Lessons of Martial Law must not be forgotten

IT MAYBE 40 years ago when then President Ferdinand Marcos placed the whole country under Martial Law, but for some Dabawenyos, the lessons that the country has learned from Martial rule, which was considered as the darkest part of our history, must not be forgotten.

Malu Dadula, 40, administrative officer at the City Information Office (CIO), said being born on the same year when hundreds, if not thousands, have been abducted and killed for no known reason is something to be thankful for.

Marcos declared Martial Law by virtue of Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21.

"Martial law was the darkest part of history of the Philippines, everything was controlled, censored, from newspapers to radio and TV stations, many people who had opposed the government, and even student activists had been arrested, imprisoned, tortured, and many had disappeared and never found until today," Dadula said.

Four decades have passed, Dadula said, people must still pursue their search for genuine freedom that every Filipino deserves.

"Thank God there are people who had the courage to oppose the regimen, and fought back to restore our freedom and democracy. My prayer is that the Filipino people will never ever allow another Martial Law in this country, never again," Dadula added.

For her part, Karla Villapaz, another government employee, modern-day Filipinos must not forget how unselfish men and women fought against the dictator who ruled the country for two decades.

"Dapat hinumdumon aron masabtan sa mga youth and new generation ang essence ng tinuod na (There is really a need for us to constantly remind ourselves of the true essence of) freedom," Villapaz said.

She said even to the present day, a taste of Martial Law still exists with a different name.

In the perspective or ordinary people, Tomas Angko, 68, palm reader in front of the City Hall, said sometimes, what causes the nation's problem is the over democracy.

He said there is a chance that people tend to abuse the freedom that they experience.

However, he said, he is totally against the imposition of Martial Law as it caused innumerable human rights violation during those years.

He recalled that he was just 28 when Martial Law was declared and his wife delivered their first son. He said he can still recall the shivering feeling he felt during that time. (JOP)