• Palace says it will do its “fair share” in helping Syrian refugees
• Palace honors the sacrifices of martial law victims

Secretary Coloma reiterated President Benigno Aquino III’s prior statement that the country will adhere to its commitment as signatory to various conventions on refugees.

“Ang mahalaga, na paano ba maituturing kung ano ang ‘fair share’ na dapat nating gampanan, at ang magiging batayan nito ay ang ating pagkakaroon ng resources. Ito po ang batayan ng ating kakayahan,” said Coloma.

“Kaya lang, bago tayo gumawa ng kahit anong pahiwatig o commitment, ay kinakailangan din namang suriin ang ating sitwasyon; at sa pagtatalakay sa UN at sa iba pang mga organisasyon kung ano ang magagawa natin, ipaparating natin sa kanila ‘yung ating pagtaya sa ating kakayahan para ito ang magiging batayan ng ano mang pakikipag-usap,” he added.

In the past, the Philippines has hosted various nationalities who sought refuge, this includes Rohingya people of the so-called boat people from Myanmar and Bangladesh; Uighur, mostly Muslim people from the Chinese province of Xinjiang which borders eight countries – Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India.

Vietnamese refugees also took refuged in Palawan, when they fled following the fall of south Vietnam to the communists.

At the height of World War II, the country also took in Jewish refugees under President Manuel Quezon. PND (ag)

“We join our citizenry in remembering and honoring the sacrifices of the victims of martial rule… From their blood, sweat and tears, our people gathered and rebuilt their willpower and strength to mount wave upon wave of protest movements that culminated in the triumph of the EDSA People Power revolution in 1986,” said Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr.

Among the rights curtailed during the martial law was press freedom, which according to Communications Secretary Coloma the Philippines now has the most freest press.

“Malinaw at klarong-klaro sa atin at sa kahit sinong observer na ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag sa Pilipinas ay isang magandang halimbawa kung paano ito dapat igalang at ipatupad sa isang demokrasya,” said Coloma during a radio interview with dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.

“Kaya’t ito ay isa sa mga maaaring ikarangal at ipagmalaki ng ating bansa, ang pagkakaroon ng ganap at buong kalayaan sa pamamahayag… at kahalintulad na rin nito ang freedom of assembly at freedom expression,” he added.

The Communications Secretary also stressed the importance of informing the younger generation of the sacrifices of many Filipinos who suffered under martial law.

“Together with our efforts to ensure sustainable long-term growth, progress and stability that would include the active participation of all Filipinos, it is important to impart to the youth of our land the lessons learned from martial rule and the struggle to restore democracy, as our continuing legacy to all future generations of Filipinos,” said Coloma.

In September 21, 1972, former strongman President Ferdinand Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1081, placing the entire country under martial rule. PND (ag)