NEVER AGAIN.
Forty-seven years ago since the late Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation 1081 declaring Martial Law throughout the country that marked the beginning of 14 years of horror.
During this period, statistics tell: 3,257 were killed, 35,000 tortured, and 70,000 incarcerated.
Despite the horrifying number of Martial Law victims, many of us chose to remain ignorant.
Furthermore, I find it utterly disturbing to see thousands of people praise the late president by sharing false materials about his regime on Facebook.
Some even claim ‘The Philippines enjoyed a golden age under the Marcos regime.’
It is true that the infrastructure spending increased during that period however it came at a staggering cost, plunging the Philippines in billions of dollars in debt. In fact, following the country’s loan schedule, taxpayers will pay for the foreign debts of Marcos until 2025.
What’s more, even with the number of abuse, questionable debts and the lack of an apology from the Marcoses, the late strongman's widow, Imelda, and children, Imee and former Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr., have the guts to run as public servants.
Imee was recently elected as a senator, while the late dictator's namesake, a former Senator, is still challenging his loss in the May 2016 Vice Presidential race.
The Marcoses may have found an ally in President Rodrigo Duterte, who has openly expressed admiration for the late dictator, to the extent of even allowing his burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani.
The burial itself was a mockery to the Martial Law victims and more importantly to the families who continue to long and cry for justice. Contrary to what the president said will bring closure and healing, only added insult to injury. If only the president paid more attention to the victims rather than the family of a fascist dictator.
Writing this column would’ve gotten me stripped naked, raped or my genitals attached to electric wires but just because it didn't happen to us it doesn't mean it didn't happen to more than 70,000 victims during that time. We owe it to them to keep people from revising the history of the dark days.
NEVER FORGET.
(First published on The LANCE's September 2019 Issue)