By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Philippine Army 303rd Infantry Brigade (303 IB) is preparing security measures for massive two-day protests, starting today, across Negros Occidental, in commemoration of the 45th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos.
303IB commander, Colonel Eliezer Losañes, said reports suggest the New People’s Army (NPA) will also be participating in the said demonstrations, especially in Escalante City, where they will also be observing the anniversary of the 1985 Escalante Massacre.
He pointed out, protesters are free to demonstrate as long as they do not bring weapons or instigate violence.
Meanwhile, the Negros chapter of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) announced they will be holding a demonstration in Kabankalan City, where they plan to protest the current Martial Law policies in Mindanao and to stop any speculative plans for a nationwide declaration.
Bayan-Negros Secretary-General Christian Tuayon called on “patriotic Filipinos” to join their protest.
He also criticized President Rodrigo Duterte for making September 21 a “National Day of Protest” and called the president a “hypocrite,” following the Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani, which the president authorized earlier this year.
According to Tuayon, the president is “trying to condition the minds of the Filipino people,” but claimed a majority of the populace will stand in opposition to the administration./WDJ