Proclamation of Martial Law in the Philippines

General Order No. 1 is dated September 22, 1972.
It is done in the City of Manila.
The order expressly treats martial law as already in effect throughout the land.
The martial law being in force is linked to Proclamation No. 1081 dated September 21, 1972.

The President invokes powers vested by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
The order states that the President shall govern the nation and direct the operation of the entire Government.
The President shall exercise “all the powers and prerogatives appurtenant and incident” to the Commander-in-Chief position.

Martial law is declared because of wanton destruction of lives and property.
Martial law is declared due to widespread lawlessness and anarchy, chaos and disorder throughout the country.
The disorder is attributed to groups of men actively engaged in a conspiracy to seize political and state power.
The conspiracy is described as involving takeover of Government by force and violence, reaching the scale of an actual war against the people and the Government.

The order declares it is imperative for the President to assume greater and more effective control over the entire Government.
The order states that the President must have the broadest latitude and discretion in handling national affairs.
Extraordinary powers are to restore and maintain stability of the nation within the shortest possible time and thereafter.
The stated aim includes safeguarding the integrity and security of the Philippines and ensuring the tranquility of its inhabitants.

The President directs governance and the operation of the entire Government.
The direction covers the Government and all its agencies and instrumentalities.
The order applies to the entire land because martial law is declared effective throughout the land.
The President’s control includes dealing with the affairs of the nation and directing governmental operations.

The order aims to suppress lawlessness.
The order aims to suppress all subversive, seditious, rebellious and insurrectionary activities throughout the land.
The order directs suppression using all the resources and means at the President’s command.
The order authorizes adoption of other measures the President deems necessary and expedient to contain and resolve the national emergency.

The order instructs the President to enable restoration “within the shortest possible time”.
The order further requires maintaining that stability thereafter.
The President is authorized to continue exercising extraordinary powers in dealing with national emergency until conditions are contained and resolved under the order’s continuing public-interest objectives.