The Philippines celebrates the anniversary of the revolution against the dictator Ferdinand Marcos with his son in power

25 Feb. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Philippines has celebrated this Saturday the 37th anniversary of the revolution that led to the fall of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos paradoxically with his son, Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in power as democratically elected president.

The population has participated in acts of remembrance of the 1986 protests that culminated in the EDSA Revolution, an acronym for Epifanio de los Santos Avenue, the epicenter of peaceful popular mobilizations.

The family of political leader Benigno Aquino Jr., whose assassination in 1983 led to the start of the protests, has celebrated the “heroism” of the Filipinos who achieved the return of democracy and has assured that “they will never be forgotten,” reports the newspaper ‘Phil Star’.

“The People’s Power Revolution ESDA showed the world that it is possible for a brave and united people to achieve the freedom that the dictatorship denies them,” he stressed, while greeting “those who fight against the return of the dictatorship and the efforts for distorting history.

President Marcos, for his part, has extended the “hand of reconciliation” to “those who have different political opinions” after criticizing the revolution for being “polarizing” and for “dividing” the people. “As we look back at this key moment in our country’s history, remind us that despite the divisive and polarizing nature of our politics, peace, unity and reconciliation are possible,” he said.

In response, the opposition Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (New Patriotic Alliance) party has warned that “reconciliation is based on justice for the victims of the dictatorship and accountability for those who imposed the dictatorship,” in the words of its secretary. General, Renato Reyes Jr.

The Movement Against Tyranny has also called for unity to denounce the worsening of the situation under the Marcos government. “Since the 2022 elections, the Marcos political dynasty has been reviewing history and whitewashing the crimes of the dictatorship (…). The Marcos were expelled by the EDSA uprising, but they are back looking for revenge,” he warned. .

The Commission on Human Rights has also ruled and has highlighted that the EDSA Revolution “has been one of the moments that define the history of the nation for the demonstration of the power of the people to put an end to a dictatorship and restore democracy through peaceful”.

“Today we pay tribute to the courage of the Filipino people in standing up against tyranny, corruption and oppression to inspire a movement that resonated around the world,” he said.