Gutoc urges public to not forget Martial law, Jabidah massacre

A day before the anniversary of the Jabidah massacre, Aksyon Demokratiko senatorial bet Samira Gutoc on Thursday urged the public to remember the tragedy as well as Martial law.

In March 1968, at least 28 Moro fighters from Sulu, Basilan, and Tawi-Tawi were killed in Corregidor Island in what came to be known as the Jabidah Massacre.

However, Gutoc stressed that there are still some who say that there was no such tragedy.

“Ngunit napatunayan na at nasusulat sa kasaysayan ang Jabidah massacre. Ito ang rason ng Moro rebellion. Kaya nga nagkaroon ng MNLF at ng peace talks at katakot-takot na tagal ng digmaan,” she said in a statement.

(But the Jabidah massacre has been proven and written in history. This is the reason for the Moro rebellion. That's the reason there is MNLF and peace talks as well as decades-long fighting.)

“Huwag nating baligtarin o lituhin ang mga Pilipino sa kasinungalingan. Bilang isang Muslim, pinapahalagahan ko ang kasaysayan na naglalahad ng pinagdaanang karahasan ng kapwa ko Muslim,” she added.

(Let us not change history or confuse the public with lies. As a Muslim, I treasure our history that shows the abuses experienced by my fellow Muslims.)

Though eight officers and 16 enlistees were court-martialed, they were all acquitted by 1971.

“As we commemorate the anniversary of the Jabidah massacre and celebrate Bangsamoro Day, I join the internally displaced persons (IDPs) of today to amplify voices of the ordinary Bangsamoro where the participants shared their vision of the Bangsamoro that is united, enlightened, self-governing, peaceful, just, morally upright, and progressive,” Gutoc said.

“If we truly want democracy, never forget Martial Law,” she added.

Gutoc also again pushed for the passage of the IDP Rights Bill, which also highlights needs that are specific to women and girls who are often among the most vulnerable in incidents of displacement.

“My proposed bill on IDPs would consider not just persons displaced by conflict or wars, but also those displaced by natural disasters and climate crises all over the country,” she said.—AOL, GMA News