The Methods of Martial Law

by Fr Shay Cullen

Bust of Ferdinand E. Marcos, Dictator of the Philippines

Built during the dictatorship, destroyed 2002 [Wikipedia]

The shocking death toll of Filipinos when Ferdinand Marcos declared martial law in 1972 sent shivers through Filipino society at the time. Such widespread killing of Filipinos by summary execution had never been seen since the Japanese invasion and their severe occupation. His regime was cruel marked by brutal killings, torture, the exile of opponents, imprisonment and the disappearing of thousands. The scale of the plunder under Marcos has never been fully tallied but it is said by government estimates to be in the billions of dollars salted away abroad.

Marcos had a systematic campaign to kill dissidents, oppositionists and anyone who opposed his iron fisted rule. The debate raging this past week was about the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte to allow the burial of the late dictator’s body in Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) in Manila this coming 18 September. The father of President Duterte served in the cabinet of Marcos and the President made an election campaign promise to allow the burial.

Libingan ng mga Bayani [Wikipedia]

The Supreme Court is holding hearings on petitions filed by victims of Martial Law to prevent the planned interment from happening, claiming that Marcos was a dictator of the worst kind and was not a hero. The body of the late strong man lies embalmed and preserved in a glass museum in his home on permanent display in Batac, Ilocos Norte.

Full post here.