MILITANT youth and student groups urged the people to join the series nationwide protest earlier launched against the incessant oil price hikes, tuition hikes and budget cuts in social services in the coming weeks.

Led by Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students (LFS), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the group called on the youth and the public stressing that the series of mass protests actually started last January 24 and was held in different campuses and communities which was highlighted by a march to Mendiola recently.

“The government is trying to use the impeachment trial to cover up its own crimes against the people: failing to regulate oil price hikes and paving the way for more price hikes this year. The government is posturing as if it is against ‘abuse’ and ‘corruption,’ but we must ask them, what about the ‘abuse’ and ‘corruption’ of the big oil companies” Anakbayan national chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, asked?

Crisostomo said petroleum products have risen four times in less than 20 days.

He pointed out that since January, the three biggest oil companies have increased the price of diesel by P2.70 per liter, regular gasoline by P2.60 per liter, unleaded gasoline by P2.20 per liter and kerosene by P2.50 per liter.

The Anakbayan called on the youth and people to follow the example of the peoples’ protests done in Nigeria which forced the government to rollback oil prices after weeks of broad and widespread mass demonstrations.

“Clearly, the Aquino government is in cahoots with the oil cartel. It should be denounced for its refusal to repeal the oil deregulation law and in continuing to impose Value Added Tax on oil,” Crisostomo said.

He added that tuition hikes are also impending as the government slashed funds for state universities last year. He said the government’s guidelines on tuition increases allow “obscene” tuition rates and “redundant” fees.

“Malacañang promised to release a new tuition policy addressing bogus fees and unabated tuition hikes. However, just like everything else the government has promised,” he said.