Youth can see through Marcos’ lies —lawmaker

The high youth turnout during the November 25 protest against the burial of late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. at heroes' cemetery indicates millennials are far from being apathetic, a lawmaker said Wednesday.

ACT-Teachers party-list Rep. Antonio Tinio, who took part in the protest, said the active participation of the youth in protests against Marcos show they are not fond of the former President and his family.

“Kailangang iwasan natin ang hasty generalization na ang kabataan ay fans ni Marcos— yung matanda at bata. Baka yung loyalista talaga ni Marcos ay ‘yung matatanda talaga,” Tinio said in a forum.

“Wag nating maliitin ang kabataan ngayon. They can see through Marcos’ lies,” he added.

University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication professor Danilo Arao, who also attended the Luneta rally last week, said the presence of the youth there proves their desire to be involved in the country’s affairs.

“Sa kabila ng limitasyon ng media at educational systems natin, may pakialam pa rin ang kabataan. Ang usapin na lang dito ay paano masu-sustain at paano masisiguradong itong critical mass ay mapapakilos mo pa rin para sa makabuluhang pagbabago,” he said.

Ateneo de Manila University Chinese Studies program lecturer Lucio Pitlo III said technology also played a role in harnessing youth participation for the protests against the hero’s burial for Marcos.

“Hindi nga na-experience ng younger people [yung Martial Law] pero they have better access to information and it’s more easy to organize them through social media,” he said.

The presence of thousands of young people in the November 25 Luneta rally had elated older activists, who saw hope for the country in the younger generation.

Arao said it is important that the youth’s engagement in national issues be sustained in light of what he believes to be a deliberate attempt by the Marcoses to rewrite history.

“Malinaw na may misinformation na ginagawa ang mga Marcos dahil sila ang makikinabang dito. May conscious effort ang mga Marcoses na baguhin ang kasaysayan upang mapanatili nila ang kanilang interes bilang social class,” he said.

The professor urged youth groups to actively recruit members so their numbers will grow. He said educators must also do their share in teaching the youth about the atrocities which occurred during Martial Law. —ALG, GMA News