Philippines marks 1986 revolt with Marcos Jr. as leader
The Hindu
Pro-democracy protesters have marked the anniversary of the 1986 “people power” revolt in the Philippines with the son of the dictator, who was ousted in that uprising, now leading the country
Pro-democracy protesters in the Philippines marked the anniversary on February 25 of the 1986 army-backed “people power” revolt with the son of the dictator, who was ousted in that uprising, now leading the country.
About 1,400 demonstrators, some waving Philippine flags and holding placards that read “Never forget,” gathered at a democracy shrine along the main EDSA highway in metropolitan Manila. Left-wing activists, carrying an effigy that depicted President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. as a pest, protested separately at a nearby pro-democracy monument.
Faced with the awkward situation of issuing a statement to mark the revolt that toppled his namesake father, Mr. Marcos Jr. called for reconciliation without citing the event as a democratic milestone, as his predecessors had done.
“I once again offer my hand of reconciliation to those with different political persuasions to come together as one in forging a better society — one that will pursue progress and peace and a better life for all Filipinos,” he said in a two-paragraph statement he posted on Facebook.
Renato Reyes of the left-wing alliance Bayan said the President’s offer was a “good sound bite but lacks sincerity and substance” given Mr. Marcos Jr.’s refusal to acknowledge abuses under his father’s rule.
Millions of Filipinos converged in February 1986 at the highway to shield top military and defense officials who defected from Marcos' administration. The ailing president, who imposed martial rule from 1972 to 1981, was driven with his family and cronies into U.S. exile.
The uprising became a harbinger of change in authoritarian regimes. But in the nearly four decades since then, poverty, stark inequality between the rich and poor and a failure to address past wrongdoings have remained deeply entrenched, fanning political and social divisions.