Introduction

Proclamation of Martial Law: On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the
Philippines under Martial Law. The declaration issued under Proclamation 1081 suspended
the civil rights and imposed military authority in the country. Marcos defended the declaration
stressing the need for extra powers to quell the rising wave of violence allegedly caused
by communists. The emergency rule was also intended to eradicate the roots of rebellion and
promote a rapid trend for national development. The autocrat assured the country of the legality
of Martial Law emphasizing the need for control over civil disobedience that displays
lawlessness. Marcos explained citing the provisions from the Philippine Constitution that Martial
Law is a strategic approach to legally defend the Constitution and protect the welfare of the
Filipino people from the dangerous threats posed by Muslim rebel groups and Christian
vigilantes that places national security at risk during the time. Marcos explained that martial law
was not a military takeover but was then the only option to resolve the countrys dilemma on
rebellion that stages national chaos threatening the peace and order of the country. The
emergency rule, according to Marcoss plan, was to lead the country into what he calls a New
Society.

Marcos used several events to justify martial law. Threat to the countrys security was
intensifying following the re-establishment of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) in
1968. Supporters of CPPs military arm, the New Peoples Army, also grew in numbers in Tarlac
and other parts of the country. The alleged attempt to the life of then Minister of Defense Juan
Ponce Enrile gave Marcos a window to declare Martial Law. Marcos announced the emergency
rule the day after the shooting incident. Marcos also declared insurgency in the south caused by
the clash between Muslims and Christians, which Marcos considered as a threat to national
security. The Muslims were defending their ancestral land against the control of Christians who
migrated in the area. The minority group organized the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
in Malaysia and pushed for the autonomy of Mindanao from the national government.

The move was initially supported by most Filipinos and was viewed by some critics as a change
that solved the massive corruption in the country. Martial law ceased the clash between the
executive and legislative branches of the government and a bureaucracy characterized by special
interest. Marcos started to implement reforms on social and political values that hindered
effective modernization. To match the accomplishments of its Asianneighbors, Marcos imposed
the need for self-sacrifice for the attainment of national welfare. His reforms targeted his rivals
within the elite depriving them of their power and patronage but did not affect their supporters
(US Library of Congress, Martial Law and the Aftermath).

Thirty-thousand opposition figures including Senator Benigno Aquino, journalists, student and
labor activists were detained at military compounds under the Presidents command
(Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). The army and the Philippine Constabulary seized
weapons and disbanded private armies controlled by prominent politicians and other influential
figures (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Marcos took control of the legislature and closed
the Philippine Congress (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law). Numerous media outfits were
either closed down or operated under tight control (Proclamation 1081 and Martial Law).