Renato Reyes Jr. INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Activist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) has reminded President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on the eve of the martial law declaration’s 50th anniversary that wherever he may be, he cannot escape his father’s crimes.
Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes, in a statement on Tuesday, said that Marcos may use the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to gain international acceptance, but it won’t erase the fact that his father, late former president Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. who ruled for over 20 years until he was toppled in 1986, was a dictator.
The younger Marcos is currently in New York, United States (US) to speak during the 77th UNGA. His speech would take place on September 21 in Manila, the same date that his father declared martial law in 1972.
“Marcos Jr. may use the UN General Assembly as a platform to gain international acceptance but this will not extinguish the crimes of the dictator and his family. He may speak about rule of law during the high-level meeting but fact remains, the Marcos dictatorship undermined the rule of law by usurping power via martial law,” Reyes said.
“On the 50th anniversary of Martial Law, we vow to fight all forms of disinformation and historical distortion about the dictatorship. We vow to fight for justice for the victims of martial law and for the Filipino people suffering under a second Marcos regime,” he added.
Reyes vowed that Bayan and other groups would not waver in remind the country about that dark period, as for many victims of human rights abuses like killings, torture, and enforced disappearances, justice remains elusive.
“As the nation marks 50 years since Ferdinand Marcos, Sr placed the entire country under Martial Law, paving the way for a fascist dictatorship that would last until 1986, we reaffirm our commitment to never forget and to never allow a repeat of the same horrors imposed on our people,” he said.
“Justice remains elusive for the victims of martial law and for the Filipino people. There is yet to be full accountability for the Marcos family in relation to human rights abuses and ill-gotten wealth. It is for this reason that the ghosts of the past will continue to haunt the Marcoses wherever they may be in the world,” he added.
The older Marcos was ousted through a peaceful revolution in 1986, forcing the family to go on exile in the United States for several years. Eventually, members of the family would return to the Philippines, reestablishing their foothold in Philippine politics.
Before Marcos Jr. was elected president, he used to be a member of the Senate while matriarch and former first lady Imelda Marcos was a member of the House of Representatives for several Congresses. Currently, Marcos Jr.’s eldest sister Imee Marcos holds a seat in the Senate, while his son Ferdinand Alexander Marcos is Ilocos Norte’s 1st District Representative.
Despite their recent foray into politics, activist groups have stressed that Marcos Sr.’s rule has been marred with massive plunder and corruption and human rights abuses, especially during the martial law period.
However, Marcos Jr. clarified in a recent exclusive interview with actress Toni Gonzaga that placing the country under martial law was necessary to fend off two insurgencies — the communist uprising and the Moro movement in Mindanao.
During the same interview, Marcos Jr. said that the ‘son of a dictator’ tag does not bother him because he knows his father was not one, having consulted several sectors over his tenure.
READ: Marcos defends martial law, admits abuses ‘like in any war’
However, Reyes rebutted Marcos Jr.’s claims that martial law was needed, claiming that the late strongman was just power-hungry.
READ: Bayan rebuts Marcos Jr.: Martial law unnecessary; your dad just power hungry
Reyes said several activities are lined up for Wednesday, in commemoration of the military rule’s abuses. Several groups are also expected to stage demonstrations, moving from several key areas of protest like Plaza Miranda, Commission on Human Rights grounds, and inside the University of the Philippines – Diliman. With reports from Kristelle Razon, INQUIRER.net trainee