“Almost four decades after the country was placed under Martial Law and 25 years after Martial Law was supposedly ended, political killings and persecution continue under the the so-called democracy of the Aquino regime.”
This was the statement of labor center Kilusang Mayo Uno in time for the commemoration of the 39th year of the Marcos regime’s declaration of Martial Law in country.
“The darkest period in the country’s history should never be forgotten by the people, especially when a similar atmosphere of political killings, persecution and curtailment of human rights persists under the current administration,” said Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU chairperson.
Justice for Martial Law victims
KMU supported Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda), an organization of political prisoners under Martial Law rule, in calling for justice and indemnification.
According to SELDA, even under the Pres. Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, whose father and family became victims of political persecution under Martial Law, the government has not shown any interest in seeking justice for all the victims.
“Attaining justice for Martial Law victims would really be impossible, especially under the current regime which continues to spread terror against those who fight for their rights. In the labor sector alone, the number of killings and harassments reported under Aquino’s first year is higher than under Arroyo’s first year,” said Labog.
Political persecution continues
The Center for Trade Union and Human Rights (CTUHR) has recorded a total of five (5) victims of political killings in the labor sector alone under Aquino’s first year in office, higher than the one (1) such killing under Arroyo’s first year. It also recorded 218 cases of human rights violations committed against 33,178 workers from June 2010 to July 2011.
Militarization and counter-union campaigns also continue under Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan, a repackaged Oplan Bantay Laya. A glaring example includes the harassment, threat and demonization used by the 27th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army against the long-standing genuine workers’ union in Dole Philippines in Southern Cotabato.
Trumped-up charges such as multiple murder and frustrated murder against the Southern Tagalog 72 or ST 72, which include Atty. Remigio Saladero, KMU chief legal counsel, were also revived this year despite lack of evidence. Their charges were junked last February 2009.
“The best way to commemorate the pains and sorrow brought about by Martial Law rule is to continue fighting for our democratic and human rights especially because attacks on our human rights still continue,” said Labog. Elmer “Bong” Labog, KMU Chairperson
