Martial Law survivor Joanna Cariño recalls her experiences during the Martial Law period

Now You Know PH

19 Sept 201913:03

Summary

TLDRJoanna Pitino, a senior citizen and martial law survivor in the Philippines, recounts her experiences as a student activist during the 1970s. She details the intense political unrest, her illegal arrest, torture, and the severe human rights abuses she endured under martial law. Reflecting on the current political climate, she expresses concerns about a return to dictatorial practices. Despite her hardships, she remains proud of her lifelong activism and continues to advocate for systemic changes to improve society, particularly for farmers, workers, and indigenous peoples.

Takeaways

👩‍🦳 Joanna Pitino is a senior citizen, survivor of martial law, and former student activist from the University of the Philippines Baguio.
🚨 Martial law was declared in 1972, during which Joanna actively participated in protests and was arrested for her activism.
⚡ Joanna and her sister were tortured after their arrest, enduring electric shocks, beatings, and threats of further violence.
🏢 Joanna was held in a military camp where she witnessed and heard the torture of other political prisoners.
😔 The torture and detention led to long-term health issues, including hepatitis, which Joanna believes was a result of the abuse.
🔄 Joanna draws parallels between the human rights violations during martial law and those under the Duterte administration, citing extrajudicial killings and repression of democratic dissent.
⚖️ She highlights the systematic efforts to stifle opposition, including the jailing of political figures and the militarization of civilian bureaucracy.
🛑 Joanna emphasizes the importance of remembering the atrocities of martial law and ensuring that such abuses never happen again.
💪 Despite the challenges, Joanna remains proud of her activism and continues to fight for systemic changes in Philippine society.
🌱 She encourages the youth to carry on the struggle for a better society, drawing inspiration from the activism of her generation.

Q & A

Who is Joanna Pitino?
-Joanna Pitino is an elderly woman, a survivor of martial law in the Philippines, and a former student activist at the University of the Philippines Baguio.
What was Joanna's role during the declaration of martial law in 1972?
-During the declaration of martial law in 1972, Joanna Pitino was a student activist and a member of Kabataang Makabayan, actively participating in protests and advocating for systemic change in the Philippines.
What were the conditions like during the first quarter storm according to Joanna?
-Joanna described the first quarter storm as a time of great awakening for the youth, with many students taking to the streets to demand change. Progressive organizations had chapters in many schools, and activism was widespread.
What happened to Joanna after martial law was declared?
-After martial law was declared, Joanna was illegally arrested in 1974, tortured, and detained in a military camp for over a year. She was subjected to physical abuse, including electric shocks, and witnessed the torture of other political prisoners.
What were the effects of the torture Joanna endured?
-Joanna suffered from physical injuries, including burn marks from electric shocks, and was diagnosed with hepatitis, which she believes was related to the torture she endured.
How does Joanna compare the current administration to the martial law period?
-Joanna feels a sense of déjà vu with the current administration, drawing parallels between the human rights abuses and repression of political dissent today and those during martial law. She believes that the current situation in the Philippines resembles a de facto martial law.
What is Joanna's view on the current use of military personnel in civilian roles?
-Joanna is critical of the increasing presence of military personnel in civilian government roles, arguing that it reflects a mindset of impunity and repression, similar to that of the martial law era.
What does Joanna emphasize as the key lesson from martial law?
-Joanna emphasizes that the human rights violations during martial law should never be forgotten and that it is crucial to resist any attempts to repeat such abuses in the present day.
How does Joanna reflect on her life and activism?
-Joanna reflects on her life with pride, believing that she has lived for others and contributed to the struggle for systemic change in the Philippines. She remains committed to fighting for a better society, even as a senior citizen.
What is Joanna's message to the younger generation?
-Joanna urges the younger generation to continue the struggle for systemic change, just as the youth did during the first quarter storm and the fight against the Marcos dictatorship. She sees them as playing a crucial role in achieving a better Philippine society.

Outlines

00:00

😔 Survivor's Tale of Torture and Resistance During Martial Law

Joanna Pitino, a senior citizen and martial law survivor, recounts her experience during the declaration of martial law in the Philippines in 1972. As a student activist at the University of the Philippines Baguio, she witnessed the first quarter storm—a period of youth activism against a corrupt system. Joanna describes how she was arrested and tortured, enduring electric shocks and severe abuse at the hands of the military. Despite the horror, including hearing others tortured, Joanna remained defiant and critical of the regime. She draws a connection between her past trauma and the current human rights violations under the present administration, particularly the extrajudicial killings linked to the drug war, lamenting the repetition of history.

05:01

⚖️ Echoes of Martial Law in Modern-Day Repression

Joanna reflects on the disturbing similarities between the martial law era and today's political climate, noting the reemergence of military influence and the silencing of dissent. Under the current administration, military personnel have filled civilian positions, and democratic opposition is being systematically repressed. From charges against political figures to the branding of activists as terrorists, Joanna argues that the government is shutting down democratic freedoms. She warns that while martial law may not be officially declared, the de facto state of repression closely resembles that dark chapter in Philippine history. The use of state power against opposition, both armed and peaceful, is indicative of an encroaching dictatorship.

10:01

🌱 A Lifelong Fight for Human Rights and Justice

Reflecting on her life, Joanna expresses pride in her long-standing commitment to activism. As a former youth activist turned senior citizen, she acknowledges her role in advocating for systemic change in Philippine society—where wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few, and marginalized communities such as farmers, workers, and indigenous peoples remain disenfranchised. Despite the grim political situation, she calls on the younger generation to continue the unfinished revolution and to fight for a better future. Joanna emphasizes that the struggle is intergenerational, with youth playing a vital role in pushing back against dictatorship and advocating for a fairer, more just society.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Martial Law

Martial law refers to the imposition of direct military control over normal civilian functions, usually in response to a crisis. In the context of the video, martial law was declared in the Philippines in 1972, leading to severe repression and human rights abuses. The speaker, Joanna Pitino, describes her personal experiences of torture and imprisonment during this period, highlighting the oppressive nature of the regime and its impact on activists and civilians alike.

💡Student Activism

Student activism involves students engaging in political, social, or environmental causes. Joanna Pitino recounts her involvement in student activism at the University of the Philippines Baguio during the First Quarter Storm, a period of intense social unrest and protest in the Philippines. This activism was aimed at challenging the existing system and advocating for change, which later led to her arrest and torture under martial law.

💡First Quarter Storm

The First Quarter Storm refers to a period of intense activism and protests in the Philippines from January to March 1970, primarily led by students. The movement sought to challenge the existing political and social systems. In the video, this period is described as a time of general awakening among the youth, who took to the streets to demand systemic changes, setting the stage for the widespread repression under martial law.

💡Torture

Torture is the act of inflicting severe pain or suffering, often to extract information or as punishment. Joanna Pitino describes the brutal methods used by the military during her detention, including electric shocks, slapping, and beatings. This torture was part of the broader repression under martial law, used to instill fear and suppress dissent.

💡Political Prisoners

Political prisoners are individuals detained for their political beliefs, actions, or opposition to the government. The video recounts Joanna Pitino's experience as a political prisoner, detained without due process and subjected to torture. She also mentions the busloads of other political prisoners who were similarly mistreated, emphasizing the widespread nature of political repression during martial law.

💡De facto Martial Law

De facto martial law refers to a situation where military control is exerted over civilians without an official declaration of martial law. Joanna Pitino argues that the Philippines was under de facto martial law during the period described in the video, citing the militarization of civilian agencies and the repression of democratic dissent as evidence of a dictatorship operating in all but name.

💡Human Rights Violations

Human rights violations are actions by state or non-state actors that infringe on the basic rights and freedoms of individuals. In the video, Joanna Pitino details the extensive human rights violations during martial law, including illegal arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. She emphasizes that these abuses define the martial law period, overshadowing any claimed accomplishments.

💡Youth Idealism

Youth idealism refers to the passionate belief in the possibility of societal change, often characteristic of young people. Joanna Pitino reflects on her youthful idealism during the First Quarter Storm, when she and many others believed in their ability to change society for the better. She contrasts this idealism with the harsh realities of repression, yet suggests that it remains a vital force for continuing the struggle for systemic change.

💡Systemic Change

Systemic change involves fundamental transformations in the structures and systems of society. The video discusses the ongoing struggle for systemic change in the Philippines, aiming for a more just society where wealth is not concentrated among a few, and where farmers, workers, and indigenous peoples can claim their rights. Joanna Pitino sees her activism as part of this broader movement for systemic change, which remains unfinished.

💡Never Again

Never Again is a slogan used to emphasize the importance of remembering past atrocities to prevent their recurrence. Joanna Pitino uses this phrase in the video to express the need to remember the abuses of martial law in the Philippines, ensuring that such a period of repression and human rights violations is never repeated. It reflects the collective memory and ongoing vigilance required to safeguard democracy and human rights.

Highlights

Joanna Pitino describes her background as a senior citizen, an evil woman, and a survivor of martial law, reflecting on her involvement as a student activist during the First Quarter Storm.

She recalls the general awakening among youth in the Philippines during the First Quarter Storm, where students took to the streets to protest an unacceptable system.

Joanna shares her experience of being arrested illegally in 1974 along with her younger sister and being subjected to torture, including electric shocks.

She describes being brought to a military camp and later a hospital, where despite showing clear signs of torture, the military doctor dismissed her injuries as nothing serious.

Joanna recounts hearing the cries of other tortured political prisoners in the camp and describes the brutality faced by those who opposed the regime.

She draws parallels between the current administration's actions and those during martial law, citing the increased militarization of government positions and repression of democratic dissent.

Joanna highlights the ongoing extrajudicial killings under the guise of the drug war and how this mirrors the violent tactics used during martial law.

She criticizes the labeling of political opposition and activists as terrorists, noting the systemic efforts to silence dissent through legal and extralegal means.

Joanna points out the use of Executive Order 70 and the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict to target not just armed groups but also democratic organizations.

She expresses concern over the de facto martial law atmosphere in the Philippines today, with the military's growing influence over civilian bureaucracy and suppression of civil liberties.

Joanna reflects on the historical importance of acknowledging the human rights violations that occurred during martial law, emphasizing the need to remember and learn from the past.

She contrasts the alleged achievements of martial law, such as infrastructure projects, with the severe human rights abuses, arguing that these accomplishments cannot justify the suffering inflicted on Filipinos.

Joanna shares her sense of pride in her life's work and her ongoing commitment to fighting for systemic change, particularly in advocating for the rights of farmers, workers, and indigenous peoples.

She urges younger generations to continue the struggle against dictatorship and injustice, drawing parallels to her own youth activism during the Marcos era.

Joanna emphasizes the unfinished nature of the revolution in the Philippines and the need for continued effort towards a more equitable society for future generations.