Our group went to Lakandula High School to interview and to know more about our Philippine History – Martial Law. We are grateful that we have learned something new and we realize some things after our interview.
We interviewed Mrs. Sidiangco, a AP teacher in Lakandula High School.
President Ferdinand E. Marcos was the one who declared Martial Law in the Philippines. It started September 1972. He declared martial law to extend his rule claiming that the country was threatened by communist and moro rebels. He even made a new constitution to stay longer in power. Newspapers, Televisions and Stations were shut down during the era of Marcos. Those who are allowed to operate had government censors in newsroom. Many had been killed during the martial law.
Until Cardinal Jaime Sin make his move to stop the martial law. He called to radio veritas to gather up the people to fight peacefully for their human rights. This is called the “Edsa Revolution” it was a peaceful and non-violent struggle ending the 20-year rule of Marcos and his cronies. The estimated people who joined the edsa revolution were 2-3 million manileños and they would even call it Divine Intervention.
The Marcos’ regime was one of the biggest part of the Philippine history. On this part, different perspectives regarding leadership were concerned. At first, most of the people were astounded by the efficient progress of different attributes involved within the country. Most of these attributes involve the economy, the governance, and also the overall state of the country. In this regard, the citizens were suddenly affected by the rapid changes dealt by the government. These include the loss of liberty in which most citizens most likely indulge. The use of the Martial Law was quite a crucial move towards the state. However, it could have been better if the government was able to handle the state in a different way better than choosing Martial Law.
I realized that it was not easy for people to survive the martial law era especially journalists because they risked their own lives just to trust all the secrets of Ferdinand Marcos. Martial Law was founded by Marcos because of his intelligence he made everything possible. Marcos twice served as a president of the Philippines because of his lust for the throne. Because of his influential man, he prevented the media from spreading news for the people to cover up all his secrets. It was meant to be a government-saver in times of crisis. There is no strict government policies to curb radicalism and people are given too much power in dictating how the government should function. Someone or something has to impose maximum order and that can only be done through martial law.
When we hear the word Martial Law, the first thing will come to our mind are crucial and traumatic but after we interviewed one of the teacher in Lakandula High School, we realized that Martial Law has a lot of great works that we benefit until now. I saw this post on facebook that is all about Marcos. Marcos once said,”20 years from now on, maalala nyo ako, hahanapin nyo ako, pero di nyo na ako makikita.” The Philippines is always on top of everything during the Martial Law. But now, it is the least. We all know that martial law is very traumatic and horrible for us- filipinos. But let us admit that Ferdinand Marcos contribute the 70% of the Philippines. Did you know that the prime minister of Singapore and other nations was impressed to Marcos. That’s why Korea and Singapore are still successful now because they follow and they copied what Marcos has done to the Philippines.
The Martial Law is important to know because it gives us information what Ferdinand Marcos contribute on that year because he had been a president for twice. He was so intelligent person. And many organizations contribute and programs who helped Marcos. Martial Law has a great impact to all the people. Many had been killed and upset and overwhelmed that time. I realize that many people on that era must protect their selves in the death because it is not easy to survive on the martial law era. You as individual must have to know what is happening or what is the situation on your society to be aware what are the happenings in your surroundings and to know what you can do about it and to protect your family. Like in media and news, they get information or knowledge about the happenings and news in the government.
Martial Law 