“I really wanted to do something, but I felt like, how can I make a difference alone? Then I found out that youth groups are starting to establish organizations like Tamaraws for Palestine,” said Angel Manginsay, a freshmen Accountancy student in the Far Eastern University (FEU).
Since then, Manginsay became an active member of Tamaraws for Palestine.
On July 15, Manginsay joined several youth formations in FEU as they hold a candle lighting protest in solidarity with the resistance of Palestinian amidst genocidal wars perpetrated by the Israel backed by the United States.
According to Manginsay, there are students who may be aware of the issue—whether they read about it online, see #FreePalestine trending, or saw circulating reports on the dire situation of the youth, women, and other citizens in Palestine.
The Health Ministry in Gaza reported an overall death toll of 38,664 Palestinians who were killed due to Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip since the October 7 Hamas attack.
“It is a great way not only for FEU to spread the word but also for other schools because we have other organizations joining us. In fact, there are other schools around the University Belt to spread the word,” Manginsay added.
Youth for Justice and Peace (Y4JP) coordinator Rebecca Baliton reiterated that the struggle of the Palestinians is not separated from the struggle of Filipinos as it is rooted in the common enemy.
Y4JP is an alliance that aims to bring together all young proponents of peace, churches, Sangguniang Kabataan, student councils, student publications, school administrators, and other patriotic individuals.
“We share the same unity in our desire to be free from the oppression of the ruling class,” Baliton explained.
Baliton noted that while it seemed as of the situation is just worse in Palestine, where thousands are being killed, in a way, such is also happening in the country. That instead of drect arms, as it is not as blatant, but many Filipinos are being killed by poverty and hunger.
She further acknowledged that there are overt killings in the countryside, especially in the peasant communities, following the counterinsurgency efforts.
On the same day, various rights defenders and indigenous peoples groups held an indignation rally to denounce the conviction of ACT Teachers representative France Castro and former BAYAN Muna representative Saturnino Ocampo, along with several advocates, on allegations of child abuse in the incident that transpired in Talaingod in 2018.
Rep. Castro and Ocampo were among those who participated in the solidarity mission, noting that they rescued the Lumad teachers and children who cried for help due to incessant paramilitary harassment.
According to Katkat Dalon, a Lumad student, there have been continuous bombings, airstrikes, and harassment that cause indigenous people to evacuate their ancestral lands.
Baliton said that these are manifestations that bind the struggle of Palestinians to the Filipinos at the helm of the civil war between the Philippine government (GRP) and the New People’s Army (NPA).
“I think people in other countries don’t notice because they believe they are not affected. This only means that education campaign should start in schools and supported by stakeholders including school admins, teachers, and students at large. It is beneficial to study and educate about the situation in other countries. This is not just because it’s happening to them, but also to spread awareness and solidarity,” said Manginsay.
Baliton called on for youth be part of Y4JP to help amplify their five main points of unity: the right to live, people’s representation, right for security, anti-war, and anti-imperialist international solidarity.
“Young people need to spread the dire situation happening in Palestine as well as in the Philippines. It’s not just online—yes, online platforms are powerful because they reach a wide audience. But part of it is also talking to the people we interact with. The youth have a role to step up and help shape public opinion because they have a significant influence. It is also good to be critical of the news that comes out and to voice out what is right as others are also encouraged to do the same,” said Baliton.
