Negrense HR victims hold protest to mark Martial Law 43rd year

HUMAN rights victims in Negros Occidental will stage a protest rally at 1 p.m. Monday, September 21, at the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City to commemorate the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

Members of the Martial Law Victims, Mothers, and Relatives against Tyranny and Repression (Martyr-Negros) and the Claims Assistance Processing Office (Capo) will call for the immediate release of their claims.

Martyr-Negros chairman Edgar Cadagat said most of them have not yet received their claims despite the enactment in 2013 of the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act or Republic Act 10368.

He said most human rights victims during the Martial Law are already old and may no longer get their claims if the release will continue to be delayed.

Martyr-Negros has initially listed 500 eligible claimants in Negros Occidental, but the figure recently increased after the Marcoses lost the Hawaii human rights class suit filed against them, Cadagat said.

In Talisay City, Negrenses will also commemorate the declaration of Martial Law at the CICM Center.

The activity, themed “Day of Remembering Martial Law with the Millennials,” will start at 9 a.m.

It will be spearheaded by civil society organization Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet Negros in cooperation with the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit (Pro-Pidu).

Provincial Planning and Development Officer Ma. Lina Sanogal, action officer of Pro-Pidu, said the commemoration is also part of the observance of the Provincial Peace Month.

Representatives from various sectors are expected to attend the activity and share their experiences during the Martial Law, Sanogal said.

In September 21, 1972, former President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation 1081, placing the entire country under martial rule.

Meanwhile, Malacañang said Sunday that it honors the sacrifices of Martial Law victims that led to the return of democracy in the country after a repressive rule.

"We join our citizenry in remembering and honoring the sacrifices of the victims of martial rule... From their blood, sweat and tears, our people gathered and rebuilt their willpower and strength to mount wave upon wave of protest movements that culminated in the triumph of the Edsa People Power revolution in 1986," said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr.

Among the rights curtailed during the Martial Law was press freedom, which according to Coloma the Philippines now has the freest press.

"Kaya’t ito ay isa sa mga maaaring ikarangal at ipagmalaki ng ating bansa, ang pagkakaroon ng ganap at buong kalayaan sa pamamahayag... at kahalintulad na rin nito ang freedom of assembly at freedom expression," he added.

Coloma also stressed the importance of informing the younger generation of the sacrifices of many Filipinos who suffered under Martial Law.

"Together with our efforts to ensure sustainable long-term growth, progress and stability that would include the active participation of all Filipinos, it is important to impart to the youth of our land the lessons learned from martial rule and the struggle to restore democracy, as our continuing legacy to all future generations of Filipinos," he said. (With reports from Sunnex)

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