EDITORIAL - Remembering

Because of the track record of the previous administration particularly in the campaign against illegal drugs, the second Marcos presidency has been seen as an improvement in the human rights department. In speeches overseas, President Marcos has vowed that his administration is committed to respecting human rights. Several of his key officials have given the same commitment before the United Nations and other international bodies.

The President has given the impression that unlike his father and namesake, he is not inclined to resort to military rule to push his governance agenda. As the nation marks the 51st anniversary of his father’s declaration of martial law today, this benign image remains largely unshaken despite recent controversies involving civil liberties.

Police officers have indiscriminately opened fire on civilians on mere suspicion of wrongdoing, killing innocent people including teenagers. Drug suspects also continue to be killed, although not on the same scale as in the previous administration. Activists complain of red-tagging, which they fear puts them in the crosshairs of counterinsurgency forces.

As the anniversary of the declaration of martial law is marked, teachers and human rights groups are up in arms against a plan by the Department of Education to change the nomenclature for the 14-year “Diktadurang Marcos” or Marcos dictatorship in the revised Grade 6 Araling Panlipunan or Social Studies curriculum to just “Diktadura,” beginning in school year 2026-2027. Critics of the move have pointed out that it smacks of historical revision, which the incumbent President had promised would not be undertaken in his administration. He will be held to this promise, along with his commitment to uphold human