PNoy opens Aquino-Diokno Memorial in N. Ecija

By Carlo Lorenzo J. Datu

Friday 21st of September 2012

FORT MAGSAYSAY, Nueva Ecija, Sept 21 (PIA) -- President Benigno S. Aquino III led today the observance of the 40th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law with the opening of the newly refurbished Aquino-Diokno Memorial and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Center for Human Rights Dialogue inside Fort Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija.

In his speech, Aquino recalled the agony faced by his father Ninoy and fellow senator and party mate Jose Diokno in their detention facility in Fort Magsaysay during that period, which is considered one of the darkest in Philippine history.

“Halos ilang dekada na ang nakalipas, hindi ko pa rin maibabaon sa limot ang alaala ng kalbaryong hatid ng diktadurya. Ang karanasan namin ay karanasan din ng libo-libong pamilyang pinagmalupitan ng Batas Militar na ang ilan sa mga dinakip ay hindi pa rin nahahanap hanggang sa mga araw na ito (Even after several decades had passed, I still can not erase the memories of persecution under the dictatorship. Our experience is similar to that of thousands of families persecuted during Martial Law; many of those captured remain missing to this day),” Aquino pointed out.

The Chief Executive added, “Para sa diktador, kailangan umanong ipagpalit ang kalayaan sa kaunlaran. Pero ano ang ibinunga nito? Imbes na paglingkuran ang mamamayan, tinapakan pa ng gobyerno ang kanilang karapatan at kalayaan; walang habas na inaresto at pinahirapan ang mga sibilyan, ipinasara ang mga media na nais ay ihayag ang katotohanan, bumagsak ang ekonomiya, at lumobo ang bilang ng masasamang elemento. Sa madilim na kabanatang ito, ipinagkait na nga ang kalayaan, sinagasaan na ang ating karapatan, nalubog pa tayo sa kumunoy ng kahirapan (For the dictator, freedom allegedly must be sacrificed to attain progress. But what happened? Instead of serving the people, the government violated people’s rights and freedom, civilians were arrested and tortured, media entities were closed, the economy plunged, and the number of criminals ballooned. In this dim chapter of our history, our freedom was denied us, our rights were crushed, and left mired in poverty).”

Aquino pointed out, “Malayo na po ang narating natin sa kasalukuyan. Ang lugar na ito na minsang ginamit ng diktadurya upang pagmalupitan ang nanindigan para sa katwiran, ay isa nang pananda na magpapaalala sa atin sa mga kamalian ng nakaraan. Ang Hukbong Sandatahan na dati’y kinasangkapan sa paniniil ng mga Pilipino, maaasahan nang kabalikat sa pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng sambayanan (We have gone a long way since then.This place which was once used by the dictator to persecute people who stood for their rights is now a reminder of the mistakes of the past. The Armed Forces, which was used as a tool in tyranny, is now a partner in protecting the welfare of the people).”

The memorial has a replica of the 1973 detention facility of Ninoy (Codenamed: Alpha) and Diokno (Codenamed: Delta) inside the camp and honors the ideals these statesmen personified.

Moreover, AFP’s Center for Human Rights Dialogue now serves as a venue for regular interaction between the military and the community in the national pursuit for peace and development.

The establishment of the center demonstrates AFP’s seriousness in embracing principles of human rights.

Both structures underscore the transformation of AFP as one of the concrete gains from the 1986 EDSA people revolution that ousted a dictator. (WLB/CLJD-PIA3)