Progressive groups gathered at Bantayog ng mga Bayani, a memorial for Martial Law martyrs and the survivors who perished later on, on National Heroes’ Day to pay tribute to fallen freedom fighters in current times as the struggle for freedom and democracy continues under the current Rodrigo Duterte administration.
Activist killings have persisted despite lockdowns, as in the cases of Randall Echanis who was killed on August 10 in Quezon City while the whole region was under strict lockdown. Zara Alvarez was shot on the back and died on the street in Bacolod City on August 17, the day Echanis was laid to rest. More were also killed despite the lockdown and varying COVID-19 lockdown or quarantine protocols since March 15.
Medical frontliners who laid down their life in the fight against COVID-19 were also remembered, most who need not have perished had the government responded quickly and more efficiently to pandemic, especially in providing protection for medical frontliners.
National Heroes Day is remembered every last Monday of August, in accordance to Republic Act 9492.
