Workers Protest. Workers from Gardenia Bakeries Philippines and Philfoods Fresh Baked Products led a protest in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on June 6 to denounce the NTF-Elcac for continuous suppression of workers in the region. They condemned a new series of harassments and military intrusion in factories where seminars are held to red-tag union members. On June 15, workers filed a complaint before the Commission on Human Rights to hold accountable the conniving Gardenia owners and state forces for their harassment.

Rizal’s birth anniversary. In time with Jose Rizal’s 162th birth anniversary last June 19, youth and students from various universities in Manila led a protest action in front of Commission in Higher Education. They put forward demands to junk the Mandatory ROTC, Tuition and Other School Fees Increase (TOFI) in private schools and colleges, and the budget cuts in public universities.

Surface Dexter and Bazoo! On the 40th day of the enforced disappearance of Gene “Bazoo” De Jesus and Dexter Capuyan on June 7, various groups staged protests in front of Camp General Servillano A. Aquino in Tarlac to demand their surfacing. Among the protesters were family and friends of the so-called Taytay 2 believed to be under military custody. The military camp is the headquarters of Northern Luzon Command of Armed Forces of the Philippines.

Day of No Independence. Progressive groups held coordinated protests in Metro Manila, Southern Tagalog, and Davao on June 12 to commemorate the 125th anniversary of false “Independence Day”. They condemned the intervention of the two rival imperialists in the country’s territory and internal affairs. They said the Philippines is not genuinely independent because it remains subjugated by US imperialist domination.