Martial law human rights victims start filing reparation claims

Photo taken before the grenades exploded shows Mel Lopez speaking, while party stalwarts Gerardo Roxas, Ramon Bagatsing, Sergio Osmena Jr., and Jovito Salonga look on seated, waiting for their turn to speak. Photo courtesy of Mel Lopez Collection / Wikipedia

MANILA (PNA) — Human rights victims of martial law begin submitting their application for claims and recognition on Monday morning at the grounds of Virata Hall in UP Diliman, Quezon City.

“At least more than 40 human rights violation claimants had come forward early this morning to file early for their claims to Human Rights Victims’ Claims Board (HRVCB),” said John Broňola, administrative assistant of HRVCB board member Atty. Byron Bocar in an interview with the Philippines News Agency.

Broňola cited that most of those who made the early submission of applications came from Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite and Tarlac.

He added most of the claimants knew each other and took advantage of the filing as a sort of reunion.

“Some of them were very happy to see each other,” he said.

So far, he said that the filing is smooth-sailing as most of the claimants had brought with them their necessary documents except for a few who forgot to bring other required documents or has no executed affidavits.

“Those who have incomplete documents were advised to do the follow-up submission while those with no available affidavits were being assisted by some lawyers here providing free notarial services for them,” he added.

Allan Ramos, 52 years old from Bulacan, one of the human rights victims of martial law, said he usually lines up early to submit any documents or claims.

“Ever since, I am always early when it comes to filing like in the filing of case against former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in Hawaii wherein we won and given compensation for that,” Ramos said.

He cited that from the class suit case he was able to obtain 1,000 USD.

“This year, I was also among those who receive P50,000 check from Swiss legal counsel Robert Swift obtained from the settlement case over the illegal selling of a painting formerly owned by former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos,” he added.

He said that he is anticipating the monetary compensation that will be provided to them by HRVCB. He said he is planning to use the money to start a small business and at the same time build an autistic- and epileptic-friendly space for his child, Lei Andrei.

He said that he was happy that through Republic 10368, their efforts in fighting the dictatorship had paid-off for the reparation and recognition that the law provides.

“It feels good that lessons from martial law will also be recorded so that such dark side of the history will not happen again,” he said.

He said that being martial law victim who was accused of belonging to New People’s Army (NPA) and was maltreated and abused was not that easy.

“I appeal to members of League Filipino Students (LFS) today not to ever attempt to reach a point similar to what we had suffered. It is hard. It is sad to say that many Filipinos easily forgive and forget the past and those people who sacrificed,” he cited as his message for fellow Filipinos who are fighting for ideology.

He said that he is very willing that his story be included in the files of a museum that will be created by a memorial commission after the reparation and recognition is over.

“It is good that stories of our sufferings and sacrifices will be known by present and future generations so that they will know that there is a part of the Philippine History wherein Martial Law or dictatorship had occurred and there are lessons learned from it,” he added.

The filing of claims will continue until November 10.

Schedule of filing for satellite offices nationwide will be announced by the HRVCB this week for the convenience of claimants in the provinces.

Under RA 10368, human rights victims (HRVs) who suffered one month before Sept. 21, 1972 to one month after Feb. 25, 1986 may file their application.

It was signed by President Benigno S. Aquino III on February 25, 2013 during the anniversary celebration of the EDSA People Power Revolution.

The appointment of the nine-member board was done last February 10, 2014 headed by Lina Sarmiento.

The other eight members of the board were lawyers and doctors.

They are Atty. Wilfred Asis, Galuash Ballaho, Byron Bocar, Chito Gascon, Glenda Litong, Jacqueline Mejia, Dr. Aurora parong and Dr. Erlinda Senturias.

The Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) was completed last April 27 and was published in two major newspapers thereafter.

The board was expecting that more HRVs will file their claims especially those who failed to file claims in the class suit against former President Ferdinand E. Marcos in the United States.