Implementation and Key Figures
Implementation and Key Figures
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DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW
DECLARATION OF MARTIAL LAW
On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos issued Proclamation No. 1081, which declared martial law in the Philippines. Declaring September 21st to be National Thanksgiving Day, Marcos launched his New Society. Many Filipinos have been misled by this propaganda campaign to believe that martial law was declared on September 21, 1972.
THE LONG PREPARATION
Before the declaration of Martial Law, Marcos had a plan to take over the government and gain absolute rule. Senator Benigno S. Aquino Jr. exposed "Oplan Sagittarius," a top-secret military plan given by Marcos to place Metro Manila and outlying areas under the control of the Philippine Constabulary.
Marcos used bombings in Metro Manila, including the 1971 Plaza Miranda bombing, as justification for his takeover and subsequent authoritarian rule. Marcos informed the military that he would proceed with proclaiming Martial Law, and even the U.S. Embassy in Manila knew about it as early as September 17, 1972. Marcos instructed Justice Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile to study the powers of the President as Commander-in-Chief under the 1935 Constitution, as he foresaw an escalation of violence and disorder in the country. His findings led to the conclusion that Martial Law would lead to a political archipelago with debilitating, factionalized politics, ultimately leading to the destruction of the nation. To become ready for extreme measures, Marcos convened with intellectuals, business executives, and the military in 1971. He gave the military instructions to update plans and complete legal paperwork in 1972. Considering seven to be his fortunate number, he talked about possible dates for the proclamation of martial law on August 1, 1972.
The Key figures during Martial Law
The Key figures during Martial Law
Juan Ponce Enrile is the architect and implementer of Martial Law. He is also considered the “protégé” of the dictator and was tasked to oversee most of the orders issued under military rule. He was the defense secretary from 1970 to 1986. His supposed “ambush” in Wack-Wack subdivision in 1972 became one of the reasons cited by Marcos for his declaration of Martial Law, aside from terrorism and the “communist threat.” Fabian Ver, a native of Ilocos Norte, was perhaps the strongest ally of Marcos during his administration.
Juan Ponce Enrile is the architect and implementer of Martial Law. He is also considered the “protégé” of the dictator and was tasked to oversee most of the orders issued under military rule. He was the defense secretary from 1970 to 1986. His supposed “ambush” in Wack-Wack subdivision in 1972 became one of the reasons cited by Marcos for his declaration of Martial Law, aside from terrorism and the “communist threat.” Fabian Ver, a native of Ilocos Norte, was perhaps the strongest ally of Marcos during his administration.
He was appointed commander of the Presidential Security Command when Marcos was elected president. A profile published by the New York Times said that Ver’s career “languished until 1965, when Mr Marcos was elected President. Later, promotions came rapidly.” Fidel Ramos was chief of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) when Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972. He was appointed in January of the same year, when protests organized mostly by the youth sector were heating up. The PC was the law enforcement group notorious for human rights abuses as they carried out orders during Martial Law. Enrile, Ramos, and Ver might be the most familiar faces among Marcos’ men. But aside from them, there were 9 other men whom the dictator sought advice from for his Martial Law declaration.
Sources:
Sources:
Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. (1972, September 21). Declaration of Martial Law. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/declaration-of-martial-law/
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