September 21, 1972. The day where Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed Proclamation 1081 which led to the country’s martial law that lasted for 12 years.
Some supported the declaration, and some cried for freedom as they felt oppressed under the military rule. But some voices were not heard, as they were silenced in every way possible by the military.
But as victims of human rights violations described life under Martial Law, it was nothing but a horrifying memory that would haunt them until they die.
Opposing the government is a big ‘no-no’ during the martial law unless you have a death wish. The government saw critics as hostiles and would later act out to silence them. So basically if you utter anything against the government, before your comments reach the news, you could be the news as you might disappear from the world.
At least 3,257 were killed, 35, 000 were tortured, and 70,000 incarcerated. These statistics do not just reveal the inhuman practices of the government but these numbers also represent unsung stories of individuals who suffered greatly, may it be a man or a woman, regardless of their social class and age. This exceeds the extra judicial killings under Dictator Augusto Pinochet in Chile, as cited by Alfred Macoy, a respected historian.
Some would say that life was better before under the administration of the Marcoses. But upon reading these facts, how could we describe now life under Martial law?
(Written by NM, Checked by MRFB)