Protests听held听as听PHL听commemorates revolutionary hero’s birth听
PRESIDENT听Rodrigo R. Duterte on Tuesday urged Filipinos to emulate Andres Bonifacio鈥檚听鈥渟trong sense鈥澨齩f civic duty and courage as the country commemorated the revolutionary hero’s 158th听birth anniversary,听which was also marked by protests.听
In his speech at a historical shrine in San Juan City, Mr. Duterte encouraged the public to actively participate in nation-building efforts, such as activities that address the country鈥檚 coronavirus situation.听听
“The bravery and patriotism of Gat Andres Bonifacio and many of our forebears who fought against foreign dominators must serve as our guiding post in beating the odds that hinder our progress as a people and as a nation,” said Mr. Duterte, who led a foreign policy pivot to China when he took office in 2016.听听
The tough-talking leader has been accused of gambling Philippine territories to appease China, from which he got about P1.2 trillion in investment and loan pledges to boost big-ticket infrastructure projects. But critics said few have materialized.听听
Progressive听groups, meanwhile,听commemorated听Bonifacio Day听with protests听in the capital, recognizing him as a member of the working class who took up arms against foreign colonizers and local traitors.听听听
The tandem of presidential aspirant and labor leader Leodegario 鈥淜a Leody鈥 De Guzman and vice-presidential candidate Walden Bello joined protesters as they tried to march to the national hero鈥檚 famous shrine in the Philippine capital, which is just a few steps away from the office of Manila City Mayor Francisco Isko鈥 M. Domagoso, another contender for the presidency.听听
“What happened here is clear: Isko took advantage of his power as mayor to push out his rivals from the scene,” said Herbie Docena, a sociology professor who is campaigning for Mr. De Guzman.听听
Mr. Bonifacio worked as a messenger and warehouse keeper before he听founded听a revolutionary movement听called the Katipunan听composed of workers, peasants, and members of the middle class.听听
In April 1897,听a faction of the revolutionary movement听arrested him for treason听and was executed by firing squad.听鈥斕齂yle听Aristophere听T.听Atienza听
