DARKNESS FALLS ON THE PHILIPPINES The Philippine Daily Express, then a tabloid, announces the declaration of martial law on Sept. 21, 1972. INQUIRER ARCHIVES
Proclamation No. 1081, which placed the Philippines under martial law, was signed on Sept. 21, 1972, by then President Ferdinand Marcos.
It was only formally announced at 3 p.m. on Sept. 23 with Press Sec. Francisco Tatad on television and radio. Marcos himself went on air at 7 p.m. to formally announce the proclamation.
He then imposed a curfew, banned public demonstrations, closed newspapers, radio and television stations; and ordered the arrest of opposition politicians and journalists, among many other things. Marielle Medina, Inquirer Research
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