“President Benigno Aquino III is useless!” This was what about 500 protestors claimed yesterday as they burned the President’s effigy at the junction of Gonzaga and Araneta streets in Bacolod City during his third State of the Nation Address.

Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Negros, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Promotions of Church People’s Response, Karapatan-Negros and League of Filipino Students of the Philippines, among others, marched down the streets of Bacolod carrying banners stating their demands.

One of the effigies was that of an octopus with the head of Aquino with social concerns posted on its tentacles protesting the President’s alleged inaction in solving problems, Bayan-Negeros secretary general Christian Tuayon said.

The other effigy was that of an eagle with the design of the flag of the United States of America showing Aquino as a puppet of that country, Tuayon said.

He also said that Aquino’s SONA nothing but a venue where he could praise himself and make promises to the people but with no concrete plans on how to address the pressing problems of the day.

Fred Caña, spokesperson of Karapatan, said the Aquino administration failed to arrest former Army General Jovito Palparan, who, he said, is behind the series of abductions of members of the progressive organizations.

Karapatan is also calling for the release of all political prisoners, resolution to extra judicial killings and that justice will be served to the victims of the Ampatuan Massacre.

LFS spokesperson Joseph Manansala said, the Filipino youth want to hear from the President assurance that there will be no more tuition fee hikes, and that there will be free education for all.

Manansala said they hope the President will lay down his plans on how to resolve the worsening problem of child labor in the country.

The protest rally in Bacolod City ended with no untoward incidents reported, City Police Director Senior Supt. Ricardo de la Paz said.*APN

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