ILOILO CITY -- Activists and former political detainees re-inaugurated a monument in Iloilo City dedicated to the alleged victims of martial law.
“We want to thank the Iloilo City government for bringing back the monument,” said Jose Ely ‘Leeboy’ Garachico during a brief program at historic Plaza Libertad, which is adjacent to the Iloilo City Hall, on Monday, July 25, the day Pres. Marcos Jr., son of former President Marcos, delivered his first State of the Nation Address.
The monument was erected in 2004 but was removed late in 2020 when the Plaza Libertad underwent multi-million peso development.
“This is also timely as we want to reaffirm our commitment to stand against human rights violations, dictatorship and tyranny,” added Garachico.
Both members of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (SELDA) and young activists were also present.
They honored the more than 350 persons from the provinces of Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo as well as Iloilo City who allegedly suffered during the martial law years.
A tarpaulin bearing the names of those who were killed or disappeared during the presidency of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. was displayed.
Bryan Bosque, deputy spokesperson of Bayan-Panay, said that the July 25 event was only coincidental with the SONA of President Bongbong Marcos Jr.
“We wanted to do this last month, but we did not get the proper permits,” Bosque told Manila Bulletin.