Defend the right to protest!
Drop the charges against the Makabayan Coalition and those unjustly charged under BP 880!
Malaya Movement USA condemns the bogus and unjust trumped-up charges against the Makabayan senatorial candidates and other community leaders filed on January 9 in Manila. The 13 are the most recent in a slew of charges using Batas Pambansa 880 (BP 880) or the “Public Assembly Act of 1985” as pretense for political repression, citing their participation during the November 30 Bonifacio Day mobilizations as being in violation of the Marcos Sr. era law.
Taking from his father’s fascist playbook, Marcos Jr. has used BP 880 to full effect, enabling his attack dogs in the Philippine National Police to suppress civil society leaders and everyday activists by imposing arbitrary restrictions on protests. The timing of these charges are also suspect, given the midterm elections campaign season will be in full swing by February. The Makabayan Coalition already face an uphill battle of competing against financially bloated and corrupt political dynasties for seats in Congress and they also have to carry the burden of being the state’s prime target for trumped-up charges and repression.
The Makabayan Coalition are putting forward a genuine opposition to the fascist regime and are being targeted for it, while establishment dynastic senatorial candidates and partylists are violating campaign laws without accountability. Marcos Jr.’s sister Sen. Imee Marcos has already poured over Php1 billion in campaign ads before the February 11 campaign season even begins. No matter Marcos Jr.’s false posturing of being pro-democracy and pro-people, these blatant attacks on candidates and activists dispel the flowery image he’s painting of his Bagong Pilipinas.
As fascism continues to reign over the Philippines, it is imperative that we do all that we can to amplify the genuine efforts of the Filipino people to defend democracy. Malaya Movement USA echoes the call to drop the charges against the Makabayan Coalition and those unjustly charged under BP 880! We call on US legislators to hasten the reintroduction of and the passing of the Philippine Human Rights Act to stop more of our tax dollars from funding these fascist attacks.
Defend democracy and the right to protest and assemble!
Repeal Batas Pambansa 880!
Drop the charges against the Makabayan Coalition and those unjustly charged under BP 880!
Snapshot Marcos Jr. Regime’s use of BP 880
Aug 14, 2023: 14 activists charged for July People’s State of the Nation (PSONA) protests.
Oct 25, 2023: Renato Reyes Jr of BAYAN Philippines and artist Max Santiago charged for the same July PSONA protests. Reyes was not present during the protest.
May 8, 2024: 6 arrested during May Day protests, including 4 students and were held without charges for a week.
Oct 18, 2024: Jeepney driver Mody Floranda and urban poor leader Mimi Doringo, both senatorial candidates, alongside 3 others were charged for protests against the PUV modernization program dating back Aug 2024.
Dec 3, 2024: Elmer “Bong” Labog and Bayan Muna member Nilo Mortifero were arrested and then later charged and for their participation at the Nov 30 Bonifacio Day protest
Jan 9, 2025: 13, including the Makabayan Coalition senatorial candidates, charged for the same Nov 30 Bonifacio Day protest
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