#aquinoresign

Filipino activists in the U.S. call for Aquino's ouster

SAN FRANCISCO – In a nationwide protest held February 24, ahead of the 29th anniversary of the People Power Revolution that toppled the Marcos dictatorship, activists demanded the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III.

Bayan-USA, the international chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan (New Patriotic Alliance), organized simultaneous rallies in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Seattle.

In San Francisco, dozens of students and community members joined the march from Market and Powell streets to the Philippine Consulate on Sutter.

“We’re asking President Aquino to resign based on his presidency,” Irma Bajar, Gabriela’s vice chair for international relations, told Manila Mail. “It is our duty as Filipino Americans to let the Filipinos know that we want the truth, we want [Aquino] to be accountable. We have seen in the latest incident of Mamasapano that he clearly is still working with the United States. And he’s not thinking about the people. He’s basically a puppet of the U.S. and is not being accountable. He’s been hiding the truth and we’re demanding that he resign.”

The Mamasapano incident refers to an anti-terrorism operation in January that led to the slaughter of over 70 Filipino civilians and policemen.

“A lot of people have seen that his interest is more of the capitalist interest or corporate interest, of pleasing the United States. Specifically on behalf of Gabriela, the women and children are the most affected by his presidency and his corruption. And we’re tired and we demand that he does resign,” Bajar said.

Manila, Philippines: Black Friday Protest for Truth & Accountability on Mamasapano

Friday, February 20 - 3pm

Plaza MIranda, Manila

Aquino and US gov’t have criminal accountability in Mamasapano carnage