by Marian Chriselle Galvan
How long would the people endure the President to ignite another People Power?
There was a time when the eyes of the nation fully opened to the injustices brought by 21 years of dictatorship. Filipinos from different walks of life marched a long distance to prove that the power of the people was the strongest weapon to oust a dictator. Their peaceful efforts led to an uprising like no other – one for the history books that future generations should learn from.
Although, with what worked then, would it still work now?
It started in 1972 when the late President Ferdinand Marcos placed a strong hold over the lives of the people. This only got tighter as the years passed. Congress was dissolved, and all powers were transferred to the president. He implemented military rule over the whole country, authorizing the military to arrest individuals in opposition to the government. The country’s condition during martial law led to fear and deprivation of basic rights.
Endless state-sanctioned acts gravely violated human rights during those dark times. According to a report by Amnesty International, over 100,000 people were recorded as Martial Law victims from 1972 to 1981; of which 70,000 were arrested, 34,000 tortured, and 3,240 killed by the military and police.
30 years after the People Power Revolution, the eyes of the nation have somehow become half-opened even though strikingly familiar numbers start to emerge before them.
A charismatic, somewhat down-to-earth leader was chosen by the people to lead the country towards change. After Marcos and Corazon Aquino, past presidents who received much media attention during their administrations, Duterte comes a close third due to his unique character. President Rodrigo Duterte brought something new to the table, and the people liked it.
His infamous vulgar nature appeals to the masses. Until his jokes start becoming true.
“Hitler massacred 3 million Jews… there are 3 million drug addicts. There are. I’d be happy to slaughter them,” Duterte commented during a press conference back in 2016. “My God, I hate drugs. And I have to kill people because I hate drugs,” his infamous line that stuck with the masses underlined a clear intention that became more true with each passing day.
By promising to address crime and corruption quickly, his methods of doing so have since taken many lives – many of them innocent.
In Duterte’s administration, 5,563 drug suspects have been killed in police operations as of December 31, 2019, based on a report from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). These numbers do not include those who continue to go missing and die outside of police operations.
According to various human rights organizations, the country could see more than 27,000 people getting killed as of December 2018. These numbers reflect the lives taken during a past dictatorship when change for the good of the people was sought through a controlling government.
Two years later police power is still being directed to impose discipline and control; gravely abusing individuals and groups, which weakens the democracy we thought we had reclaimed.
Mass media was placed under government control during Martial Law. Now, under the current administration, media organizations continue to resist forces who want to silence them.
According to the 2019 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders, the Philippines ranks 134 out of 180 countries, classified as having a difficult situation in terms of media.
The ongoing attempt to shut down ABS-CBN, one of the country’s leading media organizations, shows the attacks on press freedom that continue to this day. The administration threatens to revoke their franchise and stop its operation because of alleged violations.
When Martial Law was declared, television networks including ABS-CBN had been forced to shut down. Marcos’s controlling grip strangled the press of their voice through the authoritative efforts that had been done to shut down media groups critical of the government. The present sees ABS-CBN crumbling under the hands of yet another controlling leader who aims to do the same.
Much like Marcos’ cronies and supporters back in the day, Duterte has behind him a sea of loyal followers and trolls that take over the Internet.
Disinformation is much easier to spread with the advancement of technology. Social media has made information dissemination faster. But the platform becomes dangerous once used by an authoritative government that aims to spread its propaganda. For instance, there are Facebook pages put up to spread the ‘greatness’ of the president, while journalists critical of his administration are silenced through license revocation.
This causes people to fall into the trap of fake news and weaken their critical thinking. Consequently, it reflects in voting decisions, as seen from the recent senatorial election that saw the public electing officials not having much social responsibility into position.
Back in 1986, the masses were able to recognize the hardships brought by a dictatorship rule. The past is coming back to haunt the country; but why aren’t the masses truly opening their eyes to the truth, just like those who marched along EDSA were able to do?
The dark days of Martial Law may have passed, but this doesn’t mean the fight for freedom is over. People power happened for a reason. The people decided to show solidarity and acted on it. But what does solidarity even mean during this period?
People have become more divided in terms of what they think is best for the country. The eyes of the nation still remain half-closed to progressive groups, which include student-led activist groups, indigenous people’s organizations, and labor unions. In this information age where it has become easier to be swayed, people are not showing the tight solidarity that once was in the EDSA People Power’s Revolution.
The current administration mirrors conditions that led to an uprising against tyrannical attacks – only this time a peaceful protest might not be enough.
Change starts in each and every one of us. Use social media responsibly to become more informed and aware of the issues that matter. Read history books that truly showcase the conditions those before we had to go through to fight for the country. These small steps make big differences towards continuing the social responsibility we should have for our country.
What has been working now, despite the constant backlash from divided groups and sectors, is the willingness to scrutinize the very government that holds the power to lead the country. What works are the rallies that disturb those still blinded by the injustices surrounding the country. What will always work is our constitutional right to freedom and security.
As we commemorate EDSA People Power Revolution, let us remember the issues that lead to the unified protest, and learn to make efforts to fully open the eyes of the nation to what truly needs to be done for the future of the nation and our countrymen.
Edited by Kit Munsayac