With candles lit in remembrance, student councils, organizations, and National Democratic Mass Organizations (NDMOs) gathered at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Freedom Wall for an annual candle-lighting ceremony

With candles lit in remembrance, student councils, organizations, and National Democratic Mass Organizations (NDMOs) gathered at the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) Freedom Wall for an annual candle-lighting ceremony honoring the martyrs of Martial Law, Sept. 30.

Held a week after the 54th anniversary of the declaration of Martial Law, the commemoration paid tribute to the victims of the dictatorship, including Liliosa “Lili” Hilao, Norberto and Roy Acebedo. Jerlyn Rose Deydora, a College of Education (CED) student-leader who died during a military operation in Occidental Mindoro, was also remembered. Meanwhile, Anakbayan PLM staged a cultural performance in their honor.

Calls were also raised against red-tagging and harassment of young activists that institutions continually perpetuate. Along with this is the opposition to the PLM Board of Regents’ conferment of a Doctor of Laws, Honoris Causa, on Pres. Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. during the university’s 58th Commencement Exercises, citing concerns over human rights, academic freedom, and democratic principles within the university.

The ceremony concluded with a prayer for the victims of Martial Law, as the PLM community came together in remembrance and continued calls for truth and justice.