User:BSrap/United People's SONA

The "United People's SONA" is a protest and demonstration in the Philippines dubbed by the militant groups held every State of the Nation Address (SONA) by President Rodrigo Duterte on 4th Monday of July. The demonstrators protested against the various Duterte's policies such as war on drugs, issues related to the disputed South China Sea, employment and others.

July 24, 2017
Several groups led the protest on the day of President Duterte's second State of the Nation Address (SONA). According to Renato Reyes, secretary general of Bayan, the president's promises of improvements during his first SONA still remained unfulfilled, including issues on contractualization, land reforms, and economic policy. Reyes also said that, "Under his administration, regularization has already happened: It is now regular to kill drug suspects, regular to sabotage peace talks, regular to militarize, and regular to spread fake news and disinformation." Also, labor unions Kilusang Mayo Uno and Alyansa ng mga Manggagawa Laban sa Kontraktwalisasyon led similar protests, calling "to resume peace talks and to end martial law in Mindanao." About 5,000 members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan from Roxas City, 3,000 in Iloilo City, 2,500 in Kalibo, 500-800 in Cebu City, and 500 in Estancia, Iloilo joined the protest, concerning an end to contractualization, land reform, free education and jeepney modernization. Also, about 300 Lumad people joined the protest, calling to stop the martial law. At midnight, around 100 anti-Duterte protesters held a candle vigil, led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, condemning the extrajudicial killings and extension of martial law in Mindanao. Hontiveros called Duterte's second SONA a "fake".

At night, Duterte confronted the protesters for the first time.

July 23, 2018
Ahead of Duterte's third State of the Nation Address, opposition lawmakers announced that they will wear protest Barongs with artwork. Opposition figures—such as Senators Antonio Trillanes IV, Risa Hontiveros, and Bam Aquino—attend the mass at the University of the Philippines Diliman. There, Bishop Broderick Pabillo said on the sermon that the proposed federalism and the charter change are not the solution of wiping out the problem in the country.

On the day of SONA, over 6,000 police officers will deploy in different areas in Metro Manila to secure the SONA. Dubbed the protest as "United People's SONA," different groups coalitions and organizations held a protests on the day of Duterte's third State of the Nation Address nationwide. Bayan Muna Southern Tagalog featured Duterte's effigy and then burned it. Demonstrators gathered at University of the Philippines Diliman, slamming the series of killings in the country and the increase of basic goods due to Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Act (TRAIN law) while some considering to "Oust Duterte." Gabriela, in Commonwealth Avenue in front of Tandang Sora flyover, also slammed Duterte. In Bicol, militant groups also held a rally. Meanwhile, Pro-Duterte groups also gathered in Batasan Road. According to Bayan Muna Representative Renato Reyes, through tweet, about 40,000 have attended and he called it "the biggest SONA rally under the Duterte regime."

July 22, 2019
A week before Duterte's fourth State of the Nation Address on July 22, 2019, it was announced that former Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno will attend the rally against Duterte. Malacañang Palace said that Sereno and the militant are free to express their freedom by joining the rally. On July 22, 2019, in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City, militant groups burned the flags of United States and China and also calling for the impeachment of Rodrigo Duterte. A fishermen group, Fisherfolk, also joined the rally, expressing frustration "over what they said was Duterte’s “treachery against the country and the people.”" The protesters continue the event despite heavy rain in the afternoon. They featured an effigy of Duterte depicting as siyokoy and then burned it. They also slammed Duterte for tying with the Chinese government amid the ongoing conflicts with the territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Families of alleged extrajudicial killing victims, Aeta people, and religious groups are seen also gathering at the event. According to the organizers, about 40,000 people attended the rally. The protesters are also bringing their children to the event.

On other side, at least 760 Duterte supporters also gathered at IBP Road in Quezon City.