Filipinos asked to protect human rights
MANILA: President Rodrigo “Rody” Duterte on Thursday urged the people to remain vigilant and protect human rights as well as the democratic institutions as the country observed the 35th anniversary of the Edsa People Power revolution that ousted the dictatorship of the late Ferdinand Marcos in February 1986.
in his message, Duterte also asked the people to “set aside our differences and work together in building a legacy that we can proudly leave for the future generation of Filipinos.”
He added: “As we contemplate the relevance of the occasion, let us proceed with renewed hope and aspiration for our nation.
“May this serve as a constant reminder for all of us to remain vigilant in safeguarding our democratic institutions, preserving our values and safeguarding our rights as Filipinos.”
Since he became president in June 2016, Duterte has issued “motherhood statements” but has not atended any of the ceremonies that celebrated the ouster of Marcos whom he considered as the best Philippine president ever Feb. 25 has been declared a national holiday but as a result, the celebrations became muted, marked by simple ceremonies consisting of floral offerings by officials and Mass at the Edsa Shrine, referring to the historic Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in Metro Manila which served as the main venue for the ouster of the 20-year Marcos dictatorship.
But for former president Fidel Ramos, while Edsa stays as one of the country’s “resplendent moments” and “represents the best in Filipinos,” the work for deep reforms remains unfinished.
“We made history 35 years ago today when more than one million Filipinos gathered peacefully to ooust a dictatorship through a bloodless revolt.
“We call it then, as we call it now,the People Power Revolution,” Ramos said in a statement he issued on the eve of the annual celebration.
Ramos, who turns 93 on March 18, was one of the principal figures along with then defense secretary Juan Ponnce Enrile and several rebel military officers, who broke away from the Marcos regime and triggered the gathering of Filipinos to protect them from military atack ordered by the dictator.
According to Ramos, the nation owes future generations the true story of the Edsa 1986 and its legacy as he emphasised: Our nation’s destiny remains uncertain but her history is evidence that we always succeed in achieving our shared aspirations when we work together.”