Filipino groups in Vancouver hold protests vs corruption in Philippines

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VANCOUVER, BC —Hundreds of members of the Filipino-Canadian community in Vancouver joined protest actions on September 21 as part of global protest actions against massive corruption in the Philippines.

The protests led by Bayan and Migrante chapters in BC were in solidarity with massive and widespread protest actions in the Philippines which drew more than 100,000 protesters in Manila alone.

“Thousands of miles from the Philippines, Filipino overseas workers and migrants are in solidarity with our kababayans in expressing outrage against the entrenched corruption up to the highest levels of government amid widespread poverty and hunger among the people,” said Diane Zapata, Migrante BC vice chairperson.

The upsurge in protests was triggered by revelations that government flood-control projects are substandard due to massive kickbacks to project contractors, government engineers, and legislators.

The Sunday Mass at the St. Mary The Virgin commemorated the declaration of Martial on September 21, 1972 by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, the father and namesake of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.

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Noa Sison, second rep of Bayan BC, said the protests were held to also remember the victims of the 14-year dictatorship, especially the thousands who were killed, arrested, tortured, abducted and forcibly disappeared.

“The Marcos dictatorship unleashed widespread human rights violations and plundered the economy due to entrenched corruption by the Marcos family and their cronies. The Marcoses and their cronies have not been held accountable until now and the corruption under Bongbong Marcos worsens,” said Sison.

After the Mass, the protesters walked from the church to 41st and Fraser streets distributing leaflets and discussing the corruption issues in the Philippines with community residents.

The highlight of the day-long protests was a cultural rally at the Joyce Station where about 200 community members from all walks of life gathered.

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Speakers took turns denouncing the abuse of power and called on Filipinos to continue fighting for fundamental changes in governance. Performers mostly from youth groups sang protest songs.

Leonora Angeles, a University of British Columbia professor and outgoing president of the National Pilipino Canadian Cultural Centre, said in the rally that corruption in the Philippines has become systematic.

Amado Mercardo Jr.  of the Leni-Kiko Coalition in Vancouver said there should be no let up in the protests.

Ago Pedalizo of the Full Accountability Now Coalition said all those found involved in the corruption including those in previous administrations should be held accountable.

“Around 7,000 Filipinos leave the Philippines each day to find jobs in other countries due to lack of decent work and opportunities. Many are abused and victimized by human traffickers. We are outraged that the people’s taxes including those from overseas workers are being pocketed by government officials,” said Zapata.

The other organization that joined the protests were Gabriela BC, Sulong UBC, Canada-Philippine Solidarity for Human Rights – Vancouver, Pinoy Pride Vancouver, Anakbayan BC, Filipino-Canadian August Twenty-One Movement (ATOM), Kairos, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines (ICHRP-Canada), Friends of the Filipino People in Struggle, and Taumbayan Ayaw sa Magnanakaw at Abusado Network Alliance (TAMA NA).