PLM Orgs, SCs commemorate 40th EDSA People Power Day; honors Doydora, Hilao

The Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila Student Councils and progressive organizations gather at the university’s Freedom Wall on Feb. 24 to commemorate the 40th EDSA People Power Day, honoring the victims of violence and dictatorship. 

Groups including STAND PLM, ALAB Pamantasan, College of Public Administration-Student Council, College of Education-Student Council, and PLM Supreme Student Council led a protest program, prayer vigil, and a candle-lighting ceremony.

In his speech, Nayle Nicolie Dungca, Secretary of PLM SSC, called for justice for the late Jerlyn Rose Doydora, PLM CED student, who died following an airstrike launched by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Abra de Ilog, Mindoro, last Jan. 1. 

“Ano man ang iba’t ibang naratibo tungkol sa kanyang buhay at pagkamatay, isang bagay lamang ang malinaw, siya ay isang estudyante at anak ng bayan na may pangarap,” he claimed.

He also stated that Doydora’s death proves that every youth should be entitled to live with dignity and a voice to protect the country and democracy.

Brylle Flores, President of the PLM CED-SC, also condemned red-tagging, abuse, and unresolved extrajudicial killings from the dictatorship of Former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and the regime of Former President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte.

“Ang bawat sugat na iniwan ng diktaduryang Marcos at malupit na rehimeng Duterte ay hindi lamang peklat sa balat ng mga biktima kundi malalim na hiwa sa ating demokrasya,” he added.

He also showed his sympathy towards the victims, and their families, urging the authorities to serve justice for cases which remain unsolved.

“Ang inyong mga mahal sa buhay ay hindi lamang mga numero, sila ay buhay na may mukha, may pangalan, at may mga kuwentong hindi dapat ibaon,” he honored. 

Meanwhile, CPA-SC President Jahna Par also explained the importance of celebrating the 40th EDSA People Power Day in history.

“Ang EDSA ay hindi lamang kuwento ng nakaraan, ito ay paalala na ang demokrasya ay hindi awtomatikong idinidikta sa ating bayan kundi ipinaglalaban,” she said.

To end the ceremony, the PLM Campus Ministry offered a prayer and candle lighting for the victims of martial law and extrajudicial killings.