1. Martial law in the Philippines (Tagalog: Batas Militar sa Pilipinas; Spanish: ley marcial en
Filipinas) refers to several intermittent periods in Philippine history wherein the
Philippine head of state (such as the President) proclaims that an area is placed under the
control of theArmed Forces of the Philippines. Martial law is declared either when there is
near-violent civil unrest or in cases of major natural disasters, however most countries use a
different legal construct like "state of emergency".
Typically, the imposition of martial law accompanies curfews, the suspension of civil law, civil
rights, habeas corpus, and the application or extension of military law or military justice to
civilians. Civilians defying martial law may be subjected to military tribunals (court-martial).
Hostilities that began the Philippine Revolution of 1896 started on the evening of 29 August
1896, when hundreds of rebels attacked the Civil Guard garrison in Pasig, just as hundreds
of other rebels personally led by Andrés Bonifacio were massing in San Juan del Monte,
which they attacked hours later on the 30th. Bonifacio planned to capture the San Juan del
Monte powder magazine along with a water station supplying Manila. The defending
Spaniards were outnumbered, and fought off rebels until reinforcements arrived. Once
reinforced, the Spaniards drove Bonifacio's forces back with heavy casualties. Elsewhere
rebels attacked Mandaluyong, Sampaloc, Santa Ana, Pandacan, Pateros, Marikina,
and Caloocan,[1]
as well as Makati and Taguig.[2]
Balintawak in Caloocan saw intense
fighting. Rebel troops tended to gravitate towards fighting in San Juan del Monte and
Sampaloc. South of Manila, a thousand-strong rebel force attacked a small force of civil
guards. In Pandacan Katipuneros attacked the parish church, making the parish priest run
for his life.[2]
After their defeat in San Juan del Monte, Bonifacio's troops regrouped near Marikina, San
Mateo and Montalban, where they proceeded to attack these areas. They captured these
areas but were driven back by Spanish counterattacks, and Bonifacio eventually ordered a
retreat to Balara. On the way, Bonifacio was nearly killed shielding Emilio Jacintofrom a
Spanish bullet that grazed his collar.[2]
Despite his reverses, Bonifacio was not completely
defeated and was still considered a threat.[1]
North of Manila, the towns of San Francisco de Malabon, Noveleta and Kawit in Cavite rose
in rebellion.[2]
In Nueva Ecija rebels in San Isidro led by Mariano Llanera attacked the
Spanish garrison on September 2–4; they were repulsed.[3]
By 30 August, the revolt had spread to eight provinces, prompting the Spanish Governor-
General Ramón Blanco, 1st Marquis of Peña Plata, to declare a "state of war" in these
provinces and place them under martial law. These provinces
were Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Pampanga, Tarlac, Laguna, Batangas, and Nueva Ecija.[4]

2. [2]
These would later be represented in the eight rays of the Sun in the Philippine flag.
[5]
Despite such declaration, which provided a 48-hour period in giving amnesty to rebels
except their leaders, Blanco adopted a cool, conciliatory stance, seeking to improve Spain’s
image in the face of world opinion.[6]
Ferdinand Marcos[edit]
Main article: History of the Philippines (1965–1986)
See also: Proclamation № 1081
In a privilege speech before Senate, Benigno Aquino, Jr. warned the public of the possible
establishment of a “garrison state” by President Ferdinand Marcos. President Marcos
imposed martial law on the nation from 1972 to 1981 to suppress increasing civil strife and
the threat of a communist takeover following a series of bombings inManila.[citation needed]
On 21 August 1971, while the opposition (Liberal Party) was having their miting de
avance in Plaza Miranda, two fragmentation grenades exploded.[citation needed]
It took 9 lives and
left more than 100 people seriously wounded.[citation needed]
Some Liberal Party candidates were
seriously injured including Jovito Salonga, who nearly died and was visually impaired.
Suspicion of responsibility for the blast initially fell upon Marcos, whom the Liberals blamed
for the bombing; however, in later years, prominent personalities associated with the event
have laid the blame on the Communist Party of the Philippines under José María Sison.[13]
In
his autobiography, Salonga states his belief that Sison and the CPP were responsible.[14]
A month of “terrorist bombing” of public facilities in Manila and Quezon City culminated on 22
September with a staged[citation needed]
assassination attempt on Defense SecretaryJuan Ponce
Enrile. Claiming chaos and lawlessness was near, Marcos declared martial law, thereby
suspending the 1935 Constitution, dissolving Congress, and assuming absolute power. Six
hours after the Enrile assassination attempt, Marcos responded with the imposition of martial
law. Proclamation № 1081 which imposed martial law was dated 21 September 1972, but it
was actually signed on 17 September. The formal announcement of the proclamation was
made only at seven-thirty in the evening of 23 September, about twenty-two hours after he
had commanded his military collaborators to start arresting his political opponents and close
down all media and retail (fashion, food, religious, sports) establishments.[15]
The Proclamation read in part:
“ My countrymen, as of the twenty-first of this month, I signed Proclamation №
1081 placing the entire Philippines under Martial Law... ”