A Missing Slab

Victims of Martial Law
Memorial Wall

 

This memorial wall is dedicated to the martyrdom and patriotism of our Filipino Freedom Fighters who have died and still missing during the Martial Law Marcos Regime – lives they have selflessly and courageously dedicated to the cause of justice, freedom and democracy for the country.

As part of this administration’s Buhayin ang Maynila program of the city of Manila, this memorial wall is erected in grateful recognition of their ultimate sacrifice and as a reminder of that the freedom we are now enjoying has been paid for dearly, may their heroism inspire and motivate future generations of the Filipino youth, that freedom and democracy has to be vigilantly defended and fought for.

This memorial wall is also a declaration of this administration’s enduring commitment to continue the struggle against all forms of injustice and oppression.

Mabuhay ang Pilipino!

 

Jose l. Atienza, Jr.
Mayor, City of Manila

Victims of Martial Law Memorial Wall

Victims of Martial Law Memorial Wall

Victims of Martial Law Memorial Wall

For many years and for countless times, I passed by that memorial wall. It’s a small monument found between the Universidad de Manila and the Manila City Hall. Unless you know of its exact location or you discover it for yourself, it’s easy to miss it: the Bonifacio Shrine in front of it arrests anyone’s attention just by with its size, color, and detail. Even the stores near it and the shrubbery surrounding it could obscure it from view. And it would be simple to just see it as another marbled path.

For many years and for countless times, I passed by that memorial wall. I’ve read the names. I’ve seen all the names. And they were always a blur to me. I was always going to work or going home. I saw the names. But I don’t know those names, much less the faces to whom the names belong to. Even now, I wouldn’t be able to remember even one.

For many years and for countless times, I passed by that memorial wall. It’s only now that I bothered to look for a photo of the dedication etched on stone. I found online someone else’s photo of that slab, when it was still in its rightful place. It’s only now that I bothered to read the dedication. And it’s only now that I bothered to post about it.

Since some time last year, I noticed that one of the slabs – the one that bore the memorial wall’s dedication – was missing. I don’t know what happened to it. I don’t know of anyone who knows what happened to it. So my thoughts were my own. Maybe it was stolen or destroyed or being repaired or being replaced. I even thought that some form of it would be in place just in time for the 32^nd People Power Anniversary. But the date has come and gone. And there are still just two small slabs on the memorial wall. The names are still there. But, with a missing slab, it just doesn’t sound and look official.