Philippines marks anniversary of people power uprising

By Roy Ramos

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines (AA) - The Philippines Saturday celebrated the 31st anniversary of the bloodless “people power” revolution amid widespread fear and apprehension due to President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody campaign on drugs.

The peaceful uprising in 1986 saw thousands of Filipinos mass in Manila in support of rebellious soldiers who toppled strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

The Saturday celebration was subdued compared to previous years, as Duterte himself wanted it, in contrast to the desire of other groups.

Duterte is currently under fire for his bloody war on drugs that has already killed 7,000 since he took office last June as well as for jailing his fierce critic Senator Leila De Lima on charges she was involved in the drug trade when she was justice secretary. His critics have compared him to the late Marcos, who jailed many of his critics during martial law.

Vice President Leni Robredo described De Lima’s arrest as political harassment. De Lima considers herself the first political prisoner of the Duterte administration.

About 60 young people gathered at the gates of the heroes’ cemetery where Marcos was buried amid protests from various groups. The protesters were blocked by anti-riot policemen.

“Today we will celebrate the ouster of the dictator, but we must also continue and escalate the struggle against the threat of a new dictatorship,” said the protesters’ spokesperson.