We run. We remember. Justice to Martial Law & human rights victims

March 21, 2012. Mendiola / Don Chino Roces Bridge

“We Run. We Remember” is the theme of the morning kick off activity by running priest, Fr. Robert Reyes.  The run signaled the start of a 6-month campaign to raise awareness about what really happened during the 40 years from the start of and after martial law.  The campaign was initiated by the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA).

According to Fr. Robert, “kailangan ang malawakan at malalimang pagpapaalala sa mga nangyari noong panahon ni Marcos, mula simula hanggang katapusan upang hindi lang maulit kundi tuluyan nang magbago ang takbo ng pamahalaan.” ( It is necessary to conduct a broad and deep awareness campaign for people to remember what really happened from beginning to end during the Martial Law period.  This must be done  so that it would not be repeated and the running of government would truly change.)

The run, which was less than 3 hours, took the Sta. Mesa route to pass by Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon Avenue and ended in the national office of the Commission on Human Rights.

Various activities will be held, preferably, during the 21st of the succeeding months until September.  A special focus would be in reaching out to the youth who either have not experienced martial law as well as those who do not know anything about those dark years.  Films (documentary and full-length), exhibits and reading materials related to martial law would be made available as wide as possible. An e-museum is also being discussed with the Task Force Detainees of the Philippines (TFDP) which documented thousands of human rights violations since 1974. Families of the Involuntarily Disappeared (FIND) and BALAY Rehabilitation Center, Inc. would also present documentations pertaining to extrajudicial killings, massacres, enforced disappearances, torture and displacements.

Also included are adverse impacts to economic, social and cultural rights as well as the environment devastated because of the policies and consequences of the imposition of martial law.

Asked if there has been any change since the EDSA Uprising that ended martial law, Fr. Robert said in Filipino: .”The effect of Martial Law has not really disappeared.  Although democracy has been restored, the  power of the military still predominates.”

“The paradigm shift of the security forces”, according to Max de Mesa, Chairperson of PAHRA, “from one of impunity to that of human rights as preferred values got stuck.”  “We also run to demand over-due accountability,” de Mesa added.

Finally, Fr. Robert opined that professionalism among military officers and the rank-and-file soldiers must be maintained and the police should not engage in politics for change in governance to be significant.
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For inquiries, please contact: Ms. Rose Trajano, Acting Secretary-General
PAHRA Ofc. 4362633 or 09065531792