Jasmine Ann Rivera

Protesters faced disruptions in the Recto Avenue of Manila when police overran the activists against Ferdinand “BongBong” Marcos Sr.'s Martial Law on its 52nd year commemoration on September 21.

Photo Courtesy of The Manila Times.

Led by groups Student Christian Movement of the Philippines (SCMP)  and Karapatan, they were confronted with a strengthening police force as they rallied against human rights violations committed under the Marcos Sr. administration.

The Philippine National Police’s (PNP) efforts to stop protesters made the situation more volatile, echoing some of what Martial Law had violently perpetrated, according to activists who claimed the same was happening during the present regime.

There were no arrests, but one protester was pinned to the ground as anti-riot police determined to break up their assemblies tried to subdue him, further escalating tensions.

The police efforts to disperse the crowd eventually scattered the protesters towards the direction of Recto Avenue as they could not reach Mendiola and were compelled to put up a stage there.

Protests were also heard near España Avenue and welcome Rotonda as situations remained tense in several areas of the city.

While the police broke up the assemblies, the rally’s cry "Never again, never forget" was what some protesters chanted as they vowed to continue battling authoritarianism.

The activists’ call remained centralized in the policies of Martial Law 52 years ago, even if Marcos Sr. was ousted by the People Power Revolution in 1986.