MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos was about to deliver his opening statement for Sunday's vice presidential debate when he was interrupted by people shouting from the side of the audience.
Members of the Youth Alliance Against the Return of the Marcoses staged the protest against Marcos's vice presidential candidacy from inside the University of Santo Tomas's Quadricentennial Pavilion.
"Never again, never again to martial law," the protesters were heard saying.
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The protesters raised their voices and drowned that of the senator, the son of late strongman President Ferdinand Marcos. Debate moderators Pia Hontiveros and Pinky Webb of CNN Philipponies then asked security to escort the hecklers outside the venue, saying the move was against ground rules.
Outside the venue, the protestors argued that Marcos is capable of repeating abuses under his father's rule. They also said the younger Marcos has been calling the late president's term as the country's "golden years."
"Kaya ayaw nating maulit ito. Si Marcos mismo sinasabi niya golden years ang Martial law, kalokohan po ito," one of the protesters said. — Rosette Adel; Video by Efigenio Toledo IV