Martial Law in the Philippines,

Martial law occurred at a bleak time in the history of the Philippines and in the career of President Ferdinand Marcos. The populace was apparently united in only one thing--the need for drastic action, and it appears that martial law was accepted calmly by the overwhelming majority of Filipinos. After one month of martial law, President Marcos seemed in control of a civilian government, with strong military presence, that was implementing a series of well-planned, detailed reforms, was cracking down on dissidents, and was as yet not brutal in everyday application. Why all this occurred is open to a number of different interpretations. Three are offered in the report.