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Art by Kyle Pontillo
Fifty-two years have elapsed, yet the bitter aftertaste of the 1972 Martial Law declaration still lingers. The blood-red thread of atrocities and heinous crimes committed in that era serves as a reminder to the present of a nightmare we must never forget. As time passes, current social issues have clouded the chain of grim events of that dark trek in our history. But, the lessons left behind by Martial law will neither fade nor ever be forgotten.
Height or Fright of Philippine politics
It was on September 21, 1972 when Martial Law was declared in the Philippines by then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. This hasty announcement which he claimed as his last trump card, was due to the uprising caused by uncontrollable student demonstrations and threats of insurgency from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) and the Moro Nationalist Liberation Front (MNLF). However, these reasons were merely a facade to consolidate power and maintain control. Marcos orchestrated the entire act, pulling the strings to suspend civil liberties and assume full military control of the country.
Lopsided narratives, especially from elders who lived during the regime, claim that this was the height of Philippine Politics, further stipulating that Martial Law reduced violent urban crime, collected unregistered firearms, and suppressed communist insurgency in some areas. However, these claims are filled with many gray areas, as there is insufficient statistical data to verify them. Sure enough, it was during this time that the 1973 Constitution was ratified—a controversial document heavily criticized for its authoritarian nature and its erosion of democratic principles. It granted the president, at that time, extensive powers that significantly weakened the legislative branch of the government. A dictator was born and the rest is history—though that history has been heavily distorted at this point.
The 14-year, one-man rule under the Martial Law regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses and injustices. Civil liberties were severely restricted; unreasonable curfews, media censorship, and even the suspension of habeas corpus which is detainment without due process. Corruption ran rampant throughout the country. But perhaps the most gut-wrenching aspect was the extrajudicial killings when the military was given broad powers to arrest, detain, and even kill suspected dissidents. This led to the disappearances of thousands—presumed dead or detained—and to inhumane tortures that toyed with the lives of Filipinos at that time. To this day, bereaved families continue to seek retribution for this horrific event that will go down in history books.
Relevance in Modern Societies
Indeed, more than five decades have passed since Martial Law was declared in 1972, and the current state of affairs appears relatively far from the conditions that would justify another Martial Law under the present constitution. Yet questions like, “Is there still a need for a Martial Law commemoration day?” or “Is it still relevant in this modern day and age?” have a simple and resounding answer: YES.
Who would have thought that the son of the dictator would become the current president of our nation? Nepotism at its finest, as he rides on the measly achievements of his dictator father, yet cowers whenever asked for accountability or a simple apology for those killed, tortured, and maltreated during the reign of late Marcos Sr. “The mistakes of the father should not be blamed on the son,” is the mantra of die-hard supporters shielding this ‘baby tiger’. But as the saying goes, like father, like son, as His Excellency appears more inclined to splurge too much while taking little to no action to alleviate the struggles faced by the ordinary Juan de la Cruz.
Persisting social issues, such as soaring commodity prices, generational poverty, and lack of governmental support, are deeply rooted in the lack of genuine actions by elected government officials—a reflection of the flawed democracy that once sought to break the chains of oppression and dictatorship during the Martial Law regime. Additionally, we confront the backhand propaganda of historical revisionism, which aims to distort and even euphemize the bitter truth of the Martial Law era. This alarming tactic needs to be debunked, especially at the grassroots level of academe, to ensure that the atrocities of the past are never forgotten.
Never again, Never forget.
The annual commemoration of Martial Law signifies the first light embraced by Filipinos after a long trek in the darkness. The lessons from this dark period of our country are like footprints in the sands of time—delicate and easily erased. Therefore, it is our utmost duty to uphold the truth and stand together to banish all these threats. The price we paid to acquire this knowledge includes all the injustices that happened, all the innocent lives taken, and all the sacrifices that were made along the way. Beyond ensuring that such a bloody era never recurs, the lessons we acquired from Martial Law serve as reminders from the past, helping us address current issues and planting seeds of hope for a brighter future for the Philippines.
Fifty-two years have elapsed, yet the bitter aftertaste of the 1972 Martial Law declaration still lingers. The blood-red thread of atrocities and heinous crimes committed in that era serves as a reminder to the present of a nightmare we must never forget. As time passes, current social issues have clouded the chain of grim events of that dark trek in our history. But, the lessons left behind by Martial law will neither fade nor ever be forgotten.
Height or Fright of Philippine politics
It was on September 21, 1972 when Martial Law was declared in the Philippines by then-President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. This hasty announcement which he claimed as his last trump card, was due to the uprising caused by uncontrollable student demonstrations and threats of insurgency from the Communist Party of the Philippines (CCP) and the Moro Nationalist Liberation Front (MNLF). However, these reasons were merely a facade to consolidate power and maintain control. Marcos orchestrated the entire act, pulling the strings to suspend civil liberties and assume full military control of the country.
Lopsided narratives, especially from elders who lived during the regime, claim that this was the height of Philippine Politics, further stipulating that Martial Law reduced violent urban crime, collected unregistered firearms, and suppressed communist insurgency in some areas. However, these claims are filled with many gray areas, as there is insufficient statistical data to verify them. Sure enough, it was during this time that the 1973 Constitution was ratified—a controversial document heavily criticized for its authoritarian nature and its erosion of democratic principles. It granted the president, at that time, extensive powers that significantly weakened the legislative branch of the government. A dictator was born and the rest is history—though that history has been heavily distorted at this point.
The 14-year, one-man rule under the Martial Law regime was marked by widespread human rights abuses and injustices. Civil liberties were severely restricted; unreasonable curfews, media censorship, and even the suspension of habeas corpus which is detainment without due process. Corruption ran rampant throughout the country. But perhaps the most gut-wrenching aspect was the extrajudicial killings when the military was given broad powers to arrest, detain, and even kill suspected dissidents. This led to the disappearances of thousands—presumed dead or detained—and to inhumane tortures that toyed with the lives of Filipinos at that time. To this day, bereaved families continue to seek retribution for this horrific event that will go down in history books.
Relevance in Modern Societies
Indeed, more than five decades have passed since Martial Law was declared in 1972, and the current state of affairs appears relatively far from the conditions that would justify another Martial Law under the present constitution. Yet questions like, “Is there still a need for a Martial Law commemoration day?” or “Is it still relevant in this modern day and age?” have a simple and resounding answer: YES.
Who would have thought that the son of the dictator would become the current president of our nation? Nepotism at its finest, as he rides on the measly achievements of his dictator father, yet cowers whenever asked for accountability or a simple apology for those killed, tortured, and maltreated during the reign of late Marcos Sr. “The mistakes of the father should not be blamed on the son,” is the mantra of die-hard supporters shielding this ‘baby tiger’. But as the saying goes, like father, like son, as His Excellency appears more inclined to splurge too much while taking little to no action to alleviate the struggles faced by the ordinary Juan de la Cruz.
Persisting social issues, such as soaring commodity prices, generational poverty, and lack of governmental support, are deeply rooted in the lack of genuine actions by elected government officials—a reflection of the flawed democracy that once sought to break the chains of oppression and dictatorship during the Martial Law regime. Additionally, we confront the backhand propaganda of historical revisionism, which aims to distort and even euphemize the bitter truth of the Martial Law era. This alarming tactic needs to be debunked, especially at the grassroots level of academe, to ensure that the atrocities of the past are never forgotten.
Never again, Never forget.
The annual commemoration of Martial Law signifies the first light embraced by Filipinos after a long trek in the darkness. The lessons from this dark period of our country are like footprints in the sands of time—delicate and easily erased. Therefore, it is our utmost duty to uphold the truth and stand together to banish all these threats. The price we paid to acquire this knowledge includes all the injustices that happened, all the innocent lives taken, and all the sacrifices that were made along the way. Beyond ensuring that such a bloody era never recurs, the lessons we acquired from Martial Law serve as reminders from the past, helping us address current issues and planting seeds of hope for a brighter future for the Philippines.
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