T R I B U T E T O
N I N O Y
1932-1983
ARRIVAL
SPEECH
The prepared speech that
was never read
I
have returned on my free will to join the ranks of those struggling to
restore our rights and freedoms through non-violence.
I
seek no confrontation. I only pray and will strive for a genuine national
reconciliation founded on justice.
I
am prepared for the worst, and have decided against the advice of my
mother, my spiritual adviser, many of my tested friends and a few of my
most valued political mentors.
A
death sentence awaits me. Two more subversion charges, both calling for
death penalties, have been filed since I left three years ago and are now
pending with the courts.
Three
years ago when I left for an emergency heart bypass operation, I hoped and
prayed that the rights and freedoms of our people would soon be restored,
that living conditions would improve and that blood-letting would stop.
I
could have opted to seek political asylum in America, but I feel it is my
duty, as it is the duty of every Filipino, to suffer with his people
especially in time of crisis. I never sought not have I been given any
assurances, or promise of leniency by the regime. I return voluntarily
armed only with a clear conscience and fortified in the faith that in the
end, justice will emerge triumphant. According to Gandhi, the willing
sacrific of the innocent is the most powerful answer to insolent tyranny
that has yet been conceived by God and man.
Rather
than move forward we have moved backward. The killings have increased, the
economy has taken a turn for the worse and the human rights situation has
deteriorated.
During
the martial law period, the Supreme Court heard petitions for habeas
corpus. It is most ironic after martial law has allegedly been lifted, that
the Supreme Court last April ruled it can longer entertain petitions for
habeas corpus for person detained under the Presidential Commitment Order, which covers all so-called national security cases and
which under present
circumstances can cover almost anything.
The
country is far advanced in her times of trouble. Economic, social and
political problems bedevil the Filipino. These problems may be surmounted
if we are united. But we can be united only if all the rights and freedoms
enjoyed before September 21, 1972 are fully restored.
The
Filipino asked for nothing more, but will surely accept nothing less, than
all the rights and freedoms guaranteed by the 1935 constitution – the
most sacred legacies from the founding fathers.
Yes,
the Filipino is patient, but there is a limit to his patience. Must we wait
until that patience snaps?
The
nationwide rebellion is escalating and threatens to explode into a bloody
revolution. There is a growing cadre of young Filipinos who have finally
come to realize that freedom is never granted, it is taken. Must we relive
the agonies and the blood-letting of the past that brought forth our
republic or can we sit down as brothers and sisters and discuss our
differences with reason and goodwill?
I
have often wondered how many disputes could have been settled easily had
the disputants only dared to define their terms.
So
as to leave no room for misunderstanding, I shall define my terms:
Six
years ago, I was sentenced to die before a firing squad by a military
tribunal whose jurisdiction I steadfastly refused to recognize. It is now
time for the regime to decide. Order my immediate execution or set me free.
I was sentenced to die for allegedly being the leading communist leader. I
am not a communist, never was and never will be.
National
reconciliation and unity can be achieved, but only with justice, including
justice for our Muslim and Ifugao brothers. There can be no deal with a
dictator. No compromise with dictatorship.
In
a revolution there can really be no victors, only victims. We do not have
to destroy in order to build.
Subversion
stems from economic, social, and political causes and will not be solved by
purely military solution: It can be curbed not with ever increasing
repression but with a more equitable distribution of wealth, more democracy
and more freedom.
For
the economy to get going once again, the working man must be given his just
and rightful share or his labor, and to the owners and managers must be
restored the hope where there is so must uncertainty if not despair.
On
one of the long corridors of Harvard University are carved in granite the
words of Archibald Macleish: ‘How shall freedom be defended? By arms when
it is attacked by arms; by truth when it is attacked by lies; by democratic
faith when it is attacked by authoritarian dogma. Always and in the final
act, by determination and faith.’
I
return from exile and an uncertain future with only determination and faith
to offer – faith in our people and faith in God."
