Yves Dominic A.

Garcia
MKA 13 October 22,2018
Reflection Paper: Martial Law

Martial law is an extreme and rare measure used to control society during war or periods of civil
unrest or chaos. According to the Supreme Court, the term martial law carries no precise
meaning. However, most declarations of martial law have some common features. Generally,
the institution of martial law contemplates some use of military force. To a varying extent,
depending on the martial law order, government military personnel have the authority to make
and enforce civil and criminal laws. Certain civil liberties may be suspended, such as the right to
be free from unreasonable searches and seizures, freedom of association and freedom of
movement.

Philippine Martial Law on September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand E. Marcos placed the
Philippines under Martial Law. The declaration issued under Proclamation 1081 suspended the
civil rights and imposed military authority in the country. Marcos defended the declaration
stressing the need for extra powers to quell the rising wave of violence allegedly caused by
communists. As I watched the 11 clips of Martial Law, different feelings showed up in me.

How painful and hopeless this Martial Law for the citizen of the Philippines especially for poor
people?
Is this Law a good measure of how good the President is? Or our country is?

At first, knowing that a bright Filipino would take over the president’s position during those
times, I feel contented because my impression regarding how he would rule the Philippines will
be on a good state. However, as I continued watching 10 clips about martial law, reading some
articles and asking questions to my Grandparents what did they experience during the time of
President Marcos, they said that, that time of Martial Law was the worst part in time of
President Marcos, my contentment feeling became anger because as he proclaimed that the
Philippines will be under Martial Law, my good impression about him was ruined. And yes the
result of his time was very undeniable that he did great job for the people of the Philippines
because of the accomplishments that he did and establishments that until now is still working
and that's good in Marcos because he loves so much our country but when Benigno Aquino Jr.
issued a warning during his speech since he is a newly elected senate; he stated that the
Philippines under Ferdinand Marcos was slowly being in a “garrison state” wherein the country
will be under the control of militarist forces. When I watched this scene in YouTube, I was
agreeing with what Sen. Aquino said. During the early 1970s, the anti-government started doing
rallies concerning the increase of price of gasoline and basic commodities, presence of US
Military bases in the Philippines, foreign control over economy, corruption in the government
and widening gap between rich and poor.
In this kind of scene, the government should start having reform movements so that the protests
of the people will not be wasted but instead of this, violence is the government’s response. The
government should understand the side of the mass, but they were contradicted to what they
are supposed to be doing. I also watched before when I was in grade 9 the film was the Plaza
Miranda which was the symbol of democracy and freedom of speech since the activists and
politicians gathers here.
Therefore , Marcos is the Greatest President the we ever had in our country. And the only
problem for those people who had a bad experience on his leadership is when he declared
Martial Law, because it always reminds his people the killing, poverty and not had equality for
both rich and poor and it marks the most to the heart in his people and how people thinks in his
time.