The Philippines Under Martial Law

8/11/2019 The Philippines Under Martial Law

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The last year of the 1960s were full of chaos anddisorder brought about by social, political andeconomic problems. Graft and corruption in

government was rampant. Bribery in governmentemployees were inefficient and negligent.

In the rural areas, the farmer earned very little fromagriculture. In the labor sector , the problem again was

a low income. Many workers receive wages that werenot enough for their basic needs.

Most of the suffering people blamed an unheedinggovernment for their miserable condition. They

showed their frustration through demonstration andrallies, many of which ended in violent dispersal andclashes with police authorities.


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As the unrest escalated, more and more disturbingincidents happened. Some of them are discussed

below.


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The discontent of farmers tenants who had grievancesagainst their landlords New Peoples Armyestablished in 1969. Later, other people who hadcommunist leanings joined the NPA.

After a few months, the NPA merged with theCommunist Party of the Philippines (CPP) under JoseMa. Sison and became the armed organization of theCPP. NPA were embodied in the 1968 Program forPeoples Democratic Revolution in the Philippines.


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The Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) started assecret organization . It was established in the middle of1969 by a group of Filipino Muslims under the leader ofNUR Misuari.

They conducted their training activity in the island ofPulao Pangkor in Sabah.

Just like the NPA, the MNLF was discontented with thegovernment.

1971 the MNLF started their attack after Buldon Incident inNorth Cotabato. Afterwards, the MNLF staged a series ofattacks against Christian communities be cause theyaccused the Christians of land grabbing.


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The government established the Barrio Self-Defense Unit (BSDU) inorder to stop terroristic activities in the provinces, particularly inbarangays.

Frequent encounters occurred between the NPA and governmenttroops. The politicians established their own private armies which

worsened the situation. As the result , farmers left their homes and

neglected their farms NPA leaders either surrender to the government or were captured . On September 16, 1970 Commander Sumulongwas captured in an

encounter in Angeles, Pampanga, while Pedro Torres, the NPA leader inCentral Luzon, was killed. In an encounter in Tarlac.

Commander Dante, the top NPA leader, was captured. With hiscapture , communist influence in the country weakened. Thesegovernment campaigns against the NPA were successful because of theBSDU.


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Many students became restless and disgruntledbecause of the continuous increase in tuition and thelow quality of teaching and educational facilities.

They boycotted their classes , became more violent,

they vandalized school and joined riots. January 26, 1970 a bloody demonstration occurred

during the openings of congress. Metrocom soldierstried to stop the students from entering Congress as

the latter forced way in.


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January 30,1790, they tried to enter Malacanang butwere stopped by Metrocom soldiers at Mediola Bridge.There was a bloody confrontation when the studentinsisted on passing through.

Seven people- six students and one laborer- died inthat demonstration.


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Because of the disorder and problems worldwide, PopePaul VI decide to travel to remind the people of Godslove for mankind.

Many people eagerly welcomed him at the airport butone of them tried to assassinate him. Luckily theattempt failed.


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August 21,1971 in preparation for November election ofsenators and local government officials, The LibertyParty help a proclamation rally at Plaza Miranda.While the candidates were being proclaimed, two

grenades were thrown at the stage by an unknownperson. Many persons were wounded, Most of themare Liberal Party candidates.


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After the bombing at Plaza Mirada, President Marcosissued Proclamation No. 899. The privilege of the writof habeas corpuswas suspended to maintain peace andorder to protect the people.

January 11, 1972 President Marcos lifted the suspensionthrough out the country. Soon after chaos and disorderreturned. A series of bombing of government andprivate buildings occurred. Houses of some politicianswere bombed.


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Digoyo Point is located at the Western part ofPalanan,Isabela. This was where the government scored amajor victory in its fight against the communist insurgents.

July 4, 1972 government authorities seized the ship,MV

Karagatanwhich had a cargo of 3500 weapons, mostly M-rifles, aside from medicines and electronic gadgets. Thegovernment deemed this enough proof to show that thesubversive groups were receive help from outside thecountry.

In succeeding military operation, 960 guns and otherequipment's were recovered from the Sierra Madremountains. The training camp of the enemy was alsodiscovered.


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The country was endangered by activities which had theobjective of overthrowing the Marcos administration. Thesuspension of the privilege of the writ of habeascorpuswas notenough to stop this activities.

President Marcos ordered the Armed Forces of the Philippines

(AFP) to combat communist insurgency. It was learned that thetwo communist factions existed in the country, theMaoistsandthe Traditionalist. A side from this communist groups, there

were the rightists who wanted to take over the government bymeans of the coup d'tat.

There was also the MNLF which wanted to control Mindanao.

On the top of these, there existed private armies maintained bypolitician who wanted to propagate their power.

Which this circumstances' as basis, President Marcos declaredMartial Law on September 21, 1972.


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Under Martial Law, President Marcos acquires vastlegislative powers. He made laws by means ofpresidential decrees, general order and letter ofinstruction.

Martial Law in the Philippines was unique. Unlike inother countries where martial rule was also institutedthe Philippines was not rule by military men. Civilianauthority through Marcos still remained supreme.


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President Marcos a new society composed of newFilipinos were paragons of virtue-industrious,disciplined, considerate and civic minded

To achieve this, he implemented various reformsrepresented under acronym PLEDGES which stood thefollowing.


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P- Peace and Order

L- Land ReformE- Economic Development

D- Development of Moral Values

G- Government Reforms

E- Educational Reforms

S- Social Services


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On December 21, 1972, President Marcos issuedPresidential Decree No. 86 creating the barangay orpeoples assembly in the barrios urban center.

The barangay is composed of all the people living in

the barrio or district in the city. The purpose is to givethe majority of the people a chance to participate inthe democratic processes and to able to express theiropinions regarding important issues

The barangay is headed by a chairman. A group ofbarangays forms a zones and these zones compose thecity or municipality.


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In 1973, President Marcos saw the need for a new constitution toreplace the 1935 Constitution. For this purpose, he convened aconstitutional convention.

In 1971 Constitutional Convention was headed by DiosdadoMacapagal, who took over the convention presidency after Carlos

P. Garcia, it conventions first president, died. It took theconvention a year to finish the Constitution. The 1973Constitution took effect on January 17, 1973.

The 1973 Constitution provide for a semi- parliamentary form ofgovernment and unicameral assembly called the Batasang

Pambansa The President remained as the head of government while the

Prime Minister served as the head of the cabinet. The Presidentnominated the Prime minister but was elected by the Assembly.


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Under the 1973 Constitution the other constitutionaloffices aside from the national Assembly were the

following:

1. Office of the President

2. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet

3. The Judiciary

4. Local Governments

5. The Constitutional Commissions


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While the country was under Martial Law, elections weresuspended, thus extending the term of the President. Thisbecame a ticklish issue. To solve the problem, PresidentMarcos called for a referendum.

Among the things taken up in referendum were thefollowing:

1. Reducing the voting age from 18years to 15

2. Allowing illiterates to vote

3. Extending the term of President Marcos to another fouryears or beyond

4. Allowing Martial Law to continue.


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Mindanao was in chaos during the years between 1968 and 1976. TheMNLF wanted to secede from the country, partly because they said the

were not given a chance to participate in government activities. The Tripoli agreement was entered into between the Philippine

Government and the Moro National Liberation Front on December23,1976.

The agreement provided for the establishment of an autonomousregion to be governed by Muslim Filipinos.

In line with the agreement the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines,Article X section 15, provided for the creation of autonomous region forMuslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.

These autonomous regions had the power to enact laws adapted to theinhabitants customs and traditions. They also had the power to collecttaxes and disburse and audit funds for their regions.


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The ratification of the 1973 Constitution by the people was thefirst major political reform since 1974. It change the Presidentialsystem of government to the parliamentary system but under themartial law, President Marcos remained at the helm of thegovernment.

On January 17, 1981 after eight years of imposition, martial Lawwas lifted. President Marcos believed that the threat to theRepublic was gone and announced that election would be heldsoon.

Before the elections, a plebiscite was held to consult the people

on whether or not Article VII,VIII and IX should be emended. The result of the plebiscite showed that the people were in favor

in amendment. Consequently, a slight change was made on theparliamentary system of government.


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On June 16, 1981, a presidential election was held.President Marcos won over his rivals and this was

interpreted as an approval of his achievements duringMartial Law.

Some of these achievements were in the following:

1. Infrastructure programs which included

reconstructed roads, new bridge, schools, housing.2. Social, economic and educational development;

country side development; and flood control.


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On June 30, 1981, President Marcos proclaimed thebirth of the New Republic. It was called as suchbecause of the many reforms implemented during theMartial Law administration. Some people refer to this

period as the Fourth Republic.


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After gaining independence in 1946, in the Philippinesrefrained from establishing diplomatic ties withsocialistic states with her Asian neighbors.

The Philippines realized that her American centeredforeign policy would not remain forever and that beingAsian, her policies should be based on the situations inthe continent.


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In 1975, Philippines foreign policy had six objectives:

1. Emphasis on our foreign with ASEAN

2. Friendly relationship with all nations3. Cooperate with the other members of the Third

World

4. Helping the Arab nations maintain peace in theMiddle East;

5. Continuing relations with Japan

6. Continuing a special relationship with United States

that was adapted to a new developments in Asia.


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Compare to other Asians nation the Philippines is more attractive toforeign investors because of its rich natural resources. Besides, labor ischeap and there is an abundance of skilled man power.

In order to attract more investors, the nations open door policy wasemphasized. It meant that in the Philippines, foreign investors weregiven the following:

1. The right to invest in industries which are potentially successful.2. The right to invest in developing industries and with Filipino

partners.3. The right to own properties for a period of 30 years provide they have

Filipino partners.

There was also a change in the military bases agreement with theAmericans. The control of the bases was transferred to the Filipinos.


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Ferdinand Marcos wanted to be known in Philippinehistory as a great leader and a great builder. This was quiteevident in the numerous infrastructure projects that hisadministration undertook, especially during the 1970s.

Financed through foreign and local borrowings, thisprojects were supposed to spur investment, both foreignand local, in the country and at the same time, providemuch needed employment for the Filipino people.

In almost all parts of the country , construction ofhighways , buildings, transportation system, factories andbridge . Projects sites began to mushroom. One suchproject was the San Juanico Bridge.


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The Philippines Under Martial Law

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