UP sets nationwide protests on ML anniversary

MANILA, Philippines — Various activities, including a “National Day of Protest” on Sept. 20, will be organized at different campuses of the University of the Philippines (UP) to commemorate the declaration of martial law during the Marcos regime.

UP president Danilo Concepcion – who earlier declared Sept. 21 as the Day of Remembrance of the role of the university in resisting martial law – has committed to support the activities that will be organized in line with the commemoration of the declaration of martial law, according to the Isaac Punzalan of the Office of Student Regent (OSR).

UP Diliman chancellor Michael Tan likewise endorsed the activities, including the protest action and the different fora that will be organized next week.

“The country is seemingly experiencing a de facto martial law as the spate of killings and human rights violations continue to rise in number, from the martial law in Mindanao up to wars against activists and advocates for justice,” the OSR said in a memorandum.

The memorandum noted that students themselves remain vulnerable to attempts to silence legitimate demands, recalling the recent walkout against supposed efforts to militarize campuses.

Aside from the protest, also scheduled are fora on the narratives of martial law and the mass movement and women and martial law; a film festival and open forum; the commemoration of the UP Diliman Commune marker; and a grand teach-in and launching of a new subject on martial law.

Concepcion earlier drew criticism for attending a reunion of the Marcos-era Kabataang Barangay with then Ilocos Norte governor and now Sen. Imee Marcos.