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Philippines remembers the Martial Law as thousands rally on its 49th anniversary

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By Ana Rufa Padua

With the theme, “MARCOS-DUTERTE: PANDEMYA NG PASAKIT #NeverAgain,” several human rights groups, civil society organizations, and activists protested on September 21, 2021 during the 49th Martial Law anniversary to condemn Duterte’s administration and its pandemic response.

The march started at 10:30am at Commonwealth across the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and proceeded to the University of Santo Tomas at noon. The People’s Caravan including the In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND), Karapatan, and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) gathered at Liwasang Bonifacio, Manila at 4pm to conduct the protest. 

Participants of the protest were invited to wear black as a symbol of protest and face shields to represent Duterte’s shortcomings in his government’s pandemic “efforts.” Others tied black ribbons and flaglets on their vehicles, windows and gates.

Activists expressed their condemnation against the recent failures of Duterte’s governance such as the Davao Death Squad and war on drugs which is currently being investigated by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Meanwhile, regional protests also took place across Calabarzon, Cebu, Negros, and different areas in Mindanao lead by groups such as Sanlakas and Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA). 

To prevent cases from rising, Manila Police District Chief Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco said that the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases protocols will be followed strictly, this includes the wearing of masks and observing social distancing.

Policemen were also deployed in areas such as the University of the Philippines, Quezon City Memorial Circle, Welcome Rotonda, and parts of Bantayog ng mga Bayani Quezon City. Checkpoints were also set up in parts of Metro Manila to avoid overcrowding.

 A group of protesters on the foot of Mendiola Bridge was dispersed as the Manila Police Department tried to block their way from marching directly to the Malacañang Palace.

Vice President Leni Robredo joined the movement in reminding the Filipinos of the sufferings during the Marcos regime as she urged the countrymen to resist attempts in trying to revise accounts of his [Marcos] dictatorship.

“Kailangan nating ulit-ulitin, sa bawat pagkakataon, ang katotohanan: Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos, nagdusa ang Pilipino,” Robredo said on Tuesday.

“Isa ito sa pinakaimportanteng trabaho natin bilang mamamayang Pilipino: Ang bantayan, igiit, at idiin ang pag-ukit sa kasaysayan ng tunay na kuwento ng sambayanang Pilipino,” she added.

During the Martial Law in Marcos’ regime from 1972 to 1981, 70,000 were imprisoned, 30,000 were tortured, and more than 3,000 were killed. #NeverAgain

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Photo Source: Marianne Bermudez