DAVAO CITY – Their fight against the dictatorship of former President Ferdinand Marcos continues as relatives of victims of the dictatorship and human rights advocates gathered Thursday to start the Campaign against the return of the Marcoses to Malacañang or CARMMA.
Bonifacio Ilagan, vice chairperson of Samahan ng mga Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto (Selda) said their campaign “is to say no to Bongbong Marcos as vice-president because he is not the guiltless son that he presents himself to be.”
The group believes that if Senator Ferdinand Marcos, Jr wins as vice-president it will be easier for the Marcoses to return to Malacañang.
“The Marcos grand scheme to recapture Malacañang is just a stride away, given their billions of pesos in war chest, courtesy of the evil genius of Ferdinand Sr,” said Ilagan, quoting parts of the manifesto that the assembly ratified in its gathering.
Aside from Ilagan, the panel of speakers included Karapatan and SELDA chairperson Marie Hilao-Enriquez, Prof. Judy Taguiwalo, and ZOTO (Zone One-Tondo) leader Trinidad “Ka Trining” Herrera. All panelists were victims of human rights abuses during the Marcos dictatorship and are among the plaintiffs, expert witnesses and petitioners who filed class action suit, and won, against Ferdinand Sr. in Hawaii.
The group is set to hold a national gathering on February 22 which coincides with the commemoration of the Edsa People Power uprising. (davaotoday.com)
