ABOUT 200 human rights victims in Negros Occidental and their kin on Monday called on the government for the immediate release of their compensation claims as they commemorated the 43rd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.
The group, who are members of Martial Law Victims, Mothers, and Relatives against Tyranny and Repression (Martyr-Negros) led by chairman Edgar Cadagat, gathered for a protest rally in the afternoon at the Fountain of Justice in Bacolod City.
“The government should fast track the release of our claims,” Cadagat said, reiterating that if it will be further delayed some victims would no longer be able to receive their claims because of their old age.
Thus, he disapproved the proposal of Akbayan party-list to extend the processing of compensation claims.
Cadagat pointed out that under the Human Rights Reparation and Recognition Act which was approved in 2013, the government should release their claims within two years.
He said the compensation they will receive will depend on the cases they had encountered during the Martial Law.
During the martial rule, Cadagat, a journalist and a former teacher, was arrested and detained for almost a year and half. He said that his detention was a mental torture.
Cadagat added that he believes human rights violations still exist in the country, and there’s a possibility that Martial Law will happen again.
Meanwhile, Maternidad Eustacio, 78, of Isabela, said that during the Martial Law her 22-year-old son was killed by soldiers of the Philippine Army.
She added that her son and his two companions were mistaken for members of the New People’s Army and they were shot to death.
Eustacio said that she will not forget what happened to her son and she is hopeful that she will receive their compensation claim soon.
Commemoration
In a separate commemoration held at the CICM Retreat House in Talisay City, some Negrenses also recalled their experiences during the Martial Law.
The gathering was spearheaded by society organization Paghiliusa sa Paghidaet Negros in cooperation with the Provincial Peace Integration and Development Unit.
Former ABS-CBN Bacolod Manager Bing Ascalon said that she voted for the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos, a brilliant leader, who later turned to dictatorship.
“We have to make sure that we should never let go of our democracy,” she told the audience.
Federico Guanzon of Alter Trade Group said his organization Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan saw the trend of what Marcos was doing that led to the declaration of martial rule.
“September 21, 1972 was the day Marcos killed democracy in the country. Study objectively what happened, seriously look back,” he said.
For his part, Father Romeo Empestan said the church people were then gripped with fear, but they learned that if the church is united, atrocities cannot penetrate its ranks.
“Martial Law is not the answer if we want to have a disciplined country. Discipline comes from the inside and from people who are sensitive,” he added. (with reports from PIA)