Senator Bam Aquino urged Filipinos to continue retelling the stories of Martial Law, saying “the sacrifices, atrocities and heroism during the darkest years in our country’s history should not be forgotten and must be imparted to today’s generation”.

“Hindi dapat ibaon sa limot ang madilim na bahagi ng ating kasaysayan kung saan maraming buhay ang nasakripisyo at maraming karapatan ang niyurakan,” said Sen. Bam as the country commemorated the 43rd anniversary of Martial Law yesterday (Monday).

 During the Martial Law years from 1972 to 1981, thousands of people opposed to the Marcos government were either killed, tortured or went missing.

 Aside from that, Sen. Bam said the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) estimated that the country’s coffers lost around $10 billion during Marcos’ reign.

Sen. Bam expressed concern as there are efforts to distort the truth, especially in social media and on the Internet, to make it appear that the Philippines had its best years during the Marcos administration.

“For those who remember Martial Law, it is our responsibility to impart the truth to the next generation to create awareness among our youth on what really happened during that time,” said Sen. Bam, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Youth.

The senator also called on the youth to not be easily swayed and misled by stories being disseminated online, saying they must examine their veracity and truthfulness.

“Maging masinop sa pagsisinsin ng mga lumalabas sa Internet, halukayin ang mga kuwento at huwag basta maniwala,” Sen. Bam stressed.

Sen. Bam’s uncle, Ninoy Aquino, was among those arrested, imprisoned and tortured during the Martial Law. Ninoy was tagged as Prisoner No. 1 as he was arrested moments after Martial Law was declared.