Jerome Succor Aba, co-chair of Sandugo says President Rodrigo Duterte is reviving the crimes that the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos committed against the Filipino people by placing Mindanao under martial law. Photo by Alex D. Lopez for Davao Today
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More than a thousand Lumad and Moro delegates to this year’s Lakbayan of National Minorities stormed the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB) in Taguig City on Monday to protest and condemn what they perceive as deliberate moves of the Duterte administration in glorifying the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

Protesters bravely faced the police and army officers equipped with truncheons and geared with helmets who were tasked to secure the gate and perimeters of the LNMB as supporters of the late dictator were gathering inside to celebrate the 100th birth anniversary of Marcos.

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President Rodrigo Duterte declared Sept. 11 as a Special Non-Working Day in Ilocos Norte.

In a press conference in Cagayan de Oro City last Saturday Duterte said he sees nothing wrong in declaring the local holiday saying that the Ilocanos view the former President as “the greatest president.”

But for the victims of Martial Law, Duterte’s action is “an insult.”

“His actions insult the memories of the victims of martial law and those who fought Marcos fascist dictatorship,” said Joanna Cariño, co-chair of Sandugo and herself a victim of martial law.

Cariño said Duterte is glorifying Marcos and at the same time exonerating the former dictator and his regime from their crimes against the Filipino people.

“Duterte should be reminded of the crimes Marcos committed against the people, the killing of Cordillera leaders such as Macliing Dulag, the attack on the national minorities such as the massacre of the Moro people from Jabiddah and Palembang, and the attack against the lumads such as the Marag Valley massacre that nearly wiped out families, clans and even tribes,” she added.

Other groups, including Selda (Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto) and Carmma (Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses to Malacañang), also joined the national minorities during the protest rally at the LNMB on Monday.  (davaotoday.com)

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