Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 21) — Five decades have passed since the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the country under martial law, which led to the death of thousands, imprisonment and torture of tens of thousands, according to Amnesty International.
While Malacañang, where another Marcos is sitting in power, has yet to release a statement, netizens and groups recalled this period that some consider as the country’s golden years, while others as the country’s darkest period.
In separate statements, groups like Gabriela, Center for Women’s Resources, ACT Philippines, Kilusan ng Manggagawang Kababaihan, Karapatan, and Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law remembered the victims of martial law, and its continuing effect to the country’s economy as Marcos “submerged the country in massive debt to fund huge infrastructure projects that were plagued by corruption and anomalies.”
One netizen on Facebook said life was quiet and people were disciplined during the time of martial law. They were complacent because they know police forces are there to protect them.
Aside from this, another Facebook user also said very few people were using illegal drugs because of fear of being caught by the Metropolitan Command, or Metrocom, the security and intelligence group of the Philippine Constabulary.
Aguirre said this in response to the views of Senators Jinggoy Estrada and Robin Padilla that Filipinos need to “grow” and “move on” from the martial law era.
Meanwhile, a Twitter user shared an experience of her mother, who said there was shortage in rice during the martial law era and that “there was a sense of uncertainty and doom” even in the province.
RELATED: Never again? 50th anniversary of martial law draws contrasting views from senators
Continuing the fight for martial law victims
On Wednesday, several groups held protests to say “never again” to martial law and the dictatorship that occurred during the senior Marcos’ time.
“With all due respect to our dear senators, my idea of moving on entails closure of what happened. Closure on why these things happened,” he told CNN Philippines’ The Final Word.
For Arjan Aguirre, the former director of the Martial Law Museum at the Ateneo de Manila University, “moving on” from injustice needs “closure based on truth and accountability.”
What was touted as the “golden age” of the Philippines was in reality soaked in blood as thousands died, were raped, or simply disappeared without a trace, they said.
Other groups, like Kabataan para sa Tribung Pilipino, Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment also said they will continue to fight for justice and search for truth.
Workers groups like the Kilusang Mayo Uno and Partido Manggagawa, meanwhile, voiced out their sentiments on issues like low salary, contractualization, and oppression, which were also the challenges that workers faced during the time of martial law.
“Let us remember the sacrifices and struggles of workers and other sectors during the dictatorship,” PM secretary general Judy Ann Miranda said.
The fight against fake news, disinformation, and historical distortion also continues for organizations like the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy and Akbayan Party.
Sabi ng mom ko kulang daw sa bigas kaya mais kinakain nila. Also kahit di masyado ramdam sa province, there was a sense of uncertainty and doom. #NeverAgain #NeverForget https://t.co/4EKDGOhJJJ
— Lady🌸💗WEAR A MASK (@LadyTremainee) September 20, 2022
WATCH: Labor groups join contingent from other sectors for a cultural event in UP Diliman campus this afternoon in line with the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law.
📹 Clemente Pelen/ CNN Philippines pic.twitter.com/DJLCXrZTeX
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) September 21, 2022
NOW: Different progressive groups arrive in UP Diliman for the commemoration of the 50th year of the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.
Different artists will perform, and survivors will share their narratives in 1972. @cnnphilippines pic.twitter.com/GarfwbHWdo— Stanley Buenafe Gajete (@stanleygajete) September 21, 2022
To mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law, various labor organizations hold protest action and a mobile exhibit at the old site of the La Tondeña Distillery at the First Tondo Complex in Manila https://t.co/sDo55hP4UB
📸 Jard Arcabal/CNN Philippines pic.twitter.com/VIVrjGEv9d
— CNN Philippines (@cnnphilippines) September 21, 2022
Aguirre, however, said this closure might never be reached as — after 50 years — victims continue to search for justice.
RELATED: Martial law survivor to Marcos: No need for apology, acknowledge abuses under father’s time
“To me there will never be closure as long as people who were responsible for the human rights violations, the widespread corruption, we have yet to really know who these people are,” Aguirre said.
Citing estimates from various organizations, Aguirre said more than 70,000 were imprisoned without warrants, at least 35,000 were tortured, 3,257 individuals were killed, while 77 disappeared during martial law.
