Protesters stage New York rally vs. Roque’s ILC nomination
MANILA, Philippines — Members of the Bayan-USA and US-based human rights groups held a rally at a New York City restaurant on Friday night (Saturday morning in Manila) to oppose presidential spokesperson Harry Roque’s nomination to the International Law Commission (ILC).
The protesters went to the upscale Manhattan eatery Aretsky’s Patroon “to expose the blood on Roque’s hands as the spokesperson for Duterte’s fascist regime and reject his nomination to the UN International Law Commission,” according to a Facebook post from Bayan-USA.
“We deplore the effort of militant groups to deliberately cause harm to innocent people in their attempt to disrupt a private reception we were tendering for representatives of several foreign missions in New York,” he said.
“The militant groups were not content to peacefully rally outside the restaurant, they charged upstairs, in the process injuring two elderly waiters, and causing damage to property. The restaurant also informed us that the rallyists ordered food and beverage but did not pay for them,” added Roque.
The word “militant” used by Roque to describe those who protested his presence is neither apropos nor deserved. It is a deliberate attempt by Roque to paint the protesters as other than normal and decent Filipinos outraged by his lies and misrepresentations as Duterte’s spokesman. One thing is clear. Expats are angry at how the Philippines have been run by Duterte during the past 6 years. The very public display of rebuke on a Duterte lackey is emblematic of all that pent-up anger.