EXPLAINER: The Marcos Regime
PHILIPPINES -- Sept. 21, 1972 marked a significant event in Philippine history, as former President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1981 (Proclaiming a State of Martial Law in the Philippines). The declaration was aired on national television on Sept. 23, 1972 and imposed military authority over the country, suspending the civil rights of Filipinos.
This day was memorialized as the foundation of his “New Society.”
The Need for Martial Law
Due to the alarming number of threats of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and an assassination attempt on defense minister Juan Ponce Enrile in Mandaluyong, Marcos justified the need to declare the Martial Law.
The government assured the Filipinos that Martial law is a strategic approach to legally protect the welfare of the people as well as the Philippine Constitution from the threats of the communists, which put the national security at risk. Marcos explained that the declaration is not a military take-over; rather, a solution to the country’s dilemma on rebellion and chaos that threatened peace and order in the country.
He added that it will suppress the increasing strife among civilians, as it will provide the government with extra powers to eradicate the roots of rebellion and also promote a rapid national development.
Marcos regime
The declaration of Martial Law began Marcos’ regime to establish his New Society. He issued General Order No. 1, s. 1972, to fully transfer all powers to the president.
The general order resulted in the following:
Armed forces were ordered to prevent any act of rebellion and to arrest any individuals who conspired to take over the government
Mass media was shut down
Curfew hours were imposed
Group assemblies including strikes and rallies were banned
A ban on firearms was set in place
This was initially supported by Filipinos and was viewed as the change that solved the social and economic problems of the country. Reforms on social, political, and economic values promoted effective modernization. It has ceased the clash between the executive and legislative branches of the government since the President was to rule by decree.
The move was well-received, not until the military men abused the human rights of the people by using torture during intelligence gathering and forced disappearances that later on led to killings. At least 30,000 who opposed the movement, including journalists, students, activists, and senators (Benigno S. Aquino Jr., Jose Diokno, Francisco Rodrigo and Ramon Mitra Jr., and members of the media such as Joaquin Roces, Teodoro Locsin Sr., Maximo Soliven and Amando Doronila) were detained at military compounds under the President’s command. Marcos also allegedly corrupted the country’s money by putting his allies in strategic positions in the government to channel resources to him.
The recession in the economic condition of the Philippines, the assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., and the widespread fraud in the 1986 snap elections, prompted the decline of support for Marcos’ plans and led to the 1986 People Power Revolution. The People Power movement eventually overthrew the Marcos regime and forced he and his family to exile in Hawaii, where he died in 1989.
“Never Again”
After 9 long years, Martial Law officially ended on Jan. 13, 1981. Marcos remained in the office until the EDSA People Revolution in 1986 which completely put an end to his regime and his New Society. The Philippines was praised worldwide for the so-called bloodless revolution, which gave us a strong sense of pride as we have shown the world the true power of democracy and unity.
The 1987 Constitution today safeguards our institutions from a repeat of Marcos’ Martial Law regime.
“Marcos, no hero!”
President Rodrigo Duterte’s decision allowing former President Marcos to be buried in the Heroes’ Cemetery, gained mixed reactions from Filipinos. The Supreme Court’s majority decision (9 to 5) eliminated any legal impediments against the burial of Marcos.
The decision concluded that there was no law prohibiting the burial at the Heroes’ Cemetery, despite of the allegations against Marcos.
"Let history judge but I will do what it is legal and the Supreme Court has ruled that it is,", said Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella while reading Duterte's statement at a press briefing in Peru.
"The SC lifted the status quo ante order and allowed the burial of the remains and the president adheres to the ruling of the high court," said Abella.
The President hopes that Filipinos will be able to forgive and set free those who have hurt or injured them.
The surprise burial of Marcos in the Heroes’ Cemetery on Nov.18, 2016, however, triggered Filipinos, especially the victims of human rights under the late dictator’s regime, to gather and protest in different parts of Metro Manila. The victims wore black shirts and appealed to the Supreme Court to reverse the decision.
“It’s high time that the people who will be directly affected by this, the victims of the Marcos dictatorship, will take to the streets and have their voices heard directly to show that this is not right,” - Barry Gutierrez (human rights lawyer)
Though it was under the law that former President Ferdinand Marcos’ burial was approved, Filipinos can never forget what happened during his dictatorship. The Marcos family had the decision to consider social, moral, and ethical issues whether to proceed with the burial or not.
Senator Risa Hontiveros said that the Marcos family can never alter what transpired in the Philippine history, especially the abuses committed against numerous victims during the Martial Law.
Marcos family’s apology
Former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. apologized for the surprise burial of his father at the Heroes’ Cemetery.
“Kami ay magso-sorry nang kaunti dahil hindi namin nai-announce nang mabuti ang paglibing sa aking ama sa Libingan ng mga Bayani,” said former senator “Bongbong” Marcos to their supporters
“Wala naman problema sana ‘yun pero talagang kitang-kita na sa plano ay gumawa ng gulo ay kinakatakutan namin na may masaktan,” he added.
He said their family resorted into making this decision to protect his father from anti-Marcos groups who were against the burial.--The Quintessence