Philippine Martial Law

Did you know that the Philippines had experienced at least four martial laws?

First it was on August 30, 1896 declared by Governor General Ramon Blanco to localize the rebellion that was launched by the Katipunan. The declaration of such emergency covered the first eight provinces, which declared war against the colonizers in Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija. These provinces later represents the rays of the sun in the our flag..

The second by Jose P Laurel at wartime under the Japanese rule in 1944 through Proclamation No. 29, dated September 21. Martial law came into effect on September 22, 1944. Proclamation No. 30 was issued the next day, declaring the existence of a state of war between the Philippines and the US and Great Britain. This took effect on September 23, 1944.

The third it  was proclaimed by the authoritarian president Ferdinand Marcos from 1972 to 1981 (on September 21, 1972). And came into force on September 22 - interestingly enough exactly 28 years after President Jose P. Laurel's similar proclamations. It was to suppress the increasing civil strife and the threat of communist takeover following a series of bombings in Manila. The declaration of martial law was initially well received by some segment of the people, but became unpopular as excesses and human right abuses by the military emerged. Torture was used in extracting information from their enemies. The Proclamation No. 1081 (Proclaiming a State of Martial Law in the Philippines).

The forth which I hope would be the last, by  President Macapagal-Arroyo on December 4, 2009. She officially placed Maguindanao province under a state of martial law. The declaration also suspended the writ of habeas corpus in the province. The announcement was made days after hundreds of government troops were sent to the province, which would later raided the armories of the powerful Ampatuan clan. The Ampatuan family was implicated in the massacre that saw the murder of 57 persons, including women members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, human rights lawyers, and 31 media workers, It was the worst incident of political violence in our nation's history. It has also been condemned worldwide as the worst loss of life of media professionals in one day in the history of journalism.
 


But, wait a minute, before hand  Mrs Arroyo was planning to impose martial law to put an end to military coup plots, general civilian dissatisfaction, and criticism of the legitimacy of her presidency due to dubious election results. Instead, a "State of National Emergency" was imposed to crush a coup plot and to tackle protesters which lasted from February 24, 2006 until March 3 of the same year.

 Any way we will not talk about the martial law which was Mrs. Arroyo imposed. Let us talk about the most popular martial law we ever had, The Proclamation No. 1081. I entitled this post, Pinoy Amnesia : Rolex 12 and The Proclamation No 1081. Because I think that the new Filipino generations forgot or does not know who's who are the Architects of such tragedy in our history. The story goes something like this.

The Rolex 12 is the collective name of 12 of the closest and most powerful advisers of President Ferdinand Marcos during the martial law years in the Philippines from 1972 to 1981.
During the latter years of his second elected term, Marcos conspired with various leaders of the military and Philippine Constabulary. The goal was for Marcos to gain full authoritarian control of the country during his declaration of martial law in 1972. Marcos gave the military leadership powers during martial law, taking over from democratically elected officials and court judges.

The 12 were responsible for many human rights atrocities, although the extent of their responsibility is still being investigated. These atrocities include torture, murder, seizures of property, displacement from homes, and arrest and detention without due process.
The origin of the name Rolex 12 came from a widespread story and some sources that each associate received a Rolex watch from Mr. Marcos himself, although this is allegedly proven to be untrue. Others, however, would pursue the argument that Marcos provided them with watches that appear to be Rolex watches but were actually fakes. Historically, each member was just given a Omega (they claimed)  watches  by Mr. Marcos. But because of the story, the name Rolex 12 stuck and is still used to refer to these 12 Marcos associates. Some of them fled with Marcos when he and his family left the Philippines in 1986.

These are the Rolex 12

Tomas Diaz, PMA-Cl '51 - Vice Chief of the Philippine Constabulary

Juan Ponce Enrile - (Minister of Defense on Marcos Regime) On July 26, 2010, he was re-elected as President of the Senate. 

Romeo Espino UP-ROTC - Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP)

Romeo Gatan - Chief of the Philippine Constabulary in Rizal Province

Alfredo Montoya, PMA Cl-'51 -Chief of the Philippine Constabulary Metropolitan Command (METROCOM)

Ignacio Paz, PMA Cl-'51 - Chief of the Intelligence Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP)
Fidel V. Ramos,( USMA Cl-'50; Honorary PMA Cl-51 -Chief of the Philippine Constabulary (PC) ) was then elected as the 12th President of the Philippines from 1992 to 1998. 


Jose Rancudo - Chief of the Philippine Air Force (PAF)

Hilario Ruiz -Chief of the Philippine Navy (PN)

Rafael Zagala -Chief of the Philippine Army (PA)

Fabian Ver, Honorary-PMA Cl '51 - Chief of National Intelligence Security Authority (NISA) January 20, 1920 – November 21, 1998) was a General and Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines under President Ferdinand Marcos. It is said he was the mastermind of assassination of former Senator Benigno Aquino, Jr.

Eduardo "Danding" Cojuangco, Jr., Honorary PMA Cl-'51 - present Chairperson of San Miguel Corporation.

So by reading this post I think I do not need to explain to you what is PINOY AMNESIA. get's mo?