As we approach September 21, we see the usual tirades of groups that resurrect
claims of human rights violations during the martial law. In the Cordillera, groups
have posted invitations for protests against the declaration of the martial law 50
years ago. They never fail to come up with activities to highlight their allegations of
torture and abuses during the said period in their annual commemoration of what
they claim was a horrific period in our history.
These groups whose members claim have suffered abuses during the martial law
era can howl all they want. Nothing is wrong with that and no one is stopping them
from doing such. However, this lamentation has gone exaggerated where their
narratives have been maliciously imbibed by young activists. The latter even float
allegations of them being victims of human rights abuses during a period where they
are not yet alive. This is absurd and it makes our youth unable to distinguish the
truth from false narratives.
For the sake of everybody and the youth in particular, may I reiterate what many
people who have witnessed the martial law have repeatedly explained — Martial
Law was declared by former President Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972
mainly because of the need to address the growing problem of communist
insurgency. Has he not done that, we will all not be enjoying democracy now
because it will be Jose Maria Sison, the founder of the designated terrorist
organization Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP), manipulating the affairs of
the country. Who would want to have a leader who was declared as terrorist by other
countries?
For 50 years, the statements “Never Forget” and “Never Again to Martial Law” have
painted this period in our history negatively. This time, may we all be able to throw
that impression away and highlight the truth about the declaration of martial law,
which is to protect the Filipinos from the terror and menace of the CPP-New People’s
Army (NPA), and this is what we ought not to forget.
Ma. Louisa Foligan,
Spokesperson, SAMAHAN NG MAMAMAYANG NAGKAKAISA KONTRA
TERORISMO