uncertainties and such fears

A prelude to “May Dispersal na sa Ayala”

Exactly 35 years ago, Marcos declared the all-time terrifying Martial Law – a decree that blatantly took away the people’s democracy in the country. I haven’t even been born during Macoy’s reign of terror but I can depict the horrifying images of unrest through stories told and through the pages written about it. As Pete Lacaba described, those were “days of disquiet” and “nights of rage.”

Back then, it was easier to decipher the enemy, it was easier to ascertain what was wrong. The war was waged with unwavering desire for freedom.

The hard earned battle of our predecessors passed on a legacy to us. We had to vow that never again would martial law be enacted. At present, however, the battle ensues. The current regime uses language to cloak tyranny.

To counter the growing dissent of the people to economic and political crisis, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo issued an executive order dubbed as Calibrated Preemptive Response (EO 464), “forbidding government officials to appear in congressional inquiries.” On February 2006, meanwhile, Arroyo declared a State of Emergency (PP 1017), giving her power to suppress an emerging uprising. With the proclamation, Arroyo had the power to issue warrantless arrests and take over private institutions. PP 1017 thumped a familiar sound from the 70s.

I never experienced martial law but I can write the martial law of our time.

Here is a prose I’ve written during the proclamation of PP1017 in 2006.

May Dispersal na sa Ayala

Nahulog ng mama ang fishbol na kakatuhog lamang niya nang mabangga ko siya sa pagmamadaling makasakay ng dyip. Pagkalulan, lumingon ako upang sana’y humingi ng pasensya. Nagmumura na ang mama dahil wala nang mahugot na barya mula sa kanyang bulsa.

Naalala ko ang dispersal sa Ayala nitong huli lamang. Marami ang napamura sa walang habas na pagtutulak ng mga pulis kahit naiipit na ang mga kabataan sa mga nakaharang na sasakyan. Bawal na magrally sa Ayala. Uso na ang water cannon sa EDSA. Nakabarikada na rin ang Mendiola.

Inabot ko ang saktong pamasahe sabay sabing “estudyante lang po” para maiwasan ang aberya. Lagi kasing nakasimangot ang mga drayber pag kulang sa regular ang inabot na pasahe lalo na nang magtaas ang langis. Napatitig ako sa dyaryo ng katapat kong mama.

May ni-raid na dyaryo. Bantay-sarado ang mga militar at pulisya. May pinag-huhuli nang mga kongresista. Bawal magsalita ang mga gabinete na walang permiso ng pangulo. May nag-aaklas na militar. Kinakasuhan ang dyaryong tumutuligsa sa gobyerno. Aakusuhan ng sedisyon, rebelyon, komunismo.

Pagkababa ko ng dyip, lumapit ang batang nakaabot ang palad “Konting tulong lang po. Maawa na kayo.”

May water cannon na sa EDSA. Nakabarikada na ang Mendiola. May dispersal na rin sa Ayala.#