VP Robredo: Never forget, learn from dark days of martial law; fight historical revisionism

Vice President Leni Robredo (File / Screengrab from OVP)

MANILA, Philippines — As the country marks the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, Vice President Leni Robredo called on Filipinos to always be reminded of the atrocities under the Marcos regime amid efforts to revise history.

“Kailangan nating ulit-ulitin, sa bawat pagkakataon, ang katotohanan: Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos, nagdusa ang Pilipino—ninakawan, tinorture, at pinaslang; ginamit ang ngalan para ibaon ang bansa sa utang, at pagbabayaran ang utang na ito hanggang sa mga susunod pang henerasyon,” Robredo said in a statement Tuesday.

(We should constantly remind ourselves, in every chance we get, of the truth: That under the Marcos regime, the Filipinos suffered, stolen from, tortured, and killed; buried in debt, at made to pay for it until the next generations to come.)

Robredo issued this call amid what she said are “clear” efforts to revise and erase the truth.

“Ipinapaalala sa atin ng kasalukuyang situwasyon, kung kailan malinaw ang pagsisikap na baluktutin ang katotohanan ng malagim na kabanatang iyon: Kumukupas ang alaala; kung minsan, nabibili ang plataporma; ang kuwento, nabubura,” Robredo said.

(We are reminded that in our current situation, when there are clear efforts to revise the truth of that dark chapter: That memories fade; sometimes, platforms are bought, stories are erased.)

She also warned that money and power may be used to dictate history should Filipinos fail to speak out and use their platforms in favor of the truth.

“Kapag nanahimik tayo— kapag hindi natin pinadaloy ang naratibo sa sari-sarili nating mga espasyo, pera at kapangyarihan ang magdidikta ng kasaysayan,” she stressed.

(If we don’t speak up—if we don’t cascade the true narrative in our own spaces, money and power will dictate history.)

“Nasa sistema pa rin ang latak na uri ng pulitikang naghari noon…,” she added.

(The type of politics that reigned before still exists in our system today…)

“Diktador si Marcos, at hindi niya napagbayaran nang husto ang krimen niya; katunayan, patuloy ang pagpapakasasa ng kanyang angkan sa kayamanang ninakaw niya mula sa atin,” Robredo said.

(Marcos is a dictator, and he did not pay for his crimes; in fact, his clan continues to enjoy the wealth stolen from the people.)

She further emphasized the need to commemorate the day Martial Law was declared in the country.

This way, Robredo added, Filipinos can use the dark days of the past to face today’s challenges.

“Kasama ninyo ako sa pagpalag, sa pagbantay, at sa paggiit: Pilipino ang susulat ng kuwento ng Pilipino,” Robredo added.

I am one with you in fighting back, in keeping watch and in insisting that: Filipinos will write the story of the Filipinos.)

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