Groups Push Back Against Efforts to Revise Martial Law History

CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines — Stories of arrests, torture, killings and resistance were retold across the country as groups marked the 54th anniversary of the declaration of martial law on Monday, urging the public to remember its abuses and resist efforts to rewrite its history. In Cagayan de Oro, the late journalist Hugo “Ka Ugo” Romulo’s stories were retold, serving as a reminder of the arrests, torture, killings, and resistance that occurred under martial law. These commemorations come amid recent political trends in the Philippines, which have seen a resurgence of more favorable views towards the Marcos era. Civil society groups have consistently stressed the importance of accurately documenting history and learning from past mistakes. The political landscape in the Philippines is marked by active debates over historical narratives, with interpretations of past events influencing current society and politics. For a nation with a significant overseas workforce, national historical consciousness is a crucial element in shaping the country's identity.