Local groups claim a worsening state of human rights

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Local progressive groups demonstrated at the Bacolod Public Plaza yesterday, Human Rights Day, asserting the Philippines is undergoing a declining human rights situation.

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros (Bayan-Negros) Secretary-General Michael dela Concepcion said their groups intended to express their outrage at the “worsening state of human rights” and speculated the situation is trending towards dictatorship.

He blamed the Rodrigo Duterte administration for alleged extrajudicial killings and alleged the number of deaths ranges from 5,000 to over 20,000.

The Bayan-Negros official said the extensions to Martial Law over Mindanao is a tactic to “normalize” the status and claimed the policy has no factual or legal basis.

He also maintained, the administration is persecuting critics and filing “trumped up” charges, contending there are currently over 500 political prisoners in detention.

“These repressive measures are tell-tale signs of weakness and desperation by a regime that continues to be exposed and isolated from the people,” Dela Concepcion added.

Around 4,000 people gathered yesterday at the Negros Occidental Capitol Lagoon and Rizal Elementary School, and proceeded to march towards the plaza with an effigy depicting Duterte as a “riding-in-tandem.”/DGB, WDJ