The bloody US military operation in Mamasapano, Maguindanao using local police forces has sparked widespread anger among the Filipino people.
Since the last week of January, a series of protest actions have been launched by progressive groups in Metro Manila and other areas of Luzon and Mindanao to demand accountability from the US-Aquino regime and call for its ouster.
January 28. Suara Bangsamoro launched a protest action at the Cotabato City Plaza to demand justice for the civilian victims and hold Aquino and the US accountable for the bloody clash at Mamasapano.
January 31. The Kawagib-Moro Human Rights Alliance held a press conference to report the results of its initial investigations in Mamasapano. It said that there were a number of victims of extrajudicial killings and indisciminate firing and that more than 1,500 people had been forced to evacuate as a result of the gunbattle. Among those killed was five-year old Sarah Panangulon who died after SAF troopers strafed her family’s hut. Another civilian, Badrudin Langalan, who was chanced upon by the SAF was found bound, his body riddled with bullets and his eyes gouged out. Five civilians also chanced upon by the SAF praying at a mosque were killed after being sprayed with gunfire.
February 3. Members of the Promotion of Church People’s Response and Kilusang Mayo Uno launched a “National Day of Mourning” through a mass at Camp Crame for the victims in Mamasapano.
February 4. Hundreds of members of progressive groups allied with the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan marched from the foot of Mendiola Bridge to the US Embassy. The activity was timed to coincide with the 116th anniversary of the Filipino-American War.
They also called for the of expulsion of American troops and the abrogation of the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA), the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and other unequal military agreements with the US.
The policemen who blocked them also had black ribbons pinned to their uniforms to symbolize their sympathy with their fellow PNP officers.
February 5. Progressive sectors installed a giant TV screen to hold a public viewing of Aquino giving a speech in reaction to criticisms of his responsibility in Mamasapano.
February 6. Various youth and student groups held a nationwide protest action dubbed “Black Friday Protest” to call for Aquino’s ouster for his criminal accountability in the Mamasapano incident.
Protest actions were also conducted at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines at noon. In the afternoon, students from the University of Sto. Tomas, University of Manila, San Beda College and UP Manila launched protests, as did residents at the Freedom Park in Batasan Hills, Quezon City. Demonstrations were also launched by students in Baguio City; Los Baños, Laguna; Pampanga; and Legazpi, Albay.
February 8. On the morning of Aquino’s 55th birthday, members of the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and Anakbayan launched another protest action to reiterate their calls for Aquino’s resignation due to his leading role in the Mamasapano operation. The protesters brought a mock black cake emblazoned with “Noynoy, Resign Now!” in yellow.
At Liwasang Bomifacio, protests were also launched calling for justice for the slain SAF troopers. A cultural performance was presented to show solidarity with the victims and their families.
February 14. Up to 3,000 women and other sectors joined “One Billion Rising” to demand Aquino’s resignation. They gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio and expressed through dance their calls for truth and for accountability from everyone guilty of grave crimes against the people, from the pork barrel scandal to the bloody clash at Mamasapano.
[Ang Bayan is the official news organ of the Communist
Party of the Philippines
http://www.philippinerevolution.net/publications/ang_bayan/20150221/mamasapano-operation-sparks-anger-and-protests-against-us-aquino-regime
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