Progressive groups gathered on Wednesday, Sept. 21, in different areas in Quezon City to mark the 50th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the country.
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Public Information Office said that around 2,000 individuals assembled at about 3 p.m. on University Avenue in Diliman, QC, where they called on the government to address human rights violations.
They demanded justice for the victims of Martial Law and pushed for the release of political prisoners.
Around 71 police personnel were deployed to secure the rally site.
“To remember is to seek justice and accountability for the thousands of victims of dictatorship. To remember is to ensure that such abuses will never be repeated. To remember is to aspire and to fight for genuine freedom and democracy,” the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), one of the groups that joined the rally, said in a statement posted on Facebook.
BAYAN added that the events held during the commemoration of Martial Law also honored the courageous struggle of the people against the dictatorship.
QCPD said around 200 rallyists from Southern Tagalog gathered at the People Power Monument on EDSA at around 2:42 p.m. to voice out similar concerns. The protesters dispersed voluntarily at around 3:45 p.m.
More or less 130 police personnel were deployed to secure the area.
Police said that some 50 members of the group I Defend also rallied at around 10:08 a.m. at the Commission on Human Rights grounds on Magsaysay Ave. in Diliman, urging the people to stand for “truth of history”.
The group dispersed at around 11:12 a.m. and marched towards the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Diliman.
As of 6:30 p.m., there were no untoward incidents during the gatherings, the QCPD said.
The late former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. signed Proclamation No. 1081, s. 1972 on Sept. 21,1972 that placed the entire Philippines under Martial Law, according to officialgazette.gov.ph.