KM lightning rally. Kabataang Makabayan (KM) boldly launched a lightning protest along Recto Avenue in Manila on December 10. KM-Southern Tagalog also staged a lightning protest in UP-Los Baños on December 19. They did so amid the US-Marcos regime’s inclusion of the organization on its list of “terrorist organizations.” The rally was part of the organization’s 59th anniversary celebration on November 30.

Mass layoff in Converge ICT. Converge ICT workers protested the layoff of 600 Metroworks (Converge’s sister company) workers across Metro Manila last November. They picketed at the Regional Conciliation and Mediation Board-NCR in Quezon Avenue, Quezon City on December 6 coinciding with the Converge ICT company’s “redundancy program” and “cost-cutting” hearings. The company is owned by the Uy family of Angeles City.

Petition against NTF-Elcac in Negros. Negrosanon farmers and rural poor protested in front of the local Commission on Human Rights in Bacolod City on December 7 to demand the immediate dismantling of the National Task Force-Elcac. At the same time, they filed a formal petition and engaged in dialogue with agency officials. Around 1,500 farmers and rural poor signed the petition. The petition was spearheaded by Human Rights Advocates Negros and Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas Negros.

Privatized water services in Bulacan lambasted. Members and supporters of the Alliance for Consumers Protection-CSJDM protested in front of the Water District office in Barangay Minuyan III, San Jose del Monte, Bulacan on December 11 to denounce poor service and excessive charges to consumers. The water service was privatized since May 2018 when the local government entered into a joint venture agreement with PrimeWater Infrastructure Corporation owned by the Villar family.

Fishermen of Sorsogon prevail. Fishermen in Gubat, Sorsogon were able to have some of the anti-fishing provisions in Fishery Administrative Order No. 264 of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources removed from the order on December 11 after the petition and collective actions by the Save Gubat Bay Movement since June. They will once again be allowed to fish for king crabs that were unjustly banned by the agency.