Thousands of Filipinos commemorated on September 21 the 51st anniversary of the declaration of martial law amid brazen fascism and corruption of Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s regime. Progressive groups led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) staged demonstrations in Manila, in nine other provinces and eight countries with the theme “Martial Law yesterday, Terror Law today.”

More than 6,000 marched from Liwasang Bonifacio to Mendiola in Manila. They called for justice for thousands of victims of human rights violations during the dictatorship and the succeeding regimes. Their protest amplified the demand for repealing the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020 (ATA). They assert that the prevailing culture of impunity and cover-up of state crimes form part of the “martial law legacy” being perpetuated by the Marcos II regime.

Earlier that day, Southern Tagalog organizations staged pickets in front of the US embassy and the Supreme Court. Youth groups from 12 universities also launched protests in Metro Manila. In Intramuros, a public mass was held in front of the Commission on Elections by groups denouncing the 2022 election fraud.

In Baguio City, more than 800 students walked out of their classes and marched along Session Road. In Tacloban City, a mass action was held starting from UP-Tacloban. Progressive organizations also held short programs in Cavite and Pampanga, and in Legazpi City and Naga City.

Negrosanons gathered for a public mass in Escalante City, while a protest was launched in Bacolod City. Similar protests were held in the cities of Iloilo, Cebu, Davao and Tuguegarao.

Overseas, the Malaya Movement USA held a large protest in New York City on September 18, in conjunction with its congress. It demanded the US government to end to military aid and fascism funding to the Marcos regime. Progressive organizations in the US also led protests and mass actions in nine other US cities. Meanwhile, Filipino organizations conducted activities in Australia, Hong Kong, New Zealand, South Korea, Thailand, Japan, and Canada.

Distorting history

The mass actions exposed the lies and distortions of history by the Marcos family. The groups denounced the memorandum released by the Department of Education led by Sara Duterte ordering the removal of the name Marcos from discussions on the dictatorship in the elementary school curriculum.

Programs of the former dictator such as Kadiwa Stores, Masagana 99 and “rebranding” of his father’s “New Society” to Bagong Pilipinas are also being revived by Marcos and shoved down on the Filipino people’s throats.

As expected, Marcos Jr was silent on the day commemorating his father’s brutality. Imee Marcos was shameless in “reminiscing the good effects of martial law” in a forum with former generals of Marcos Sr to counter the supposed defamation against their family.