Negrenses lit candles at the Bacolod Public Plaza “to honor the victims of the dark days of martial law”, while Bayan Negros staged a protest to “resist its resurgence” on Saturday, Sept. 21.
Both groups marked the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at separate events..
About 100 Negrenses joined the “Balik-Tanaw Halit sang Martial Law” program and candle lighting rites at the Bacolod Public Plaza “to honor the victims of martial law and remind ourselves that if we are not careful about the historical revisionism it can happen again or people will tolerate any abuse,” former governor Rafael Coscolluela said.
“The lighting of the candles is both a reminder and a symbol of hope,” Coscolluela said.
Coscolluela said he hopes educational institutions will adopt more aggressive campaigns to educate the youth about martial law and its abuses.
The gathering highlighted testimonies from victims of Martial law and a recollection of its impact on Negros Occidental.
Earlier in the afternoon about 50 protestors led by Bayan Negros also staged a rally in front of the Bacolod City Government Center replica at the Bacolod Public Plaza to mark the Escalante Massacre and Martial Law anniversaries.
“This is more than just remembering, we will fight back,” Berlita Ante, Bayan Negros acting spokesperson, said.
“More than just remembering, we must strengthen our commitment to resisting the resurgence of martial law’s dark legacy” through President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, Ante said.
When the police water cannoned protesting traditional jeepney drivers and small operators on September 18 in Bacolod City, “this served as a chilling reminder that the fascism which enabled the Escalante massacre can emerge again at any moment”, she said.
Human rights violations remain rampant, especially in the countryside, where the government still refuses to address the roots of armed conflict, she also said.
Fourteen people have “disappeared” under Marcos Jr’s watch in Negros Island alone, an echo of the hundreds of desaparecidos during his late father’s rule, Ante said.
“We remember, and we must not forget,” she said.
Wennie Sancho, General Alliance of Workers Associations secretary general, in a separate statement said the declaration of martial law 52 years ago was “the day that freedom died” in the country with Filipinos deprived of their civil and political rights.
“Let us not allow history to repeat itself,” Sancho said.
“Let us honor the thousands of men and women who had been imprisoned during the Martial law, 52 years ago. Most of them were subjected to all forms of torture, others were killed. They had voluntarily offered their lives, without counting the cost, so that we might regain our freedom. They are the heroes and martyrs of martial law,” he added.
He stressed the need to defend the country’s restored freedom.*