The Filipino nation’s struggle for their rights have been long and torturous. Ever since the Spaniards’ colonialization to the puppet regimes that took hold after the republic of the Philippines was erected, the state and its agents’ attacks against people’s rights and civil liberties have gone unabated. In fact, as the crisis of the ruling rotten system worsens, its brazen killing frenzies, massacres, massive destruction and grave crimes become all the more unimaginable in magnitude.

But as bad as these attacks are, so is the fervor of the struggle of the nation for their rights. Not even once have the masses allowed themselves to be suppressed nor defeated in their fight for their democratic interests no matter the obstacle blocking their way.

As the whole world celebrates the International Human Rights Day, the Bikolano masses along with all the oppressed and exploited must hold onto the struggle as their only means to achieve genuine justice. The state and the ruling classes that it serves can never be expected to provide justice for victims that they themselves have targeted. Only through the united force of the people can they champion the call for genuine justice, democracy and liberty. As long as the rotten system is entrenched and is existing, the armed struggle also remains as the strongest weapon of the oppressed and exploited.

If there is no genuine justice in a society, then true democracy of the people and liberty for everyone are impossible to exist. The struggle for human rights and justice is inseparable from the struggle for national democracy and genuine liberty. The highest form of commemoration for human rights day is the ardent promise to continue fighting to break the chains of oppression and exploitation.