TO COMMEMORATE the 37th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution that ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos, progressive groups led by Bayan Negros marched to the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City on Saturday, February 25.
Former Bayan Muna congressman Neri Colmenares, who joined the demonstration, recounted his experiences as a student imprisoned and tortured during the Marial Law.
He stressed that the struggle during EDSA is not over, and the people must continue it.
"We stand together in commemorating the 37th anniversary of EDSA People Power, and continue to defend our country's democracy. This year, my compatriots in Negros are together in remembering the sacrifice of those who fought for our rights," he said.
He said, "Negros suffered from extreme hunger and poverty during Martial Law, and so many citizens who fought back were imprisoned and tortured, like me. We cannot bring back the lives of those who were murdered like the victims of the Escalante Massacre in 1985, so it is only fitting that we pay tribute to the farmers, workers, students, and common citizens who sacrificed their blood and lives to achieve the freedom we enjoy today."
"EDSA is not a place, but our victory as Filipino people united against corruption, poverty, dictatorship, and abuse of our human rights. From Negros to Manila, our voices are one," he said.
Noli Rosales, Bayan Negros spokesperson, said the Marcoses’ return to power through Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr’s "fraudulent victory" is already ushering a return to some of this country’s darkest days, particularly for Negros.
"Similar to Marcos Sr.’s martial law rule, the militarization of farms. The Armed Forces of the Philippines together have made a war zone of Negros’ farming communities, with multiple reports of bombing, hamletting, and murders staged as fake encounters with armed rebels," he said.
Like his father, Marcos Jr. is "set to continue the legacy of exploiting and selling off natural resources to appease his landlord cronies and foreign investors, all while letting the military use their overblown budget to harass, intimidate, and even kill farmers," he said.
Marcos Sr.’s dictatorship lasted 20 years partly due to the changes he and his lapdogs made to legislation, which is threatening to repeat itself now with Marcos Jr. and his own lapdogs eager for charter change, he said.
"Extending the presidency under Marcos Jr. and providing him with more power will not be for the benefit of the Filipino people when this will only ensure our sovereignty be sold off to warring imperial powers like the US and China," he said.
He stressed, "the calls from the EDSA Revolution 37 years ago remain the same: hold the Marcoses accountable, return their ill-gotten wealth to the people, give justice to the victims of human rights violations, and fight for genuine liberation and democracy."