BACOLOD City – “Let us not allow history to repeat itself.”
This was the remarks of Wennie Sancho, secretary general of General Alliance of Workers Association (GAWA) in Negros Occidental, during the 52nd martial law anniversary on Saturday, September 21.
“Let us not forget that 52 years ago on September 21, 1972, the dark shadows of totalitarianism swallowed this whole nation,” said Sancho, a martial law victim.
According to the labor group leader, he was a victim of injustice because he was terminated from his work due to trade union advocacy.
“A victim of an oppressive system,” he claimed.
He added: “That was ‘the day that freedom died’ where Filipinos were deprived of their civil and political rights. Some political and labor activists suffered cruel and unjust punishment from the hands of the “verdugos,” Sancho cited.
“The ghosts of our heroes and martyrs, I am sure, resist the violation of our rights,” he further said.
The GAWA secretary general then urged Filipinos to honor the thousands of men and women who had been imprisoned during the martial law.
“Most of them were subjected to all forms of torture, others were killed. They had voluntarily offered their lives, without counting the cost, so that we might regain our freedom. They are the heroes and martyrs of martial law,” he said.
Meanwhile, a group led by former Negros Occidental governor Rafael Coscolluela, co-convenor of the “Balik Tanaw: Halit Sang Martial Law” Negros campaign, gathered at the Bacolod Public Plaza to commemorate the martial law anniversary on Saturday.
Some of them gave testimonies about their experiences during the martial law. A candle lighting ceremony was also held./PN