In commemoration of the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, various local mass organizations slammed the current Marcos-Duterte administration over several human rights violations and enforced disappearances of activists.
Members of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan-Southern Mindanao Region, Bayan Muna, Anakbayan-Southern Mindanao Region, Kabataan Partylist, Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto-Southern Mindanao Region (SELDA-SMR), Kilusang Mayo Uno-Southern Mindanao Region (KMU-SMR), and other rights groups emphasized that little has changed since the Marcos Sr. regime, through the Duterte administration, and continuing under the current Marcos Jr. government.
They argued during the mass mobilization that both political families are abusing their powers by violating constitutional human rights, mirroring the actions taken during Martial Law.
“They are in a way na halos magkapareha ang kanilang mga framework, the same repressive laws. During the time of Marcos Sr., nandoon pa rin yung iba’t ibang uri ng policies na nagp-perpetuate ng extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, at iba pang mga abuso. Ngayon, sa kasalukuyan, si Marcos Jr., pinagpatuloy pa rin niya ‘yung ganoong mga batas,” Bayan Muna–Davao Regional Coordinator Rauf Sissay said.
The mobilization also condemned the continuous red-tagging and terrorist labeling of progressive groups by the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC), and the recent disappearances of 15 activists from different sectors this year, including labor worker William Lariosa, who has been missing since April.
Sissay also addressed the detainment of the Secretary General of Karapatan–Southern Mindanao Region Jay Apiag due to false charges on August 13 as part of a broader strategy to intimidate human rights defenders.
“Noong previous administration ni Duterte at ngayon [ay] mas lumala ang enforced disappearances at ang mga pagdukot sa mga aktibista, sa mga community organizers. Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin sila natatagpuan,” he stated.
During the protest, Anakbayan-Southern Mindanao Region member Fauzhea Guiani highlighted the ongoing fascism towards national minorities, noting that militarization in the rural areas has intensified under the current administration.
“Threat ito lalo na sa komunidad ng Moro dahil time and time again, pinaglalaban namin yung aming right to self-determination and also our autonomy. With this different developmental aggressions, mas lalo lamang nitong pinapalala ang kasalukuyang sitwasyon sa mga komunidad ng Moro at yung mga IP (Indigenous People) din…” Guiani said.
Furthermore, Gabriela Youth member Allyssa Ancheta encouraged the youth to explore other avenues for gaining information about social issues beyond social media, such as joining forums, participating in discussions, and engaging with mass organizations.
“Sabay pud nato paglearn, pag-participate pud nato ug pag-engage og discussions with our fellow schoolmates nga although sa past na siya [Martial Law] nahintabo dile nato siya angay kalimtan kay hangtod karon ma-feel man gihapon nato ang mga effect niya sa current nato na panahon.”