LET US BE abundantly clear: there can be no room for revisionism when it comes to the horrors unleashed during the Marcos dictatorship that plundered the nation. The massive thievery that merited an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records, the misuse and abuse of martial law, the suffering inflicted upon countless Filipinos, the suppression of civil liberties, the censorship, and the countless human rights violations are undeniable historical facts. These cannot be deodorized, whitewashed, dismissed, or waved away by those who seek to twist the truth.
It is both disheartening and alarming to witness the emergence of apologists for the dark chapter in our nation’s history – the dictatorship and brutal martial law era under President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. These individuals, often attempting to rewrite history or downplay the atrocities committed during this period, must be unequivocally called out and condemned.
Marcos’ so-called benevolent dictatorship was not a benign or well-intentioned exercise of power. It was an affront to democracy, a brutal crackdown on dissent, and a betrayal of the trust the Filipino people placed in their leaders. The damage it wrought is still being felt today, decades after its official end.
To deodorize for Marcos’ abuse and misuse of martial law is to disrespect the memory of those who suffered and died under its oppressive grip. It is an affront to the brave men and women who fought tirelessly for freedom, justice, and democracy during those dark years. It is an insult to the resilience of the Filipino spirit that endured and prevailed against tyranny.
Historical facts and collective memory are not matters open to interpretation or manipulation. Those who attempt to downplay the crimes of the dictator do a grave disservice to the truth and to future generations who must learn from our past mistakes.
Apologists of the dictatorship conveniently ignore the plundering of our nation’s wealth, the suppression of a free press, and the curtailment of basic human rights. They conveniently forget the stories of torture, disappearance, and violence that scarred our nation. They conveniently overlook the economic devastation that resulted from rampant corruption and mismanagement.
Our democracy was hard-fought, and the scars of the Marcos dictatorship serve as a stark reminder of the price paid for our freedom. We must not allow anyone to belittle that struggle or diminish the sacrifices made.
It is our collective duty to preserve the truth, honor the memory of the victims, and ensure that the lessons of history are not forgotten. History will remember the truth, and the truth will not be kind to those who seek to distort it. We will not stand idle while the memories of the oppressed and the sacrifices of the brave are tarnished by revisionist narratives.
We reject any attempts to deodorize for the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship and martial law.
