Nov. 9 2016, 7:28 a.m. – STUDENTS in various universities protested the Supreme Court decision to allow the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig.
At the University of the Philippines (UP) in Diliman, people from various sectors trooped to Quezon Hall to join students and Martial Law victims for an indignation rally.
Former Bayan Muna representative Satur Ocampo slammed the Supreme Court for ignoring the importance of the 1986 People Power Revolution, in which Filipinos overthrew Marcos’ 20-year authoritarian regime.
“Nakalulungkot ng damdamin ang kapasiyahan ng mayorya ng kasalukuyang administrasiyon. Anong korte ng katarungan ang nagpapasya na ang lumabag sa mga karapatang pantao ay dapat kilalanin bilang isang bayani?” he said in front of the protesters.
Gerry Lanuza, who teaches at UP, said he felt embarrassed for Martial Law victims.
“Ano ang kanilang argumento para si Marcos ay ilibing? Sabi nila tingnan ang totality o kabuuan dahil hindi naman pure evil o pure good si Marcos. Pero simple lang para maunawan nating lahat. Pag sinabi ko ba na pwede na akong mangtorture, pumatay ng libo, mangsamsam, mangulimbat, magnakaw, pwede niyo na ba ako purihin?” said Lanuza.
Martial Law victim Marie Hilao-Enriquez, head of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto, said the decision was disrespectful to those who suffered under the Marcos dictatorship.
“Nakakagalit talaga. [They said we should all move on] but to where?” she said in an interview with the Varsitarian.
Enriquez is the sister of Liliosa “Lily” Hilao, the first Martial Law detainee recorded to have been killed by the regime.
UP Diliman student counselor Ben Te said young people should have a role in raising awareness about the Marcos regime.
“Kapag hinayaan natin na malibing si Marcos sa Libingan ng Bayani at siya ay kinilala bilang isang bayani, kinakalimutan natin ang lahat ng nawalan ng hustisiya at binastos lang natin ang alaala ng mga martir,” he said in an interview.
Protesters burned a tarpaulin of Marcos along University Avenue as a sign of opposition to the high tribunal’s decision.
Student protests were also held at Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, UP Los Baños and UP Cebu.
The Supreme Court reached a 9-5 decision favoring the Marcos burial, arguing that President Rodrigo Duterte did not abuse his discretion in ordering the burial as there was no law to prevent it. Roy Abrahmn D.R. Narra with reports from Karl Ben L. Arlegui
