In remembrance of the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in 1972, the College of Arts and Social Sciences’ (CASS) Political Science Society (PSS), in partnership with the Sociology Society and the MSU-IIT Historical Society (MIHS), organized a Solidarity Walk on September 23, Monday.
Donned in black, students from various departments across the different colleges flocked to the CASS Lawn, carrying placards to demand accountability and express distaste for injustices stemming from the Martial Law declaration on September 21, 1972, by the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr.
“We urge the youth, particularly the student organizations of MSU-IIT, to stand for truth, justice, equality, and freedom. Let us strengthen our commitment to defend our democracy,” PSS Prime Minister Deness Eiren Cacharel Agawin emphasized.
Agawin highlighted that this year’s anniversary serves as an invitation to reflect on why another Marcos has been allowed to reclaim power, stating that PSS, alongside the Sociology Society and the Historical Society, believes that the youth of today, especially the students of IIT, have a responsibility to commemorate this day.
“This activity serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of remembering, acknowledging, and preserving our history, learning from it, and actively participating in shaping the narrative of the future,” Justine Sampilo, PSS’ Minister of Auxiliary highlighted in her opening remarks.
Sampilo stressed the necessity of critically examining the current administration’s leadership and questioning policies that may undermine democratic principles, erode human rights, or perpetuate inequalities. By remaining critical and engaged, citizens would ensure that the lessons of the past will never be forgotten and that its mistakes will never be repeated.
“We shouldn’t wait for another dictatorship to arise, we must always see that these kinds of authoritarian power are not only present on the national level but even within our educational system, at our local level,” Asst. Prof. Fitzgerald Torralba, the event’s guest speaker, pointed out in his message.
Asst. Prof. Torralba remarked that the Marcos dictatorship represents one of the darkest, if not the darkest chapter of our country. He reminds students that the allies of oppressors are often those who forget; hence, people should never forget history to prevent the grievances of the past from happening again.
During the short program, a BS Economics student, representing STAND IIT, took center stage to impart his thoughts. “Kabataan, ipakita natin ang ating pagiging militante, ipakita natin ang tunay na boses ng sektor ng mga mag-aaral na ayaw natin sa isang pasista, ayaw natin sa isang magnanakaw, ayaw natin sa isang sinungaling,” he declared.
He emphasized that students have the power and the voice to prevent history from repeating itself, noting that the student sector is the largest demographic in the country. By exercising this voice, he expressed that the youth can change the narratives of the future, affirming that “...walang lugar ang pasismo sa isang demokratikong bansa.”
In an interview with one of the attendees, Gale, a BA Political Science student, shared his reflections, “It was a new experience for me to join a solidarity walk especially with such a cause.”
He highlighted the importance of the solidarity walk, given that there are still individuals who are unaware and fall victim to misinformation and disinformation, which makes the event a significant platform in echoing the truth and spreading awareness.
Meanwhile, a fellow Political Science major, Jeffrey noted that commemorating the declaration remains relevant today as it reflects our identity.
“Our histories should always be relevant. We wouldn’t have an identity that is common to us without our histories. This commonality or shared experiences are what allow us to continue and strive. Relevance, thus, keeps the society working. Nonetheless, the current president of [our country] is the son of the dictator. It is a clear picture of what relevance is,” he stressed.
He also asserted that in exercising our right to free speech and expression to prevent another grim turn in our history, it is always essential to remember that activism is not terrorism.
The solidarity walk from the CASS Lawn to Rizal Park, took the main road where passersby joined the march. The raising of placards and resounding chants filled the MSU-IIT campus with firing spirits of activism.
This year’s commemorative solidarity walk marked PSS’ second since its inauguration last year.
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