End the People’s Calvary: In Solidarity with Extrajudicial Killings Victims and the Urban Poor in the Philippines

Photo credit: ABS CBN News

APRIL 16, 2025 | The urban poor organization Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY), led a processional march along España Boulevard headed to Mendiola in Manila City for their annual “Kalbaryo ng Maralita” (Calvary of the Poor) in observance of the Holy Week. The march included families of extrajudicial killings (EJK) victims from the Rodrigo Duterte administration, displaced urban poor, and progressive organizations of various sectors. 

The Holy Week is a deeply important period for Filipinos, especially in its predominantly Catholic population. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and spiritual renewal, commemorating the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Eufemia ‘Ka Mimi’ Doringo, secretary general of KADAMAY and also a senatorial candidate under the Makabayan Coalition, likened the Filipino poor to Christ, saying that Christ’s calvary continues today in the modern era.

The groups carried demands for living wages, jobs, housing, and lower prices of basic goods. KADAMAY emphasized that Holy Week reminds Filipinos not only of Christ’s sacrifice but also of the people’s ongoing suffering under poverty’s burden.

According to IBON Foundation, poverty and unemployment rates have risen, with 1.9 million unemployed as of 2025 and 42% of employed Filipinos (20.3 million) in informal or non-regular jobs.

Elmer “Ka Bong” Labog of Kilusang Mayo Uno highlighted the workers’ struggles, noting that current wages—half the demanded P1,200/day Family Living Wage - deepen hardship. KADAMAY condemned the government’s failure to address crises: rising food and utility costs, low wages, joblessness, and lack of social services3.

The protest featured a symbolic cross bearing calls for land reform, abolishing the notorious red-tagging agency National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and scrapping the Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP), with imagery of Christ burdened by President Marcos Jr.’s policies portrayed by members of the cultural group Sining Kadamay (SIKAD).

The program concluded at Recto Avenue after Manila Police blocked the march to Mendiola. KADAMAY’s Ka Mimi Doringo vowed continued resistance: “Despite threats, we will fight for wages, jobs, affordable goods, housing, and justice for EJK victims. As more join our struggle, the cross of poverty lightens.”

Sources:

• IN PHOTOS: Kalbaryo ng taumbayan, wakasan 
• What’s not being said about PH employment 
• Kilusang Mayo Uno reiterates call for P1,200 national minimum wage 
• Kalbaryo ng Maralita: Groups stage protest in Manila on Holy Wednesday