De Lima to Filipinos: Don't waver in seeking justice for victims of atrocities under tyrannical regime

Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has called on Filipinos to continue seeking justice for the victims of injustices during martial law and fighting against any effort at historical revisionism.

In her message on the 48th anniversary of the declaration of martial law tomorrow (Sept. 21), De Lima said the Filipino public should not forget the abuses that happened during the martial law regime, especially considering that similar abuses are happening under the rule of Duterte now.

"As we commemorate the anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, we do not just recall the atrocities under the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos, we also express our continued condemnation of a tyrannical regime that has plundered our nation; we seek justice for the victims of torture, enforced disappearances and murder at the hands of an ignominious leader," she said.

The martial law of then president Marcos, which was first declared on September 21, 1972, is considered as one of the darkest chapters of the country's history as it was marked by human rights abuses and corruption. The Marcos family is a known ally of Mr. Duterte.

Under the leadership of Mr. Duterte, which is reminiscent of the fascist dictatorship, Filipinos continue to suffer from human rights abuses even amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Bago pa man dumating ang pandemya, matagal nang humaharap sa matinding krisis ang ating bansa. Krisis ito na dala ng marahas at mapaniil na gobyernong pumatay na ng libo-libo, umabuso sa karapatan at nanupil ng kalayaan ng mga Pilipino," she said.

"Kaya hindi nakapagtatakang lalong lumulubha ang kalagayan ng bansa ngayong may pandemya--sa ilalim ng lideratong imbes na solusyong medikal ay solusyong militar ang pinaiiral," she added.

De Lima, a social justice and human rights champion, said it is important to remember and condemn the atrocities during the darkest period in Philippine history to ensure that the youth and the next generation will not forget about it.

"Pagbabalik-tanaw. Paggunita. Pagsariwa. Pag-alala. Paulit-ulit natin itong gagawin upang hindi makalimot. Kailangan ito lalo na ngayon, kung kailan may mga pilit na binubura sa ating kamalayan, lalo na sa ating mga kabataan, ang kalupitan ng diktadurya. Silang itinuturing na bayani ang diktador, nais ipagdiwang ang araw ng magnanakaw, at gustong muling maghari-harian ang mga umapi sa mamamayan," she said.

The former justice secretary added that efforts of historical revisionism have only worsened ever since Duterte, a dictator himself who acts on his whims and has no regards for human rights and dignity, came to power.

"Kaya hindi tayo papayag na patahimikin at patuloy na abusuhin. Patuloy tayong maninindigan at kikilos para wakasan ang diktadurya at mapaniil na sistema. Ang ating sama-samang panawagan: Tama na Duterte, Sobra ka na! #NeverAgain #NeverForget," she said.