Thursday, September 14, 2017

Rep Edcel Lagman Wants Declaration of September 21 as Anti-Martial Law Day, Special Non-Working Holiday

Albay Representative Edcel Lagman plans to author a bill seeking to declare every 21th of September of the year as Anti-Martial Law Day in the entire country. The announcement comes a week before the commemoration of the 45th anniversary of declaration of Martial Law by the late president Ferdinand Marcos on September 21, 1972.



“Yes, I think it’s time that to include the declaration of Martial Law by Marcos as a special non-working holiday, so that the public especially the youth today will always be reminded of the sufferings during that era.” Rep. Lagman said in a statement Thursday, adding that his office is now preparing the documents for the bill he plans to propose.

“Nalulungkot ako na dahil sa kasalukuyang administrasyon, tila pilit binabago ang kasaysayan at nakakalimutan na ang panahong minsan nasa ilalim tayo ng isang diktador. Hindi naman tayo nagtataka dahil mula pa nung umupo si President Duterte, doon na tayo patungo.” The Liberal Party (LP) ally lawmaker added.

Atty. Hermon Lagman (Edcel’s older brother) was a political activist in the early 70s. He was arrested in 1972, shortly after the declaration of Martial Law, but was released after two months. He was arrested again in 1976, but was released on the same day. Nevertheless, he disappeared on May 11, 1977 and his body was never found since then.

On the other hand, Filemon ‘Ka Popoy’ Lagman (Edcel’s younger brother) was known for being a tough labor group leader, and a former member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP). He was assassinated in February 6, 2001, during the time of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The suspects were never identified until now.



Meanwhile, Movement Against Tyranny, a group where convenors include leftists, Catholic priests and nuns, is inviting everyone to join the protest rally on Thursday, September 21, to protest the Martial Law 45th anniversary and the killings related to President Rodrigo’s intensified war against drugs. LP politicians and allies are expected to attend.

Contributed by Abner Esteno

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