The Social Studies Circle of Holy Angel University (TSSC-HAU) successfully hosted the webinar entitled, “Ayaw Ko Nang Mag ML: Revisiting Marcos’ Martial Law, the darkest period in the history of the Filipino people”.
Attended by more than 250 participants from different universities, Atty. Neri Colmeres, Human Rights Lawyer and Hon. Sarah Elago, Kabataan Partylist Representative were the guest speakers of the educational discussion.
Atty. Colmenares shared his traumatic experiences as a youth activist and narrated the torture he underwent as an 18-year old teenager. He also emphasized how Martial Law added to everyone’s pain. “It adds injustice to our pain”, Colmenares shared as he compared the wrongdoings of Marcos during Martial Law to those who were imprisoned without due process of law.
“Pag mag martial law ulit, the survival of the Filipino people is at stake…Kung anong narasanan na kahirapan, kawalan ng trabaho, mabaon ka sa utang ang bansa mo. That will happen again. Martial Law is the wrong solution to our problems”, Colmenares said as he shared how Martial Law affects people especially the marginalized and oppressed.
Congresswoman Sarah Elago encouraged the youth to be more empowered at this time when injustice is rampant.
“Ayoko nang mag-Martial Law dahil hindi na natin gustong manahin pa ang anumang porma ng abuso, diskriminasyon, pang-aapi, pagsasamantala at pandarambong na nararanasan natin noon magpasahanggang ngayon. We deserve better governance of our rich natural resources. At ngayon, sa gitna ng pandemya, huwag nating hayaan na agawin ang ating karapatan na kumilos para sa positibong pagbabago”, Elago said when asked about the reasons why Martial Law shouldn’t be imposed.
The event was a commemoration for the nearing 48th anniversary of Marcos’ Martial Law.
