One evening in 1973, soldiers arrested teacher and political activist Fe Mangahas with her husband Roger Mangahas and took them to a place called the “White House” inside Camp Aguinaldo. The couple had been critical of President Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law the year before.

The “White House”, as it is known today, is the official residence of the chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines which has been home to the country’s top generals. Fe is unsure if this is the “White House” she was taken to 35 years ago.

Fe who was then three months pregnant with their first child, was taken to a dark room near the Intelligence compound with five men in the “White House.” Though she was released halfway through interrogation due to blood flowing down her legs, it was clear she had suffered a miscarriage.

Her husband spent over two years in jail. Roger described seeing other prisoners being subjected to mental, emotional, and physical abuse in letters that were smuggled out of prison.

Fe and Roger Mangahas endured years of trauma after being subjected to mental torment.

Sources:
https://news.abs-cbn.com/focus/09/22/18/haunting-stories-white-house-and-truth-serum
https://www.rappler.com/nation/144800-martial-law-victims-supreme-court-oral-arguments

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