Advocacy and youth groups: ‘Never Again to Martial Law!
In commemoration of the 44th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, youth groups staged a protest and a candle-lighting vigil to appeal for justice over the atrocities of the Marcos regime.
The Kilusan para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (KPD) partylist together with different youth groups and martial law victims marched along España Boulevard to Mendiola bridge last Wednesday in strong opposition of the human rights abuses during Martial Law.
KPD vice chairperson Fidel Fababier said the different atrocities and abuse on human rights experienced throughout the late dictator’s regime should never be forgotten.
“Itong protesta ay ang aming pag-gunita sa naging marahas na panahon ng martial law at para sabihin sa samabayanan na ito ay dapat hindi na maulit pa.” Fababier said in an interview with the Pantograph.
Fababier also called on the youth raise their awareness about the real events that happened during the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos’ administration instead of being deceived by the fabricated and whitewashed versions of Martial Law accounts presented in textbooks.
The Philippine National Police said there was an estimated number of 1,000 protesters who joined the street demonstrations.
Duterte’s token of gratitude to the Marcoses
KPD Secretary General Virginia Suarez expressed her opposition about the supposed hero’s burial for Marcos.
President Duterte early on announced his plan to bury Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig, citing the directive from the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
“Babaluktutin ng Pangulong Duterte ang kasaysayan para lang pag-bigyan ang isang kaibigan na Marcos,” Suarez said.
KPD also considered the possibility of Duterte defending the Marcoses because of the landslide votes he acquired from the North, where the Marcoses used to live, in the recent national elections.
“Siguro naging kapalit ito ng mga boto ng mga tiga-Norte at ginagawa niya ito ngayon bilang pagtanaw ng utang na loob,” Fababier said.
Meanwhile, Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed a resolution two days before the 44th anniversary tackling the “historical revisionism” encouraged by the loyalists and allies of Marcos.
Hontiveros called on the Duterte administration to proclaim September as the month of national truth-telling.
Duterte allowed the former president’s burial at the LNBM saying nobody could change the fact that he became the president of the country.
“Dapat ilibing siya sa Batac, Ilocos Norte at hindi sa Libingan ng mga Bayani.” Fababier emphasized.###
