Thousands Gather For Pro-Palestine Protest In Philippines

In a poignant display of solidarity, thousands of people congregated in the southern Philippines on Monday in a pro-Palestine protest opposing Israel's extensive bombardment of the Gaza Strip, which was initiated in response to deadly cross-border attacks by Hamas terrorists. Participants at the gathering unfurled Palestinian flags, adorned their cheeks with the colors of the Palestinian flag, and were moved to tears as they engaged in prayers for peace and justice. The protest featured impassioned speeches, with calls for an immediate cessation of Israeli military operations and appeals to the United States and the United Nations to maintain a neutral stance in the ongoing conflict. The Philippines, primarily a Catholic-majority nation, is home to a substantial Muslim minority, largely concentrated in the southern region. This region had endured decades of armed Islamic separatist insurgencies until a peace treaty was signed nine years ago. The four-hour protest, characterized by its peaceful nature, took place at a public park in Cotabato, a city known for its significant Muslim population, which exceeds 200,000 residents. The local Cotabato police estimated the number of protesters at around 25,000, underscoring the depth of support for the Palestinian cause in the region. Protest placards bore slogans such as "Free Palestine!" and "Bangsamoro against injustices," the latter referring to the Muslim self-governing region on the island of Mindanao. Uniformed police and soldiers maintained a discreet presence nearby, ensuring the protest remained peaceful and free from any untoward incidents. Cotabato police officer Marouf Guiali provided assurance, saying, "The protest has just been concluded without incident," as the demonstration peacefully drew to a close at sundown.