ORAL HISTORY PROJECT ON MARTIAL LAW PERIOD

In fulfillment for the final requirement of the course subject

GEC105 - Readings in Philippine History

Felisarta, Hanna Mae

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering

Maraunay, Aira Sol

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
 FOREWORD

These researcher students stand firm that the testimonies, personal stories and
documentations as recorded on paper and voice record have historical authenticity. The
historicity of oral history is validated within the context of a collective memory of the survivor of
the atrocities during Martial whom the MSU-IIT students have interviewed for recording and
course requirements.

From the transcript of the interview, the profound trauma of these experiences lingers
within the survivors, ingrained in their very being, despite the passage of four decades.
Conducting interviews and compiling data while the survivors are still present, and
cross-referencing with documented records, epitomizes the essence of oral history.
Interpretation of these experiences, based on the survivors' own narratives, is inherently
accurate. The lexicon of the 20th century generation bears witness to the stories of martial law
survivors, evident in newly coined terms such as "tasahan," referring to hamlet centers
established as part of the government's counterinsurgency strategy, particularly in regions like
Mindanao affected by communist and insurgent activities, and "salvaging," signifying the grim
practice of abduction followed by untraceable killings.

As per the request of the interviewee, confidentiality of the interviewee’s information is to

be observed such as the name of the interviewee. However, an alias was provided during the
interview in order to address the session more comfortably. Actual photos, documentation of the
interviewee were not permitted by the family members.

As we embark on this journey through the memories and reflections of these martial law
survivors, it is imperative that we approach their accounts with profound empathy, thorough
comprehension, and an unwavering commitment to recognizing their courage in sharing their
experiences. As we traverse the subsequent pages, let us serve as witnesses to the enduring
resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of adversity.
 TRANSCRIPT
May 04, 2024
ZOOM Meeting Transcript
ZOOM Meeting ID: 779 6047 6438

Maraunay: May’ng buntag tatay (name of interviewee), ako diay si Aira Maraunay og kuyog
nako akong classmate nga si Mae Felisarta, mga estudyante mi sa MSU-IIT tay.
Kami diay tong niduol sa imong apo og nangutana kung pwede ba ka namo ma
interview and kung musugot ka na i-istorya nimo imong mga naagian adtong
Martial Law po.

Tatay: Oo pwede ra og may’ng buntag pod mga langga.

Maraunay: Adisir ta magsugod tay, ako lang iklaro utro tay nga naa miy permission na
i-record ni atong tawag kay kinahanglan namo siya as ebidensya og mag matuod
nga tinuod among ipasa nga transcript po. Nakapirma na ka adtong permission
letter ba tay?

Tatay: Gi permihan na to nimo ****? (referring to a family member). Di lang ko magpakita

mga langga ha? Unta makasabot ramo kay naa ra koy mga gipanglikayan.

Felisarta: Yes po tay walay problema po. We promise po to keep your identity confidential
po.

Felisarta: Magsugod na ta tay ha. Ato dumdumon ang nahitabo adtong Martial Law. Adtong
1972, nag declare si Ferdinand Marcos nga mag Martial Law ang Pilipinas tungod
kay daghan na mga komunista og dili muuyon sa iyang pamaagi as presidente sa
Pilipinas. Karon, taod-taod pod tong Martial Law, pagkalagpot niya, didto mas
nakita og nahibal-an sa tanan unsa ka lala ang mga human rights abuses ang
nahitabo while nagmartial law, og daghan kaayo ang mga namatay adtong
panahon. Unsay madumduman nimo nga mga kaagi nimo adto tay? Ug pilay
edad nmo ato tay?

Tatay: Ug grabe lang hisgutan di gyud ko malimut atong kinse o katorse ko adto, tiud na
gi deklara ang martial law. Una adto abi namo wala ra to. Unsa gyud among labot
anang gubot sa Manila nga layo raman kaayo ang Mindanao…pero naa na gyud
mga gyera-gyera diri adto. (pause) Akong amahan….wa gyud ko kabalo unsa iya
trabaho. Dili mi kwartaan, nagpuyo ra tawn mig nipa adto, kami sa akong igsoon
musaka ra og mga lubi…ibaligya. Ang duha ka manghod nako nga babae ra ang
ga-eskwela adto. Lisod pod lage mi kay akong mama magtahi-tahi rapod. Wala’y
ingon nga dako mig..income. Kapait sa kinabuhi sa niaging panahon. Hayahay na
kaayo mo mga kabataan karon.

Tatay: Di ko malimot, gikan ko namaligyag lubi ato,pag uli nako ni ana sa dihang daghan
man gatapok sa among nataran. Tingala ko unsay naa, pagduol nako kit-an nako
akong inahan gahilak. Gidakop daw sa mga sundalo akong amahan og uban
silingan namo, udtong dako pa daw to unya sawot ng adlaw nako nakauli adto.
 Nigabii, niugma nalang adto wala pa gyud kabalik akong amahan. Nabalitaan
nalang namo nga gi-pugotan diay siya.

Felisarta: Hala grabe diay tay no? Nakadumdum ka tay giunsa ninyo pagkabalo? Like naa
bay nabalita sa radyo or sa TV adto?

Tatay: Unsa tuod to? Di ko man madunggan, naunsa mani *****? Unsa ilang pangutana?
(referring to a family member)

Family Member:Giunsa ba daw nimo nahibal-an Lo? Naa ba daw ka gipangutana bahin sa imo
papa? Or nadunggan nmo sa TV ba or sa radio?

Tatay: Bahin sa akong amahan? Wala intawon. Nakabalo nalang mi kay nikalat rapod
ang istorya nga gapugot og mga ulo ang mga sundalo. Balo lang pod ug
napugutan to o basin gipatay lang gyud. Wala naman nahibalik sa amo. Wala mi
kabalo sa among bation adto. Didto na gyud mi naka amgo nga seryoso ni
(Martial Law) og dili insakto ang mga gipangbuhat sa amoa adto. Pila ra ka adlaw
paghoman adto kay naa dayon mga sundalo nangadto sa amoa. Gitapok mi nila
kay mangbalhin lage daw mi. Wa mi ming sugot ato, pero wala mi mabuhat kay
naa silay dala mga (rifles) adto basin palang pusilon mi og mubalibad. Kahadlok
nlng gyud to nabati namo atong panahona.

Tatay: Gibutang dayon mi nila adto sa tasahan. Kami tanan sa akong pamilya naa didto.
Akong inahan nlng ug mga igsuon kay akonng papa matud nila patay na.
Makadumdum pa ko sa mga (nahadlok) nawng sa ako igsoon nga bae. Huot
kaayo sa dughan dumdumon, maskin akong inahan nga nagluya sa pagkabalo sa
unsay nahitabo sa akong amahan.(pause)Gusto nako kalimtan kapait sa nahitabo
busa nawong sa akong inahan gahilak akong mahinumduman.

Tatay: Naay pako ang balita, kabalo mo ana nga isturya. Karon sa panahon ninyo sayon
nlng man ang mga balita mukaylap kay selpon, ug tibi mao manay uso karon.
Niadto paman, kabalo mi unsa ka hadlok ang mga nahitabo sa mga tasahan. Bati
kaayo nga lugar. Tanan kahogaw og ka animal sa mga taw mugawas didto.
Makapangutana ka kung tawo pa bitaw sila, kung kapwa Pinoy ba nato sila
(sundalo). Sa mga kahugaw nga gibuhat nila, wa sila dapuig konsensya man lang
noh. (long pause) Namatay akong inahan didto, pati akong bae nga igsoon. Dili na
gyud nila maagwanta ang mga nahitabo og gibuhat sa ila. Lagot ko adto, sa
akong kaugalingon kay wala koy nabuhat para masalbar sila man lang. Nganong
nahitabo gyud to sa among pamilya. Paita btaw, pero kabubut on man sa Diyos, di
na to masuklan.

Tatay: Muingon si Marcos nga tungod kay daghan komunista adtong panahona. Mga
kontra sa iyaha, makaingon biya gyud ka nga sakto ilang rason nga kontrahan
siya. Sa kataas sa panahon adtong Martial Law, di ko mutuo nga tungod lang kay
naay mga komunista adto. Gahaman na si Marcos, gusto siya nga iyahon ang
Pilipinas. Dili ra kami mga ordinaryong taw iya gipamatay, wa toy pili, mga baye,
tigulang, tanan.
Felisarta: Grabe gyud diay tay no? Sorry kaayo Tay ah naagian nmo to tanan. Feel nimo tay
target gyud mo adto?

Tatay: Di gyud ko maka-ingon. Naa pod lage mga istorya adto nga akong amahan
kay…..apil siya sa mga kontra sa gobyerno. Namatay nalang akong amahan wala
gyud na maklaro namo sa akong igsoon. Wala ko kabalo unsa gyud trabaho niya,
usahay tabangan mi niya saka og lubi, usahay mawala siya kay munaog sa sentro
mamaligya. Kabalo guro akong inahan unsa gyud iya trabaho nya unsaon taman
nga…namatay man siya didto sa tasahan.

Maraunay: Giunsa ninyo pag-escape didto sa tasahan pod tay?

Tatay: Balika daw, di nako ma klaro, ni karat man.

Maraunay: Giunsa ninyo pag ikyas gikan sa tasahan tay?

Tatay: Kabalo mo sa kadaghan gipang-priso nila, nagsagol sagol na mi didto. Naay mga
guerilla pod amo nakaila didto, daghan pod sila napriso didto. Sa kapait sa mga
naagian namo didto sa mga tasahan, walay lain mahunahuna namo kundi ang
makaikyas ra gyud og..mabuhi.

Tatay: Bata pa ko ato, mas bataa pa ninyo, dili na kaayo nako madumdum giunsa gyud
to namo pag-ikyas. Gabii to. Nagkagubot og kalit dayon (nagriot) unya kami sa
akong igsoon ningkamot intawon nga makagawas mi. Daghan mi adto
nakagawas pero nagkawala pod dayon mi adto pag abot sa lasangan. Kami ra
intawon sa ako maguwang ang nakagawas didto, among pamilya kay didto ra
gyud taman ila kinabuhi. (long pause) Lisod kaayo paghoman adto, sige ra mi
tago sa ako igsoon kay wala pa gyud mahoman ang pagka-diktador ni Marcos
adto. Pila ka buwan, tuig adto kay naghikog ako igsoon, di na daw niya makaya
nga madumduman niya ang mga nahitabo. (pause) Ako ming padayun ko oy,
tawa nabuhi hantud karon, nakakita nga nanganak akong mga anak. Dia na gani
koy tulo ka apo, dagko na, classmate ba ninyos *****?

Felisarta: Amigo lang tay, nangayo mig tabang niya actually para sa among project, then
ming ingon sya na nakaabot pa daw iya lolo adtong Martial Law. Mao dayun to,
nangayo mi contact number ug oras para ma interview ka po.

Tatay: Aw mao lagi to ingon niya. Ako mu supporta rako, basta kamo mag tinarung mog
skwela kay lisud kaayong panahon karon.

Felisarta: Opo tay, pag skwela jod kailangan namo i priority… Dayun tay, kadtong natangtang
si Marcos sa pagka presidente, diba ga EDSA revolution to? Unsay nabati nmo
atong pagkadungog ninyo tay na nawala na siyay posisyon?

Tatay: Daghan mi nalipay adtong pagkalagpot ni Marcos sa pagka-presidente. Kapungot

pod amo nabati adto kay sa tanan lisod og sakit nga amo naagian unya siya sa
iyang pamilya kay ikyas ra. Sa kadaghang namatay adtong iyang pagkadiktador,
kulang ra to.
Maraunay: Bitaw Tay no, nidako biya mi tay nga kabalo unsa kamaot ang mga kaagi sa mga
Pilipino adtong martial law. Natun-an namo unsa kadaghan ang nangamatay nga
walay hustisya, mapa babae man, bata or tiguwang. Last namo na question Tay,
karon nga na presidente ang anak ni Marcos, unsa imong maingon ana tay?

Tatay: Wala, og dili gyud magkat-on ang mga tawo. Kana si (President) Marcos, buhi
naman na siya adtong pag martial law, naa na na silay buot og sigurado ko
kabalo na siya giunsa pag maltrato sa iya amahan ang mga Pilipino. Unsa gali na
ilang ginaingon….Golden period? Golden period ba nga nagkalisod man ang
Pilipinas adto, unya tan-awa ron pati bugas ug sardinas. Grabe naman ka mahal
sa presyo karon, datu ray makakaon. Pasalamat lng gani ko kay naa ra poy
trabaho akong mga anak. Wala tay lain makuha sa pagdumala sa usa ka Marcos
kundi kalisod ra gyud, samot ka pobre ang Pilipinas. Ambot lang hinuon ngano gi
botaran na syas mga tawo, wa man nangatagam. Mga mag-uuma nato hastang
pobreha pati ning mga jeep ingon pa to walaon daw, unya unsaon nalang mga
pangkinabuhi sa mga parehas natong pobre. (pause) Dili gyud ta mu-asenso ani,
kawatan ra ta aning pamilyaha, magpakadato sila samtang kita magkasamot og
kapobre.

Felisarta: Di ari rami taman tay, kanang salamat kaayo sa oras nga imong gihatag tay ma
interview ka namo. Pasalamat kaayo mi Tay na gi share nmo imong mga naagian,
ug dinhi pd namo na realize bitaw Tay na sa kadtong panahona, daghan gyud
nahitabo dli maayo. Base sa imong gi share tay, sakit kaayo na mga experiences,
pero grabe imong pagdasig. Wala jd ka nawad ag hope tay na mu continue sa
kinabuhi. Ug kana pa lang tay, idol jd ka namo. Salamat kaayo Tay ah, ug salamat
pd ***** sa pag guide ni tatay. Salamat kaayo.

Tatay: O sige salamat pd, kamo, mag tarung mog skwela aron mu asenso ta gamay.
Pareha sa akong mga anak naning kamot makahuman, nakakaon namig sakto
gikan sa among ka pobrehon. Gi pa iskwela mog tarung, tarungon pod nnyu
inyong mga ginikanan ah.

Felisarta: Opo Tay, we will do our best po. Salamat kaayo sa oras Tay. Amoa na palungon
Tay ah. Salamat pod ****. Babyeee, thank you kaayo.
 ANALYSIS

The stories of ordinary people - named and unnamed - attest to the veracity of the claim
that arrests, tortures, incarcerations, disappearances, hamletting, salvaging, rapes and gruesome
killings really did happen during the time of President Ferdinand Marcos' martial law.1 Under
martial law, Marcos dissolved Congress, transferring all powers to the President, enforced a
curfew, banned group assemblies, and authorized the military to arrest individuals on
charges of conspiring to take over government even without trial.2 Tatay Fredo, 61 years old, was
around 14 to 15 years old during Martial Law which he shared in the interview. Now residing in
Bukidnon, Tatay Fredo lives to tell the young generation the atrocities and abuses they
experienced during Marcos Sr.’s martial law and the consequences, trauma and nightmares they
have suffered while moving forward in their lives; but never forgetting.

President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Proclamation No. 1081 on September 21, 1972,
placing the Philippines under Martial Law which would officially end on January 17, 1981 with
Proclamation No. 2045.3 The executor of such government law, was a Philippine lawyer and
politician who established an authoritarian regime in the Philippines that was criticized for its
repression of democratic procedures and for corruption. The late administrator claimed that the
implementation of Martial Law was the last defense opposing the growing chaos brought on by
the alleged threats of communist insurgency. However, despite the said intention, it caused
atrocities throughout the islands of the Philippines. There were those who used the law in a way
to exploit others and gain from other people’s demise. The country during those times was
divided, not just in experiences, but also in actions and intentions.

When Marcos declared Martial Law in the Philippines, specific events that he cited to
justify his decision were the Communist insurgency and the ambush of his Minister of Defense
Juan Ponce Enrile outside the Wack-Wack subdivision. Both reasons, of course, fall within the
scope of the imminent threat that necessitates the declaration of Martial Law. However,
independent reports suggest that at the time, there were only about 1,000 NPA guerrillas, whose
arms were old-fashioned. In the NPA’s own history, only 350 men with first-line rifles were
documented at the time of Martial Law. Other analyses suggest that it was in fact the declaration
of Martial Law in 1972 which caused membership in these radicalized groups to swell. Reports
on the increased following of the radical movement emphasize the role of idealistic youth, fed up
with the abuses committed during the regime. Toward the end of Martial law, recorded numbers

1
Gloria E. Melencio, "Stories of the Nameless: Eyewitness Accounts of Martial Law Victims and Survivors,"
Journal Article, 2019, https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/journal-articles/3954.
2
Maria Virginia Aguilar & Edwin Lineses, "Constructing a Counter-Memory: A Proposition to Atrocities and
Historical Apathy to the Martial Law Experience in the Philippines," vol. 3 (2023): 11-20.
3
"Declaration of Martial Law," Official Gazette,
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/featured/declaration-of-martial-law/.
had grown from about 1,500 in 1976 to 35,000 in 1985.4 For Tatay Fredo, Marcos Sr.’s declaration
was a strategic move to extend his grip on power beyond the constitutionally allowed limits and
with it, Marcos used the martial law to abolish term limits, allowing him to remain in power
indefinitely. Furthermore, martial law enabled Marcos to silenced critics, imprison political
opponents, and stifle any form of opposition. Tatay believed these actions were driven more by
personal ambition and the desire for absolute power than by genuine national security concerns.

In the period following World War II before the declaration of martial law in the
Philippines, politics and heavy demands for patronage affected the allocation of resources, the
administrative process, and personnel policies in ways inimical to the interests of businessmen
and technocrats. As part of a patronage system with competitive elections, the Philippine local
administrative and budgetary process prior to martial law was vulnerable to political exigencies.5
This system, deeply rooted in the political culture, involved networks of reciprocal relationships
where patrons provided resources and protection to clients in exchange for political support. It
fostered a culture of dependency and loyalty, which was crucial for electoral success and
political stability. However, it also led to inefficiencies and corruption, as government resources
were often allocated based on loyalty rather than merit or need. During martial law, the patronage
system was both a tool for consolidating power and a target for purported reforms. Marcos
justified martial law partly on the need to eliminate the pervasive corruption and inefficiency
associated with patronage politics yet his regime ultimately intensified these practices. Martial
law was used to suppress opposition and centralize control, but he also relied heavily on a
network of loyal supporters, rewarding them with government positions and economic
opportunities in exchange for their loyalty. This consolidation of power through patronage helped
Marcos maintain his authoritarian rule while further embedding clientelist politics into the fabric
of Philippine governance​. 6

People’s experiences under Martial Law were not all the same. Some experienced brutal
cases of exploitation, while others experienced prosperity. The experiences depend on the
location of the people and the class of workers they were during the time. Many reports have
mentioned that human right abuses were prominent in the northern region of the Philippines.
Therefore, people living there experienced much worse oppressions than people living in the
southern part. However, it does not imply that people in Mindanao were free from the leverages.

4
"Declaration of Martial Law," Martial Law Museum,
https://martiallawmuseum.ph/magaral/declaration-of-martial-law/.
5
Thomas C. Nowak, "Philippines Before Martial Law: A Study in Politics and Administration," American Political
Science Review, accessed May 15, 2024, https://doi.org/10.2307/1954636.
6
Montiel, C. J. (2016). The enduring curse of patronage politics: Why Filipinos should not elect a patrimonial
president in the 2016 elections. UP Halalan. Retrieved from
https://halalan.up.edu.ph/the-enduring-curse-of-patronage-politics-why-filipinos-should-not-elect-a-patrimonial-pre
sident-in-the-2016-elections/
 As in the case of Tatay, who resided in the southern part of the country, oppression did
not escape his family and his community. His experience was a notable one since it
demonstrated grave and brutal scenarios that happened to him and his late family. He did not
mention that the alleged disappearance and murder of his father was given any justice. In fact,
what happened to him was brutal enough to drive his brother into taking his own life.

The experiences of Tatay were just one in many brutalities that happened during Martial
Law. It is to be noted that his experience was not the worst of all. Many others who shared their
stories conferred about the remorselessness of the abusers during those times.

The militarisation of Philippine society has been decried by many. The insidious effects
of militarisation are apparent in the extra-judicial killings by the miltray, arbitrary arrest of
suspected persons, torture, prolonged detention, and hamletting; all carried out by military or
security forces. Despite censorship and media blackout, some independent journalists and
media outlets managed to report on human rights abuses during martial law. Their bravery
ensures them the ticket to face harassment, censorship, and even imprisonment for their reports,
but their actions contributed to documenting and exposing the dictator’s violations. The
testimonies provided by the survivor, victims' families and eyewitnesses served as valuable
sources of information detailing the atrocities and abuses done by the Marcos Sr. dictatorship.

The Philippines, after the Martial Law was lifted continued to have limited progress
towards greater democracy. Even after late President Marcos went into exile, fascism has not
stopped. The brutality left immovable scars to many people, enough that up to this day, those
victims still recall the events that had happened.

“Di lang ko magpakita mga langga ha? Unta makasabot ramo kay naa ra koy mga
gipanglikayan.” There were others who were bold enough to share their stories to the public. Yet
in some, the fear remained. The fear of being targeted again, the fear of being wrongly accused,
and the fear of losing their families again still remained even after many years had passed. Truly,
it was a traumatic event for many people.

The events that had happened during the Martial Law, good or bad, remained intact in our
history as Filipinos. It will forever be discussed and scrutinized. It was, without a doubt, a factor
that contributed to shaping the Philippines and its people in these current times. The victims will
share their stories, and their grand daughters and sons will hear them and these stories will
remain, just as how their traumas did. It reminds Filipinos of what a nation would look like if it
was led by a dictator who’s blind and deaf to the people’s wounds and cries.

Though what happened has happened, Filipinos are to be reminded of the sacrifices their
ancestors made to fight for what’s right. The EDSA revolution that abolished Marcos from his
position was a form of sacrifice for the country. It is, and will always be a reminder to us Filipinos
of what unity can do.

Fear has left many stories undocumented and unheard. Speaking up is not a constant
reminder of the traumas that have happened, instead it is a sacrifice to remind the people to
always have the courage to fight for their rights and to fight for their country. The legacy of
martial law, characterized by widespread human rights violations, censorship, and political
repression, leaves an indelible mark on survivors. The trauma inflicted by state-sanctioned
violence and coercion reverberates through generations, shaping perceptions of power, authority,
and justice. The survivor may grapple with profound survivor's guilt, questioning why they lived
while their loved ones perished. Grief for their lost family members is a constant companion, as
they mourn not only their deaths but also the stolen years and unfulfilled potential.

Tatay is just one victim of many. His courage and his will to fight for his life during and
after the Martial Law is something to be praised. His experience contributed to remodeling a
bigger picture of what Martial Law was for many people, and the events that happened; and so
that the Filipinos in this generation would understand where the hate and despise to many
leaders come from. As the years passed and the scars of Martial Law began to fade, Tatay
emerged as a voice of truth and resilience in a society still grappling with its painful past. His
willingness to share his story, despite the trauma it evoked, helped to paint a clearer picture of
the injustices that occurred during the darkest hours of the nation. Tatay's legacy extends beyond
his own survival; it serves as a poignant reminder of the resilience and courage of the Filipino
people in the face of oppression. And as the nation moves forward, Tatay's unwavering spirit
remains a guiding force, reminding all Filipinos of the importance of remembering the past in
order to build a better future.

The reign of Marcos may have been a “golden” apple to many eyes, but for some, it was
an apple rotten to the core.
 INTERVIEW PHOTOS

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ZOOM Meeting Session:
Topic: Martial Law Survivor Interview Session
Time: May 4, 2024 02:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Meeting ID: 779 6047 6438
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