Marker for Cebuano Martyrs and Martial Law Survivors to Rise in Cebu City Plaza

A marker recognizing Cebuano martyrs and survivors of Martial Law will soon rise at the Plaza Independencia near the Cebu City port area.

Anti-Marcos groups led the ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony of the marker after a protest rally Wednesday morning dubbed “Cebu Rages Against Tyranny.”

The protest was part of a simultaneous nationwide protest against the burial of the late dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LNMB).

“We still need approval from city hall. This can be a collaborative effort between the city and the anti-Marcos groups. Definitely, we will follow the process,” said former Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, who is among the organizers, on the construction of the marker.

He said they plan to erect it beside the existing Martial Law memorial marker inside the Plaza Independencia if the city hall approves.

The marker will honor Martial Law martyrs and Martial law survivors worthy of emulation.

Among those who will be honored as Martial Law martyrs are the late Assemblywoman and broadcaster Nenita “Inday Nita” Cortes Daluz, the late Fr. Rosalio “Rudy” Romano, lawyer Vicente Balbuena, Professor Evelyn Neri, the late Ribomapil “Dodong” Holganza Sr., Fr. Luis “Louie” Hechanova and the late lawyer Valentino Legaspi.

On the other hand, Auxilium Toling-Olayer, Francisco “Bimbo” Fernandez, retired Cebu Regional Trial Court Judge Meinrado Paredes, Professor Zenaida Uy, the late former senator Sergio Osmeña III, Fr. Emi Maningo, Ruben Diaz and lawyer Democrito Barcenas will be honored as Martial Law survivors worthy of emulation.

Some of the survivors that were present during the activity Wednesday morning included Olayer, Fernandez, Paredes and Barcenas.

Each of the survivors gave short speeches recalling their experiences during Martial Law and expressed gratitude for having their efforts during the Marcos dictatorship recognized.

They also encouraged the youth who were present during the rally to continue fighting for real democracy.

The protesters staged a “freedom walk” from Fuente Osmeña to Plaza Independencia where they held a rally to echo their opposition to the burial of Marcos at LNMB.

The Supreme Court, last November 8, voted 9-5 in favor of the former president’s burial at the heroes’ cemetery.

On November 18, despite the opposition to the Supreme Court’s decision, the Marcos family decided to bury the late president at LNMB in Taguig City. (PNA)LAP/EB/EDS