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MANILA, Philippines – Peace.
On the International Day of Peace, the Philippines also look back at the declaration of Martial law or Proclamation 1081.
Forty-three years ago, the Philippines was ruled by a dictator and various forms of human rights violations were rife. (READ: #NeverForget: Martial Law stories the youth need to hear)
Netizens discussed what that period meant to them and their families. Rappler and Move.PH held a Twitter conversation to see what people had to say about the past and about peace.
Hello! Join us as we talk about #MartialLaw and #PeaceDay this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/dSXXgtjyTL
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
Dominique Espinosa observed:
@MovePH #MartialLaw will not be Martial law without Marcos hindering the press from reporting the "real" score that time.
— Dominique Espinosa (@sheisdominique) September 21, 2015
Jerome Panibio wrote:
Martial law was never the best years of this nation #MartialLaw
— jerome panibio (@jeromepanibio) September 21, 2015One’s choice of entertainment was not spared. Teddy Pavon recalls:
@MovePH we have a pacman arcade hidden away due to #MartialLaw ban on arcade in 80s.Reminder of censorship of internet/apps if it returns
— Teddy Pavon (@teddy_pavon) September 21, 2015Even fashion had to be circumspect.
During #MartialLaw takot kaming magsuot nang yellow colored clothing kasi baka mapag kamalang kalaban.
— Don Aldo♕ (@DonaldLalican) September 21, 2015Joshua Pielago shared his parents’ story:
My father was teargassed in Mendiola and contemplated joining the NPA. My parents went to Bahrain instead #MartialLaw
— Joshua (@joshua_pielago) September 21, 2015
There was an interesting dialogue as well regarding Martial Law and its consequences, with netizens considering what would happen if Martial Law took place in this day and age:
For @pinoymommy, If #MartialLaw happened today, the first consequence would be the shutdown of social media. #PeaceDay
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
@MovePH @rapplerdotcom If Martial Law happened today, we’d probably have Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube banned here like in some countries.
— ジュリア (@adoboisnotwhite) September 21, 2015
if #martiallaw happened today, walang twitter war ang #AlDubnation at #PastillasGirl. walang #Kathniel #Lizquen at #Jadine na mag tetrending
— RJay Ramos (@urgeA) September 21, 2015
@MovePH if #MartialLaw happened today, then I won’t be able to sent this tweet and enjoy the perks of social media.
— Jon (@JonTheTan) September 21, 2015
@MovePH @rapplerdotcom We have discerned disciplined and law abiding citizens from those who are not.
— Cesar Guling (@cguling2) September 21, 2015If Martial Law happened now, many outspoken social media people would suddenly disappear one by one. If there was social media at all.
— Jade (@Antifornicator) September 21, 2015
If #MartialLaw happened today, social media would be the first means of culling dissenters. That tweet against the admin would be your last.
— Santiago Arnaiz (@TiagoArnaiz) September 21, 2015
JP raised an interesting question:
If #MartialLaw happened today, would the Filipino people finally break their apathy?
— JP ➳ (@blocktux) September 21, 2015
Netizens like Angela Mercado, Seth, Bea Orante, Marianne Chua, kirvin de castro, and Lawrence San Diego also provided what they considered as lessons to be learned. Former Congressman Renato Reyes tweeted:
When the AFP has more power than the civilian authorities in the community, that’s #MartialLaw right there #StopLumadKillings #NeverAgain
— Renato Reyes, Jr. (@natoreyes) September 21, 2015
"The good it brought failed to trump the ill it caused. Hence to deem it as wholly good is what is wrong." – @itsMariaAngela #MartialLaw
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
"We can’t defeat violence with violence, Life is ironic," says @nimbosa. #MartialLaw https://t.co/6LsL7zOLPh
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
"No amount of "discipline" will ever justify killing people who dare to demand better from their government." – @adultsinspandex #MartialLaw
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
Remembering the tragedies brought by #MartialLaw and we will realize how lucky we are to have #PeaceDay inspite of corruption lurking here
— marianne chua (@doobiegirl09) September 21, 2015
@rapplerdotcom @MovePH #MartialLaw There is a thin line that separates fear and discipline.
— kirvin de castro (@decastrokirvin) September 21, 2015Kids, hindi namin kelangan ng Marcos-style #MartialLaw para maging disiplinado. You’re welcome to improve your argument. #NeverAgain
— Lawrence San Diego (@LawrenceLately) September 21, 2015
Raffy Magno had this to say:
A time to recommit ourselves to fight for the freedom that we are enjoying now. #MartialLaw @rapplerdotcom @MovePH pic.twitter.com/zK5SU1rZ9L
— raffy magno (@raffymagno) September 21, 2015
Some, however, saw a bright side to the Martial Law era. They were highlighting the projects done by former president Ferdinand Marcos, while downplaying the debts and human rights violations accumulated during his term.
Is there a bright side during the #MartialLaw period? Tweet your thoughts! #PeaceDay https://t.co/MCOjtdgaIE
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
@pipodelrosario @MovePH exactly what my parents & grandparents told me: #MartialLaw is hell only for those who opposed, everyone else happy
— seth 周公旦 Ελεύθερος (@nimbosa) September 21, 2015@MovePH We can’t expect everyone to see only the dark side of Martial Law. Some people look at the brighter side of this part of history.
— Abdel Hazziem B D (@iamziemoholic) September 21, 2015The #PeaceDay discussion focused on the challenges to achieving peace, and what could be done to make it happen. Some netizens considered ignorance and misinformation as the main obstacles.
Misinformation. Evident in both houses during the Mamasapano hearings. Some of our legislators are not aware of our history. @MovePH
— raffy magno (@raffymagno) September 21, 2015
Despite our shared past, many netizens were still optimistic that the Philippines could still achieve and maintain peace in the years to come.
Personal inner peace–because what you have resonates to the universe. You get what you give. #PeaceDay https://t.co/ilN6OOJCdr
— Andrea Nicole (@halloandrea) September 21, 2015
"Our brains,they say,are hardwired for conflict. But we must find the desire for peace in our hearts." – @thirdyglino #PeaceDay
— MovePH (@MovePH) September 21, 2015
Maymay observed:
.@MovePH Spend time, listen and learn from those affected by conflict, seek ways on how we can work together to achieve peace. #PeaceDay
— Maymay Balatayo (@maymaybalatayo) September 21, 2015
patience and understanding to myself and towards others @MovePH @PeaceDay @UN
— James Castro Linao (@JamCastroLinaO) September 21, 2015
Do you have any experiences from Martial Law that you would like to share with us? What lessons should we learn from Martial Law? What would you consider obstacles to peace? Let us know by commenting below. – Rappler.com
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