CEBU CITY鈥擴nmindful of the rain, about 1,000 people gathered at Plaza Independencia here on Wednesday to honor seven martyrs and eight survivors of martial law.
A rally called 鈥淐ebu Rages Against Tyranny鈥� preceded the ceremonial groundbreaking for a marker that would recognize the heroism of the Cebuanos who led the fight against the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos.
While the rally was going on, supporters of President Duterte gathered on one side of the plaza and taunted the protesters.
No untoward incident happened, though.
鈥榃orthy of emulation鈥�
The eight martial law survivors deemed 鈥渨orthy of emulation鈥� were lawyer Democrito Barcenas, Auxilium Toling-Olayer, Francisco 鈥淏imbo鈥� Fernandez, retired Judge Meinrado Paredes, professor Zenaida Uy, former Sen. Sergio Osme帽a III, Fr. Emi Maningo and Ruben Diaz.
Only Barcenas, Paredes, Fernandez and Uy were present during the event.
Seven martyrs
The seven martyrs were Nenita 鈥淚nday Nita鈥� Cortes Daluz, Fr. Rosalio 鈥淩udy鈥� Romano, lawyer Vicente Balbuena, professor Evelyn Neri, Ribomapil 鈥淒odong鈥� Holganza Sr., Fr. Luis 鈥淟ouie鈥� Hechanova and lawyer Valentino Legaspi.
Barcenas said he was happy to be considered worthy of emulation by the Cebu Citizens鈥� Assembly, but noted that it entailed a responsibility.
Never forget
鈥淚 am humbled, but at the same time I want to continue the fight we鈥檝e started against the injustices committed by Marcos,鈥� he said.
Barcenas was detained for three months after the imposition of martial law in 1972 for joining groups that opposed Marcos.
He said Filipinos should not forget the ordeal people suffered during the Marcos regime.
鈥淏urying Marcos at Libingan ng mga Bayani is an insult to 35,000 people who were killed, 5,000 who were tortured and 2,000 who disappeared during聽 martial law, he said.
Youthful protesters
Barcenas said it was extremely hard to forgive and forget Marcos, who apart from human rights abuses, allegedly聽 amassed up to $10 billion in ill-gotten wealth during his 20-year rule.
鈥淭he Marcoses should apologize to the Filipino nation and return the money they got from the government coffers,鈥� he said.
Paredes, who was also detained during martial law, said he was amazed at the presence of a number of young people in various rallies against the Marcoses.
鈥淚 thought the millennials had been deceived by the propaganda of the Marcoses. I am very happy to see students and other young people carrying placards and joining the rallies,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 hope we continue what we have started against dictator Marcos,鈥� he added.
Olayer, a student at University of San Jose-Recoletos and an activist who was detained and tortured for six years, said Filipinos still could not claim victory over the Marcoses.
鈥淲e have not won yet. The fight continues and I urge the youth to do it,鈥� she said.
Not a hero
Fernandez, who was arrested during martial law for organizing sugar workers from Negros over wage issues, said he did nothing wrong and yet he was detained.
鈥淚 did not commit any unlawful act. The Marcoses were the ones who committed a mistake when they put me in prison. Marcos is not a hero,鈥� he said.