Martial Law marker to be unveiled at Plaza Independencia

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission is set to unveil on Friday a Martial Law marker at the Plaza Independencia.

The marker is not meant to open old wounds, CHAC Vice-chairman Margarita Osmeña said, but to remember those who have been victims of the dark era of martial law under the late President Ferdinand Marcos.

The marker bears the text “This marker is a testament to the courage of Cebuano martyrs whose lives were sacrificed in the fight against Martial Law. That those who live will always remember to guard the freedom they fought so hard to reclaim.”

The installation of a marker is a project of Councilor Alvin Dizon to pay tribute to Cebuanos who were tortured, abused and those who died and disappeared while resisting the Marcos dictatorship.

Cebu, being the first venue and one of the major venues of resistance during the Marcos regime, had many of its people fell as victims of the violent ways of Martial Law, like the detention of Atty. Democrito Barcenas and former Congressman Antonio Cuenco, among others.

“We should remember Martial Law or we will be condemned to repeat it,” Barcenas said.

The marker shall remind everyone of the dark days under the martial rule so people will strive hard to avoid repeating the history.

The unveiling of the marker on Friday is in time for the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law. The simple ceremony will be attended by Senator Serge Osmeña, who himself, experienced the wrath of the martial law in the dark prison cells for five years.

The Osmeña family was also a victim of Martial Law, which exiled them to another country during the time.

“This marker is a reminder that we should not allow things like that to happen again,” Osmeña said.

Osmeña said that the marker is supposed to be installed in Fuente Osmeña, but they opted to put it in Plaza Independencia where the name of the place is more relevant. FPL (FREEMAN)