“Cory Aquino’s beckoning to the call for freedom of the Filipino people during the waning days of the Marcos’ Martial Law regime was pivotal in making us enjoy our freedom today. In so many ways, Cory kept us from becoming a Burma.”
These were the words said by Gus Miclat, Executive Director of the Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID).
“Burma today is close to what the Philippines could have been if not for People Power spearheaded by a broad and progressive anti-dictatorship front that was symbolically led by Aquino in the homestretch of the struggle”, added Miclat.
According to a study of the human rights violations under the Marcos regime by Alfred McCoy, the regime yielded even worse numbers than Burma : 3,257 extra-judicial killings, 35,000 tortures, and 70,000 incarcerations. About 737 Filipinos disappeared between 1975 and 1985. Worse, nearly 77 percent of all victims, were salvaged-that is, tortured, mutilated, and dumped on a roadside for public display.
A personality like Cory who can make the church, military, and people, from all walks of life, not just the masses; come together and successfully spearhead a bloodless revolution to end military rule is one of a kind. Burma has yet to replicate it and democratic leader Aung Suu Kyi may just do it soon” added Miclat. (IID)