Martial Law (ML) is not inherently bad for the country and its people. Its good to restore order, discipline, government, and the society as a whole. We understand it when Ferdinand Marcos declared ML in 1972. He had the reasons presented clearly in Proclamation 1081, so eloquently discussed, unparalleled screenwriting done. The situations were dramatic, convincing and even the Supreme Court (a collegial body of well versed law personas and demigods) approved or declared constitutional. It was the thing to do in those troubled times.
But then on, after 1972 September, almost all opposition members were arrested. The networks were shut down. The people are kept mum on the happenings of our country. Until, the infant dictator abolished Congress. Until the dictator declared himself as the maker of laws. Until the 1935 constitution, although historically outdated by then, was replaced by the 1973 Marcos-approved one.
The ML’s supposed intentions were exploited, used and utterly overused. To this day, most non-millenials who experienced the perils of a Martial Law can vividly describe, probably with horror, or joy, depending on who you ask.
But, in our same troubled times today, ML is necessary only in areas where order is not readily achievable. Say Marawi. Say Sulu (maybe). Only those parts. Only.
To restore peace.
To restore order.
To restore normalcy.
But if the ML powers were to be used by the current administrarion to silence the opposition, no matter how obscure the Yellow’s arguments are to them, that is not good.
That is evil.
Democracy is the basic reason why you can still read this post, no matter how un-expert I am to the topic.
Democracy is the basic reason why Duterte is even in power - our power of Suffrage and free elections.
Democracy is the basic reason why we can voice out our opinions about topics that probably only experts can visually integrate in their arguments and descriptions.
Democracy is precious. Martial law might not be the actual or direct enemy of democracy, but it is surely a precursor to a dictatorship.
