Anakbayan

Anakbayan subscribes to National Democracy, a Filipino nationalist ideology based on a Marxist–Leninist–Maoist perspective pledging to oppose foreign imperialism, landlordism, monopolistic capitalism, and corrupt government officials, with the Philippine Democratic Revolution to address these ills. Anakbayan prioritizes living wages, land reform, expanded social programs and public education, and legal rights.{{Cite web|date=2019-08-21|title=Women Youth Voices: Alex Danday believes in the voice of the youth|url=https://preen.ph/99647/women-youth-voices-alex-danday-believes-in-the-voice-of-the-youth|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Preen.ph|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Umil|first=Anne Marxze|date=2017-01-15|title=Progressive youths to fight for 'free public education at all levels'|url=https://www.bulatlat.com/2017/01/15/progressive-youths-fight-free-public-education-levels/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Bulatlat|language=en-US}}

Formed on Bonifacio Day (30 November) 1998, Anakbayan unites Filipino youth aged 13 to 35 from different backgrounds to promote National Democracy, especially in the Philippines. They believe that the country is not truly free or democratic and seek to make real the democratic rights of the people.

ManilaToday claims Anakbayan draws inspiration from the revolutionary movement of the Katipunan and the influential martial-law era youth organization Kabataang Makabayan.{{Cite web |title=What Millennials Should Know About the Kabataang Makabayan|url=https://manilatoday.net/what-millennials-should-know-about-the-kabataang-makabayan/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=manilatoday.net}} Issues within the National Democratic Movement{{Clarify|reason=|date=February 2021}} during the 1990s led to the formation of a youth organization that tackles social issues in the Philippines.{{Cite web|title=Anak Bayan USA|url=http://www.anakbayanusa.org/|access-date=2020-11-29|language=en-US}}

For the National Democratic Movement to form a youth organization, a National Organizing Committee was formed by members of League of Filipino Students (LFS), as well as other activists from University of the Philippines, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, and University of the East. The committee held its conferences in Del Pan Sports Complex, Tondo, Manila that started on November 28, 1998, through the help of the community and League of Tondo Youth. Youth delegates came from different regions across the Philippines. Anakbayan was formally established on November 30, in commemoration of the 135th birthday of Andrés Bonifacio, co-founder of the Katipunan, and the 34th anniversary of the Kabataang Makabayan. As the League of Tondo Youth merged with newly established organization, Anakbayan's first members also came from LFS, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP), Center for Nationalist Studies, among other progressive youth organizations.{{Cite web|date=2015-11-29|title=Mula Tondo hanggang EDSA-Mendiola: Unang 3 taon ng Anakbayan (1998—2001)|url=https://natoreyes.wordpress.com/2015/11/29/mula-tondo-hanggang-edsa-mendiola-unang-3-taon-ng-anakbayan-1998-2001/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=like a rolling stone|language=en}}

Anakbayan was participative of the movement, called Estrada Resign Youth Movement, to oust Philippine President Joseph "Erap" Estrada, describing him as "anti-youth", especially with budget cuts on the education sector.{{Cite web|title=Grupo_com: OUST ERAP PRIMER|url=http://www.geocities.ws/grupo_com/ousteraprhea3.html|access-date=2020-11-29|website=www.geocities.ws}} The movement culminated in People Power II, in which Anakbayan was instrumental in the participation of about 200,000 youth against Estrada. The organization popularized the call, “Sobra nang pahirap, patalsikin si Erap!” (Too much oppression, oust Erap!) which reverberated nationwide.{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Comprehensive view of the history of Anakbayan and main lessons (19982010) Draft for the 6th National Congress of Anakbayan, May 2011|url=http://www.anakbayannewyork.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/comprehensiveviewofanakbayanshistoryandmainlessons.pdf|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209072414/http://www.anakbayannewyork.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/comprehensiveviewofanakbayanshistoryandmainlessons.pdf|archive-date=December 9, 2020|access-date=November 30, 2020|website=}}

During the early administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, a youth initiative called Youth Movement for Justice and Meaningful Change, composed of Anakbayan, LFS, SCMP, College Editors' Guild of the Philippines, and National Union of Students of the Philippines met at the office of Anakbayan in Padre Noval, Sampaloc, Manila, to discuss plans to advance the interests of the Filipino youth. Talks were made due to the disillusionment brought by the new administration. Eventually, these talks culminated in the formation of Anak ng Bayan Youth Party (Kabataan Partylist) on June 19, 2001, coinciding with the birthday of José Rizal.{{cite web|title=Anak ng Bayan Youth Party|url=http://members.tripod.com/anakngbayan_natl/www/history.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623065532/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:iFliJ0jPB04J:members.tripod.com/anakngbayan_natl/www/history.html+&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ph|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 23, 2020|access-date=20 June 2020}} Anakbayan also campaigned against President Macapagal-Arroyo, forming Youth Dare or Youth Demanding Arroyo's Removal, a broad alliance that campaigned for the ouster of the president.{{Citation|title=Demanding Change|date=2018|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.5040/9781350987081.ch-006|work=Making Revolution in Egypt|publisher=I.B.Tauris|doi=10.5040/9781350987081.ch-006|isbn=978-1-78673-304-7|access-date=2020-11-29|url-access=subscription}}

Born out of criticisms against globalization and the effects of neoliberalism, specifically inspired by the 1999 Seattle WTO protests, Filipino students in Washington organized the first chapter of Anakbayan in the United States, Anakbayan-Seattle. Established on November 30, 2002, the Seattle chapter inspired other Filipino-American youth to form chapters which include New York-New Jersey, Chicago, Hawaii, Los Angeles, San Diego, Silicon Valley, and East Bay Area. Between 2011 and 2012, the New York-New Jersey chapters split into individual chapters. They are collectively grouped under Anakbayan-USA

During 2012, Vencer Crisostomo, then-national chairperson, said the Noynoying poses reflected how Aquino had done nothing to cushion the impact of or prevent the increase in oil prices and tuition rates. He defined Noynoying as "when you do nothing when in fact you have something to do."{{Cite web|last=Gamil|first=Jaymee T.|date=2012-03-16|title=Planking is out, 'Noynoying' is in|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/162279/planking-is-out-%e2%80%98noynoying%e2%80%99-is-in|access-date=2020-11-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}

In 2015, Anakbayan called for the resignation of President Benigno Aquino III. According to Crisostomo, "We no longer want a government ruled by a corrupt, liar, US puppet, haciendero brat. Game over na, Noynoy. Time to step down." Over a hundred other youth and student organizations have called for his resignation. On February 27, thousands of students in Manila and other cities staged a walk-out against tuition increases and other education issues. Specifically for state and local universities and colleges, Anakbayan expressed dissent against socialized tuition schemes, instead of free education. Students in Manila culminated in Mendiola.{{Cite web|last=Corrales|first=Nestor|date=2015-02-27|title=Students join protest, call for resignation of President Aquino|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/675846/students-join-protest-call-for-resignation-of-president-aquino|access-date=2020-11-29|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}}

{{See also|Protests against Rodrigo Duterte|Timeline of protests against Rodrigo Duterte}}

File:Student_Protest_Rally_April_5_2019_Manila.jpg

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File:Youth_Strike_November_17,_2020_outside_Ateneo_de_Manila.jpg

Anakbayan has been highly vocal against President Rodrigo Duterte.{{Cite news |last=Flora |first=Noah |date=June 10, 2019 |title=In the Philippines, a Youth Movement Stands Between Duterte and Dictatorship |work=The Nation |url=https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/philippines-duterte-dictatorship-anakbayan/ |access-date=February 3, 2021}}{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2021 |title=Expose Duterte's Tokhang-style harassment, conversion tactics against youth leaders and their families! |url=https://www.facebook.com/anakbayanphils/posts/4294322873916443 |access-date=2021-02-03 |website=Facebook}}

In 2017, Anakbayan said that protests lead to urge President Duterte to sign the law granting free education for public universities, citing as a victory for students, parents, and administrators.{{Cite web|last=BicolToday.com|date=2017-08-04|title=Anakbayan statement on signing of free college education into law|url=https://bicoltoday.com/2017/08/04/anakbayan-statement-on-signing-of-free-college-education-into-law/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=BICOL TODAY|language=en-US|archive-date=2017-08-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170812163405/http://bicoltoday.com/2017/08/04/anakbayan-statement-on-signing-of-free-college-education-into-law/|url-status=dead}} Months after, however, they criticized the policy as a lie, saying that it became a way to rehash socialized tuition schemes for public universities and colleges.{{Cite web|last=Umil|first=Anne Marxze|date=2017-04-25|title='Duterte's free tuition policy is a lie' – youth groups|url=https://www.bulatlat.com/2017/04/26/dutertes-free-tuition-policy-lie-youth-groups/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Bulatlat|language=en-US}}

As groups staged a series protests from November 9–14, 2017 against the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit hosted by the Philippines and the visit of United States President Donald Trump.{{cite news|title=Violence marks ASEAN 2017 protests in Manila|work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/188511-violence-protests-asean-summit-2017-philippines|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171115075823/https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/188511-violence-protests-asean-summit-2017-philippines|archive-date=2017-11-15|url-status=dead}}[https://web.archive.org/web/20171110151600/https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/187955-schedule-protest-activities-asean-summit-2017 "Schedule: Protest activities during ASEAN Summit 2017"]. Rappler. Archived from the [https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/187955-schedule-protest-activities-asean-summit-2017 original]. a group of protesters led by Anakbayan managed to reached the gate of Philippine International Convention Center, despite tight security.{{cite news|title=Small group of ASEAN summit protesters reach PICC gate|work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/188108-protesters-asean-summit-picc-gate}}

On early 2018, Anakbayan was participative in "Black Friday Protests" due to the revocation of online news site Rappler by Securities and Exchange Commission, among other issues concerning press freedom.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGwP8vnf4nU "TV Patrol: 'Black Friday' protest at concert, isinagawa sa UP"] (in Tagalog). ABS-CBN News — via YouTube.

Following the shooting of 37-year-old priest Mark Ventura on April 29, 2018 Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines, Senator Francis Pangilinan, and Anakbayan condemned the murder of Ventura, with Anakbayan called it "a fascistic, tyrannical, and mafia-style rule" by the Duterte administration.{{cite news|title=CBCP condemns murder of Cagayan priest Mark Ventura|work=Rappler|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/201370-cbcp-condemns-murder-cagayan-priest-mark-ventura|access-date=November 9, 2018}}

On February 4, 2020, Anakbayan gathered in front of the Philippine General Hospital to protest the government's lack of action to prevent the coronavirus from spreading in the country.{{cite news|title=Kasalukuyang nagsasagawa ng protesta ang iba't ibang grupo sa harap ng Philippine General Hospital (PGH) para kondinahin ang kawalan ng malinaw na plano sa proteksyon ng mamamayan at matamlay na kilos ng gobyerno upang pigilan ang paglanap ng Novel Coronavirus (nCov).|language=tl|work=Anakbayan|url=https://www.facebook.com/anakbayanphils/posts/3305048486177225|access-date=February 5, 2020|via=Facebook}} Anakbayan also led online and physical protests, criticizing Duterte administration's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes a Youth Strike that physically started on November 17, 2020, in which students from various universities gathered in front of Ateneo de Manila University, the school where the first petitioners of the strike study.{{Cite web|title=Filipino students threaten to strike amid disaster fallout - UCA News|url=https://www.ucanews.com/news/filipino-students-threaten-to-strike-amid-disaster-fallout/90335|access-date=2020-11-18|website=ucanews.com|language=en}}{{cite tweet|title=Mga kuha mula sa protesta ng ilang mga grupo sa harap ng Ateneo de Manila University kaninang hapon para manawagan ng accountability mula sa administrasyon ni Pres. Duterte dahil sa naging pagtugon nito sa mga nagdaang kalamidad.|user=News5PH|number=1329757890157002752|date=November 20, 2020|access-date=November 25, 2020}} The concerns of the petitions include criticism on national government response of COVID-19, disaster response after Typhoon Ulysses, and the condition of education and studentry amidst the pandemic.{{Cite web|title=Ateneo students go on academic strike, slam gov't inaction during disasters, pandemic|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/ateneans-mass-student-strike-government-inaction-november-18-2020|access-date=2020-11-18|website=Rappler|date=14 November 2020 |language=en}}

Anakbayan was pointed to be involved in an alleged abduction of a young activist named Alicia Jasper Lucena. However, on September 15, 2020, the Supreme Court has junked the plea for protective writs filed by Francis and Relissa Lucena, the parents of Alicia Jasper, the alleged missing activist after it was found out that she was not missing after all.{{cite news|date=September 18, 2020|title=Supreme Court junks petition accusing Anakbayan of coercing teenager|work=GMA News|url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/756146/supreme-court-junks-petition-accusing-anakbayan-of-coercing-teenager/story/?top_picks&order=2|access-date=September 18, 2020}}{{cite news|date=September 18, 2020|title=Not missing: SC junks protective writs plea by parents of "missing" activist|work=ABS CBN News|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/09/18/20/not-missing-sc-junks-protective-writs-plea-by-parents-of-missing-activist|access-date=September 18, 2020}}

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Especially under the administration of Duterte, Anakbayan has also been a subject of "redtagging", or linking the group to the Communist Party of the Philippines. Alex Danday, a former spokesperson, said that it is a way for the government to "discredit activism" and as a way to stifle student power.

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Anakbayan is open to Filipino youth aged 13–35. As a grassroots organization, Anakbayan goes into communities to hold activities such as alternative classes, forums, discussions, political education, integration among impoverished communities, relief operations, dialogue and engagement among government officials and other civic groups, and various forms of protest actions.{{Cite web|url=https://preen.ph/99647/women-youth-voices-alex-danday-believes-in-the-voice-of-the-youth|title=Women Youth Voices: Alex Danday believes in the voice of the youth|date=August 21, 2019}} Panday Sining serves as the cultural arm of Anakbayan, giving artists in the movement the space to express their political beliefs through creative mediums.{{cite news|title=Youth group sorry, but justifies Manila underpass vandalism|work=CNN Philippines|url=https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/11/13/Lagusnilad-Manila-vandal.html|access-date=2020-11-29|archive-date=2019-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113115409/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2019/11/13/Lagusnilad-Manila-vandal.html|url-status=dead}}

As of 2019, Anakbayan has more than 20,000 members worldwide, found through chapters all around the Philippines and abroad. Aside from chapters in the United States, Anakbayan chapters are also present throughout lands of the Filipino diaspora, such as in Canada,{{Cite web|title=ANAKBAYAN-CANADA|url=https://anakbayancanada.org/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=ANAKBAYAN-CANADA|language=en}} Europe,{{Cite web|last=Irabon|first=Franklin|date=2020-09-11|title=Hands Off Anakbayan-Europe!|url=https://migrante.eu/hands-off-anakbayan-europe/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Migrante Europe|language=en-US}} Japan,{{Cite web|date=2010-11-21|title=A Call to Strike!|url=https://anakbayanph.wordpress.com/2010/11/21/a-call-to-strike/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Anakbayan Online|language=en}} and Australia.{{Cite web|date=2019-04-22|title=An open letter to the Australian Government from the Philippine community and supporters in Australia|url=http://the-pen.co/australia-is-contributing-to-the-militarisation-of-this-country/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=The Pen|language=en-AU}}

Anakbayan, along with other allied organizations within the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, have been accused of supporting—or being directly involved, with the Communist Party of the Philippines and its armed wing, the New People's Army. The organization has been tagged as being allegedly involved in recruitment in universities by the Philippine government.{{Cite web|title=Anakbayan preys on young minds to join NPA, Cabinet exec says|url=https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1104154|access-date=2021-02-03|website=www.pna.gov.ph|language=en}}{{Cite web|date=2021-01-24|title=UST issues show-cause orders to 2 student activists for joining unrecognized organization|url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/24/ust-issues-show-cause-orders-to-2-student-activists-for-joining-unrecognized-organization/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=Manila Bulletin|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|last=Lalu|first=Gabriel Pabico|date=2021-01-19|title=Rally set at UP Diliman after DND scraps 'no cops, no troops on campus' deal|url=https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1385345/rally-set-at-up-diliman-after-dnd-abolishes-agreement-more-up-supporters-speak-out|access-date=2021-02-03|website=INQUIRER.net|language=en}} Officials have accused Anakbayan as being part of the armed organization that aims to overthrow the government.{{Cite web|title=Lawyers' group asks to junk petition vs. Anakbayan over alleged disappearance of student|url=https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/30/anakbayan-petition-writ-of-amparo-habeas-corpus-nupl.html|access-date=2021-02-03|website=cnn|language=en|archive-date=2020-06-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608122100/https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/5/30/anakbayan-petition-writ-of-amparo-habeas-corpus-nupl.html|url-status=dead}} Anakbayan has repeatedly condemned these accusations, which they call a form of red-tagging.{{Cite news |last=Cabico |first=Gaea Katreena |date=April 3, 2018 |title=Youth group condemns 'red-tagging' of activists |work=Philippine Star |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/04/03/1802447/youth-group-condemns-red-tagging-activists |access-date=February 3, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Umali |first=Justin |date=October 23, 2020 |title=Quezon groups denounce Parlade's red-tagging, harassment against human rights defenders |work=Bulatlat |url=https://www.bulatlat.com/2020/10/23/quezon-groups-denounce-parlades-red-tagging-harassment-against-human-rights-defenders/ |access-date=February 3, 2021}}{{Cite news |last=Cutin |first=Monica |date=June 14, 2020 |title=Youth groups alarmed over latest red-tagging incident |work=Northern Dispatch |url=https://nordis.net/2020/06/14/article/news/ilocos/youth-groups-alarmed-over-latest-red-tagging-incident/ |access-date=February 3, 2021}}

{{Reflist}}{{Bagong Alyansang Makabayan}}

Category:National Democracy Movement (Philippines)

Category:Activism in the Philippines

Category:Student organizations in the Philippines

Category:Political youth organizations in the Philippines

Category:Students' unions in the Philippines

Category:Communist organizations in the United States

Category:International political organizations