Gabriela and other women advocate groups’ protest

MANILA, Philippines — Responding to the statement of President Rodrigo Duterte, thousands of women from Gabriela and other women advocate groups gathered for a protest in Malate, Manila.

Through poems and songs, they voiced out their dismay at the statement of President Duterte to shoot New People’s Army (NPA) women members in their private parts.

Former Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Judy Taguiwalo was also present to express her disapproval over the matter.

“Layunin nitong patahimikin ang kalahati ng populasyon at panatilihing mga puki lang sila, walang silbi, pangkama, pangkusina, sunud-sunuran, kimi, (It aims to silence half of the population and to degrade them as mere genitals, useless, objectified, subservient),” said Taguiwalo.

According to Gabriela Secretary General Joms Salvador, the statement of the president is a clear attempt to trample upon all the women in the country.

“Ayaw ng kababaihan sa mga macho pasistang naghahari-harian. Kaya nating kumilos, magkaisa. Hindi naman tanga at hindi lalong mabibilog ang ulo ng mga kababaihan na alam kung ano ang sinasabi ni Pangulong Duterte,” said Salvador.

(Women don’t like macho-fascists who act like a king. We can unite and take action. We are not idiots and President Duterte definitely cannot fool women who know what he’s saying.)

The group also said that they cannot accept the answer of Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque that the president did not mean it literally.

“Seryoso at literal na galit ang kababaihan sa pagtatanggol niya kay Pangulong Duterte. Hindi na tama na patuloy na magpalusot,” said the Gabriela general-secretary.

(Women are seriously and literally angry at his defense of President Duterte. It’s not right anymore to continue making excuses.)

The women advocates cut the tongue of the effigy of President Duterte.

This, they said, symbolizes their dismay over harsh jokes about women. — Rajel Adora | UNTV News & Rescue

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