UNLIKE in Metro Manila and some parts of the country, an activist group in Davao City led an online version of the "Grand Mañanita" protest with other groups in commemoration of the 122nd Independence Day.
The "Mañanita”, which was a scornful reference to the birthday celebration of National Capital Region Police Office Director Debold Sinas amid the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, pushed through despite the checkpoints and blockades set up by the police.
Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR), on Friday, June 12, joined the simultaneous nationwide protest on the government's supposed lapsed measures amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
KMU-SMR spokesperson Paul John Dizon said during the event live-streamed on the group's Facebook page that the group, the Mañanita is their way of expressing their distrust in the government after some officials become lawbreakers.
"Nakita nato sa paghimo og mañanita, pwede diay ka makaikyas sa mga protocol sa ilawom sa enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) o sa GCQ (general community quarantine). Kana ang rason nga gusto pud namo ipadayag sa estado nga paunsa pasundon ang katawhan nga kamo mismo ang gasupak sa inyong mga guidelines ug balaudnon," Dizon said.
(We saw that through this mañanita, we could get away in violating the protocols set under ECQ or GCQ. This is how we express our grievances to the state because how can they expect people to follow orders when the law enforcers themselves are the ones breaking the guidelines and the law.)
He said the group also criticized the government for prioritizing the Anti-Terrorism Act instead of addressing the economic and health concerns of the people.
Dizon said the group is urging President Rodrigo Duterte to veto the bill due to its questionable provision.
"Angay ibasura ang Anti-Terror Bill. Pahilumon ra niini ang mga kasuko ug kayugot sa katawhan tungod sa kapalpakan sa ilang pag-atubang sa pandemya sa Covid-19 (The anti-terror bill should be abolished. This would only silence the public in their frustration and grievances to the government's failed action in addressing the Covid-19 pandemic)," he said.
He added that it is not the solution to addressing the pandemic. Instead, the government should focus on providing financial assistance to those who lost their jobs and economic opportunities following the closure of some establishments.
The bill was forwarded to Duterte, awaiting his signature.
Mass protests were conducted in various areas in the country against the 2020 Anti-Terrorism Act as they believe it is prone to abuse of power and will stifle government critics.
The protest came on the heels of eight protesters apprehended by police authorities at the University of the Philippines Cebu campus in Barangay Lahug, Cebu City for conducting a mass protest against the passage of the Anti-Terror Bill.
Davao City Police Office Director Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft, in a recent report, already warned protesters in the city that they will face arrest should they conduct rallies in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.