There are those who hail the discipline and supposed order of the New Society, as Marcos called it, and considered that period as among the “best years” of the Philippines.Īmong the myths: that the Philippines enjoyed a golden age under the Marcoses. What did the Martial Law years look like? ( LOOK BACK: The Philippine Constabulary under Marcos) Those considered threats to Marcos – such as prominent politicians and members of the media – were rounded up and arrested by members of the military and the notorious Philippine Constabulary.

Curfew hours were enforced, group assemblies were banned, privately-owned media facilities shuttered. He ordered the armed forces to prevent or suppress any act of rebellion. He was to lead the nation and direct the operation of the entire government. Through various general orders, Marcos effectively put the entire power of government under the rule of one man: his own. The late dictator had also hinted at it in his address to the Philippine Military Academy Alumni Association as early as – more than 3 years before the actual declaration. According to the Official Gazette, several people had received prior information about Marcos’ plan. There were also indications that the plan to declare Martial Law had long been in the works. (READ: Martial Law 101: Things you should know) There were subsequent reports that said the ambush was staged, with the Official Gazette citing Enrile’s admission in 1986 that it was faked to justify the imposition of Martial Law.

His diary, meanwhile, said the proclamation of Martial Law became a “necessity”, following the supposed ambush of then defense secretary Juan Ponce Enrile. When Marcos signed Proclamation 1081 on September 21, 1972, he cited the communist threat as justification.

Who declares martial law