THE TRANSITION government of the Sanggunian launched initiatives to rally against the proposed burial of President Ferdinand Marcos on August 12. The Sanggunian urged students to wear black in solidarity with the Ateneo faculty’s stand against historical revisionism.
In addition, the Sanggunian has partnered with other groups in arranging a Citizen’s Assembly on Aug 14 at the Luneta Park in protest of the burial.
“This is reminiscent of the campaign last time for Ateneans #NeverForget. It was more of that– the recall of ‘No to Marcos, never again,’” said Carmela Vinzon, Sanggunian Coordinator.
According to Citizen’s Assembly Volunteer Luis Enriquez, the campaign harkens back to the Ateneo’s long history of protest against the legacy of the Marcos regime.
“It’s important that we remember that as young students that we connect ourselves to the people that came before us [in order] to say that ‘We share your sentiments that Marcos is not a hero,’” he said.
“Given our limited capabilities as students, we do not let it go without a fight. We’re not willing to let such a sinful thing to happen to our country without us young students making a stand,” he said.
Enriquez said that the campaign allowed Ateneans to express their own involvement in the issues.
“Many in the Ateneo community wore black today, and I think that’s a good sign for us to gauge the temperament of the Ateneo community that indeed, we are in agreement that Marcos should not be buried in the Libingan ng mga Bayani,” he said.
According to Vinzon, the campaign provided for an avenue for Ateneans to express themselves beyond online means.
“Hindi kasi enough ‘yung online presence lang. Makikita talaga ng tao na there’s really an effort (Having an online presence is not enough. People will really see that there is an effort being made),” she said.
In 1992, the marcoses, seeking to bring the body back, agreed to the three imposed conditions by FVR to allow the return of marcos remains:
1. the dictator would be given honors due a junior officer,
2. he would be buried immediately, and
3. he would be buried in Ilocos Norte province.
Twenty-four years and four administrations later, the marcoses have yet to honor any of the terms. Why? Bakit hindi tinupad ang napagkasunduan?