Ang Bayan, Vol. IX, No. 5, May 15, 1977
In solidarity with other workers throughout the world, Filipino workers observed May Day by turning out in record numbers in Manila to call for the downfall of the oppressive and corrupt US-Marcos dictatorship.
The workers were joined by urban poor, students and other intellectuals, and church people and other oppressed people in staging the biggest demonstration since the imposition of martial law.
They defied fascist repression as they courageously asserted their democratic rights to assemble and speak out against exploitation and oppression which have been intensified by the US-Marcos dictatorship over the last four years and a half.
Elsewhere, workers commemorated May Day in massive demonstrations. They celebrated the victories of their class and upheld their leading role in the struggle against imperialism, social-imperialism and all reaction as well as in socialist revolution and construction transitory to communism.
In the People’s Republic of China, iron bastion of socialism, the Communist Party, vanguard of the working class, took the lead in the day-long commemorations.
The Party’s Central Committee, under the chairmanship of Comrade Hua Guofeng, rallied the entire Party, the People’s Liberation Army and the masses of all nationalities of China to carry proletarian internationalism forward. In this connection, the Central Committee called upon the masses of China to diligently study and apply the teachings of the great socialist teachers—Marx, Engels, Lenin, Stalin and Chairman Mao Zedong.
Manila-Rizal was the center of May Day observance in the Philippines. Fascist repression failed to stop the working class from demonstrating its growing ability to unite more sectors of society in militantly exposing the evils of the US-Marcos dictatorship.
In the afternoon of that day, 15,000 to 20,000 workers and their allies grouped and regrouped over a wide area encompassing the Luneta Park and surrounding streets, as fascist troops repeatedly attacked their formations and arrested hundreds of rallyists.
Courageously upholding the people’s right to speak, three workers addressed a few thousands gathered near the Rizal monument.
They appealed for the people’s united opposition to the oppressive martial law regime which has increased oil prices, demolished urban poor communities, depressed workers’ real wages and aggravated unemployment.
Before this, at about 5 pm, a very large group gathered at the Agrifina Circle bearing a streamer and placards reading “Down with Martial Law!,” “Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta!,” “Stop demolition!,” “Long live the workers!,” “Down with the US-Marcos dictatorship!” and “Long live the New People’s Army!”
Immediately, the demonstrators were surrounded by fascist troops whose ranks were bolstered by goons paid to make trouble. As the rallyists chanted “Marcos, Hitler, diktador, tuta!” fire trucks sprayed powerful jets of water against them, and many were beaten up and arrested.
Following this, more than 100 demonstrators gathered before a restaurant at the park to chant revolutionary slogans.
Even strollers and bystanders were beaten up and molested by the fascists. Buildings in the area were occupied by military agents.
More than 1,000 people were arrested and detained. Eight persons were confirmed injured.
In the face of fascist brutality, the demonstrators defiantly shouted “Babalik kami! Babalik kami!” (We will return! We will return!). They pledged even bigger mass actions in the coming days.
The rally was sponsored by Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (Alliance of Filipino Workers) as the workers’ protest against oppression and exploitation under the US-Marcos dictatorship.
Fearing the growing strength of the workers, the regime began arresting mass activists among the workers and urban poor communities in the two weeks preceding May Day.
However, this did not stop big delegations from showing up at the designated assembly points on May 1, according to BMP.
Raids were conducted on workers’ communities in Baryo Boulevard, Navotas, Rizal; Baryo Escopa, Quezon City; and Tatalon, Quezon City, where 23 women belonging to the mothers’ association were arrested and detained at Camp Aguinaldo.
In addition, arrests were made at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City. A total of 88 persons were confirmed arrested.
Meanwhile, workers on their second month of strike at Engineering Equipment Industries in Mandaluyong, Rizal, continued to receive fraternal support from workers in nearby factories.
The strikers have acknowledged gifts of rice and foodstuff, as well as tremendous moral support, from fellow workers showing class love and solidarity.
On the other hand, the big bourgeois owners of EEI continue to withhold ₱36,000 in union funds and refuse to pay the wages of hundreds of workers.
The resolute struggle of the EEI workers has encouraged their class brothers to dare to struggle, dare to win.
