Marishka Anika Luna Performance task #3 12 – HUMSS AHADAS
The Cost of Freedom; From Dictatorship to Democracy
They say that “Entering politics is a fate worse than death.” Growing up, I was always
fascinated by history, particularly by the events that shaped the world and influenced the course of
societies. When I was young, I didn’t really know anything about politics or the government. All
I knew back then was how my Lola was always mad at them because I often heard her shouting at
our TV when the news came up. I got interested in politics when I was in 6th grade. My adviser
was my AP teacher, and during that time, most of our lessons were about politics, especially since
it was the 2016 national elections. It felt like it was a trend to talk about the candidates, and as a
kid, I had so many questions. I was curious about what they were talking about. The first time I
ever heard of Martial Law was during a lesson about the presidents of the Philippines. My adviser
was a Marcos supporter, and she told us many great things about the Marcos regime. I thought that
it was the reality for all the people back then. Little did I know that so many people suffered under
the Marcos regime; lives were taken from them, there was torture, poverty, restrictions, and so
much more. But during the course of the last 2022 national elections, I had an epiphany.
"Democracy is not just the right to vote; it is the right to live in dignity." - Naomi Klein. I used to
think that elections were simply about casting a vote for your favorite candidate, voting for those
who captured your heart, those with wealth, and those with power. However, democracy isn’t just
about the right to vote; it’s not just about merely casting a ballot. Democracy ensures that people
have the opportunity to live with dignity, free from oppression, discrimination, and violation of
their basic human rights. Looking back at my naivety and now that I am understanding the true
essence of democracy, I realize that it's not just about participating in elections or supporting
political figures. It's about advocating for justice, equality, and human rights. It's about ensuring
that every voice is heard and every individual is treated with respect and dignity.
Fifty-two years ago, on September 21, 1972, the late former President Ferdinand Marcos
Sr. declared martial law in the Philippines. The declaration was made with the aim of safeguarding
the authority of the republic and ensuring security, citing the looming threat of a communist
insurgency and other rebellious activities. Marcos justified the declaration by pointing to the
imminent danger posed by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and the Moro National
Liberation Front (MNLF), as well as the ongoing violent student protests. He argued that martial
law was necessary to protect the republic from these threats and to institute societal reforms,
especially after what was seen as the failure of American-style democracy to establish itself in
Philippine society. Initial public reaction to martial law was mostly favorable, except in Muslim
areas of the south, where a separatist rebellion, led by the MNLF, broke out in 1973. However,
little did the people know that martial law would take a dark turn, lasting for 14 years. While there
are some who experienced the good side of martial law, mostly those with wealth, most of the
population suffered. Since the media was manipulated during that time, the people did not know
how dark it was for those who were living in poverty and marginalized sectors. The international
Marishka Anika Luna Performance task #3 12 – HUMSS AHADAS
community viewed Ferdinand Marcos' martial law regime in the Philippines as a brutal, corrupt,
and extravagant period in Philippine history. Organizations like Amnesty International
documented extensive human rights violations, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and
enforced disappearances of thousands of victims during this period. The imposition of martial law
generated intense social conflicts and worsened the economic crisis in the country, leading to
growing civil discontent and political opposition. The government's severe repression of political
disagreement and opposition resulted in widespread mistreatment, including the arrest, detention,
and abuse of many individuals. Due to the lack of official records and the secretive nature of the
government's actions, which just shows how media was extremely manipulated during that time,
it's challenging to determine the exact number of victims. Nonetheless, it's widely recognized that
this period was characterized by extensive violations of human rights, which played a significant
role in Marcos's eventual removal from power and the subsequent shift to democratic governance.
Despite the eventual ousting of Marcos in 1986 and the restoration of democracy, the legacy of
Martial Law continues to cast a shadow over Philippine politics until today. The failure to fully
address the injustices of the past has left deep wounds within our society, with ongoing struggles
for truth, accountability, and reconciliation. There are also positive sides to martial law. But that
doesn’t pay the price of those who were tortured and killed, those people whom until now hasn’t
had justice, and those families who suffered. Under martial law, the regime was able to reduce
violent urban crime, collect unregistered firearms, and suppress communist insurgency in some
areas. However, 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. So, as
you can tell, while there are positive effects, those positive effects came with a price.
It's been almost 2 years since another Marcos was elected, some people are afraid of what is to
come. The shadow of Martial Law continues to take over the Filipino people, concerns about the
erosion of democratic norms and institutions have been reignited, alarming among citizens who
vividly remember the horrific period of Marcos' rule. To those who experienced martial law, and
to those families victimized by it. While the formal declaration of martial law may no longer be in
place, the remnants of authoritarianism persist through various methods of control and
suppression. Some people view martial law as the “Golden Age” and wants it to come back, some
are afraid, and some are curious about it. Media censorship remains to be an issue until today, with
reports of journalists facing harassment, intimidation, and even violence for their critical and
unbiased reporting on government policies and actions. The oppressing of dissenting voices,
whether through legal means or extrajudicial actions, shows the continued struggle for freedom of
expression and the press. Moreover, the rise of online disinformation campaigns and organized
groups spreading false information has further complicated the information landscape, making it
increasingly difficult for citizens to discern truth from propaganda. During the Duterte
administration, war on drugs, and extrajudicial killings is a reminder of how we are still being
oppressed and manipulated until today. While it is particularly aimed at curbing crime and drug-
related activities, these extrajudicial killings have raised serious concerns about human rights
abuses and the rule of law. The lack of accountability for these atrocities only serves to strengthen
perpetrators and perpetuate a culture of impunity. Yet, despite these challenges, the Filipino people
Marishka Anika Luna Performance task #3 12 – HUMSS AHADAS
have not been passive bystanders in the face of abuse on their rights and freedoms. Civil society
organizations, human rights defenders, and activists have continued to mobilize and organize,
pushing back against authoritarian tendencies and advocating for justice and accountability. From
street protests to legal challenges, the fight for human rights and civil liberties remains alive and
well, showing the resilience of the Filipino spirit in the face of adversity. The lessons of history
are still applicable in a situation of fear and uncertainty. The shadowy history of the Martial Law
era serves as an important reminder of the dangers of unequal authority and the importance of
preserving democratic institutions.
"The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke.
As a student, a representative of the youth, and a voice for the next generation, I promise to do my
best for all of us Filipinos to achieve democracy and freedom. 2022, for me, was a time of
realization and a time for us to speak up. I’m proud of what I stood up for and am still standing up
for now. The last election was a moment of enlightenment; it was that time when I was ever more
interested in politics, and it is why I am here in this strand. I will never be ashamed of what I was
advocating for. I may not know everything yet, but I know that standing up for what you think is
right is the best thing you can do for a country. My voice may be silent, but together, I know we
can make echoes that can be heard even by those who choose to be deaf. And as for our current
president, I can only hope that things will get better. What’s done is done, and there is nothing we
can do about it. Everyone is sad when their side loses in an election, but the next day we have to
remember that we are all on one team. “What brings us together as a nation is far more powerful
than what pulls us apart.” - Leni Robredo.
REFERENCES
Mijares, P. The Conjugal Dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos.
http://rizalls.lib.admu.edu.ph:8080/ebooks2/Primitivo%20Mijares.pdf
Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2024, April 12). Ferdinand Marcos. Encyclopedia
Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ferdinand-E-Marcos
Juego, B. On Martial Law at 50: Fact-Checking the Marcos Story, Countering
. https://jyx.jyu.fi/bitstream/handle/123456789/83494/JuegoB_On%20Martial%20Law%20
at%2050_Fact-
Checking%20the%20Marcos%20Story%2C%20Countering%20the%20EDSA%20History_Hein
rich%20B%C3%B6ll%20Foundation.pdf?sequence=1
Suh, J. (2023). Human Rights and Corruption in Settling the Accounts of the Past: Transitional
Justice Experiences from the Philippines, South Korea, and Indonesia. Bijdragen Tot de Taal-,
Land- En Volkenkunde, 179(1), 61–89. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48719558
