Thursday, September 21, 2023

Workers urge the nation to never forget ‘karahasan at kahirapan’ under martial law



Members of Partido of Manggagawa (PM) joined other human rights defenders under the umbrella of In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (IDefend) in urging the nation to never forget the atrocities committed under the martial law regime imposed by Ferdinand Marcos, Sr.

 

The call was made during a rally held last night at the People Power Monument in Quezon City on eve of the 51st anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law.

 

But more than the violence and atrocities that continue to persist even under the administration of the son, Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., PM remembers the grueling poverty endured by Filipinos during that dark period, including the rice crisis and the debt problem.

 

"Hindi lang dahas ang mayroon sa ilalim ng diktadura ni Marcos, Sr. at sa administrasyon ni Marcos, Jr. ngayon. Pareho ding may krisis sa bigas sa kanilang panahon," said PM Secretary General Judy Ann Miranda.

 

Miranda added that under the present administration, the cost-of-living crisis is deteriorating faster yet the first family and other top government officials are always seen just enjoying their grand display of wealth and power.

 

“Workers’ wages are eroded by high prices of food and other services, but the President and Vice President’s confidential funds were rising at exponential levels since 2022,” said Miranda.

 

She also lashed out at the way security forces today conduct themselves with impunity, citing as an example the two environmentalist youths who were kidnapped by the military in plain sight.

 

“With these illegal activities being tolerated by the higher ups in the chain of command, including the commander-in-chief, we all must be reminded that our human rights are seriously threatened under another Marcos and another Duterte, thus the need to fight back,” Miranda concluded.

21 September 2023


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