Leaders and church people from different denominations, human rights defenders, and mass organizations gathered at Saint Scholastica’s Academy in San Fernando, Pampanga on September 12 to establish Manindigan-Central Luzon. The group forms an alliance that will oppose violations of human rights and international humanitarian law (IHL) under the Marcos regime.

Manindigan-Central Luzon is the first regional chapter of the Manindigan Network, which national organizations launched only last September 6. The group was formed at the Shalom Center in Manila under the leadership of San Carlos Bishop Most Rev. Gerardo Alminaza.

Aside from the state of human rights in the country and the region, discussions at the gathering in Pampanga also emphasized the issue of widespread corruption under the Marcos regime. The participants called for the accountability of corrupt officials and all those involved in these crimes against the people.

As an expression of unity, representatives of the groups signed a joint statement at the end of the program. They vowed to continue the struggle in Central Luzon and in the country against corruption and injustice.

After the program, Manindigan-Central Luzon held a noise barrage. “We have just begun. We will not stop until the corrupt are held accountable and the system that burdens the people is replaced with honest governance,” the group declared.