It was 1974, two years after dictator Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law to quell growing civil unrest. It is stories like Pimentel’s that bolster the need for the creation of a memorial to honor the martial law victims. Artifacts from victimsAt the heart of the Freedom Memorial is a planned museum showcasing, among others, artifacts recovered from martial law victims. Giving substance to martial law is well nigh impossible if the people have nothing to see.”Pimentel lamented the absence of a concerted effort to quickly institutionalize the memory of martial law. After all, martial law didn’t just steal his liberty; it also robbed him of the joy of witnessing his daughter’s first steps and first words.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 20, 2018 21:33 UTC