Around 300 members of the anti-Duterte group Hukbo ng Malayang Bayan staged a protest outside the Office of the Vice President (OVP) in Pioneer, Mandaluyong City on Tuesday, as Vice President Sara Duterte held a press conference in Davao City.
The protesters carried placards bearing the message, “Nakaw na Yaman, Ibalik sa Bayan,” as they called for accountability from the Vice President.
“Hindi po kami nakuntento sa Senado kaya dinala na po namin ang aming panawagan dito po sa bukana ng tanggapan ng Vice President,” group president Actevo Bayani said.
Bayani said the protesters were blocked by building administrators from entering the premises.
“Ang vice president ay pag-aari ng taumbayan,” he said.
The group claimed that Duterte had committed offenses against the Filipino people, which they said are being tackled in the ongoing impeachment trial before the Senate.
“Ang panawagan po ay klaro, nagkasala ang Vice President sa taumbyan na kasalukuyan pong dinidinig sa impeachment trial sa Senado. Klaro po ang mga ipinakitang ebidensya treason nagtaksil ang vicepPresident sa pakikipag-kuntsaba sa China,” Bayani said.
He also accused Duterte of allegedly committing treason through supposed collusion with China, without providing further details.
The protesters likewise criticized Duterte over her previous remarks concerning an alleged plot against President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and former House Speaker Martin Romualdez.
“Matigas ang panawagan at nanatiling paglalahad ng dahas ang Vice President. Kung saan sa Facebook live ay kanyang sinabi na mayroon na siyang inarkila at kinausap na patayin si Bongbong Marcos, si Liza Marcos at si Martin Romualdez.
They said such statements could contribute to political destabilization and deepen divisions among Filipinos.
The group said it would proceed to the Senate later Tuesday to continue its call for accountability.
“Hindi po mapapagod ang hanay ng masa ng sambayanan, kahit gaano kainit dumating pa ang Super El Niño mananatiling mainit at sing-init ng El Niño ang panawagan ng accountability dahil nakita natin na ang ikalawang pangulo ay nagtaksil sa pakikipagsabwatan,” one protester said.
The protest came as the Senate impeachment court continued proceedings on the impeachment case against Duterte.
Reports from RH Edniel Parrosa
