
21/09/2025
On September 21, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. placed the Philippines under Martial Law. Framed as a defense against communism and disorder, it instead brought years of fear, silence, and abuse. Amnesty International recorded over 70,000 arrests, 34,000 cases of torture, and more than 3,000 killings—each a life stolen, each a freedom denied.
Beyond human rights violations, Martial Law left an economy burdened by debt. From $600 million in 1965, the country’s foreign debt surged to over $28 billion by 1986. Much of it was drained by corruption and unfinished projects, leaving ordinary Filipinos to shoulder the cost for decades. Supporters point to roads, bridges, and buildings constructed during this period, but no infrastructure can outweigh the loss of dignity and lives. Concrete may endure, but justice and freedom are far greater foundations of a nation.
To commemorate September 21 is to remember not only the pain of the past but also the responsibility of the present. As students and citizens, we must stay vigilant against the return of fear disguised as order. The nation that forgets is a nation that risks living through the same darkness again.
Sources:
Amnesty International. (2022, April 21). Five things to know about Martial Law in the Philippines. Amnesty International. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/five-things-to-know-about-martial-law-in-the-philippines/
IBON Foundation. (2022, September 21). Golden years? The real long-lasting economic damage wrought by Marcos. IBON Foundation. https://www.ibon.org/golden-years-the-real-long-lasting-economic-damage-wrought-by-marcos/
Text by Lea Grace Edong
Layout by Venice Pallado