Six inducted as martyrs and heroes for opposing Marcos dictatorship

Six individuals who were persecuted and killed for opposing the martial law regime of the late dictator President Ferdinand Marcos were inducted to the Wall of Remembrance at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani on Tuesday.

The induction took place during the Annual Honoring of Martyrs and Heroes, an event honoring the people's resistance against the Marcos dictatorship and conferred by the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation Inc.

The event coincides with the birth anniversary of hero Andres Bonifacio.

The new inductees were: Masinding Alonto Sr., David Borja, Nicetas Perez, and Minda Luz Quesada.

Meanwhile, reinductees included physicians Rimberto Daniel dela Paz and Juan Escandor who were cited in tribute to the medical frontliners who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Marcos regime was a regime of tyranny, untold suffering and horrific crimes against the Moro people and the Filipino nation," Masinding Alonto Jr. said in accepting the induction of his martyred father.

Dr. Silvia dela Paz, the widow of the inductee and medical doctor Perez, said that the kin of the fallen heroes and martyrs should not let the horrors of Martial law escape Filipino's consciousness.

"No, Marcos is not a hero and never will be," said Silvia dela Paz. "Let us be vigilant in working for the restoration of peace in our hearts, not peace of the cemetery; of peace that is based on justice, as well as food and shelter for all of those who work."

Jair Escandor, the grandson of Dr. Escandor, made the same call to the younger generation.

"We the youth have the obligation to stand up against the attacks on our democratic rights. We should use our skills and talent to be of service to our country," he added.

GMA News had sought comment from the Marcos family or their representatives, but they have yet to respond as of posting time. — DVM, GMA News