Calejesan, Micah Hanah Grace N. & Perez, Elisha Jane G.

April 26, 2021

GED107- SEC19 Formative assessment 6 & 7

MARTIAL LAW

I. Background of the interviewee

A. Joanna Cariño
B. Female
C. When Martial law was declared in 1972, she was a student activist in University of the
Philippines Baguio.
D. Member of Kabataan Makabayan
II. Experiences during Martial Law
A. The first quarter storm
1. There was a general awakening of the people.
2. Many of the youth went out to the streets seeking change to the unacceptable
system.
3. The student paper was used as a tool to speak about the issue.
4. The marches were getting more frequent.
5. Along with Joanna, the military captured student activists and brought them to
jail.
B. During Martial Law
1. She got illegally arrested with her younger sister on 21 June of 1974.
2. They were tortured through slapping, beating, and electrocution in a safehouse.
3. She was then taken to a military camp.
a. They could hear cries of torture.
b. A busload of political prisoners arrived and were severely injured.
4. She got hepatitis which she believed was caused by the torture.
III. Batas Militar in the present time
A. There is a feeling of déjà vu in the current state of the Philippines.
1. The numerous extrajudicial killings relating to the war on drugs
2. Martial law in Mindanao
3. Democratic dissents are charged with crimes.
4. Military personnel fill public sectors.
B. Multiple killings, forced evacuations, political prisoners – manifestations of dictatorship
even if not yet formally declared.
IV. Looking back on her deeds
1. She did not regret anything she did during martial law.
2. She imparted knowledge to the young activists.
3. She believes that the young people are inheritors of the unfinished revolution.
 “THE NIGHTMARES OF MARTIAL LAW”

The people described the Philippines as a “social volcano” on the verge of erupting. It has been
decades since the first quarter storm. I still remember looking at the streets of Baguio packed with young
activists seeking change to the unacceptable system of the country. I was a student activist myself fighting
for national democracy alongside the youth. Our voice was only a tiny fraction of the thousands of people
pursuing change and justice. Even with the military forces present at our rallies, we were unbothered and
continued to link our arms. The troops had a hard time capturing all of us because of how tightly we held
on to each other but eventually, we got thrown in jail. It wasn’t too long when we got released, and little
did we know that was not the most terrible thing that would happen to us.

On the 21st of June 1974, a large group of armed men bursts into the room where my sister and
I stayed. I timidly asked them what the raid was about, hoping it would soon be over. However, instead
of giving us a proper answer, they roughed us up and forcibly took my sister and me to a vehicle. My sister,
Josy, silently cried and held my hand tightly during the whole ride. We were both afraid of what the armed
men might do to us if we ever made a noise. I was preparing for the worst situations; I couldn’t help but
think that my life would soon be over or that my body would indeed be violated. After some time, we got
to one of the military’s safe houses, where we were questioned, abused, and tortured through
electrocution and beating. Defiance wasn’t an option. We had no choice but to do what we were told.
Otherwise, we would get killed. During those times, it felt like a living hell for us.

After a few days of physical, mental, and emotional discomfort and struggle, we were taken to a
military camp. The camp was not much different compared to the safehouse. You could still hear cries of
torture within those walls. There was a time when I was looking outside the window, and I could see
busloads of severely injured political prisoners arriving in the camp. Military personnel was everywhere,
and there’s not a single thing I could do to break free from the place. Over time, more detainees came in,
and eventually, the area became too overcrowded. My sister and I got released from the detention, and
we were able to return to our home, Baguio City.

Looking back on it now, I believed my actions are what made me who I am today. I have been
through great sufferings and challenges throughout my entire life. Nevertheless, there is nothing more
rewarding than seeing my fellow Filipinos fight for the same reasons I did. All the things I have done in the
past and what I continue to do to this day have no regrets attached to it whatsoever. I’m thankful for
having to live this life, a life that has imparted knowledge and wisdom to several people. Many of the
young activists today continue to fight for the rights of the people. We have such magnificent young
people in our country. A better and brighter society can only be attained if our youth continue to fight the
good fight of the unfinished revolution.