Philippine activists clash with police during a protest march near the US embassy in Manila during Philippine's Independence Day celebrations on June 12. The activists were protesting reported U.S. special forces involvement in clashes against gunmen in Mindanao's Marawi City. (Photo by Basilio Sepe)
Martial law in the southern Philippines and clashes between security forces and a local terrorist group in Mindanao made Independence Day celebrations on June 12 "a farce," according to a leading church official.
"As long as there is martial law and unrest in Marawi City, the 'independence' of our nation is a farce," said Bishop Arturo Bastes from northern Sorsogon Diocese.
The celebration has been marred by protest rallies and demonstrations condemning ongoing clashes in Mindanao and martial law.
Bishop Bastes said by declaring martial law, the government "trample[s] on the freedom of citizens."
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law across the southern region of Mindanao on May 23 after a local terrorist group claiming to have ties with the so-called Islamic State attempted to occupy Marawi.
"People are not in the mood for celebrating," said the prelate, adding that he supported the demonstrations against the declaration of martial law "in my own little way."
Bishop Ruperto Santos of Bataan said the crisis in the southern Philippines is a call for all Filipinos to be "more patriotic, to be truly one, and united to love and labor for the good of the country."
"We should work together to build our country, not to break it, to do our best and be a blessing to one another, not to divide nor destroy," said the prelate.
'Shallow display of festivity'
Cristina Palabay, secretary-general of human rights group Karapatan, said the celebration of Philippine Independence Day "will always be a farcical and shallow display of festivity amid martial rule."
"Until now, we have our modern day heroes who are victims of political killings, and who remain political prisoners," said Palabay.
As of May 30, Karapatan has documented 64 cases of political killings and puts the tally of political prisoners at 402.
"If our national heroes would hear about the country's audacity to celebrate Independence Day despite continuously being beholden to imperialist designs and dependence to neo-liberal policies, they would turn in their graves," said Palabay.
She, however, said that, "as we have both the economic and political crisis plaguing the nation we continue to pursue various paths to peace based on justice."
Palabay said Filipinos should protest, "the many wrongs in our society [and] persevere for just peace," adding that it is the "only apt way to celebrate independence."
