September 21, 2024, marks the 52nd anniversary of the declaration of martial law by the deposed fascist dictator Philippine president, Ferdinand Marcos Sr. The dark years of martial law preceded by the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus in 1971 were marked by widespread human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, extrajudicial killings, illegal search and seizure and the suppression of media and political opposition. With full US support, Marcos Sr. justified martial law as a response to communist and separatist threats, but it was in reality Marcos Sr.’s tool for maintaining his grip on power and enriching his family and allies amidst worsening state of the economy gravely affecting the lives and livelihood of the Filipino people.
The legacy of this era continues to influence Philippine politics today, particularly under the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., son of the former dictator. Despite promises of unity and progress, Marcos Jr.’s government perpetuates authoritarian tactics through aggressive counterinsurgency programs. These programs, ostensibly aimed at combating communist insurgents, have often targeted activists, journalists, and human rights defenders.
The current administration has also been implicated in enforced disappearances of activists, a tactic reminiscent of the martial law era. These incidents, along with red-tagging (labeling individuals or groups as communist sympathizers without evidence), have created a climate of fear among civil society organizations and human rights groups.
In the countryside, reports of aerial bombardment continue affecting the lives and livelihood of peasants and indigenous peoples in those areas. Reminiscent of martial law, residents in those communities are evacuating from their homes and schooling of children are gravely affected. In one reported incident, an A-29B Super Tucano, a single engine close military support aircraft made in the USA was used in the military air strike operation.
A stark example of the dangers activists face is the case of Brandon Lee, an American citizen and environmental activist. In 2019, during the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte, Lee was shot in an assassination attempt that left him paralyzed. Despite intensive advocacy efforts of people in the Philippines and United States – Brandon Lee has received zero compensation for the attack on his life while the Marcos Jr. regime fails to take action.
These anti people actions represent a disturbing continuity with the Philippines’ authoritarian past. They point to the erosion of democratic norms, the weakening of checks and balances, and the shrinking space for dissent and civil society engagement. The increasing military support by the US and other governments emboldens the Philippine government to further crush the little democratic space that the Filipino people are clinging on to.
The situation underscores the ongoing struggle between authoritarian tendencies and democratic aspirations of the Filipino people, with the legacy of the Marcos Sr. regime casting a long shadow over the nation’s political landscape. As the Philippines prepares for the 2025 midterm elections and the people express their will for genuine democracy, the international community must observe the human rights situation, broadly disseminate the realities of the situation and forge people to people solidarity in support of just peace.
