Primary sources are considered raw data as they provide raw information and first-hand accounts of historical events, usually written or produced by people from the time period who had direct experience or connection to these events. These sources become building blocks for a much more analytical interpretation of historical events, and in particular, those surrounding the periods before, during and after the declaration of Martial Law in the Philippines.
This report looks into the impact of the military build-up on the Island of Samar. In particular, this report contains exploratory findings of a 5-man committee regarding various cases of abuse committed by several military units in Eastern Samar and Northern Samar. Significantly, the report also included an assessment of the impact of the counterinsurgency campaign in Samar that caused a humanitarian crisis on the island.
International Commission on the Militarization of Samar. Militarization of Samar. Hong Kong: Resource Center for Philippine Concerns, 1979.
This document is a summary of the observations made by the Makabayang Makabayang Kilusan Para Isulong ang Katarungan (MAKIISA KA) during their fact-finding mission regarding the multiple reports of human rights violations on the island of Samar. The report of MAKIISA KA underscored the brutality of the ongoing counterinsurgency campaign. Most of the data gathered by the report came from actual victims of military abuse and the survivors of massacres.
Makabayang Kilusan Para Isulong ang Katarungan. Samar: The Continuing Agony of the Land: A Report on the Fact-Finding Mission to Samar, November 3 – 15, 1981.Manila, 1981.
A major fact-finding mission was conducted in Leyte under the sponsorship of the Human Rights Investigation Commission, co-chaired by Senator Lorenzo Tanada and Ambrosio Padilla. Representatives from various Human Rights Groups including Task Force Detainees of the Philippines, the Ecumenical Movement for Justice and Peace, Concerned Citizens for Justice and Peace, and other youth, student and catholic groups participated with the support of international solidarity groups and journalists. A total of 105 persons were interviewed covering 16 barangays between 1982 and 1985, reporting on 160 cases of incidents ranging from arbitrary arrest, torture, looting, and massacres. The report also indicts Military Infantry and Constabulary elements along with members of the Integrated Civilian Home Defense Forces (ICHDF) as perpetrators. A copy of this report was archived by the Medical Action Group, and later Digitized with the help of the Rizal Library.
Human Rights Investigation Commission. “Leyte: Fear and Pain.” Fact-Finding Mission Report, November 13-16, 1985.
Researchers may take interest in examining the materials emphasized and positioned under the Balita tabloid, owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi under the Marcos Administration. Included, but not highlighted in the front page, is an article noted as “Binulgar ni Laurel – Fraud at Elections is being Prepared.” The piece expressed suspicions of fraud being prepared in line for possible Snap Elections within the year 1985 or during elections in 1986 or 87. Another article positions itself against U.S. Media portrayals of the state seemingly aligning with the opposition, titled “American media slant RP coverage”.
Balita News Tabloid. Vol. 7. No. 14. 30 April 1983.
The Balita Tabloid, once owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi, continued to operate after the EDSA Revolt. Researchers will find it of interest to compare or observe the content of the tabloids before and after the ouster of Marcos. One article in this issue notes criticisms of the opposition slate created for the 1987 Legislative elections, which include future 1987 senators Juan Ponce Enrile and Joseph Estrada. Another article also appears to promotes claims of the Marcoses sourcing billions of wealth in gold – focusing on the alleged Yamashita Treasure.
Balita News Tabloid. Vol 9. No. 14. 17 March 1987.
Retrieved from the online library of the Bantayog Foundation, this copy of the Balita News Tabloid, then owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi, offers perspective on the selection and positioning of media news connected with the Administration. The issue features an article titled “Canadian priest is Harassed by gov’t” referring to the harassment of the clergy in Mindanao – including Canadian Father Pat Kelly and German Nationals arrested with Karl Gaspar. Another article later in the paper also speculates on whether Former Senator Benigno Aquino would be returning in time for the 1984 Parliamentary elections.
Balita News Tabloid. Vol. 5. No. 18. 2 June 1983.
Martial Law in Cebu is a collection of essays that feature first-hand accounts of Cebuanos who were arrested, detained, harassed, and/or tortured by uniformed personnel who implemented the harsh measures of Ferdinand E. Marcos’ Martial Law. From National Artist for Literature Resil Mojares to retired judge Meinrado Paredes, the book offers a glimpse from various sectors in Cebu (e.g. the civil society, legal community, the academe, the press, the religious community, and others) that contended with the dictatorship.
Barcenas, Democrito C. (ed.). Martial Law in Cebu. Cebu: Atty. Democrito C. Barcenas, 2022.
This special issue by the Philippines Free Press, entitled “Tribute to a Hero,” revisits the life and work of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino, who was assassinated on the tarmac of the Manila International Airport 10 years before on his way home to the Philippines after years in exile in the United States. The magazine contains many articles that examine the legacy of Aquino and ask questions related to his murder.
“Tribute to a Hero,” Philippines Free Press, August 21, 1993.
This issue of the Balita tabloid, taken from the digital collections of the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation, was written in the aftermath of the Assassination of Former Senator Benigno Aquino on August 1983. Researchers may find this piece of particular interest given that the tabloid at this time was owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi. A unique perspective from Marcos-affiliated media allows one to observe the type of materials, events, and content highlighted by the piece immediately following Aquino’s death.
Balita News Tabloid. Vol. 11. No. 266. 23 August 1983.
The 25 August 1983 issue of the Tempo makes further note of the investigation of Benigno Aquino’s Assassination. Articles on the investigation of the killing, titled “FBI to Trace Murder Gun”, and the delivery of the slain political leader’s remains to church appear on the front page. Considering that Tempo was owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi, researchers may be interested in this material as a way of observing the perspectives of Marcos-affiliated Media in covering the event as well as other activities taking place in the country at the time. A copy of this news release has been preserved by the Bantayog Foundation’s library.
Tempo News Tabloid. Vol. 2. No. 233. 25 August 1983.
The August 26, 1983 issue of the Tempo tabloid, owned by Marcos Crony Hanz Menzi, includes an article with former Constabulary Chief Fidel Ramos warning against radicals taking advantage of the assassination of Benigno Aquino. The piece, titled “We’re Ready – Ramos”, further states the preparations being made to secure the attendance of the Aquino Family during the upcoming funeral procession. Retrieved from the Bantayog ng mga Bayani Digital Archive, this source offers a perspective into the positioning of the Marcos Administration in documenting and representing the assassination event and its aftermath.
Tempo News Tabloid. Vol. 2. No. 234. 26 August 1983.
Reports of the Fact-Finding Board on the Assassination of Senator Benigno Aquino Jr., Manila: Mr and Ms Publishing Company, Octobter 1984.
Extensive report of the Agrava Commission investigating the assassination of Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino. The report concluded that the assassination was a military conspiracy, not a communist plot as dictator Ferdinand Marcos had insisted.
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