Thirty eight years ago, Martial Law was declared throughout the Philippines “to save the Republic and to build a New Society” according to Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.
On that momentous day, however, democracy was murdered. Right there and then, Marcos metamorphosed into a dictator. Not just an ordinary dictator but a brutal one!
We remember today and forever the victims of Martial Law: senators, lawyers, the intellectuals, members of the academe, students, activists, farmers, tribal leaders, the clergy, the religious and ordinary citizens regardless of sex, young and old; widows and orphans.
To those who survived and had the courage, strength, determination and will to fight an evil regime amidst the constant threat of imprisonment and death; “a job well done”! To those who did not survive the long and dark night of oppression and brutality; you who gave the ultimate sacrifice, your blood, sweat, tears and suffering fueled and inspired us in 1986 to say enough is enough to an unwanted and evil regime.
For some of us who literally hand in hand faced the tanks and the forces of the dictator ready to shed our blood for the country we love, let us never forget the critical days when we truly experienced the meaning of Filipino spirit and brotherhood. At the top of our voice, we asked for the restoration of democracy and the rule of law without resorting into violence. Oh yes, we cried together and we prayed together in a sea of people where there was no rich or poor. "Walang iwanan" (No one left the company of the other.) till we found victory.
We must not forget Martial Law and its brutality. Never again that we allow ourselves to be subjected to a dictator and never again that we will live in fear and be imprisoned in our country by a despot!-30-
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