I wasn't there when Martial Law was declared. But I remember the rations - skim milk, sako-sakong food given to our barangay when I was about 5 years old. Sa barangay health center bumabagsak. I was in the kindergarten back then. Apong Lorenza was our teacher.
Back in our mountains and in some provinces, we didn't quite feel the atrocities attributed to the Marcoses and their cronies and their generals. I can say it was peaceful.
Having lived and grown up in an Ilokano-Bago-Igorot community, I grew up with stories praising the Marcoses. And then we went down from the boondocks and started living 'downstairs'.
I can't remember Martial Law being discussed that much in our Araling Panlipunan class under Ma'am Samonte. I wasn't that much of a reader back then. But I've been hearing stories of ill-gotten wealth and gold bars. I've heard about the Edsa Revolution and the killings. Some say the Philippines was a lot better and greater during the Marcos regime. Some say, otherwise. For me, everything are but stories and I couldn't care less.
Fast forward to the present day. If I were to analyze things that transpired through the years, I will only have more questions. It is the words of anti-Marcoses against the pro-Marcoses. It is the words of those who were tortured against those who believe they were just doing their jobs. If we are going to rewrite history, whose story are we going to write?
Why did Marcos declare Martial Law? Where was the uprising rooting from? Why is there a provision in the Constitution, prior Cory ammending it of course, giving the President the power to declare it? What were the prerequisites to declare one?
We blame Marcos for the tortures, the disappearances, the rapes, the assassination of Ninoy and all sorts. We blame him for declaring Martial Law. We single him out for these crimes. We cry out for justice. How many courts ruled in his favor? And then we cry out for the rule of law? And then when we are not contented with the ruling, we take it to the streets. That is what we are good at. Taking it to the streets. Curse the government. Speak all kind of shitty things. Take pleasure in seeing our youth post signs like "Ukinnam, Marcos", "Fuck you, Marcos". Oh, what have we become?
I deeply sympathize to the victims of Martial Law. I really do. If indeed Marcos is to blame for all of these, the man is dead. Should we crucify his already "formalin and wax-laden" dead body? Will it satisfy everyone if we throw his body in Payatas? If the Marcoses apologize for the so-called crimes of their father, will all these stop? If we exhume his body, will there be healing? Will there be forgiveness?
Let us honestly ask ourselves: "What will it take for us to know and show forgiveness?"
We have struggled so hard as a nation - to preserve what is left of our being a Filipino. Let us not take that away from the fabric of who we are.
Look into yourself and ask your intentions. What fuels your anger, your rage? What can be done? What can really be done?
Ever wondered why two Aquino administration passed and nothing happened about all of these? Why was there no deeper investigation about Ninoy's assassination? Why did they not act on prohibiting Marcos' burial at the LNMB while they were in power?
Have we forgotten about Mamasapano? How about SAF44?
Action and inaction have the same amount of responsibility and accountability.
We crucify a man for his actions while a man's inaction may have crucified a nation.
Don't just ride into the bandwagon. You are more than that!
