The threat of rain did not deter progressive groups from protesting at the foot of Malacañang to echo the demands of farmers and peasant in the National Day of Defiance at Mendiola, Manila on October 21.
The protest led by farmers from various regions was touted as the biggest protest action in Mendiola and a return to the common protest venue after the Pride Protest on June 26 where 20 were arrested by Manila police.
In front of the protesters was a figure of a lady farmer that the peasant group Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo (SAKA) called the “Peasant Justice.” According to the group, the figure represents the judiciary of peasantry while holding the effigy of President Rodrigo Duterte in upside down position.
A segment in the protest asked protesters to judge the deeds of President Rodrigo Duterte.
Many groups decried the spike of state-neglect, landlessness, and fascism to farmers in the countryside. They also warned against the released Implementing Rules and Regulations of Anti-Terrorism Law. In fact, 277 farmers have already been slain under the Duterte administration.
The protesters also denounced the Rice Liberalization Law (RLL). Following the passage of the law, rice per kilo prices has dropped to as low as P7.
In a report released by Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), palay prices plummeted to PhP 17 per kilo, while milled rice maintained an average price of PhP 30-40 at both wholesome and retail price following the passage of RLL.
These condemnations led to the burning of the effigy of Duterte, in a barrel that the protesters called “Basura ng Kasaysayan”.
