Tensions rise as Marcos supporters, critics clash during forum

Tensions rose between supporters and critics of the late Ferdinand Marcos on Wednesday when the issue of corruption and human rights violations during the Martial Law years was discussed during a forum.

A report by GMA News' Lei Alviz on "Balitanghali" quoted Marcos supporters as saying that the administrations of former Presidents Corazon Aquino and Benigno Aquino III were far worse than the Marcos regime.

One supporter reportedly said the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolution is already outdated.

Anti-Marcos advocates, especially those who participated in the revolt, made their counter-arguments in the forum, the report said.

The nation is set to commemorate the 31st anniversary of the historic uprising on Saturday, February 25.

Anti-Marcos groups are set to hold a separate event from the one organized by Malacañang, which will be simple and to be held inside Camp Aguinaldo instead of the People Power Monument on EDSA. 

Marcos critics said they will not let the Duterte administration trivialize or undervalue the EDSA revolt anniversary, even if supporters of President Rodrigo Duterte will stage an event of their own in Luneta.

The event by critics of the Marcos regime is also an opportunity to protest the alleged extrajudicial killings in the country being linked to Duterte's war on illegal drugs.

Malacañang earlier said the Duterte administration is not giving less importance on the anniversary despite its simpler commemoration. 

Duterte will not attend the anniversary rites in Camp Aguinaldo, according to the program showed by the EDSA People Power Commission.  —Joseph Tristan Roxas/KBK, GMA News