Key players in ‘people power’ see no real change

KEY players in the 1986 people power uprising that ousted Ferdinand Marcos as president and restored democracy in the Philippines have been speaking about the event.

Few see any real change in the country 25 years after the revolution.

“I’m very sorry; I have yet to see real change after 25 years.” The Philippines is like “a changing land with unchanging people,” said former constabulary chief Ramon Montaño, who joined other generals in turning against Marcos.

“Terror and chronic poverty as well as social deterioration still hound Filipinos,” said Jorge Madlos, spokesperson of the armed communist movement, the National Democratic Front.

The late Manila archbishop, Jaime Cardinal Sin “put his heart into peaceful participation, regardless of the threats to his life and the prospect of going up against a powerful foe.” But prayer alone was not enough to effect change, said President Benigno Aquino III, who urged Filipinos to continue the fight for reforms.

“As long as there are hungry Filipinos and Filipinos who have no shot at a decent life, our fight is not over,” he said.

“Human rights violations continue with impunity. People power may have spread in North Africa and parts of the Middle East today…, (but) social reforms and human rights, however, require far more direct political mass actions of the people,” said human rights group Karapatan.

Report from ucanews.com