Youth protesters heckle Bongbong Marcos at VP debate venue

MANILA, Philippines – A small group of protesters temporarily interrupted Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr’s opening speech during the vice presidential debate at the University of Santo Tomas on Sunday, April 10. 

The protesters were from the Youth Alliance Against the Return of the Marcoses (Youth Alarm). They are the youth army of the anti-Marcos coalition, Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses in Malacañang (Carmma).  

They shouted the classic chant of victims of human rights violations during the martial rule: “Never again, never again to Martial Law!”

They were quickly drowned out by the chant of Marcos supporters: “BBM! BBM! BBM!”

CNN Philippines anchor Pinky Webb, one of the debate anchors, quickly prompted security to escort the protesters outside the debate hall. 

“Dapat ilinaw sa mga mamamayang Pilipino na di na dapat makatuntong ang isang Marcos sa pangalawa na pinakamataas ng posisyon sa ating bansa. Alam naman natin yung kahirapan ng panahon ng Martial Law. Ayaw na nating maulit ‘yun,” said Youth Alarm spokesman Lloyd Magsoy. 

(We need to educate Filipino citizens na a marcos should not win the second highest post in the country. We know the hardships during the Martial Law. We do not want to experience that again.) 

Some members of the media knew beforehand that the protesters were able to enter the venue proper even if the organizers said they were prohibited.

Asked how they were able to enter, one of the protesters Kate Yamzon told Rappler that they were able to sneak themselves in the debate hall. 

Marcos earlier said he had prepared himself for mudslinging during Sunday’s debate.

In the provinces, small anti-Marcos youth groups have tried but failed to disrupt his sorties too. – Patty Pasion, Mara Cepeda, LeAnne Jazul / Rappler.com