Duterte — a long-time supporter of Ferdinand Marcos, a president who was accused of massively enriching himself during his 1965-86 rule before being exiled and then dying in Hawaii in 1989 — has declared today a national day of protest.
Today marks the 45th anniversary of Marcos’ declaration of martial law in the country and had already been set to be an unofficial day of protest.
Duterte’s decision on Monday to make it an official day of protest allowed him to shut government offices and schools.
Noting that many of the protests might be against him or Marcos, he urged anyone with a cause to also strike up a protest.
For example, he urged civil servants to protest low pay and lack of benefits and urged that nation at large to protest against the police. Nonetheless, many anti-Duterte elements are considering using the endorsement of demonstrations to protest against Duterte’s administration, which has come under fire for an anti-drugs policy that is believed to have left thousands dead without the benefit of due process.
Ironically, Duterte’s administration has threatened to declare martial law nationwide if the demonstrations get out of hand.
Martial law has already been declared around the southern region of Mindanao, where Philippine forces are fighting off a religious insurgency.
“Act within the bounds of the law, and maintain a peaceful conduct of rallies,” Duterte counselled protesters.
Though he had publicly proclaimed admiration for Marcos in the past, Duterte’s statement yesterday refers to Marcos’ rule as a time “attended by the commission of gross human rights violations, arbitrary state interventions, rampant corruption, and disregard of fundamental civil liberties.”
Duterte said his administration also “recognises the fear and indignation of the people against a repetition and perpetuation of such human rights violations and all other failings of the government.”
However, it is not clear if protesters gearing up for today are taking Marcos’ words into account.
Militant youth group Anakbayan (Children of the Nation) warned the president against using the protest to declare martial law nationwide.
“Mr Duterte, if you think declaring nationwide martial law will make you escape accountability for all your accumulated crimes against the Filipino people and continue your tyranny, then you are dead wrong. It is better if you just step down,” Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo said.
