Moro and national-democratic groups launched separate protests to strongly condemn US-Israel for its intensifying genocide in Gaza in recent weeks and to demand the immediate cessation of attacks, the entry of humanitarian assistance, and freedom for the Palestinians.

Most prominent was the action of 1,300 Moros for a “peaceful solidarity and mass demonstration for Gaza” in Marawi City on August 15. They marched from Masjed Bato to Sarimanok Stadium at the city’s Ground Zero, the area the Duterte regime and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) flattened with heavy bombings in 2017. They likened the AFP’s destruction of their city to the current US-Israel forces’ bombings of Gaza. Wearing white, they collectively called for an end to occupation and starvation in Gaza.

“The whole world unites in calling to help Gaza,” Moro Consensus Group convener Drieza Lininding said. “The Ummah (Muslim community) in Gaza suffers, and we should not blind ourselves to what is happening,” he added.

“The call for ‘Free Palestine’ means liberating Palestine from oppression, occupation, and genocide considered one of the cruellest in history,” a participating professor declared. “This kind of action is crucial for the Bangsamoro since BARMM also experienced colonialism and occupation,” he added.

Sumud Nusantara, Ompongan Youth Organization, and Moriatao Diwan Young Professionals led the gathering. The Supreme Student Government of Mindanao State University, based in the city, also participated. Ustadz, Imaam, students, and parents joined in the protest, carrying placards and calls to liberate Gaza.

Prior to this, a “walk for peace” took place in the city on August 9.

“The issue in Gaza is not just local or regional, it is a matter of humanity and faith,” one participant in the activity said. “The injustice and killing of innocents, especially children, threaten the very core of our principles as human beings and Muslims. Allowing this to happen without resistance will gradually change the world’s perspective—violence against the defenseless will become normal,” he added.

Also on August 9, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), Moro-Christian Peoples Alliance, and Philippine-Palestine Friendship Association held an indignation rally at the corner of E. Rodriguez Avenue and Gilmore Street in Quezon City to condemn the Israeli parliament for passing a resolution allowing its military to directly occupy Gaza.

“Bayan strongly condemns the Zionist Israeli plan to occupy Gaza City. This is a disturbing escalation of the ongoing genocidal war against the Palestinians,” Bayan declared.

On August 13, journalists, youth groups, and media organizations staged a protest in the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City to denounce the latest US-Israel killings of journalists in Palestine. The most recent victims were five journalists in Gaza, including Anas al-Shariff, the last Al Jazeera correspondent in the area US-Israel bombed on August 12. Since October 2023, Israeli bombs have killed more than 200 journalists in Gaza alone.