Ilonggo activists gather for 46th Martial Law anniv

‘DON’T REVISE HISTORY’ Ilonggos join the nationwide protest commemorating the declaration of martial law in the country 46 years ago by the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos. Representatives from the Catholic Church led by retired archbishop Angel Lagdameo (left photo), the academe, the progressive and other sectoral groups also staged on Sept. 21, 2018 a rally condemning the Marcoses and their attempt to revise history to whitewash human rights violations during the one of the darkest periods of the country. They also called on the public to be vigilant to ensure that the Filipinos’ human rights are protected from abuses.

IN LINE with the 46th commemoration of the Martial Law, various sectors in Iloilo province gathered for the United People’s Alliance Against Dictatorship rally at the Iloilo Provincial Capitol, afternoon of Sept 21, 2018.

Aside from the Martial Law commemoration, protesters also bannered calls for justice to the victims of extrajudicial killings brought about by the war-on-drugs under President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration.

Student activists, farmers, jeepney drivers, members from the urban poor, religious organizations, among others joined the rally.

They also condemned the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Law, tyranny, militarization and protested for wage hike, education and the women’s rights.

The mobilization started with a program at the Capitol grounds and was followed by a march around the city proper.

Senator Risa Hontiveros, who spoke during the rally, emphasized that democracy in the country was not only under attack in the past but continues to be at risk even now.

“Nandito tayo hindi para gunitain ang nakaraan kung hindi para iparamdan at magdala tayo sa pagbubuo ng pinakalawak at pinakamalakas na pagkaka-isa na kaya nating buuin laban sa isang bagong namumuong diktadura sa ating bansa,” Hontiveros said.

According to Hontiveros, the nation does not deserve a ‘destabilizer-in-chief’ in the person of President Duterte.

“Sa totoo lang, and dine-deserve ng mamamayan ay hindi isang  na walang katuturan ang pinagsasabi at pinag-gagawa. Ang deserve ng mamamayan ay isang totoong mga lider at commander-in-chief,” Hontiveros said, calling out to the President to stop parsing the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

An estimated 250 protesters from the youth sector also raised their concerns.

“Mula sa hanay ng kabataan, patuloy ang pag-demand natin sa libreng edukasyon, at ang patuloy na pagkondena sa militarisasyon sa mga kanayunan. Maraming mga lider-estudyante rin ang nawawala na lihitimong nakikibaka sa kanilang karapatan,” said Harley Regua, University of the Philippines Visayas-College of Arts and Sciences chair.

Sunny Talibo, chair of the Federation of Iloilo Farmers, said that what is happening today is not far different from the Martial Law in 1972.

Talibo said that government troops continue to threaten farmers and accuse them as members of the New People’s Army (NPA).

“Ginadudahan ang mga lideres, ang amon mga miyembro nga may connection sa NPA. Amo na ang gina-himo nila sa kaumahan,” Talibo said.

The protest leaders pointed out that the mobilization aims to inform the people in Iloilo about the multi-sectoral issues the country is facing.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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