Bayan-Negros refers to the president’s foreign policy as ‘traitorous’
By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Various progressive groups, led by Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros (Bayan-Negros), recently criticized President Rodrigo Duterte ahead of his 2019 State of the Nation Address, which is scheduled for Monday.
Bayan-Negros Secretary-General Michael dela Concepcion said, while Duterte will present his accomplishments, he called the administration “corrupt.”
He claimed, while the president will push measures such as charter change; mandatory Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC; death penalty, and proceeding with the ongoing war against illegal drugs and terrorism, the administration will try to scare critics with threats to impose Martial Law.
The local Bayan official also blamed the Duterte administration for the deaths of a reported 30,000 individuals, which he credited to human rights abuses associated with the aforementioned war on drugs.
Concepcion said, with half of Duterte’s six-year term complete, the Philippines continues to suffer from poverty. He also pointed to the country’s debt, which currently stands at $79 billion.
He also discussed foreign policy and claimed the Philippines was a “puppet” of the United States.
The local Bayan official noted, “It is not China or the US that should lead the interests of the country, but the Filipinos themselves.”
He went on to call the president’s actions in terms of foreign policy as “traitorous” with the group calling for his ouster anew.
Earlier this year, Bayan-Negros gathered in front of Rizal Elementary School in Bacolod City to commemorate the 33rd EDSA People Power revolution anniversary, calling it a “reminder” for the Duterte administration and warned the same could happen if the public becomes “fed up” with his “dictatorial-like rule.”/DGB, WDJ