IT seems like a lifetime ago when on Sept. 21, 1972, former Pres. Ferdinand E. Marcos declared martial law in the Philippines. Forty-three years have passed, but the wretched moments of the martial law era have continued to linger on, especially for the people who had to endure it.
From this period in Philippine history, Filipinos must appreciate the genuine meaning of democracy. It is empowered by the will of the people. It gives the citizenry the power to overturn the culture of corruption, unethical conduct, and self-serving antics of politics.
Around the country, various human rights groups and militant organizations staged protests on Monday, Sept. 21, to call for justice for the victims of human rights abuses during martial law and condemn the “continuing repression and terror” in the country.
“It is true that we need to remind the current and future generations of this dark period of history. However, it seems that it is the Aquino government that has not learned any of the lessons of the past, as it continues to repeat the crimes of the dictator,” said Members of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) chairperson Carol Araullo said.
For his part, Sen. Bam Aquino urged the nation to continue retelling the stories of martial law, saying “the sacrifices, atrocities and heroism during the darkest years in our country’s history should not be forgotten and must be imparted to today’s generation.”
As a stronger reminder of that tumultuous era, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) will construct a P500-million memorial museum for artifacts, memorabilia and other items related to the martial law era under the Marcos dictatorship. Around 10,000 materials gathered from 75,000 victims of human rights abuses at the height of military rule in the country will be housed in the memorial museum.
In 2013, the Philippine government passed the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Law, to recognize human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention under the martial law and indemnify them and their families for the suffering they were put through.
Those qualified were encouraged to file a claim with the Human Rights Claim Board for reparation and/or recognition, as stated in Section 16 of the Act. Successful claimants will secure compensation from the P10-billion with interest worth of funds transferred to the Philippine government by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court in 1997.
According to Sen. Francis Escudero, “this is a first of such human rights legislation in the world where a state recognizes a previous administration’s fault against its own people and not only provides for, but also actually appropriates for reparation.”
However, the fight goes on for those who have filed for their claims. Franciscan Sister Crescencia Lucero of the religious superiors’ Justice and Peace Commission alleged that many victims have already applied but have yet to receive their compensation.
“They should be given what is due them,” Lucero said as she urged the current administration to speed up the process.
This compensation is not a gift to cheer the victims. It is giving what they deserve to help repair the damages done onto them and make up for what they lost. While the law may have vindicated them, remnants of the martial law era will stay with them until they receive just compensation. (AJPress)
