Echoing calls for justice and accountability ahead of the 54th commemoration of the Martial Law declaration, youth and student organizations raised concerns over alleged state repression, attacks on student rights, and violations against indigenous communities. 

The progressive groups drew parallels between the struggles of young people and marginalized communities today and the resistance against the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr., while calling for accountability from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.

Hands Off Youth Mindanao Activists convener Mawing Pangandas invoked the history of youth resistance during Martial Law, stressing that young people should continue to organize and resist despite threats and intimidation.

“Kung balikan nato ang kasaysayan, adunay daghan na estudyante isip kabatan-onan nga nakigbisog. Kinahanglan nga dili ta mahadlok makigbisog ug sa uban pang mosunod nga henerasyon.”

Despite the youth’s evident role in social movements, he lambasted the response of the state through the continued use of state mechanisms to suppress young people’s right to assembly, involving protests and other forms of dissent.

“Ang NTF-ELCAC gigamit nila sa pagbuhat og mga lain-laing programa para lang atakihon ang mga kabatan-onan nga nakibisog diri sa Davao,” Pangandas emphasized. 

He also cited the reported harassment and surveillance of students during protests and said young people should not be intimidated from participating in collective action.

National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) Davao representative Elijah Belasco also raised concerns over the treatment of student publications, pointing out that student journalists have faced press freedom violations and red-tagging attacks, including claims of being a propaganda arm of the New People’s Army, such as what happened last year to Atenews.

“Nararanasan ito ng mga student publication, nararanasan ito taon-taon, may mga pinatigil na rin.”

Meanwhile, Sabokahan Unity of Lumad Women Vice Chairperson Kat Dalon raised concerns over militarization and pressure faced by indigenous communities, particularly in relation to ancestral land and natural resources.

“Grabe ang mental health problems sa among [komunidad] pero magpadayon mi sa among pagbarog… dili kailangan nga magpa-clear mi sa among mga pangalan, labi na kung ginapatay, gina-violate among mga katungod,” Dalon said.

Dalon also added that communities have experienced pressure from state institutions and alleged that barangay officials have been used as instruments of the NTF-ELCAC.

On the other hand, League of Filipino Students-Davao Chairperson Heroine Fernandez raised concerns over the implications of critical mineral extraction on Mindanao’s communities and environment, warning that expanded mining could displace communities and contribute to environmental degradation. 

“Ninety-five percent contributor tayo [ng nickel] bumubuo tayo sa kalakhan na bahagdan sa pagiging top exporter natin ng nickel. I-extract po ang kalakhan natin dito sa Mindanao. Gagawa po ng mining na mga kaganapan, makaka-displace po ito ng ating mga komunidad, makakaapekto rin po ito sa global warming na lumalala dito sa Pilipinas,” 

Fernandez pointed to Mindanao’s role in the global nickel supply chain and specifically in the critical-mineral development to the Philippines’ growing strategic relationship with the United States.

Meanwhile, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Region (SMR) Chairperson Fauzhea Guiani invoked the popular TikTok phrase “Never Grow Old,” reminding the youth to remember the history of Martial Law and the struggles of previous generations who fought for their rights.

The press conference led by the youth and student alliance in anticipation of the 54th commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law was held at Freedom Park on September 18.