By Ivan Obias and Jerome Paul Hallig • February 23, 2024

A coalition of multi-sectoral groups and individuals organized a press conference today, 22 February 2024, addressing the violation and disrespect of the Philippine National Police-Naga (PNP-Naga) and the Naga City Local Government Unit (LGU-Naga) on the people’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly in the city’s public spaces and plazas on Sunday, 25 February, to commemorate the 1986 EDSA Revolution.

In a two-page public statement released on Wednesday, 21 February, BUNYOG Partylist, Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), Musika Publiko, Rise Above Pilipinas & the Bicol Pop network, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), and Kabataan partylist jointly denounce PNP-Naga’s move to reserve all public plazas in the city—Plaza Rizal, Plaza Quezon, Plaza Barlin, Plaza Oragon, and Plaza Quince Martires—on Sunday for an “outreach” program, interfering programs to commemorate the People Power Revolution.

Atty. Luis Ruben General of FLAG said the group mulls filing a civil case for damages against PNP-Naga and LGU-Naga for infringing the Batas Pambansa Blg. 880, otherwise known as The Public Assembly Act of 1985, and Naga City Ordinance No. 2006-014, or the Ordinance Establishing a 'Freedom Park' in the City of Naga. 

Meanwhile, Atty. Areiz Macaraig, an environment and human rights advocate, castigates the move of the PNP-Naga and LGU-Naga which aims to erase history, particularly the EDSA People Power Anniversary, which is part of Naga City’s heritage. 

“...[W]e cannot continuously be silent to that oppression. The people should be allowed to freely express their commemoration of the event, in honor, bako lang sa Naga eh, in honor of the 1987 Constitution itself. Konstitusyon po yang tigseselebrar ta dyan, sarong parte, dakulang parte. Kaya we condemn the premeditated malicious activity that they are showcasing, comes [sic] February 25,” Macaraig said.

“People Power celebration ini, bako iniyong Police Power. Police power is the power of the government. Ang nagseselebrar po dapat sa aldaw na iyan, mga peoples organization, bako kung siisay-siisay na nakatukaw sa gobyerno. Sige, salamat, an satuyang mga nakaturukaw nagtatao nin paggirumdom. Pero si mga tao mismo, mga peoples organization na gusto magselebrar, ano ta tiggigipit?” Macaraig added.

Homar Murillo of BUNYOG Partylist clarified that although the group has the right to use Plaza Quince Martires—the city’s assigned Freedom Park—for the activities commemorating the EDSA Revolt, they will not push through with their previous plan to hold the activity there. Instead, they will conduct a reverse motorcade starting from Plaza Quince Martires to the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) Museo ni Jesse Robredo, where the program will be held. 

Meanwhile, Nelsy Rodriguez of BAYAN-Camarines Sur said that BAYAN, together with the transportation and youth sectors, will conduct a rally on the streets of Naga City on the same date. They will also head to the Jesse Robredo Museum to join the program.

The People Power Revolution was a series of popular demonstrations in the country, including Naga City, that led to the departure and end of the 20-year dictatorship of President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. 


ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Ivan Obias

Editor-in-Chief

Ivan Obias writes at the intersection of code and conviction. As Editor-in-Chief of ThePILLARS Publication, he steers the campus press with a steady hand and a sharp pen: chronicling truth, challenging power, and championing stories that matter. A Computer Engineering student by day and a storyteller always, he believes journalism isn’t just ink on paper. It’s a pulse.

Checkout Ivan's other work here

Jerome Paul Hallig

Research & Development Director

Hi! I'm Jerome, and I currently serve as the Interim Research and Development Director of ThePILLARS Publication. I hope you like the way I write it— No diggity!

Checkout Jerome Paul's other work here

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