Article on “Migrants, STAND! (Speak the Truth, Never Again to Dictatorship!)” Webinar

A Solidarity Webinar by the International Migrants Alliance to commemorate the Anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines 2023

Martial Law declared by Ferdinand Marcos Sr. in the Philippines in 1972 has brought great pain and tears to the people in the Philippines. Although the Filipino people successfully toppled Martial Law and dictatorship, later administrations only replaced them with new regulations that are no less harmful to the people. To commemorate the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines, IMA held a solidarity webinar on September 18, 2023.

The solidarity webinar, attended by more than 70 participants, provided an overview on the situation of the Philippines under Martial Rule in the 1970s and its link to the labor export program as well as its linkage to the current struggle for protection and upholding of human rights in the country. 

Attorney Edwin Dela Cruz of Migrante International and International Seafarers' Action Center, explained the history of Martial Law and the labor export program in the Philippines. Attorney Edwin also shared how the national maritime industry in the Philippines was destroyed because of the labor export program. Carlos L. Maningat, a Filipino researcher, activist, and writer, highlighted the current political situation, Anti-Terror Law, and Terror tagging of migrant leaders in the Philippines. Maningat emphasized that the new administration does not need to declare Martial Law since it now uses the Anti-Terror Law to do the same thing - jail political opponents, silence and repress opposition, and curtail the liberties of the poor and oppressed.

Two reactors from INDIES and MIREDES International gave reactions regarding the effects of fascism and repression experienced by the people in their countries. They also discussed how to connect the people's struggle in the Philippines for democratic rights and human rights with the reality in the reactors' countries. Kurniawan Sabar (INDIES) explained the context of the struggle for human rights in Indonesia and the resistance of the people against the government that continues to favor the power of foreign investment. Meanwhile, Manuel Hidalgo from MIREDES International told the history of the struggle of people in countries in Latin America who were oppressed by dictators and forced to migrate to other countries to find work. Manuel also emphasized that migrant organizations must unite to defend the rights that the people and migrants should obtain.

The webinar ended with a call from various participants to “Junk the Anti-Terror Law”, “Never Again to Martial Law”, and “Oppose Historical Revisionism”.