The 51st Martial Law commemoration protest in Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on Thursday was a deeply moving experience that went beyond my duties as an intern at Bulatlat.
“From the regime of the dictator-father to that of the son, we have endured and fought against tyranny.”
NUPL Chairperson Edre Olalia said that while they did not achieve full legal redress, the decision “can be viewed as a loud warning shot, as it were.”
Balikan natin ang itinuturing na isa sa mga pinakamadilim na yugto ng ating kasaysayan, ang pagdedeklara ni Ferdinand Marcos Sr. ng martial law noong 1972.
Sapagkat hindi lamang karaniwang lumipas na presidente si Marcos. Ang kanyang diktadura na kanyang binihisan ng martial law declaration ay karumal-dumal na pag-atake lalo na sa mga kapatid nating Muslim o Bangsamoro na tinulak sa pader na lumaban at mag-armas bilang pagdepensa sa kanilang mga komunidad sa Mindanao.
The victims were reportedly on their way to barangay Gil Montilla when masked and armed men in a white van stopped them and forced the two into the vehicle. The tricycle was also taken and loaded at the back of a pick-up vehicle.
“Now that the truth is out, we demand that everyone involved in the abduction, enforced disappearance and fake surrender of Castro and Tamano be held accountable, especially NTF-ELCAC.”
What we witnessed is the bravery of two environmental defenders in the face of outright repression.
“This is a proof the correctness of our collective fight against reclamation, alongside the fisherfolk communities— a sign for us to continue our struggle,” Jonila Castro said
“There is no legal basis to hold them any second longer and they should be freed forthwith and if restrained illegally, can walk away from their custodians.”
“Ang totoo po ay dinukot kami ng militar. Napilitan din kami na sumurender dahil pinagbantaan ang buhay namin. Iyon po ang totoo,” Castro said. (The truth is, we were abducted by the military. We were forced to surrender because they threatened our lives. That is the truth.)