Various groups and individuals established the Marikeños for Peace and Good Governance (MPGG) alliance on July 15 to oppose the ongoing militarization in Marikina City, particularly in poor communities.
Among those who led the founding was Liza Maynigo, vice president of Gabriela Partylist-Marikina and a local leader in the Agora compound. Also in attendance was Sheila Alano, mother of Alyssa Alano, a Marikeña killed by the military in Toboso, Negros Occidental, on April 19.
Currently, the operations of the 12th Civil Military Operations Battalion are focused on the Agora Compound, were resident face threats of demolition. According to MPGG, the military must stop its harassment and repeated “community outreach” activities, used to collect residents’ private information. They also demanded an end to military efforts compellign residents to establish a new organization. The group noted that a local association and a local chapter of Gabriela Partylist are already established in the area.
Residents asserted that the regime should focus on housing security rather than militarization. The group also called for an end to demolitions in the Agora Compound 2 community and other areas in the city.
