The Declaration of Martial Law in 1972 by Ferdinand Marcos

1.)What does the document/artifact say?

 September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos placed Philippines under martial law, some refer it as “The
Darkest Chapter of the Philippine History”. The declaration issued suspended the civil rights and imposed
military authority within the country where he abolished Congress, controlled media establishments, and
order arrest to those opposition parties and leaders where he defended the declaration for needing the extra
power to quench the rising violence caused by the communists to eradicate the roots of rebellion. This brings
fear and hopelessness to our brothers and sisters, during these times people knew that the gravity of
disorder, social injustice, youth and student activism, many vigilantes and mysterious crimes are happening
we don’t about the safety around us anymore. But during this period, it is hailed also “The Golden Years of
the Philippine History” wherein there are positive effects of martial law like in economy that according to
World Bank Data (1980), the Philippines’s Gross Domestic Product quadruples. Also with the active of
military during this time they are decrease in crime rates such as murder, stealing and other crimes are rarely
done because of armies visible everywhere. And the whole country became extremely disciplined due to the
curfew observed where those who won’t obey are given disciplinary actions. Regardless of these, we
Filipinos united and learned to fight for our rights to give back our voices, power and freedom. This became
one of our famous acts within the history where democracy is used for those who imprison it, where we thirst
for the sweetness and positivity of freedom. There is positivity in every negative. Without this event, we
Filipinos are continued to be under their powers unable to speak out but with courage and unity we regained
our freedom and forever to be influenced by this event making us where we are now even with the
traumatizing events that scars the history but also nurtures it which encourages us.

2.)What was the provenance or source of the document/artifact?

 In his diary on September 14, Marcos wrote that he had informed the military that he would declare martial
law. Even the U.S Embassy Manila knew of Marcos' plans as early as September 17 1972.

3.)Who authored it (if applicable)?

 President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972, placing the
Philippines under Martial Law.

4.)What was the context of the primary source’s production?

 President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972, placing the
Philippines under Martial Law. Some sources say that Marcos signed the proclamation on September 17 or
on September 22, but in their case, the document itself was dated September 21. Throughout the Martial
Law period, Marcos built up the cult of September 21, proclaiming it as National Thanksgiving Day by virtue
of Proclamation No. 1180s. 1973 to memorialize the date as the foundation day of his New Society. The
propaganda effort was so successful that up to the present, many Filipinos: particularly those who did not live
through the events of September 23, 1972, labor under the misapprehension that martial law was proclaimed
on September 21, 1972.

5.)What’s the contribution of the primary source in understanding the Philippine history?

 The contribution of the primary source in understanding Philippine history is, it is the legal basis and the legal
presentation of a certain order by the highest figure of the land as to bring peace, if chaos. It tells the present
generation that martial law was being put into practice for a certain reason and that is irrevocable. Whether
you like it or not, or whether you believed it or not, it is part of what we are today. We cannot question
Marcos, it is already there and it serves as a warning to the young generation.