No to martial law, killings
Support gov’t programs, pro-Duterte supporters appeal
Thousands from various walks of life gathered in different locations in Metro Manila and elsewhere in the country to mark the 45th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, opposing any move to place the country under military rule as well as call for an end to killings.
With scheduled protest actions, President Duterte declared the September 21 as a National Day of Protest.
Bantayog ng mga Bayani At the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City, martial law survivor Levy Balgos dela Cruz, 75, vivdly recalled the almost daily torture he suffered when he was detained for almost two years in Camp Olivas, City of San Fernando, Pampanga.
“Never again to martial law! But never forget!”
Dela Cruz, more popularly known as Ka Levy, chanted as he joined other martial law survivors at the “Bantayog” for the program, “Martial law noon at ngayon: A millennial throwback,” in recalling their hardships.
At first, he was hesitant to narrate his experiences, saying it continues to haunt him.
“Nakaka-tense every time maaalala ko ang torture. Mahirap makalimot kung ang sugat ay hindi pa naghihilom. Lalo na may banta na naman ng tiranya sa bansa.”
“Every time maaalala ko ang torture at ang pagpayag ni (President) Duterte na ilibing si (former President Ferdinand E.) Marcos sa Libingan ng mga Bayani, parang nararamdaman ko ulit ang martial law,” Dela Cruz, who was 30 years old then, said in his speech.
At the time martial law was declared, he was a theater performer and an underground news writer in their community paper in Baguio.
Ka Levy said he resented how writing about the real state of the country was considered a crime during martial law. Apparently, this was the reason he was arrested and detained.
“Nasa theater kami, may palabas kami sa Abelardo Hall. Bago 'yun nawawala na si Ka Charlie del Rosario. Hindi na natuloy kinabukasan 'yung palabas kasi noong gabi na iyon ni-raid na ang theater, pati ang bahay namin ni raid. Saan ka na pupunta 'nun? Eh, wala na naitimbre ka na,” he shared.
While at the Camp Olivas, he shared how he was electrocuted while soaked in water and how his body would be thrown off the walls of a suffocating room because of the electric current.
“Gusto niyo bang maranasan yun? Iraid ang bahay mo, damputin ka, ikulong ka? Napaka-helpless,” he added.
With all his experiences during martial law, Ka Levy said he doesn’t want this generation to experience what they encountered 45 years ago.
“Gugustuhin ba natin maulit ang kondisyon na walang boses? Bawal magpahayag ng mga hinaing?”
Dela Cruz emphasized the need for discussions like this for the millennials to understand the true essence of Martial law and not rely solely on alternative information.
Hilda Villano Narciso, now 72 years old, narrated to the crowd her “traumatic experiences” during the dark chapter of history. She was tortured and raped.
Narciso and Dela Cruz both emphasized the need for discussions like this for the millennials to understand the true essence of martial law.
“Nagpatuloy kami. Nakulong ng paulit-ulit pero bumabalik para ipaunawa na hindi mabuti ang martial law,” Dela Cruz said said.
“Ang masa, ang masa lamang ang tunay na bayani,” he concluded.
UP Diliman At the University of the Philippines in Diliman, more than a thousand protesters from various human rights groups, mostly students, took part in the “Mass for Justice” to condemn martial law and the extrajudicial killings taking while the administration in enforcing its war on drugs.
Kaya Natin Movement, Tindig Pilipinas, and various youth groups flocked to UP Parish of the Holy Sacrifice at 2 p.m. for “Mass for Justice.”
Clad in white shirt with a #NeverAgain markings, the protesters expressed sympathy to the victims of martial law and extrajudicial killings.
Among the personalities spotted were former President Benigno S. Aquino III, Vice President Leni Robredo, Liberal Party senators and congressmen, among others.
Pictures of alleged victims of martial law and the government's war on drugs were displayed at the chapel.
In a statement, Tindig Pilipinas urged the Filipinos to join in the protest and offer prayers for those who suffered and died because of martial law and war on drugs.
“We are not yellow, we are not blue, we are not red, we are just Filipinos. We must care about our democracy, our fellowmen, and our human rights,” the group said.
Clara Cayosa, 20, said she accompanied her 18-year-old sister Nina to the “peaceful protest.”
“We chose to attend here because we want a peaceful protest. We don't want to fight. We just want to speak out,” Clara said.
“This is a peaceful fight for human rights. It started with a mass. It is nice to see people praying together,” Nina added.
Catherine Fontillas, an aspiring photo journalist from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, called for the exercise of due process.
“I attended in this event because, why not? Killings must stop. It's morally incorrect. We must believe in due process,” Fontillas said.
After the mass, the protesters sang “Bayan Ko” and “Handog ng Pilipino sa Mundo” before marching to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office in Quezon City where a concert rally was held.
Rizal Park
At the Rizal Park in Manila, thousands of protesters expressed opposition to President Duterte's war on drugs and the imposition of martial law in Mindanao.
The Movement Against Tyranny (MAT), formed on August 28 in the wake of public outrage over the killing of Kian delos Santos and other minors, spearheaded the protest.
“Let this be a warning to President Duterte: We will not be intimidated or cowed into silence and inaction. Tapos na po ang panahon ng pananahimik. Gising na ang buong bayan at handang ipaglaban ang karapatang pantao at hustisya,” MAT convenor Raoul Manuel, who is representing the youth, said.
Organizers said the rally was opened to people of “all colors, all beliefs, and all ages who want a stop to the extrajudicial killings and other acts of tyranny of the Duterte regime.”
As of 4:30 p.m., organizers placed the crowd estimate at 4,200.
The program is expected to end with the simultaneous ringing of bells and mobile phone ringtones to coincide with the 8 p.m. nationwide ringing of bells called by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines.
Aside from martial law veterans like former senator Rene Saguisag, Sr. Mary John Mananzan, and Bonifacio Ilagan, expected to speak at the rally are students from various universities and colleges, families of victims of extrajudicial killings, religious leaders, representatives of Moro and indigenous peoples communities, leaders from various sectoral organizations, as well as incumbent and former members of Congress.
Among the performing artists expected are Bituin Escalante, Audie Gemora, spoken word artist Juan Miguel Severo, Pen Medina, Toym Imao, Joel Saracho, and Mae Paner a.k.a. Juana Change.
Plaza Miranda At Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila, supporters of President Duterte showed up to express their support for the government’s programs on corruption, peace and stability, while clinging to his promise of “real change.”
Police placed the pro-Duterte crowd as of 3 p.m. at 12,000. They were mostly in blue, orange, and white shirts.
“Ang ating pamahalaan ay hindi pa naman perpekto at ang ating pangulo is a listening President. Kaming partido nya ay sumusuporta sa kanyang gawain at adhikain dahil alam natin ang kanyang puso at kung ano ang kanyang gustong marating para sa bansa,” said Assistant Secretary Astravel Pimentel-Naik of Presidential Legislative Liaison Office.
Naik called on the people should support the President’s programs.
“Alam natin na sa ibang parte ng Metro Manila ay meron ding mga rally – ang mga opposition, dahil inaakushan siya sa extrajudicial killing pero sa totoo lang po hindi ang ating Pangulo ang gumagawa nito. Hindi natin dapat minimisinterpret kung ano man ang lumalabas sa kanyang bibig, kung hindi, tingnan natin ang kanyang puso at kung ano man nag lumalabas na programa de gobyerno na pinapatupad nya,” Naik said.
Supporter Arnold Santiago, 61, of Caloocan City, beat the scorching heat to show his support for the President. "Naniniwala ako sa kanya na kaya niyang gawin yung mga pinangako niya noong eleksyon. That's why we're here!" he said, while flashing the President's signature pose.
A “Presidential Complaints Desk” was set up at the event where people could write their concerns, ranging from legal, financial, medical assistance, among others.
“Babasahin and i-analyze ng action officers natin and will be referred to appropriate agencies na makakasagot nung reklamo, request assistance, and query,” said Rey Monsod, Governance and Local Affairs Division chief, of Presidential Complaint Division.
OFWs join protest
Overseas Filipino workers (OFW) from nine countries joined the National Day of Protest.
Migrante International mobilized its members in Hong Kong, Japan, Qatar, Italy, South Korea, Canada, Australia, United States, and the United Kingdom to hold anti-government protests.
This was held simultaneously with the demonstrations held by Migrante's local chapters.
“We are gathered today with other sectors because OFWs and families stand against Duterte’s fascism and tyranny,” Migrante said in a statement on Thursday.
“We condemn in strongest terms the government’s mass murder under the banner of the regime’s three wars – the war against the Moro people, the bloody ‘war on drugs’ and the anti-people Oplan Kapayapaan,” it added.
National Day of Protest
Meanwhile, Malacañang said the National Day of Protest proves that democracy still rules the land, following President Duterte's decision to suspend government offices under the executive branch and public schools nationwide so they can air their sentiments against the government.
According to Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella, the observance of the National Day of Protest enables all people "from all walks of life and persuasion can freely hold marches, demonstrations, public assemblies, and all forms of mass action to express their grievances against perceived or actual excesses and/or shortcomings of the government."
“The event is a healthy exercise of democracy,” Abella said in a statement Thursday morning.
“This is also an opportune time for those in the government to hear the voice of the governed as part of our efforts to uphold the highest standards of good governance,” he added.
President Duterte signed Proclamation No. 319 where he said the declaration is “in solidarity with the people's calls against all excesses and shortcomings of the government, and with the people's desire to uphold the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and accountability in the government.”
Duterte had earlier said he himself has something to protest, particularly the small salary and the lack of equipment.
Abella, in an interview over GMA-7 early Thursday, reiterated that it was Duterte's intention to join the protest but said the President had a busy Thursday. (With reports from Analou de Vera, Jaimie Rose Aberia, Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos, Samuel P. Medenilla, and Dhel Nazario)