MANILA, Philippines – Peasant group Kadamay, whose members were allowed by the government to occupy housing projects in Pandi, Bulacan early this year, is now seeking the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Members of the group trooped to Mendiola on Friday, December 8, to protest against the current administration’s ‘tyrannical rule’.
In a statement, Kadamay Spokesperson Cel Cari condemned the government’s alleged continuing oppression of the poor through the demolition of houses, inaction on lack of housing program, contractualization, lack of employment opportunities, militarization, land grabbing and killing of lowly farmers and peasants, among others.
“Kumpleto ang mga dahilan para ipanawagan natin ang pagpapaalis sa kanya sa puwesto,” said Cari. [We have complete reasons to call for his ouster.]
Kadamay also criticized not only the Duterte government’s failure to deliver on his promise, but the ‘killing of the poor’ through other means.
All critics being targeted
Gloria Arellano, Kadamay’s national chairperson, said the government’s current war is not only against drug addicts, but against activists and its critics whom it wants to silence.
“Noong una, mga “adik” daw ang tinutugis. Sumunod ang mga “ISIS” raw pero mga Moro at pambansang minorya ang inaatake. Ngayon lahat ng uri ng kritiko ng rehimen,” said Arellano.
[Before they were only targeting addicts. Then they targeted ISIS, but in fact they attacked the Moro people and the minorities. Now, they are targeting all critics of this regime.]
The group expressed their frustrations by burning effigies of the President whom it called “Duter-TRex” or “Duterte Tyrannosaurus.”
The group vowed to stage more protest for Duterte’s ouster and is expected to join the Movement Against Tyranny rally on December 10 as part of the International Human Rights Day 2017 observance.
Source : Manila Today, Inquirer, Facebook
