Palace silent during martial law anniversary

Names of human rights victims during Martial Law as shown in a press conference held by Tindig Pilipinas on September 19, 2023, in Quezon City.

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang remained silent on the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law.

Asked by reporters for a statement regarding martial law on Thursday, the Palace declined to issue one. All appeared to be business as usual in Malacañang.

This day commemorates the day when the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. declared martial law in 1972.

While Marcos Sr. was ousted during the People Power Revolution in 1986, his family would eventually find their way back into power in both local and national government.

This includes the highest leader of the land, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

READ: Marcos’ martial law: Golden age for corruption, abuses

Nonetheless, protests rocked parts of the country in a bid to remember human rights victims during Marcos Sr.’s martial rule.

Around 70,000 people were arrested, 34,000 people were tortured, and 3,240 were killed. Other than rampant human rights abuses, Marcos Sr.’s Martial rule was also marred with cronyism and corruption.

JPV