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Dark chapter in PH history
TODAY, it’s 44 years since – on Sept. 21, 1972 – dictator Ferdinand Marcos placed the country under martial law. We are commemorating this dark chapter in our history as we express concern over the spate of current extrajudicial killings and the threats of the possible return of martial rule. We must be reminded of the importance of always upholding the process of law, civil liberties and human rights.
One thing remains certain. Marcos’ martial law’s biggest victims were the Filipino people themselves. Many became victims of forcible disappearance and have, up to now, never been found. Many were killed. Certainly, human rights abuses were rampant and the perpetrator was the Marcos military machine.
Certainly, martial law failed to eradicate poverty and had instead worsened it while Imelda was busy collecting her expensive jewels and shoes.
Through the years, analysts offered alternative explanations for the martial law decision. The official, constitutional explanation was the threat of violent rebellion. Another view saw martial law as Marcos’ way of circumventing congressional and bureaucratic obstruction for selfish reasons. Some believed his purpose was to stabilize himself in power.
But one thing is clear. Martial law symbolized the repression and corruption of the Marcos regime. Sadly, many of the victims of human rights violations under the Marcos dictatorship have left us without seeing justice rendered, 44 long years after. The governments that followed after the dictatorship appeared to show tolerance and gave concessions to the Marcoses. Is it any wonder that the Marcoses continue to flaunt, with impunity, their political power?
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