2 Nagueño heroes honored on Bonifacio day

Included among the six honorees, Carpio and General Jr. advanced the fight against Ferdinand Marcos Sr. 's tyranny and martial rule as leading human rights lawyers in Bicol and of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

Carpio was one of the Bicolano lawyer-writers who were unlawfully jailed for having expressed dissent on Marcos’ dictatorship and shown support to the regime’s human rights victims.

He was noted for writing caustic newspaper pieces in the region and as a key figure in the fight for the rights of the victims and families involved in the 1981 Daet Massacre.

Fighting with the same principle, General Jr. was an esteemed veteran journalist who found himself arrested for exposing abuse and standing up for press freedom through renowned local newspapers such as Naga Times, Balalong, and Handiong.

He was also among the people who sought reparations to the numerous victims of abuses of the tyrannical regime after Marcos was ousted in 1986.

This year’s ceremony was graced by the former Vice President of the Philippines Leni Robredo as the guest of honor and speaker.

In her speech, Robredo urged everyone to remain determined and remember what happened during Martial Law, saying that regardless of who is in power, the meaning of the word “heroism” should not change.

“Ang nangyari ay nangyari. Ang kasaysayan ay kasaysayan. Ang tama ay tama. At ang mali ay nananatiling mali, gaano man kalakas ang boses ng mga nanggigiit nito. Ang katotohanan ay hindi nadadaan sa bilangan ng sumasang-ayon,” Robredo said.

(What happened, happened. History is history. What’s right is right. And wrong will remain wrong, no matter how loud and persistent their voices are. The number of people that agree with what the reality is does not dictate what the truth is.)

With 326 names on its current roster, the foundation aims to recognize, honor, and popularize the lives of individuals who fought the Marcos dictatorship to serve as an inspiration to the present and future generations by adding names of heroes and martyrs on the Wall of Remembrance each year.