MANILA, Philippines - The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), along with civil society groups and martial law survivors, will tie white ribbons around century-old trees at the Quezon Protected Landscape today.
CHR chair Loretta Ann Rosales said it is an opportune time to commemorate martial law by honoring its victims in a historic place called “Pinagbanderahan in Atimonan†where Filipinos fought and died to be able to raise the Philippine flag during World War II.
Rosales said the event would be held in memory of the martial law heroes who were tortured and killed during the time of former President Ferdinand Marcos.
The CHR, tasked to implement the Compensation Law for martial law victims, and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources are “preserving the forest ecosystems and upholding the human rights and dignity of Filipinos.â€
The forest park was described as an extended museum of the Martial Law Heroes Museum that will be set up in Metro Manila.
“Naming each tree after the victims of martial law atrocities will immortalize the memory of every martial law hero,†Rosales said.