Members and activists of the Bay Area Filipino community rallied outside the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco this week, voicing their frustrations over what they perceive as a lack of response from consular officials to pressing issues affecting their community.
The rally, which took place on Monday, was called the ‘People’s SONA’ (State of the Nation Address) and was organized by various grassroots Filipino organizations. Among these were BAYAN USA, a national alliance of progressive groups, GABRIELA USA, a progressive Filipino women’s organization, the Malaya Movement San Francisco, which promotes human rights and democracy in the Philippines, and Migrante NorCal and Tanggol Migrante Movement, both dedicated to the rights and welfare of migrant workers.
This mobilization was tied to Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s recent State of the Nation Address and drew attention to several critical issues facing Filipino diaspora communities. Activists demanded accountability from local consular officials as well as the Philippine government regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detentions, labor exploitation, wage theft concerning Filipino caregivers, and the uncertainty surrounding the case of Brandon Lee, a San Francisco native who survived an assassination attempt in 2019, which some allege involved the Philippine military.
Despite repeated requests for comment, officials from the consulate did not respond.
The Tanggol Migrante Movement expressed frustration over the consulate’s perceived neglect towards overseas Filipino nationals, mentioning that attempts to meet with consulate representatives have been ignored since November. Migrante and GABRIELA members criticized the consulate for failing to address recent cases where Filipino green card holders were detained by ICE, with organizers such as Pyxie Castillo highlighting community initiatives to provide support and legal aid in response to these detentions.
Castillo described a recent ‘know your rights’ training session held at St. Patrick’s Church in the South of Market neighborhood, explaining that many individuals who believe they are safe due to their green card status are mistakenly targeted by ICE, even for expunged records.
She noted the discouragement felt by families who sought assistance from the consulate but received little more than ‘crumbs’ in terms of support.
Rather than seeking help from the consulate, those affected preferred to have community organizations accompany them to court hearings, as they felt that consular involvement might exacerbate their situation.
The organizers asserted that the negligence displayed by President Marcos extends beyond the Philippines to the global Filipino community. Castillo mentioned that their grassroots efforts are essential in providing moral support to fellow Filipinos facing issues similar to those experienced by migrants at home, citing instances of ‘fascist attacks’ and visible violations of rights.
Brandon Lee attempted to deliver letters urging the Philippine Commission on Human Rights to reopen investigations into his assassination attempt before the rally. However, he faced a closed consulate and denied entry by security personnel.
Messages on homemade signs were a clear indicator of the protesters’ discontent, expressing a belief that the consulate’s diplomatic priorities fail to adequately protect migrant workers.
‘You’re going to come to the United States and try to claim that you’re serving the people, when in essence, what you have done is bow down to Trump and sell our homeland? Do your job, or step down,’ proclaimed Patrick Racela of Migrante NorCal, as he led the rally in both English and Tagalog.
Paulo Ramos, from the League of Filipino Students at San Francisco State University, spoke of the intergenerational solidarity present at the rally and the desire among Filipino-Americans to connect with their cultural identity.
Reflecting on the event, Ramos noted, ‘Being here at the People’s SONA and being with all these organizers who are demanding a free Philippines, a Philippines where the government supports its people and develops its economy and does not sell itself to the highest bidder’ is crucial to this collective pursuit.
Janna Rosal, a member of GABRIELA Sacramento, shared her own journey of immigrating to the U.S. eleven years ago from a politically charged environment shaped by her parents’ active opposition to the Philippine government during the 1980s.
She emphasized the importance of free speech, stating, ‘For us, having this free speech, we all need to speak out against this vicious crime,’ referencing President Marcos Jr.’s alignment with President Donald Trump and the need for greater awareness within the Filipino community.
The rally illustrated the collective voice of the Bay Area Filipino community, highlighting their resolve to confront issues that affect both their local ties and their connections to the Philippines.
image source from：piedmontexedra
