On EDSA anniversary, youth urged to shun disinformation on social media

PAST IS PROLOGUE Two days after this scene, the mammoth crowd on Edsa would rejoice over the news of dictator Ferdinand Marcos finally leaving Malacañang and fleeing the country with his family and cronies. Feb. 25 has since been a public holiday, but today’s observance carries an uneasy undertone of a Marcos possibly returning to power via the May 9 ballot.

MANILA, Philippines — As the country commemorates the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, the Filipino youth was urged not to be swayed by disinformation online about the historic event described as a “beautiful story that needs to be told and retold.”

In a statement on Friday, Deputy Speaker and Basilan Rep. Mujiv Hataman stressed the importance of looking back at what happened 36 years ago.

“Ang EDSA ang tunay na diwa ng pagkakaisa: pagkakaisa upang maalis sa puwesto ang isang Ferdinand Marcos at mapatigil ang halos dalawang dekada ng panunupil sa mamamayan at pagnanakaw sa sambayanan,” he said.

(EDSA is the true spirit of unity: unity to topple Ferdinand Marcos and to stop two decades of repression and corruption.)

“Pagkakaisa rin ito upang matigil ang mga pagpatay, pag-torture at pagyurak sa karapatang pantao. At pagkakaisa ito para manumbalik ang demokrasya at ilagay na muli sa kamay ng tao ang pamamahala ng ating bayan,” he added.

(Filipino were also united to stop the killings, the tortures and human rights violations. And unity to restore democracy and to return the government to the people.)

Beyond commemorating what happened in 1986, Hataman highlighted the need to remember what Filipinos fought for during the EDSA People Power.

“[A]t isipin kung ano ang maaaring mawala sa atin kung magkakamali tayo ng pipiliin sa halalan at mauulit ang kasaysayan [And let us realize what we can lose if we choose the wrong leader and witness a repeat of history],” he said.

He encouraged the youth to learn the truth about martial law during the Marcos regime.

“Nanawagan ako sa mga kabataan na alamin ang totoong kasaysayan ng Martial Law at huwag maniwala sa laganap na disinformation na hatid ng social media. Sa Mindanao lamang, napakaraming naging biktima ng massacre, pagpapahirap at panggagahasa noong panahon ni Marcos, pati na sa hanay ng mga kapatid nating Moro,” he added.

(I am calling on the youth to know the true history of Martial Law and do not believe disinformation online. In Mindanao alone, many have fallen victim to massacres, to abuse and rape during the Marcog regime, including our Moro brothers and sisters.)

“Maging mapanuri kayo sa ipinapakalat na fake news at manaliksik nang mabuti. Maging instrumento kayo ng paglipol sa panlilinlang at hindi ng pagpapalaganap ng kasinungalingan. Responsibilidad niyo ito hindi lamang sa inyong mga sarili kundi sa inyong kinabukasan at sa ating bayan,” he also said.

(Let us be vigilant against fake news and research thoroughly. Be the instrument that would end the deception and not be the ones to spread lies. It is your responsibility not only to yourself but also to you and your country’s future.)

‘Beautiful story’

Senatorial candidate and Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero also joined the country in commemorating the EDSA People Power Revolution.

“It’s a beautiful story that needs to be told and retold to celebrate the nameless heroes and heroines of this shining chapter in our history,” Escudero said.

“May we continue to promote and uphold the lessons from this peaceful revolution, which has inspired other countries to pursue change devoid of guns and violence,” he added.

EDV