For the first time this year, the annual burning of President Rodrigo Duterte’s effigy did not take place on street protest as it was done virtually.
Dubbed “e-ffigy,” progressive groups Sama-samang Artista para sa Kilusang Agraryo or SAKA and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan or Bayan projected the pre-recorded burning of the virtual effigy during the SONAgKAISA protest on Monday afternoon.
This year’s effigy depicts Duterte as COVID-19. It was also dubbed “veerus” effigy.
SAKA, an alliance of art, cultural & knowledge workers that support and advance land justice and food security, last Sunday gave a glimpse of the design of the e-ffigy.
It featured Filipino citizens clamoring against the anti-terror law, recently signed into law by Duterte despite widespread opposition.
PIVOTAL — We are currently working with the virtual effigy or “e-ffigy” to be premiered through a projected screen during the #SONAgKAISA protest tomorrow.
The video of the “e-ffigy” burning will be circulated online.#JunkTerrorLaw #OustDuterteNow pic.twitter.com/xWZP3voI6I
— SAKA (@PilipinasSaka) July 26, 2020
The Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 is feared to stifle criticism and curtail freedom of speech with its vague definition of “terrorism.”