A year after the declaration of martial law in Mindanao, the League of Filipino Students-Northern Mindanao Region calls on all the youth to stand for genuine democracy and national freedom.
Martial law in Mindanao has only consolidated President Duterte’s power. A year has passed and the blood of Mindanaoans has overflowed from his iron fists.
We will stand with the people of Marawi and Mindanao in calling to end martial law and resonate the call for justice for all victims of human rights violations.
Tens of thousands of Maranaos are being barred from returning to their homes. Instead of providing concrete rehabilitation plans, the evacuees were made to live in makeshift tents, evacuation centers or temporary shelters.
Martial law was used continually to persecute the people of Marawi even after the siege.
Mr. Duterte imposed and extended martial law in Mindanao to gain further control of resources. Militant peasants and the lumad who fight for genuine land reform and defense of their ancestral land were meted with militarization and countless human rights violations.
Martial law has become a curtain to cover the economic interests of foreign corporations and a blanket to silence the people who dare to defy it.
One day of martial law is too much — what more now that it has lasted a year?
We will vow to amplify the calls of the people to end martial law and to fight for genuine democracy and freedom!
KRISTINE B. CABARDO, chair, League of Filipino Students-Northern Mindanao