Filipinos must keep pushing for the truth regarding the dark days of martial law under the Marcos regime, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the Manila Police District (MPD) dispersed a lighting rally at the foot of Mendiola Bridge as protesters commemorated the 49th year of the imposition of martial law in the country and demanded the Duterte government to stop its alleged tyranny.
Battling riot police and water cannons, the group urged the public not to forget the atrocities during the martial law era imposed by former President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972 and to fight for democracy in the country.
In a message marking the anniversary, Robredo said silence would open the narrative to other versions.
“If we stay silent, only the powerful will be able to write our history,” she said.
“We need to stress the truth that under the Marcos regime, the Filipino suffered,” Robredo said, adding that those years were characterized by torture and plunder.
Over 3,000 people were killed and some 33,000 others were sent to jail without arrest warrants during the martial law years that lasted until 1981, but saw Marcos retain essentially all of his powers as dictator until he was ousted by the People Power revolt.
Robredo said Marcos has yet to fully pay for his crimes since his family continues to enjoy the spoils of illegal wealth. She defeated Marcos’ son, former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., in the 2016 vice presidential race.
Though Marcos protested, the Supreme Court, sitting as Presidential Electoral Tribunal, ruled this year in favor of Robredo.
Meanwhile, the Mendiola rallyists held placards with the words “Stop the killings” and “Stand for democracy! Rage against tyranny!”
The policemen stood in front of them, blocking their way so they could not go farther. At the other end of Mendiola Road is Malacañang Palace.
Labor and youth groups gathered earlier Tuesday at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani for wreath laying to remember martial law victims.
They proceeded to Carriedo before going to Gomburza Plaza to meet with the militant group BAYAN.
On Monday, a group of nuns also held a protest action in front of St. Scholastica’s College in Manila to denounce the alleged corruption in government.