What is the justification for martial law?

Answer 1

The Marcos regime justified the imposition of Martial Law by arguing that it would protect the government from a possible communist take-over and facilitate genuine social changes in the country.

Earlier, President Marcos vehemently denied any plan of extending his term of office but his succeeding actions suggested otherwise. According to the documentary film Batas Militar, President Marcos had two options to actualize his plan of extending his term of office. One was to change the form of government from presidential to parliamentary system, where he would serve as a Prime Minister. Second was the imposition of Martial Law.

President Marcos pointed out that the imposition of Martial Law was an answer to the worsening problem of communist rebellion and Muslim separation, decreasing productivity, mounting paranoia among the public and increasing criminality rate. He viewed that the entire gamut of social problems that beset the country were a result of widespread rebellion and radicalism. To pacify the lingering paranoia of the public about the possible abuses of Martial Law, he assured them that the military establishment would not reign supreme over civilian authority and that the civilian government would continue to operate.

President Marcos was deeply concerned about the widespread rebellion spearheaded by the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the New People's Army (NPA). He blamed these groups for the series of bombing in Metro Manila (urban terrorism). Aside from the communist insurgency in the countryside, President Marcos also blamed the disorder in the society to the militant labor union and radical student movement. The laborers were fighting for their rights to a just wage and humane working condition. The students, on the other hand, criticized the rampant corruption in the government and the sending of Filipino troops to assist the US soldiers in Vietnam.

The dreadful bombing of an electoral campaign of the Liberal Party at Plaza Miranda, Manila on August 21, 1971 resulted to numerous casualties and fatalities. President Marcos blamed it to the communist while his critics claimed that he was behind the bombing.

President Marcos also resorted to conspiracy to create an atmosphere of chaos and to sow public fear in the urban centre. A staged ambush on Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile was carried out by the camp of Marcos. The car which he was supposed to use was peppered with bullets by unidentified men. More than a decade later, Secretary Enrile admitted that it was just a grand conspiracy of President Marcos to legitimize the urgent imposition of Martial rule.

The imposition of Martial Law was believed to be the scheme of President Marcos to perpetuate himself in power.

by: angelica uy