As we commemorate the 52nd anniversary of Ferdinand Marcos Sr.’s declaration of Martial Law, we are reminded of the dark period in our nation’s history when human rights were trampled upon, dissent was silenced, and thousands of Filipinos were forcibly disappeared, tortured, and killed. The Marcos dictatorship left a trail of human rights violations that continues to haunt the nation to this day. In this solemn remembrance, we honor the memory of the Desaparecidos—those who were forcibly taken, never to be seen again. They are not mere statistics; they are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends whose lives were violently cut short by the regime’s insatiable thirst for power.
But let us not forget: the issue of enforced disappearances is not confined to the Marcos era. It is not merely history—it is a present and persistent tragedy. Recent cases, such as Indigenous rights activists Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil de Jesus, who were abducted in April 2023, and environmental defenders Francisco “Eco” Dangla III and Axielle “Jak” Tiong, who were forcibly disappeared in March 2023, stand as chilling evidence of ongoing state-sponsored violence. Other victims include Elgene Mungcal and Ma. Elena Pampoza, both abducted in Tarlac in July 2022, and Renel Delos Santos, who disappeared in Negros Occidental in April 2023. As of today, the Families of Victims of Involuntary Disappearance (FIND) has documented over 40 reported cases of enforced disappearances under the administration of President Marcos Jr., highlighting the persistence of this grave human rights violation. Additionally, there have been 298 cases of extrajudicial killings (EJKs) since he took office, according to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), reflecting a disturbing continuity of violence that demands urgent accountability and reform.
We call on the Marcos Jr. administration to face this issue head-on. The distortion of history that paints the Martial Law period as a “golden age” must stop. The government must take immediate and decisive action to investigate and resolve these cases of enforced disappearances. Silence and inaction are not options. Justice must be swift, thorough, and uncompromising.
The history of the atrocities committed during the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. will forever haunt President Bongbong Marcos if he continues to deny the human rights violations that occurred under his father’s rule. By refusing to acknowledge the severity of these abuses, he risks not only perpetuating a legacy of injustice but also undermining any potential for reconciliation and healing for the victims and their families. Moreover, if the Marcos family does not return the plundered wealth taken from the nation's coffers, it will remain a lasting stain on their name, a symbol of unrepented corruption and dishonor to the Filipino people.
“Never again” is not just a slogan; it is a solemn commitment—a vow that we, as a nation, must uphold with unwavering resolve. We must ensure that the atrocities of the past are never repeated, and that those responsible for such crimes are held accountable. Our call for justice is not just for those who perished under Martial Law, but for all victims of human rights abuses, past and present.
To the youth of today, we urge you to take up the mantle of truth and justice. You are the torchbearers of our nation’s future, and it is your responsibility to resist efforts to distort history. Be the truth-seekers, the defenders of democracy, and the protectors of human dignity. The fight against historical revisionism and human rights violations is far from over, and your voices are needed now more than ever.
The 52nd anniversary of Martial Law is not just a day of remembrance—it is a call to action. As we reflect on the horrors of the past, let us strengthen our resolve to protect our freedoms and uphold human rights for all Filipinos. We will never forget. We will never relent. The fight for justice, truth, and democracy continues.
Never Again. Never Forget.
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