![]() ![]() Similar actions took place in Quebec, Ottawa and Toronto. He cited the Anti-Terror Law signed by Duterte in 2020 which labels critics of his administration as “terrorists.” Sorio said this law is no different from the laws Marcos passed to curtail human rights including the Presidential Detention Action and the Presidential Commitment Order, which arbitrarily detained Marcos’ critics without due process. In an interview with New Canadian Media, Sorio said it is important to commemorate Martial Law because remnants of the “dark days” in Philippine history are still in play. In a move reminiscent of Marcos’ dictatorship, broadcast giant ABS-CBN, which has been critical of Duterte, was closed down in 2020 when Congress failed to renew its broadcast licence. “Never again!” is in reference to the protesters’ disdain for Duterte, whose regime, they said, echoes Marco’s tyrannical era given the thousands of extrajudicial killings and suppression of press freedoms. He is one of thousands of claimants of a $2-billion class action lawsuit filed in Hawaii in 1986 against Marcos for human rights violations. Sorio was illegally detained and tortured in 1982 for protesting rising tuition fees. They called for Duterte’s ouster and criticized his failings, including the scarce economic help to deal with COVID-19, lack of support for frontline healthcare workers and the expatriation of overseas Filipinos who had to come home due to pandemic related lockdowns and attrition. Sorio, the chairperson of BAYAN Canada, chanted “Never again! Never forget!” alongside about 50 others holding placards. Chris Sorio, chairperson of BAYAN Canada. In Vancouver, B.C., Filipinos gathered at the Joyce Collingwood station, a popular destination among Filipinos in the area. The situation in the Philippines has even worsened under the Duterte regime.” ‘Never Again’ “People ask, ‘why are we still protesting?’ We are still protesting because the lives of Filipinos have not improved. “That’s why we cry out ‘Never again to Martial Law and tyranny!’” Chris Sorio, a community leader in Vancouver and Martial Law victim, said in Tagalog. ![]() Marcos ‒ because the same dictatorial rule persists under Duterte, they said. Through protests, information campaigns, vigils, films and religious services, organizers hoped to remind Filipino-Canadians of the atrocities committed during the 21-year rule of late dictator Ferdinand E. Over the span of several days, Filipino-Canadians commemorated the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines by honouring the memories of its victims and survivors.ĭemonstrators at several events throughout the country also took the opportunity to denounce what they consider de facto Martial Law under current President Rodrigo Duterte for alleged curtailment and violation of human rights. The Malaya Movement is one of the organizers of an event at Van Horne Park, in Montreal, Quebec on Sept 19.People protest in front of the Philippine Embassy in Ottawa on Sept 19 to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.Embassy in Ottawa on Sept 19 to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. on Sept 19 to commemorate the 49th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines. Filipinos in Canada and their supporters hold a demonstrator at the Joyce-Collingwood Station in Vancouver, B.C.Rosie Lucente of Anakbayan Toronto speak at a vigil-protest in Toronto, Ont.Lui Queano of Malaya Movement in Canada is joined by Ryan Greenlaw of Canada International Coalition for Human Rights in a cultural performance during a vigil-protest in Toronto, Ont. ![]()
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