Around 30 protesters gathered outside the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) headquarters at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City on Monday, October 19, to call for an end to militarization in Negros, Bicol, and other provinces.
In the report by RH Edniel Parrosa, the rally coincided with the sixth-month commemoration of the deaths of 19 individuals, known as the Toboso 19, who were killed during a military operation in Negros Occidental.
The demonstration was led by human rights group Karapatan, the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), and farmers’ organizations, including Amihan.
In his speech, BAYAN Secretary General Raymond “Mong” Palatino criticized the partnership between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and United States President Donald Trump, arguing that the government should prioritize public services over military spending and weapons procurement.
“Dapat budget para sa serbisyong panlipunan, hindi budget para sa pasismo. Dapat buwagin ang NTF-ELCAC. Dapat ibasura ang National Action Plan for Unity, Peace and Development. Dahil itong mga instrumento nito ay ginagamit para dahasin ang mamamayan,” Palatino said.
The protesters also carried an effigy depicting military drones bearing the images of Marcos and Trump to criticize the administration’s security policies and ties with the United States.
Meanwhile, Quezon City Police District civil disturbance management personnel were deployed a few meters behind the demonstrators, while Gate 2 of the AFP headquarters remained closed during the protest.
