Militant groups hold SONA rally in Naga

By Abegail Kyla Bilan

Some 100 members of militant groups marched in protest along Panganiban Drive going to Plaza Oragon in downtown Naga City where they held a program dubbed “People’s SONA” on Monday, July 25 ahead of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).

The protesters were members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Jovenes Anakbayan, Anakpawis, Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and Pinagkaisang Samahan ng mga Tsuper at Operators Nationwide (PISTON).

“Ang tunay na State of the Nation Address ay mula sa mamamayang Pilipino. Tayo dapat ang pinapakinggan at hindi ang iilan,” the spokesperson of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) - Camarines Sur said.

The rallyists denounced the government’s anti-poor policies and red-tagging, as well as demanded good governance, human rights, ending impunity, junking of oil deregulation law and suspension of excise tax on fuel, lower prices of basic commodities, higher wages, job regularization, and press freedom, among others.

Joel Pillogo of Condor-PISTON said, “Ngunyan na aldaw, inirerehistro po kan transport sektor an kahagadan ta sa nakatungtong na presidente. Sana po, matawan nin solusyon. Bako lang po kami ang makikinabang ‘pag kami nangapudan.”

Aside from calls to stop human rights abuses, they demanded that the Marcos administration should be addressed in light of the continued oil price hikes and 6.1% inflation rate in June, the highest in more than three years.

The rally in Naga City was part of the nationwide protest action against the Marcos administration.

PROTEST Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and various multisectoral progressive groups staged a protest rally in Naga City on July 25, 2022 ahead of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address (SONA).