‘Martial Law 1’
THE declaration of President Ferdinand E. Marcos (PFEM), last September 21, 1972, of “State of Emergency” Martial Law throughout the Philippines was unprecedented. Today, even after 45 years it remains controversial with pro and contra advocates in heated debate and public demonstrations.
I remember years ago when I visited Malacañang to inform PFEM that I had been invited by the German government to be one of their official guests in the Munich Olympics. Mrs. Imelda R. Marcos seemed reluctant to give me her blessings, that I should leave the country at that particular time. After Martial Law was declared I was in Munich with my wife, I realized that she wanted to discourage me from leaving, because she knew that Martial Law was about to be declared.
Anyway, it is relevant to go back to some of the events of history. At that time the most significant was the Plaza Miranda bombing of the Liberal Party rally (Miting de Avance) on August 21, 1971. The grenade throwing attack at that LP Rally almost killed the whole leadership of that political party, from Senator Gerry Roxas (LP president) to Senators Jovito Salonga, Serging Osmeña (defeated LP presidential candidate), Genaro Magsaysay (defeated LP candidate for vice president), Senators Eva Estrada Kalaw, then Congressmen Sonny Osmeña, Eddie Ilarde, Mayor of Manila Bagatsing, and others. The only missing LP VIP was Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino (LP secretary general). Mr Aquino’s excuse was that he had to attend the pre-wedding party of Suzie, a daughter of Senator “Doy” Laurel, who was getting married to Mr. Delgado.
The grenade throwing incident that almost killed the LP leadership was saved due to timely medical intervention and the fact that the first grenade fell on the crowd in front of the stage. It was only one grenade that hit the stage where the VPs were seated. Six wounded LP candidates for senator won that election, namely Jovito Salonga, Magsaysay, Eva Kalaw, Osmeña, Ilarde, and Ramon Mitra. Only two Senators won for the NPs– Senator Almendras and Maceda.
President Ferdinand Marcos with his Vice President Fernando Lopez had just won their re election. Marcos was on a second term and could no longer run for another term. It was quite obvious that perhaps the opposition LPs had the best opportunity to be elected to power through their candidates. Senator Gerry Roxas was the incumbent president of the LP. All things being considered, whoever is the party president has the extraordinary advantage of appointing the Convention delegates. Roxas was thus taught to be the next presidential candidate of the LP. Perhaps Senator Ninoy Aquino had the second best chance to be nominated by his party.
Contrary to the political propaganda (fake news) that it was President Marcos responsible for the almost total massacre of the LPs at Plaza Miranda, from the books written by Senators Jovito Salonga, Eva Kalaw, and Col Victor Corpus, an erstwhile NPA, the public learned that the Plaza Miranda grenade throwers were NPAs.
The only pertinent question to ask is was Ninoy Aquino aware of the NPA plot? If not, why not? After all, the founding of the CPP-NPA-NDF was done inside Hacienda Luisita. The founding head of the CPP was Jose Maria Sison. The head of the NPA was Bernabe Buscayno aka “Commander Dante” who was reported to be the driver of a very close relative of Ninoy Aquino. Ask Nilo Tayag. Tayag was also chosen Sec Gen of that group. From said facts let the public make their own conclusion.