JOINT STATEMENT: Human Rights Violation Victims’ Memorial Commission and University of the Philippines announce unity for the Freedom Memorial Museum
The Human Rights Violation Victims' Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) and the University of the Philippines (UP) are pleased to announce that they have agreed on united efforts to expedite the Freedom Memorial Museum in UP Diliman. This initiative underscor…
By UP Media and Public Relations Office on September 6, 2024
The Human Rights Violation Victims' Memorial Commission (HRVVMC) and the University of the Philippines (UP) are pleased to announce that they have agreed on united efforts to expedite the Freedom Memorial Museum in UP Diliman. This initiative underscores their shared commitment to preserving the struggles of a people during the Martial Law era and, thus, honoring the victims of human rights violations.
Both parties have agreed to formally sign the deed of transfer of the new UP Diliman campus maintenance offices and workshops funded by the HRVVMC on September 27, 2024 (10:00 AM). The transfer will pave the way for the clearing of old structures and start of construction at the future site of the Freedom Memorial Museum which will serve as a vital educational resource and a poignant reminder of our nation's history.
The HRVVMC and UP look forward to the successful completion of this project and the continued partnership between both institutions.
From left: UP Student Regent Francesca Duran; Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Jigs Clamor; UP Vice President for Development Dr. Daniel C. Peckley, Jr.; UP Diliman Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development Prof. Raquel B. Florendo, PhD; Gabriela Women's Partylist Rep. Arlene Brosas; Bantayog ng mga Bayani Trustee and Survivors Hub Tina Bawagan; UP Executive Vice President Jose Fernando T. Alcantara; HRVVMMC Executive Director Chuck Crisanto; Former UP Faculty Regent and Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan) Council Member Dr. Judy M. Taguiwalo; All-UP Academic Employees Union National President and Former Campus Maintenance Office Director Perlita Raña; Former Bayan Representative and former political prisoner Satur Ocampo; UP Vice President for Legal Affairs Atty. Abraham Rey M. Acosta; Officer-in-Charge Campus Maintenance Office Engr. Oliver C. Penuliar; UP Office of the President Strategic Communications Group Jingjing Romero; Former Political Prisoner and Editor Jo-ann Maglipon; and CARMMA Convenor and relative of martial law victims Kris Lacaba. Seated are: UP President Angelo A. Jimenez; UP Diliman Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan, II; and Vice Chair of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees and Laban sa Aresto (SELDA) Danilo de la Fuente. Photo from the UP OP Strategic Communications Group.
Notes and Sidelights from the Meeting Between UP Officials and Activists Advocating on behalf of Martial Law Victims
a. "The human rights victims of Martial Law, human rights defenders, and the UP community welcome this gesture of unity between the two institutions," said former DSWD secretary and retired UP professor Dr. Judy Taguiwalo after the meeting joined by university and HRVVMC officials. Taguiwalo suffered a long incarceration during the Martial Law period.
b. Also in attendance were other prominent victims of and activists against human rights violations, namely:
ACT Teachers Party List Rep. France Castro
Gabriela Women's party list Rep. Arlene Brosas
Former Bayan party list representative and former political prisoner Satur Ocampo
UP Student Regent Francesca Duran
Bantayog ng mga Bayani trustee Tina Bawagan
Former political prisoner and editor Jo-Ann Maglipon
Former political prisoner and survivors hub Doris Nuval
Vice chair of the Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Aresto (SELDA) Danilo de la Fuente
Campaign Against the Return of the Marcoses and Martial Law (CARMMA) convenor and relative of martial law martyr and victims Kris Lacaba
All-UP Academic Employees Union National President and Former Campus Maintenance Office Director Perlita Raña
Karapatan Deputy Secretary General Jigs Clamor
c. Invited by UP President Angelo Jimenez last Thursday to discuss the historic project's status, the group urged the university to speed up the clearing and preparation of the museum site comprising 1.4 hectares of UP land along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue.
d. UP offered a four-month timetable for demolishing several structures and relocating offices, supply inventories, and shop tools. The site is currently occupied by the UP Diliman unit in charge of campus-wide maintenance and repairs as well as the physical set-ups for special events. The affected UP personnel and equipment will be moved to new offices and workshops, which the HRVVMC built in exchange for securing the property where the museum and its eye-catching exterior will rise.
e. The transfer timeframe, according to UP Vice President for Development Dan Peckley, had to consider the additional works needed to fit out the new campus maintenance offices and the period for procuring crane and forklift services for moving heavy machinery and tools.
f. Aiming to commence the long-delayed museum's construction phase, both sides will finally complete a deed of transfer for the utilization of the new offices and workshops. The deed of transfer will be signed during the 52nd anniversary of martial law's nationwide imposition later this month. They also agreed to hold the groundbreaking ceremony for the Freedom Memorial Museum by December this year.
g. Elderly survivors of Martial Law atrocities who attended the meeting remarked that they were looking forward to joining both milestone events "just in case we will no longer be around for the opening of the museum."
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