September 21, 1972 Declaration of Martial Law: Eye Opener for Discipline

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Today is a day to remember which has left a significant mark to the history of Philippine politics. The year 1972, 21st of September when President Ferdinand E. Marcos implemented Proclamation No. 1021 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law. We always hear some negative comments regarding this declaration of martial law during the Marcos regime, like human rights violations and other political killings of sorts. They say Marcos used martial law to prolong his political tyranny and dictatorship for 20 years. Abuse of power is what most people think of martial law, mainly because in a country ruled by martial law, the constitution which upholds the rights and priviledges of the people is dissolved. All sectors in our society are controlled by the goverment and there is strict censorship towards media publications both broadcast and print. What really was the reason for martial law to be declared in September of 1972 was that anarchy, activism, sedition and the proliferation of communism was on the rise and people during these times did not abide by the constitution and break the rule of law. Thats why President Marcos declared martial law to stop and contain the growing threat of communism and anarchism. The martial law that the Philippines felt was not the iron glove ruling, there was still freedom of expression and speech, but with few censorship, there was strict implementation of curfew hours and arrests were made which lead to the eventual capture of Satur Ocampo, the founder of the communist party of the philippines (CPP-NPA). If President Marcos used martial law to prolong his political ambitions, he should not have lifted it instead. The 1972 constitution was not revised at all, if he has the intention, he should have drafted a new constition which Cory Aquino did when she grabbed the seat of power in Malacanan. President Marcos was re-elected after martial law until 1986, then how could we say he was a dictator and used martial law to his advantage, no elections should have been done at all, and the philippines could have been under Martial law for a longer time not just for 4 years. He didn't even used his power to fully implement death sentence to all enemies of the goverment during martial law, not even one political prisoner or activist was sentenced to death. The killings and human rights allegations were not ordered by President Marcos, instead it was those in the military who abused their authority and did not obey their commander in chief. During martial law, people were so disciplined, there were no noisy videoke bar singings, no annoying drunkard roaming the streets, you can even leave all your rice harvests in the field without worrying anyone to steal it. The democracy we are in right now is a type of which is so abused, lacks discipline and respect to each and everyone of us. We are like wild pigs running here and burrowing everywhere. So let us not remember martial law as a dark moment in our country instead we look at it as the best time where we have discipline and respect which is needed now to boost the philippines to economic growth.