The Philippines under Martial Law

• Curfew hour

  Time people may go out on the streets or be outside their houses as dictated or limited by law
• Parliament

  Government headed by a prime minister
• Protester

  Term used for a person who takes part in strikes, rallies and demonstrations
• Rebellion

  Violent movement or uprising that usually happens to oppose or defy a government
• The leftist group

  Part of a political group that consists of people who support liberal ideas and policies
• Writ of Habeas Corpus


  Gives a citizen the right to undergo fair trial and to be protected from unlawful imprisonment
• On his second term, President Marcos faced many problems. Poverty worsened and the gap between the rich and the poor widened. Disorders spread in the country. One street demonstration followed another. Nationwide, the problem with peace and order became more severe.
• Marcos believed that there was no other way to solve the serious issues besetting the country than by using absolute power. So on September 23, 1972, a historical event that may Filipinos would never forget took place—Marcos declared Martial Law.
• Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP)


  • Founded in 1968 by Jose Maria Sison, a former professor at the University of the Philippines (UP)
  • Principles based on the ideology of Mao Tse Tung, the leader of Communist China
• New People's Army (NPA)

  • Founded in 1969
  • Armed wing of the CPP
  • Made up of farmers fighting against the abuses of landowners who possessed the lands they tilled
  • Different types of people joined the group because they were attracted to the life under communist rule
  • Spread nationwide
  • Fought with violence because they believed that it is only in rebellion—the remaining solution to obtain the changes and progress of the country
• Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)


  • Founded on March 18, 1968 by Nur Misuari, another former professor of UP
  • Composed of Muslims who wished to build a separate government called the Republic of Bangsamoro
  • Held a huge grudge against the government because of its alleged disregard for them
  • Began their attacks in 1971, targeting Christian communities in Mindanao because they believed that the Christians had seized their ancestral or inherited lands from them
• Because the people lost confidence in the government, students from different colleges and universities like the University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University (PNU), and Philippine College of Commerce (now Polytechnic University of the Philippines or PUP), held frequent rallies and demonstration. Workers also joined strikes which often ended in bloody encounters with the police. In several instances, the police shot at civilians, resulting in fatalities.
• The National Union of the Students of the Philippines (NUSP) staged a massive rally in front of the House of Representatives building on January 26, 1970. The multitude of students and teachers clamored for a constitutional convention. The rally was followed by another violent one on January 30, 1970, where four protesters died.
• Senatorial and local elections were held in 1971. Before the election on August 21, 1971, the proclamation of the Liberal Party candidates took place at Plaza Miranda in Quiapo, Manila. In the middle of the event, a grenade exploded on the stage where the candidates were seated. Many people were wounded, and several died. It was said that the NPA was behind the bombing, but it was not proven who masterminded the attack.
• Because of the civil unrest, President Marcos declared Proclamation No. 889 which suspended the privilege of writ of habeas corpus. The writ of habeas corpus gives citizens the right to a fair trial. Also, every person has the right to read his or her warrant of arrest before being arrested and tried in court. The privilege protects citizens from unlawful arrests. The suspension of this right paved the way for the arrest of alleged communist and other "enemies" of the government.
• Under Martial Law, President Marcos had the absolute right to create laws through the following:


  1. Presidential Decrees

  2. General Orders

  3. Letters of Instruction
• Marcos implemented the laws he created in all sectors of society. The presidential decrees had effectivity and authority like the laws passed by Congress. An individual can be arrested if he/she was into acts of gun smuggling, kidnapping, robbery, ambush and other related crimes that deteriorate the society and destabilize the solidity of government.
• During the Martial Law era, the power of the government rested on one person only: the president. President Marcos was the most powerful person in the country. Aside from being the president, he acted as the prime minister. He became more powerful when he changed and approved the 1973 Constitution. He headed not only the executive branch of government, but also the legislative branch and the Cabinet as well. Also, he ruled over the military court where accused soldiers and civilians were tried.
• Some of the laws enacted by Marcos during Martial Law


  • Implementation of the curfew hours, from 12am to 4am in the morning
  • Ban on rallies, demonstrations and strikes
  • Government control over newspapers and radio and television stations to screen news
  • Suspension of overseas work for Filipinos, except for missions set by the government
  • Death sentence for anyone caught carrying firearms without permission