(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday declared Sept. 21 a “national day of protest.”
“Lahat ng gustong magprotesta laban sa government, pumunta kayo,” he said in an ambush interview with reporters.
Noting that work and classes were suspended on that day, he said even communists fighting a war in the mountains could attend the protests.
He said the “Red Army” would not be arrested, noting that the police and the military would all be in their “barracks” except for those who would manage traffic.
“I will not arrest you but for the life of me, do not commit crimes. No vandalism,” he said.
“Ako magprotesta din. Kasi sahod namin maliit,” he said.
Several groups have expressed their intent to hold rallies on Sept. 21, the commonly acknowledged date of the declaration of Ferdinand Marcos’ martial law in the country.