Ambassador Andreas Pfaffernoschke, as posted on @germanyinphl;
As the country marks the imposition of Martial Law in the Philippines by the Marcos Sr. Administration 52 years ago, we remember the sacrifices made by those who fought for freedom and democracy during this dark period in history.
The distortion of history can pave the way for the return of authoritarianism and the erosion of human rights. It is through a clear understanding of our past that we can build a better future.
Let us honor the memory of those who suffered under Martial Law and work together to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again. By upholding historical accuracy and promoting human rights, we can create a more just and equitable world for all.
#MartialLawAnniversary
On September 23, 1972, then President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. officially proclaim the State of Martial law in the Philippines, it’s formal proclamation is contained in Proclamation No. 1081.
Proclamation No. 1081 started a “14-year period of authoritarian rule, which would include eight years of Martial Law (de jure ending on January 17, 1981, through Proclamation No. 2045), but not de facto : followed by six more years where Marcos retained essentially all of his powers as dictator. Marcos was eventually ousted on February 25, 1986, as a result of the EDSA People Power Revolution.” via wikipedia.
Also on Wikipedia, “This 14-year period in Philippine history is remembered for the administration’s record of human rights abuses, particularly targeting political opponents, student activists, journalists, religious workers, farmers, and others who fought against the Marcos dictatorship. Based on the documentation of Amnesty International, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, and similar human rights monitoring entities, historians believe that the Marcos dictatorship was marked by 3,257 known extrajudicial killings, 35,000 documented tortures, 737 ‘disappeared’, and 70,000 incarcerations.”
The reasons and justification are also indicated in Proclamation No. 1081.