AS another year clears the way to remember the declaration of Martial Law on Sept. 21, 1972 and the dark days under the Marcos dictatorship which followed, our current reality is anything but ordinary. The first 100 days of the Duterte administration have brought both highs and lows, which should summon Christians to faith to action. Our freedom is a stake—and our work for peace based on justice must continue.
To the great applause of peace advocates, peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) are taking shape. Not only is there renewed vigor in addressing the roots of the armed conflict in pursuit of a just and lasting peace for the Filipino people, but robust efforts are also taking shape in fully operationalizing their Comprehensive Agreement on Respect of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law as well as crafting the next substantive agreement on Socio-Economic Reforms. With commitment and common interests in hammering together plans for much needed reforms intended to bring about national industrialization, land reform, and rural development, the GRP-NDFP peace talks have begun to flourish.
Likewise, under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, the prospects for peace in Mindanao are also growing. Carving out an atmosphere of respect, President Duterte’s acknowledgment of the historic injustice committed against our Moro brothers and sisters even led him to publically denounce US atrocities of so-called “benevolent assimilation” during the Philippine-American War. Strongly denouncing any continued servitude to a US colonial master, Duterte affirmed his intention to serve only for the good of the Filipino people.
After centuries of colonial and neo-colonial influences, this breath of fresh air sparks possibilities of significant reforms in Philippine politics, economics and cultures. Under such space, the Department of Agrarian Reform has placed a two-year moratorium on land-conversion schemes that would deprive farmers of much-needed land for distribution. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources has cracked down on unscrupulous and environment-destroying mining practices, suspending operations in at least 10 mining areas. The Department of Labor and Employment has come the aid of stranded OFWs in Saudi Arabia, while the Department of Social Welfare and Development has officially prohibited patronage politics in the delivery of services to those most in need.
As Church people it is important for us to recognize the windows that are opening for positive change in our country. We should lead a dialogue that strengthens our national sovereignty and harnesses our political will as Filipinos toward reforms that will benefit our economy and culture. By the supporting the GRP-NDFP peace talks, we can engage the forging of a comprehensive plan for socio-economic reforms in the Philippines.
Yet, the remembrance of the Declaration of Martial Law also calls us to vigilance in recognizing the danger of rogue methods of governance. Our tough-talking president has made clear his support for state forces in using deadly force in their “war on drugs.” As much as we support and end to narco-politics in the Philippines, we are disturbed by an obvious upswing in the number of drug-war related killings. Though active pursuit of drug criminals would lead to an increased incidence of necessary use of deadly force by police officers (for their own protection), the sheer volume and frequency indicate that these are beyond regularity. As such, we call for sober investigation of the war on drugs—encouraging the arrest of drug users and low-level pushers to the end of turning them into witnesses against mid-level drug-dealers and upper-echelon syndicate kingpins. The violation of the human rights of the poor and ordinary people should not be tolerated. With respect for strong hand against corruption and drugs, we urge President Duterte to uphold human rights and the law of the land, as he seeks to institute upright governance that benefits the Filipino people.
On Sept. 21, 1972, Ferdinand Marcos declared himself a dictator as he ushered in the dark days of Martial Law. With the thousands of martyrs and disappeared, the tortured and tormented, the daring youth and diligent human rights defenders, we bring forward the spirit of the Filipino people who will not tire in the struggle for freedom, justice and peace for our nation. Marcos is not a hero and must never be buried at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. Peace in the Philippines will not be found in burying the corpse of dictator at the expense of the memory of the people’s true heroes.
We dare to struggle for peace that is founded on freedom, democracy, and social justice!
Support GRP-NDFP peace talks! Yes to national industrialization, land reform and rural development!
Never again to colonial slavery! Never again to martial law! –Nardy Sabino, secretary general, Promotion of Church People’s Response
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