Gabriela’s various chapters and organizations held simultaneous protest actions on October 28 for the “National Women’s Day of Protest.” They called for accountability for systematic plunder, criminal neglect of the people’s needs, chronic reduction of public service funds, and the intensifying state repression of people’s rights under the US-Marcos regime.
This day is marked every October 28 to honor the 1983 historic protest where over 10,000 women gathered on the streets to condemn the Marcos dictatorship, corruption, and human rights violations.
Women from Gabriela and BABALA (Babae Laban sa Katiwalian or Women Against Corruption)-NCR held a protest in front of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente on Taft Avenue, Manila; the Gabriela Women’s Party, Salinlahi, PAECCDI, and Children’s Rehabilitation Center held one in Marikina City; and Bahaghari, Sining Lila, and Gabriela Youth held their protest in UP Diliman.
According to Gabriela, while the Marcos regime is busy arresting and harassing those who protest corruption, not one has been held accountable for stealing public funds, nor has any of the stolen money been recovered.
“It is swifter to arrest those furious at thieves than the actual thieves. When people demand accountability, the state responds with surveillance, arrest, abduction, and killing—funded by the same money stolen from the people,” Gabriela secretary general Clarice Palce explained.
The state relentlessly silences the voices of women who resist corruption and injustice. Women leaders from communities and human rights defenders face red-tagging, intimidation, harassment, and surveillance. These include Betty Belen from Kalinga, Bebe Allere from Cebu City, and Gabriela leaders and members in Caloocan City. The NTF-Elcac is also desperate to disqualify the Gabriela Women’s Party through fabricated complaints filed before the Commission on Election.
“Those who fight for rights are red-tagged, forcibly surrendered, arrested, and killed, while the thieves remain free and unaccountable—including those recently released in relation to the pork barrel cases like Enrile, Napoles, and others,” said Palce.
“We cannot fight corruption without confronting state repression. The struggle continues. Let us hold the US-Marcos regime accountable before the people’s court. Change the rotten system ruled by plunderers and fascists!” she declared.
