BAYAN Calls On All Democratic Forces to Commemorate EDSA Anniversary and Resist New Dictatorship

With the approval of Martial Law Extension in Mindanao, the massive use of public resources to favor candidates of the administration, and the daily human rights violations inflicted on the people, Bayan calls on all democratic forces to protest during the EDSA anniversary week. It is important to remember EDSA as we confront the rising tyranny of the Duterte regime. While EDSA did topple a dictator, the rotten social system was not replaced. The social basis for the rise of a new dictatorship — elite rule, foreign intervention, social inequality — all remained.

EDSA, however, provides us with the lesson that dictatorships are not forever and that true power resides with the sovereign people. The writings on the wall are quite clear insofar as the direction the regime is taking. The people must frustrate the moves to stifle freedom of expression, the right to organize and press freedom. The people must be vigilant against moves to rig the elections and make possible the full implementation of the regime’s future fascist designs. ###

Press Statement
February 20, 2019