An affront to human dignity

Beyond the Philippine government’s decision to bury the dictator Ferdinand Marcos in the  Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery), Amnesty International Philippines expresses its dismay at the government’s lack of diligence in putting those responsible for committing grave human rights violations to account, four decades after these took place.

Amnesty International has estimated 70,000 people imprisoned, most were arbitrarily arrested and detained, 34,000 were tortured and 3,240 individuals killed. We continue to seek justice for the victims of martial law. We honor all fallen activists and human rights defenders during this era. And while the Philippine government continues to award reparation to those still living and recognize their heroism and sacrifices through the Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board, it should not turn its back to a greater commitment—which is delivering justice to the victims. This commitment is beyond monetary—this commitment includes not betraying the peoples’ trust.

The Philippines once elected a president who undermined human rights and civil liberties and turned himself into a dictator. The execution, last Nov. 18, of a questionable decision of President Duterte, a decision that gave honor to that dictator, is a reminder that impunity still reigns and that this administration continues to turn a blind eye to injustices. The Filipino has not been freed, nor has he moved on from a very dark past. The burial of dictator Marcos in the cemetery for heroes, this, in its most blatant form, is an affront to our dignity as human beings.

MARIA EDILYD ORIAS-PALMA, program coordinator, media, communication and publications, Amnesty International Philippines