MARTIAL LAW

Date it started and ended:

Start Date: September 21, 1972
End Date:January 17, 1981 (officially lifted)

Significant Figures:
- Ferdinand Marcos: He was the President of the Philippines who declared martial law. Marcos
continued to rule under martial law until its official lifting in 1981. His administration became
known for its authoritarian control, with Marcos concentrating power in his hands.

- Imelda Marcos: Ferdinand Marcos' wife, Imelda Marcos, held significant influence during this
period. She was known for her involvement in government affairs and the excesses associated
with the Marcos regime.

Reason Why it Started:

Martial law was declared by Ferdinand Marcos under the guise of preserving law and order and
quelling rising civil unrest, communist insurgency, and rebellion. He claimed that it was a
necessary measure to save the country from impending chaos and subversion, but many saw it as
a means for Marcos to consolidate power and extend his rule.

How it was Resolved:

- Martial law officially ended on January 17, 1981, through a presidential decree issued by
Ferdinand Marcos. However, the lifting of martial law did not immediately revert the country to
its previous state. The Philippines continued to operate under a semi-authoritarian regime until
the People Power Revolution in 1986.
- The resolution of martial law can be attributed to a combination of internal and external
pressures. Internally, sustained opposition and resistance to the Marcos regime from various
groups—such as activists, religious figures, and civil society organizations—contributed to the
call for its dismantling. Externally, international pressure and condemnation regarding human
rights abuses and authoritarian rule in the Philippines also played a role.
- Eventually, the People Power Revolution in 1986 led to the ousting of Ferdinand Marcos and
the restoration of democratic processes in the country, culminating in the presidency of Corazon
Aquino. This revolution symbolized the end of the Marcos dictatorship and the restoration of
democratic governance in the Philippines.
EDSA REVOLUTION

The EDSA Revolution, also known as the People Power Revolution, was a significant event in
the history of the Philippines that led to the ousting of President Ferdinand Marcos and the
restoration of democracy. Here are the details you requested:

Date it started and ended:

Start Date: The revolution began on February 22, 1986.

End Date: It effectively ended on February 25, 1986.

Significant Figures:
Corazon Aquino: She was a prominent figure in the revolution. The widow of Benigno Aquino
Jr., a prominent opposition leader assassinated in 1983, Corazon Aquino emerged as a unifying
figure and became the symbol of the opposition against Marcos.

Ferdinand Marcos: He was the President of the Philippines during this period. The revolution
was largely a response to his authoritarian rule, election fraud, corruption, and human rights
abuses.

Jaime Cardinal Sin: As the Archbishop of Manila, Cardinal Sin played a crucial role in
mobilizing the Filipino people through Radio Veritas, urging them to support the opposition and
gather at EDSA (Epifanio de los Santos Avenue).

Reason Why it Started:

The People Power Revolution was sparked by widespread discontent with Ferdinand Marcos'
regime, particularly after a controversial presidential election in 1986, which Marcos claimed to
have won despite allegations of massive electoral fraud. The people, led by a unified opposition,
took to the streets to protest against the fraudulent election and the ongoing dictatorship.

How it was Resolved:

The revolution culminated in the massive gathering of civilians—hundreds of thousands of
Filipinos—mainly at EDSA, near the military camps in Metro Manila. They engaged in peaceful
protests and demonstrations, calling for Marcos to step down and for the restoration of
democracy.

The movement gained support from key military figures, including Defense Minister Juan Ponce
Enrile and Armed Forces Vice Chief of Staff Fidel Ramos, who withdrew their support from
Marcos. This "defection" from key figures within the government significantly weakened
Marcos' position.
Amidst international pressure and the possibility of escalated violence, Ferdinand Marcos and his
family were forced to flee the Philippines and seek exile in Hawaii on February 25, 1986. This
marked the end of his authoritarian rule and the beginning of a new era in Philippine history,
with Corazon Aquino assuming the presidency.

The EDSA Revolution is celebrated annually in the Philippines as a national holiday—EDSA

People Power Revolution Day—to commemorate the events that led to the restoration of
democracy and the fall of the Marcos dictatorship.
EDSA II

The term "EDSA 2" generally refers to the second People Power Revolution that took place in
the Philippines, which led to the ousting of President Joseph Estrada in 2001. The People Power
Revolution (or EDSA Revolution) typically refers to the non-violent popular demonstrations that
occurred on Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) in the Philippines, notably in 1986 and
2001.

EDSA 2 - People Power II:

Date it Started and Ended:

Start Date: January 17, 2001
End Date: January 20, 2001

Significant Figures:
Joseph Estrada: He was the President of the Philippines during EDSA 2. Estrada faced
allegations of corruption, which led to massive public outrage and the subsequent protests that
culminated in his removal from office.

Gloria Macapagal Arroyo: Arroyo was the Vice President during Estrada's presidency. She was
sworn in as the President after Estrada was forced to step down.

Reason Why it Started:

EDSA 2 began as a response to allegations of corruption and other charges against President
Joseph Estrada. The movement gained momentum due to a widely perceived mishandling of the
impeachment trial against Estrada, leading to widespread public dissatisfaction and calls for his
resignation.

How it Was Resolved:

The four-day EDSA 2 protests, which involved a massive gathering of citizens, religious groups,
and military forces, resulted in Estrada's impeachment by the Philippine Senate on January 20,
2001. Faced with imminent conviction, Estrada vacated the presidential palace, leading to the
swearing-in of Vice President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the new President of the Philippines.
EDSA 2 resulted in a peaceful transition of power, effectively resolving the political crisis
sparked by public outrage over Estrada's alleged corruption and subsequent impeachment trial.
The events of EDSA 2 marked the end of Estrada's presidency and the beginning of Arroyo's
administration.
MAMASAPANO

The Mamasapano incident refers to a clash that occurred in Mamasapano, Maguindanao,

Philippines, on January 25, 2015. Here are the details regarding the incident:

Date it Started:
Start Date: January 25, 2015

Significant Figures:
- Philippine National Police Special Action Force (SAF): A group of elite police commandos
carried out a mission in Mamasapano to capture or neutralize two high-value terrorist
targets—Zulkifli Abdhir (also known as Marwan), a Malaysian bomb maker with links to
extremist groups, and Abdul Basit Usman, a Filipino bomb expert. The operation was undertaken
by the SAF, a specialized unit within the Philippine National Police.

- Alleged Involvement of Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and Bangsamoro Islamic
Freedom Fighters (BIFF): The clash involved encounters between the SAF commandos and
various armed groups, including the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) and the Bangsamoro
Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF), which led to a tense situation.

Reason Why it Started:

- The primary objective of the SAF operation in Mamasapano was to capture or neutralize
high-profile terrorists, particularly Zulkifli Abdhir (Marwan) and Abdul Basit Usman, both of
whom were linked to bomb-making activities and extremist groups. The mission was a high-risk
and covert operation conducted by the SAF without the knowledge of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP) and other government forces.

How it was Resolved:

- The Mamasapano clash resulted in a significant loss for the SAF, with 44 members of the
police commando unit losing their lives. It sparked national outrage and led to public scrutiny of
the mission, the coordination between different armed forces, and the decision-making process
that led to the tragic outcome.

- Following the incident, investigations were conducted to understand the sequence of events and
determine accountability. The Philippine government initiated peace talks and negotiations with
various groups, including the MILF, to address the implications of the clash and work towards
peace and stability in the region.

- In the aftermath of the incident, discussions and efforts to pass the Bangsamoro Basic Law
(BBL) were undertaken in the Philippine Congress. The BBL aimed to establish a new political
entity known as the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, granting the region a higher degree of
self-governance and addressing the historical grievances of the Muslim population in Mindanao.
The proposed law was intended to bring about a peaceful resolution to the decades-long conflict
in the region.

- The Mamasapano incident continues to be a significant and sensitive issue in the Philippines,
particularly regarding peace-building efforts in Mindanao and the pursuit of lasting peace and
stability in the region.
ZAMBOANGA SIEGE

Date it started and ended:

Start Date: The Zamboanga Siege began on September 9, 2013.
End Date: The siege officially concluded on September 28, 2013.

Significant Figures:
Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF): The MNLF, a separatist group in the Philippines, was
led by Nur Misuari. Some factions of the MNLF were involved in the Zamboanga Siege. Nur
Misuari was a prominent figure in the movement, although it's essential to note that not all
MNLF factions were involved in the siege.

Government Forces and Officials: The government forces, including the military and the police,
were significant in combating the MNLF rebels during the siege. Various government officials,
including the local government of Zamboanga, played critical roles in managing the crisis and
ensuring the safety of civilians.

Reason Why it Started:

The Zamboanga Siege was a result of a rebel faction of the Moro National Liberation Front led
by Nur Misuari, which opposed a preliminary peace agreement signed between the government
and a rival faction of the MNLF. The faction that initiated the siege aimed to raise awareness of
their grievances and to voice opposition to the government's peace deal with a rival MNLF
faction.

How it was Resolved:

The Zamboanga Siege was resolved through a combination of military action and negotiation.
Government forces engaged the MNLF rebels in intense clashes throughout the city, resulting in
casualties and destruction. Negotiations were also attempted to end the standoff peacefully, but
these efforts were largely unsuccessful as the MNLF rebels were demanding international
mediation, which was not agreed upon by the government.

Ultimately, the government's military forces were able to contain the rebels and gradually regain
control of the city. The conflict led to a considerable humanitarian crisis, with thousands of
residents displaced and infrastructure damaged.

The siege was officially declared as over on September 28, 2013, but its impact was long-lasting,
with the city of Zamboanga undergoing significant recovery efforts and addressing the aftermath
of the conflict. The siege highlighted the challenges in achieving lasting peace in the region and
the complexities of dealing with multiple factions within the MNLF.