Thousands of protesters from various groups trooped to Luneta Park in Manila Sunday as Filipinos banded together to demand accountability for those responsible for the multi-billion peso anomalous flood control projects.
The Manila Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office put the number at 49,000 at around 10:45 a.m.
Luneta is the site of two main protest actions which also coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the 1972 Martial Law proclamation by then president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
Organized by students and activist groups, “Baha sa Luneta: Aksyon na Laban sa Korapsyon” started at around 9 a.m.
Among the early arrivals are members of militant groups Karapatan, Health Alliance for Democracy and Gabriela Women’s party-list.
Students from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo and other schools also went to the site.
They were also joined by ordinary citizens from all walks of life.
Streamers and placards printed with words denouncing corruption and calling for accountability carried by protesters dotted Luneta Park.
Also seen at the rally were former Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, ACT Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, Kabataan party-list Rep. Renee Co, former Bayan Muna Rep. Teddy Casino, Liza Maza of Gabriela, San Carlos Bishop Gerardo Alminaza, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, Karapatan Secretary Cristina Palabay and Renato Reyes.
Reyes said the mass action is just the start of similar gatherings to show public anger over corruption.
“Rest assured, hindi po ito ang huling pagkilos. Pinapakita nito na nagkakaisa ang mga Pilipino, anuman ang mangyari at saan man sila galing (Rest assured, this will not be the last time that various groups would unite. This showed that Filipinos from all walks of life are united in a common cause),” Reyes said.
Film Director Joel Lamangan told reporters the protest action is meant to “shake” government officials and private contractors linked to “ghost” and substandard flood control projects.
“Bayad ako ng bayad ng buwis, yun pala ay ninanakaw lang (I religiously pay my taxes and yet it is just being robbed),” Lamangan said, adding that it is important to hold those involved accountable.
Actress Angel Aquino, who was among the celebrities who joined and supported the protest actions, said she hopes the concerted actions against corruption will spark change in the country, even if not immediately.
“Yung kalagayan ng mga tao, lahat ng Pilipino sana mas maging mabuti, kaya lang hindi nangyayari ‘yun at palala siya nang palala through the years (The plight of ordinary Filipinos would have been different if not for this… they are now suffering the worst through the years),” she said.
“I think it’s time for all of us to really say something, and I hope that today will matter, and I hope it creates a dent, at the very least,” she added.
Dominican sister Trisha de Casteo, one of the nuns from the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine de Siena said they joined the mass protest to demand enlightenment and accountability for those behind the flood control mess.
“Hinananap namin at panig kami sa totoo (We are looking for the truth and we are with the truth),” De Casteo said.
More than 100 runners also took part in a community run from UP Diliman in Quezon City to Luneta, a distance of around 16 kilometers, to join the mass protest.
Clad in black running gear, the runners also carried placards denouncing corruption in the government.
Another protester, Mark Santos arrived in Luneta wearing a Batman costume, saying it symbolizes the fight against corruption.
“Siyempre, dapat makialam tayo. Dapat lahat ng tao, mayaman man o mahirap it doesn’t matter, kailangan nating makialam,” Santos said.
In a related development, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Sunday morning to monitor the traffic situation in the metropolis and in areas where there are protest actions.
MMDA chairman Romando Artes said they activated the EOC as early as 6:00 a.m.
The EOC located at the agency’s main office in Pasig City was jointly manned by MMDA personnel and representatives from the AFP-National Capital Region Command, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Quezon City government.
Artes said as of 9:15 a.m., the EOC monitored more than 12,000 protesters in various parts of the metropolis, including in Kalaw Avenue corner Maria Orosa, Kalaw Avenue corner Roxas Boulevard, Liwasang Bonifacio, Mendiola, Quiapo Church, Edsa-Ortigas (in front of Edsa Shrine), Edsa-Camp Aguinaldo northbound, Quezon City Hall, UP Diliman, and White Plains.
