On Sept. 21, De la Salle University (DLSU) marked the 44th anniversary of President Ferdinand Marcos’ signing of Proclamation 1081, placing the entire country under martial law.

An exhibit organized by the political organization Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista (Tapat) was held at DLSU’s Central Plaza. It highlighted key events that defined the Marcos regime—from his reelection in 1969; the tragic Plaza Miranda bombing in 1971; the declaration of martial law in 1972—as well as its downfall via the People Power Revolution in 1986.

Also shown were the various methods of torture inflicted on critics of the government; these included electric shock, truth serum, strangulation, beating, pistol-whipping, silence, animal treatment, and cigar and flat-iron burns.

Likewise revealed were martial law’s disastrous effects on the economy. From $2.8 billion, the Philippines’ foreign debt rose to $28.3 billion in 1983.

The income disparity between the social classes worsened—from 60 percent income shares for the poor and 10 percent for the rich, to 22.5 for the poor and 41 for the rich.

Underemployment increased threefold from 10 to 30 percent, while international reserves decreased by 80 percent. This period was said to be the worst economic performance of the Philippines.

Silent memorial

But Tapat wanted to present more than statistics and a timeline. Throughout the day, the organization observed a silent memorial in honor of Filipinos who sacrificed their lives fighting against the injustices of the Marcos dictatorship.

“We took into account that the whole discussion about martial law and inevitably the Marcos administration has become a debate between the Marcoses and the Aquinos. We’ve forgotten that there were many people who died in the process of regaining our freedom,” said Jason Dizon, proponent of the silent memorial.

Tapat volunteers stood in the middle of DLSU’s Henry Sy Grounds all day, holding placards bearing the faces of 12 martial law martyrs: Archimedes Trajano, Boyet Mijares, Edgardo Jopson, Emmanuel Lacaba, Evelio Javier, Hermon Lagman, Immanuel Bispo, Juan Escandor, Liliosa Hilao, Macli-ing Dulag, Rudy Romano and Jose Diokno.

The volunteers also recalled the martyrs’ stories for everyone to appreciate.

“The silent memorial that humanized our fallen heroes shed light on the horrendous situation during martial law. It became the highlight of our commemoration because of the traction it gained from students to administration officers,” said Justine Millete, Tapat president.

Later in the day, the organizers mounted a culminating program in coordination with the University Student Government, Council of Student Organizations and the Lasallian Pastoral Office.

Prayers were likewise offered to all Filipinos who lost their lives during martial law.

History professor Xiao B. Chua delivered a talk on the importance of remembering and learning from martial law and protecting the freedom that our heroes fought for.

A manifesto by the University Student Government regarding the planned Marcos burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani was also read by Dizon.

‘Never again!’

As a fitting end to the event, Lasallians marched from the Henry Sy Grounds to DLSU’s South Gate along Taft Avenue, holding candles and singing “Bayan Ko”—the Filipino patriotic song of the American period that transformed into an anti-Marcos anthem.

“Never again! Never again!” chanted the students. “Never again to martial law!”

“Martial law was the day our freedom was taken away from us. The young generation needs to remember that the moment you give up a little bit of freedom for anything, you lose everything,” said Jeriko Bais, Tapat vice president for internal affairs.

It happened 44 years ago, but martial law must never be forgotten. Many brave Filipinos fought for the freedom that we enjoy and often take for granted today. We would not be able to write about anything we want, post anything we want on social media, and go out wherever and whenever we wish—were it not for the sacrifices made by our martial law martyrs. What a pity if we let their sacrifices go to waste.

Never again to unjustified killings. Never again to a government that abuses the riches of its nation. Never again to a government that fails to recognize its flaws and the damages it has caused. Never again to torturing those who demand justice.

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