Protesters led by umbrella organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Metro Manila (BAYAN-Metro Manila) gathered on Mendiola bridge Friday, February 7 to send their ‘birthday greetings’ to President Aquino. He turns 55 today, February 8.
The group carried placards with the hashtag #NasaanAngPangulo (Where is the President?). The hashtag became popular in social media platform Twitter due the President choosing to be absent in the arrival of the fallen Special Action Force(SAF) troopers and instead attending a car factory inauguration.
The protesters lit birthday candles atop yellow cupcakes with the sign #PatalsikinAngPangulo (Oust the President.)
BAYAN-Metro Manila reiterated its call for the immediate resignation of Aquino because of the issues hounding his administration: the Mamasapano encounter which led to the death of the 44 SAF commandos and the alleged corruption due to Disbursement Acceleration Program, recently affirmed as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
“The best gift that we can receive from him is a pronouncement that he will vacate his post in the soonest possible time,” BAYAN Metro Manila chairperson Raymond Palatino said in a statement.
Various organizations and supporters also staged a program in Liwasang Bonifacio, Sunday, calling for justice for the slain SAF troopers. Speeches were delivered by supporters while cultural performances were also delivered in solidarity with the victims and their families.
