By Gabriela Baron
Several protesters nationwide marched on Wednesday, Sept. 21, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.
Various groups and civil organizations, including Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), Kilusang Mayo Uno, Anakbayan, National Union of People’s Lawyer, and Alliance of Concerned Teachers, held protests to remember the victims of martial law and fight historical revisionism.
“To remember is to seek justice and accountability for the thousands of victims of dictatorship,” BAYAN said in a statement.
“To remember, is to ensure that such abuses will never be repeated. To remember is to aspire and to fight for genuine freedom and democracy,” BAYAN added.
Activist Satur Ocampo stressed the importance of remembering the past to ensure that lessons are learned.
“Mahalagang-mahalaga hindi kakalimutan ang mga nangyari. Lahat ng merong salaysay sa kanyang buhay, nagawa naman niyan, documented, at yung torture accounts,” Ocampo added.
Pro-Marcos group Yakap ng Magulang gathered at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila to counter anti-martial law groups’ message, saying that military rule was the only option that time to save the republic.
No untoward incidents were reported during the protests.
Meanwhile, chief presidential legal counsel Juan Ponce Enrile in a Senate panel on Wednesday cited “imminent danger” as a basis for martial law declaration.
Enrile, former Defense minister of Marcos Sr., said martial law was necessary due to the threat of communist insurgency.
“Kapag nakita mo na… na ang bansa mo ay namemeligro, sasalakayin o wawasakin ng insurekto o ng rebelyon, gumalaw ka na,” Enrile said.
“Gamitin mo ang kamay na bakal para nang sa ganoon ay masugpo ‘yung problema na ‘yan at walang tao na masasamantala o mamamatay dahil tamad ka o takot ka na magdesisyon,” he added.
Then President Ferdinand Marcos, father of current President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., signed proclamation No. 1081 on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the entire country under martial rule. – With reports from Rod Lagusad–ag
