Youth criticized gov't on Martial Law anniversary
The youth expressed their views and stand against martial law and the current administration in the Manlaban para sa Karapatan Concert Rally at the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) office for the 45th anniversary of Martial Law.
Manlaban banners placed at the CHR grounds, behind the Jose Diokno statue. Photo by Angel Maturan/THE FOURTH
The protesters gathered to rally in front of Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City.
Mc Christian Macaranas II, a 26-year-old University of the Philippines Diliman student said, “it's a big deal for many people to go out kasi parang yung mga tao nakikita nila na something is going on na mali.”
(It is a big deal for many people to go out because they see that something wrong is going on.)
He mentioned that the youth who joined the event know what they were doing and are politically active in this era because of the articles they read from books and online.
Macaranas also explained that President Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte was very unpredictable so he advised everyone to be vigilant at all times especially in the possible declaration of Martial Law in the country.
Know your History
An Alliance of Progressive Labor (APL) Youth Sentro member, Christian Anthony Tabucanon, said that the administration’s proclamation of Martial Law in Mindanao was only the start of Duterte’s plan in declaring Martial Law in the whole country.
He also expressed that the Mindanao Martial Law was a “test-run” for declaring Martial Law in the Philippines.
According to Tabucon, our history is being “changed and destroyed” so the youth should know the history of the land they are stepping on.
“Bilang 19-year-old, kahit hindi ko naranasan yung [Martial Law before], hindi humaharang ‘yun para pag-aralan kung ano yung history ng bansa natin,” he added.
(As a 19 year-old, even I did not experience Martial Law first-hand, it does not hinder me to study the history of our country.)
Members of their organization were composed of youth who want to protect their rights and show their opposition against Martial Law.
Police Preparation
One of the policemen shared how their operation went with only a few days of preparation given to them due to the unpredictable announcement of President Duterte.
A PO1 officer stationed at the Station 3 Quirino Talipapa stated that the policemen were still ready for the rally and has deployed reinforcements for the nationwide protest amidst the short notice.
Part of their preparation was their communication with the leaders of every camp of the protesters and pro-Duterte groups. “’Pag nagkagulo, alam [namin] kung sino ang kakausapin,” he added.
(When trouble arises, we know who to talk to.)
According to the police, there were no reports of violence in the part of the protesters.
