01/10/2025
๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ก๐๐ข๐ก | ๐ก๐ผ ๐ ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐
by Angelique Balatan โข Yeyeque
Public anger is growing as those in power fatten themselves on corruption while ordinary Filipinos struggle to make ends meet.
On September 21, 1972, exactly 53 years ago, under the regime of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. who declared Martial Law, his hands clutched the throats of every Filipino. Paradoxically, muffled cries and roaring injustices reverberated across the nation.
Many chose to stand up and fight against the repressive and tyrannical administration. Despite this, there were still 75,730 victims of human rights violation, while 11,103 were reportedly killed as per the data released by the Human Rights Victims Claims Board (HRVCB).
Ironically, after years of fighting over the autocratic Marcos administration, it seems that the revolutionary movement has been forgotten and disregarded after the same power was entrusted to someone who holds the same name that took the marginalized as hostages. This conveys that our fight is yet to finish. Hence, the war between the nation and the greedy government continues.
With nationwide protests held the same day as the declaration of Martial Law, the aim is to reclaim what the kleptocrats have been glorifying and exploiting.
Amidst the thousands of law enforcements present, nothing stopped the Filipino citizens from fighting for what is right and for their rights. The streets of Mendiola, EDSA, and provincial cities were filled with brave voices that screamed the same sentiment, โIkulong na โyan, mga kurakot!โ while they jointly wore white or black shirts and ribbons to show alliance and support.
The motive of the movement is to resist the substandard public service and evident corruption, while utilizing their freedom of speech peacefully. However, violence was not prevented, after a massive riot in Recto Ave., Manila, where a mob circulated during and after the march. Manila Mayor Isko Moreno denied the participation of these civilians to the nationwide protest. He even named the arrested civilians as โutak adikโ and โutak talangka.โ But looking at the depth of the issue, if the government had given them the right support for them to meet their needs, this would not have occurred. This is an obvious indication of how dysfunctional the Philippine government is.
Additionally, regardless of being accused of inciting terrorism, these activists proved that protesting is not a form of it, rather an act that seeks for a revolutionary change.
For real liberation lies beyond the reformation.
Even more so, it seeks for a strong pursuance of equality, moralism, and justice. This movement could lead towards an improved system, where public service will be more accessible, not only to the privileged, but to everyone.
Despite the prolonged suffering of citizens being denied and robbed, they are still viewed and treated like an enemy by the authorities. The latest data from Al Jazeera shows that 224 were arrested, including underaged protesters. Oddly enough, those who hold the responsibility of protecting the nation seem to be serving the same people who have been neglecting and abusing their constituents. Ordinary Filipinos work and sacrifice just to survive, yet their taxes feed the corrupt while they themselves go hungry.
Politicians brazenly glorify corruption, flaunting lavish lifestyles built on theft, while taxpayers are denied decent healthcare, education, economic security, good governance, and many other things. Their hidden stains are beginning to show, exposing the rotten stench of greed. Now that the latent corruption is slowly being unveiled, and we finally had the chance to hear the truth, it is a must to stand firmly with our stances now, for acting blind and deaf would only make you a traitor to the nation.
The protests showed that the power belongs to the people, and they must wield it. When the crowds disperse, our responsibility is to keep resisting and demanding accountability. If we stop settling for less and demand real leadership, we can finally break the cycle that feeds only the greedy mouths.
