‘Baka matanso kayo’: Moreno warns Muslim youth of ancestors’ sacrifices during martial law

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno in GMA, Cavite. Screengrab from Facebook / Isko Moreno Domagoso

GENERAL MARIANO ALVAREZ, Cavite — Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso on Thursday reminded the Muslim youth not to forget what their ancestors went through during the martial law years.

On the 36th anniversary of the EDSA People Power Revolution, Moreno recalled that before bloodless uprising toppled the more than 14 years of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s martial rule in 1986, some Muslim leaders were already waging a war against the late dictator’s tyranny.

Thirty-six years after they were ousted from Malacañang, Marcos son and namesake, Bongbong Marcos Jr., is now vying for the top elective post, and is a runaway winner in surveys against other presidential hopefuls, among them Moreno.

“Alam natin naging madugo ang nakaraan nung 1974, nung 1981 sa buhay ng mga Muslim dito sa Mindanao. At some point in time yung iba sa inyo, lolo ninyo, tiyuhin ninyo, kapatid ninyo hindi pa natatagpuan hanggang ngayon. Kaya huwag kayo makikiuso. Ingat, baka matanso kayo,” Domagoso said, addressing the crowd during a campaign sortie in Maguindanao last week.

(We all know the past. The years 1974 to 1981 had been a bloody year for Muslims in Mindanao. At some point, some of you have grandfathers, uncles, siblings who are still missing until now. That’s why you should not follow the trend, do not be deceived.)

He added: “Huwag kayong lilimot mga kabataan, mga Muslim na lalaki at babae. Tanungin ninyo mga matatanda ninyo, huwag kayong lilimot kung sino ang kumitil ng buhay ng lahi ninyo. Ingat!”

(Do not forget, Muslim youth, girls and boys. Ask your elders, do not forget who killed your ancestors! Beware!)

Domagoso on Thursday also reiterated his stand against the martial law, saying that the government should not forget its atrocities. “We as a state must pursue those cases to give justice to the victims,” the mayor said in an ambush interview at the General Mariano Alvarez municipal hall in Cavite.

Amnesty International said at least 70,000 were wrongfully imprisoned during the Martial Law and 3,200 people were killed during the Martial Law.

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

The mayor also said that the next generation should “emulate” the courage of those who took part in the EDSA People Power Revolution.

“We will not forget. we will continue to remember and we will always give value to the Filipino people,” said Moreno.

EDV