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Martial Law at 50: Civil Groups Launch Commemorative Program
By: Michael Quilala | September 4, 2022
A month before the 50th anniversary of Martial Law, the People’s Movement for Truth, Justice, and Change (PMTCJ) launched the People’s Caravan for Truth, Justice, and Change in the University of the Philippines Manila on August 21, 2022. Hosted by Ms. Rena Cañete, the event aimed to educate people on the realities during Martial Law, as well as to preserve the historical identity of the Philippines, ensuring it remains undistorted by those who dare to change it.
The Paulinian staffers, together with students from other universities in Manila, took part in and covered the program, in order to spread awareness of the misinformation about this critical time in Philippine history.
Violence in the time of Martial Law
The commemorative program commenced with a photo exhibit highlighting key events during Martial Law, along with booths, proceeds of which are for the benefit of political prisoners who were arrested for defending both human and labor rights before and during the pandemic.
The Musicians’ Alliance for Peace rendered an opening performance to jump start the event. This was followed by the testimony of Raymundo “Ka Totoy” Carlos, Chairperson of the Koalisyong Makabayan-NCR chapter. He shared his testimony of how he started as a civic leader and activist in 1969 and became a community organizer combatting demolition jobs against communities. When he was arrested, he experienced interrogations and physical violence from the police.
Bernardo “Ka Joe” Villalon, Kapisanan ng mga Mandudula ng Marikina, followed Ka Totoy’s testimony by sharing his story about how he got into activism. Now 83 years old, he recalls how he was able to finish only Grade 4[M1] in 1946 and had to move to a relative’s home until he joined a band in Olongapo. When the Philippine government was sending Filipino troops to Vietnam, he condemned it, with other rights advocates. Ironically, his band played in the American base without his knowing English and needing an interpreter. The moment Martial Law was declared, protests sparked and massive arrests started. Restrictions of people’s free will became rampant; curfews were enforced; girls were arrested for wearing mini-skirts and men for having long hair, Ka Joe described. Students had to learn to sing “Bagong Lipunan,” an anthem propagated by President Marcos proclaiming his vision.
But Ka Joe saw a different “bagong lipunan” (new society). Similar to Ka Totoy’s experiences, he endured physical violence, such as electric shocks on different parts of his body, upon being arrested. Kapag katotohanan ay nanalaytay, mahirap nang burahin ang kasinungalingan.” Ka Joe stated during his testimony.
Call to Action
After the messages from Martial Law victims, the event proceeded to the film showing of Barber’s Tales, a Jun Robles Lana film brought by Urian Screeners. The film highlighted the story of a widow who was forced to continue her husband’s job as a barber following his death, set in a rural town in the Philippines during the Marcos dictatorship. The film is regarded by many as showcasing realities during Martial Law.
After the film showing, Dr. Nymia Simbulan, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs of the University of the Philippines Manila, took her testimony to the stage. She was a student at the time of Martial Law implementation. She compared the University of the Philippines Diliman during the Martial Law era to the university at present, noting how students today can now freely walk in and out of the campus, but not during the height of Martial Law. But Dr. Simbulan stressed that the restrictions did not stop workers, peasants, and other concerned individuals and groups from standing for their rights. Her political activism continued even as she was imprisoned in Camp Crame for several months, which led to her graduation being delayed for a year. She encouraged the youth to read as reading exposes truths and lies, and urged them to develop a critical mind that can separate what is true from what is not, all aimed towards combatting the ongoing historical distortion rampant today.
“You should possess a questioning mind. It is not wrong to be skeptical,” Dr. Simbulan stressed.
As the tail end of the event, a press conference, led by Mr. Gabriel Yanson from the Concerned Students for Justice and Peace; Ms. Querobin Acsibar, a student regent nominee from UP Manila; Mr. Alwen Santos from the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP)-NCR; Ms. Mimi Doringo from Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY); Ms. Leticia Castillo of Gabriela Women’s Party-NCR; Mr. Jossel Ebesate of Defend Jobs Philippines; and Atty. Louie Santos from the People’s Movement for Truth, Justice, and Change (PMTJC), was held. The press conference addressed the ongoing issues that the people have been experiencing — from illegal arrests, disappearances, labor and student rights abuse, to failure in implementing a decent and livable national minimum wage.
The event formally concluded with a Unity Signature Campaign, joined by the attendees from various organizations from universities in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
