ILOILO – The youth should be well-informed about what is happening in society and government. So said Martial Law survivor and activist Jose Ely “Leeboy” Garachico. The country marks the 49th Martial Law anniversary today.
Garachico was 16 years old and a third year high school student at a seminary in Talisay City, Negros Occidental when then President Ferdinand Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081, placing the Philippines under Martial Law in 1972.
In 1979, because of him being vocal about the plight of sugar workers, Garachico was arrested.
According to Garachico, Martial Law is not gone, rather “present in a ruler that wants to monopolize power, to instill fear among the people and to amass wealth through corruption at the expense of the dignity and resources of the nation.”
He believes it is the Filipinos’ duty to resist such a kind of rule.
“And this is more the duty of the younger generation,” he emphasized.
Garachico said he was tortured during Martial Law.
He lamented the experience left him “humiliated and dehumanized” that he would just sit on the floor in desolation.
“The uncertainty and helplessness in being imprisoned without the proper legal procedure are still clear in my mind,” he added.
For Garachico, the value of a person’s dignity and rights in the face of the “repressive and tyrannical” Marcos regime was one great lesson he learned.
“I would not want anybody else to be subjected to the cruelty done to me,” he stressed.
Garachico believes it is very important for the younger generations to learn the truth behind the Martial Law.
“The facts about the worst of times for the Filipino nation, considered the nation’s ‘dark years’ should be clear not only to the younger generation but to older Filipinos,” he said.
Garachico added that the remaining personalities who benefitted from Martial Law are trying to “distort” these facts in their attempt to make themselves “look good before the public so they can hold on to power”.
“The younger generation should see beyond the glitter of social media and showbiz presentations and listen to the truth as witnessed by those who experienced martial law,” Garachico said./PN
