulit,” a protester said. 

(There would be no poor people if no one was stealing. We need to unite this time, because every citizen needs to realize and wake up, so that this will not be repeated.) 

“Babalik-balik tayo dito hangga’t hindi nasa-satisfy yung gusto natin - gusto natin ng agad-agarang may makita tayong resulta, pagpapakulong. Simpleng hiling ng mga tao: may managot, may makulong, at makuha natin yung atin ,” another protester said. 

(We will keep coming back here until what we want is satisfied - we want to see immediate results, which is imprisonment. The simple request of the people is: someone must be held accountable, someone must be imprisoned, and we must get back what is ours.) 

The weekly protests at EDSA Shrine are being held ahead of a massive protest on November 30, the report said. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/AOL/VBL, GMA Integrated News