PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday said he is planning to carry out a protest against the "yellow" group, a political color associated with opposition Liberal Party, on Thursday, September 21.
Duterte, who declared September 21 as "National Day of Protest," said he would join protesters who would conduct mass demonstrations against the commemoration of 45th anniversary of the martial law of late `President Ferdinand Marcos.
"I'd be happy to join those who have sentiments on government, extrajudicial killings, corruption -- that's also my sentiments now -- and other government abuses. Then, I'm inviting everybody, including deprived Lumads to come down and join the protests," the President said in a late night interview aired on state-run PTV4.
"That's why I called it (September 21) National Day of Protest -- to give them space and time to enjoy the rights to peacefully assemble, seek redress, and air their grievances. Vent your ire on any place you want -- public property and not private," he added.
Reminding the public not to resort to violence during the nationwide protests, Duterte announced that he would be "very happy" to join them as he expressed his strong opposition to the "yellow" party.
The Chief Executive said he would express his disapproval to "corrupt" people belonging to the opposition group and currently enjoying working in government.
"Do not go into vandalism and destroy any government properties. Make it just peaceful and I would be very happy for you guys to join," he said.
"I will also protest because there are so many 'yellow' people who are working in the commission bodies. They are corrupt. Even those on the regulatory board. I will protest because they have a fixed term, there's a security of tenure. Meaning, you can't remove them easily," he added.
On September 18, Duterte declared September 21, which marks the 45th anniversary of martial law in the entire country imposed by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, as "National Day of Protest."
Duterte said the declaration would allow Filipino citizens all throughout the country to stage mass protests and express their sentiments on the policies and programs implemented by the past and current administrations.
The Chief Executive, however, reminded the protesters not to engage in hostile acts, such as vandalism and burning of properties.
Earlier in the day, Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said the executive branch is expected to release a memorandum circular "suspending work in government offices, both national and local, as well as classes in all public schools, state colleges, and universities."
He, however, clarified that it was "not a special non-working holiday."
"Law enforcement authorities are directed to stay away from mass actions and to exercise maximum restraint unless the intervention is necessary to maintain public order," the presidential spokesman said.
"Certain government agencies shall be required to provide standby emergency assistance near sites of protest actions," he added.
'Suspension of gov’t work, classes not a diversionary tactic'
Abella said the suspension of work in all government offices and classes in all levels in public schools on September 21 was not meant to draw the public's attention away from the commemoration of 45th anniversary of the nationwide martial law.
Abella said Duterte merely wanted the Filipino people to exercise their constitutional rights.
"The President has announced September 21, 2017, as a National Day of Protest, a day set aside for people to exercise their constitutional rights to freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and to seek redress for the grievances against the government, past or present," Abella said.
"It's a public exercise of your rights. I mean, the President understands that some people want to vent and I suppose, he also assumes that most people want to vent on something. It’s a National Venting Day? No. It’s a National Day of Protest," he added.
Duterte has been outspoken about his close ties with the late despot and his family.
While he has maintained that he would not emulate Marcos in imposing autocrat rule nationwide, the President on September 9 floated the possibility to declare martial law in the entire country, if the communist insurgents inflict "destruction and trouble" in the streets. (SunStar Philippines)