COVERAGE
According to Gregorio C. Borlaza (2024), In September 1972 Marcos declared martial law,
claiming that it was the last defense against the rising disorder caused by increasingly violent student
demonstrations, the alleged threats of communist insurgency by the new Communist Party of the
Philippines (CPP), and the Muslim separatist movement of the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF).
One of his first actions was to arrest opposition politicians in Congress and the Constitutional
Convention. Initial public reaction to martial law was mostly favourable except in Muslim areas of the
south, where a separatist rebellion, led by the MNLF, broke out in 1973. Despite halfhearted attempts to
negotiate a cease-fire, the rebellion continued to claim thousands of military and civilian casualties.
Communist insurgency expanded with the creation of the National Democratic Front (NDF), an
organization embracing the CPP and other communist groups.
Under martial law the regime was able to reduce violent urban crime, collect unregistered
firearms, and suppress communist insurgency in some areas. At the same time, a series of important
new concessions were given to foreign investors, including a prohibition on strikes by organized labour,
and a land-reform program was launched. In January 1973 Marcos proclaimed the ratification of a new
constitution based on the parliamentary system, with himself as both president and prime minister. He
did not, however, convene the interim legislature that was called for in that document, Borlaza C.
(2024).
General disillusionment with martial law and with the consolidation of political and economic
control by Marcos, his family, and close associates grew during the 1970s. Despite growth in the
country’s gross national product, workers’ real income dropped, few farmers benefited from land
reform, and the sugar industry was in confusion. The precipitous drop in sugar prices in the early 1980s
coupled with lower prices and less demand for coconuts and coconut products—traditionally the most
important export commodity—added to the country’s economic woes; the government was forced to
borrow large sums from the international banking community. Also troubling to the regime, reports of
widespread corruption began to surface with increasing frequency, Borlaza C. (2024).
ACCURACY
The accuracy of the information presented in Encyclopedia Britannica is essential in understanding the
aftermath of martial law in the Philippines. The article standard relies on factual and informative piece
that resonates to a legitimate source. It provides a detailed account of the human rights violations that
occurred during Martial Law, noting that numerous of political opponents in Congress and Constitutional
Convention were arrested, and numerous cases of torture and extrajudicial killings of the communist
insurgency were reported. Additionally, the article provided information in the control of Marcos Sr.
over the country’ economic and political dynamics wherein, workers’ real income dropped, benefits of
farmers from land reform, the confusion of sugar industries, the precipitous drop of sugar prices in the
early 1980’s, and the trouble of regime that eventually led to the reports of widespread corruption. The
statistics cited is well supported by evidence and documentaries of various organizations such as;
Amnesty International and the Commission on Human Rights in the Philippines, which have a long
history of investigating human rights abuses. Furthermore, the article situates these violations within a
broader historical context, referencing academic studies that analyze the political dynamics of the era.
These combination of credible sources, statistical evidence, and meticulous contextualization enhances
the accuracy of the article, making it a reliable resource for understanding the effects of Martial Law on
Philippine society.
OBJECTIVES
The Encyclopedia Britannica article on Martial Law in the Philippines aims to provide readers
with a comprehensive understanding of this significant chapter in the nation’s history. One of the
article's primary objectives is to explain the context surrounding President Ferdinand Marcos's
declaration of Martial Law in 1972, helping readers grasp the political motivations behind this critical
decision. By detailing the events that led to Martial Law, the article sheds light on how fear of
communist insurgency influenced Marcos’s actions and the implications for democracy in the
Philippines.
Additionally, the article highlights the various impacts of Martial Law, including the widespread
human rights abuses, political repression, and social unrest that occurred during this period. The article
aims to inform readers about the experiences of those who suffered under the regime and the long-
lasting consequences that followed.
Another important goal is to raise awareness of the enduring legacy of Martial Law, encouraging
readers to reflect on the importance of upholding democratic values and protecting human rights.
Ultimately, the article seeks to educate the public on these complex issues, ensuring that the lessons
learned from this turbulent era are remembered and applied to current discussions about governance
and civil liberties in the Philippines.
REFERENCES
Gregorio C. Borlaza (2024). Philippines - Martial Law, Marcos, Dictatorship. In Encyclopedia Britannica.
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