By: Sophia Pacheco
Photo courtesy: Manny Palmero / Manila Standard
Students and cause-oriented groups hold ‘Black Friday’ protests against alleged government corruption on Sept. 12, Friday, in Metro Manila and nearby regions, with the Philippine National Police (PNP) deploying thousands of officers to secure the activities.
Initiated by Bangon Sambayanan, the protest is set to take place at the EDSA Shrine at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12, as a ‘symbolic display of outrage and collective condemnation by the Filipino people against corruption’.
"Inenendorso ni UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Vistan ang Black Friday Protest at Walk-out ng komunidad ng UP para sa kampanya laban sa korapsyon ng estado, at para sa mataas at sapat na pondo sa edukasyon," a Facebook post by the UP Diliman Student Council said.
The PNP said 950 police personnel will be deployed to government sites in Manila, Pasay, and Quezon City, while another 1,300 are on standby.
“Ang PNP ay magbabantay sa ating mga kababayan na magsasagawa ng kilos protesta,” PNP Public Information Office Chief Police Brigadier General Randulf Tuaño said in an interview.
He also said regional units in Central Luzon and Calabarzon will also reinforce security in areas where protests are expected.
“Fully prepared ang [National Capital Region Police Office], Region 3, at Region 4 na PNP upang proteksyunan ang ating mga kababayan,” he added.
PNP acting chief Police Lieutenant General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. assured that officers will manage traffic, crowd movement, and possible disruptions while respecting the right to peaceful assembly.
“We have readied our security plans for dispersal, crowd management, and security. Mayroon na tayong security plans that have been set,” Nartatez Jr. said.
More demonstrations are expected in the coming days, as student groups and civil society organizations plan actions in schools and public spaces on different dates and in various locations:
Sept. 12 (Friday) – Black Friday People’s Protest, organized by Bangon Sambayanan, at the EDSA Shrine, 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Sept. 12 (Friday) – UP Black Friday Protest and Walkout: UP Diliman at 10 a.m. (Main Library, Abelardo Hall, Llamas Hall) and UP Manila at 11:30 a.m.
Sept. 12 (Friday) – Protesta Laban sa Korapsyon, organized by Kabataan Party-list at multiple sites: LRT Carriedo (2 p.m.), Philcoa, Monumento Araneta Circle, Novaliches Bayan, and Champaca Terminal in Marikina City (4 p.m.); Kalaw cor. Taft, Alabang Central Terminal, and Minipark, C5 Road in Taguig (5 p.m.).
Sept. 13 (Saturday) – Albay Movement Against Corruption Assembly at Barry’s Place, Legazpi City, Albay.
Sept. 13 (Saturday) – Kontra Taxsil, protest led by Filipino artists at Liwasang Diokno, Commission on Human Rights, Quezon City, from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., followed by a youth march to Mendiola.
Sept. 18 (Thursday) – People’s Rally Laban sa Katiwalian, Concerned Citizens of Pampanga at the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Fernando, with Mass at 2 p.m. before the protest.
Sept. 21 (Sunday) – Bilyon People March, a mass protest at Rizal Park, Manila, 9 a.m., coinciding with the anniversary of martial law.