Memoirs of Martial Law in the Philippines

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THEN September 21, 1972 marked the beginning of Martial Law under Ferdinand Marcos. The Marcos dictatorship spawned thousands of human rights abuses and the plunder of the economy. There were 1,500 extrajudicial killings, over 800 abductions, and an unprecedented number of torture and harassment of the Filipino people during the 20+ years of Martial Law. The silencing of the free press and many other abuses were committed by the fascist regime bent on upholding its power.

NOW 35 years later after the declaration of Martial Law, we see the same trends under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. In the last six years of President Arroyo’s office, we have witnessed over 1000 extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, harassment of critics and the intimidation of the press. The anti-terrror law known as the Human Security Act, which criminalizes dissent and other democratic expressions is also reminiscent of the days of Martial Law.

The Bay Area Filipino community will come together to remember the dark years of Martial Law this Friday, October 5th. The evening will feature a special performance by Pendong Aban Jr. of Philippines folk supergroup Asin. Bindlestiff’s Movement Troupe along with local Bay Area organizations ALAY, babae, and Anakbayan will perform a shadow puppet theater play presenting an adaptation of Augie Rivera's book entitled Si Jhun-Jhun, Noong Bago Ideklara Ang Batas Militar, the story of the declaration of Martial Law through the eyes of a young boy. Various speakers will also share their own stories from the Martial Law era such as former anti-Marcos activist, Emil de Guzman and Rev. Michael Yoshii of the Buena Vista United Methodist Church in Alameda, who recently returned from a fact-finding mission in the Philippines with the United Methodist Church. There will be a candlelight ceremony to pay tribute to the martyrs who gave up their lives struggling against the Marcos dictatorship.

Sponsored by: BAYAN-USA, Anakbayan – East Bay, babae – San Francisco, League of Filipino Students – San Francisco State University